Posts Tagged africa
5/25 News
French documentary attacks biotech giant Monsanto
A recent French documentary, Le Monde selon Monsanto (The World According to Monsanto) is attacking the bioengineering giant Monsanto. Award-winning investigative journalist Marie-Monique Robin filmed an amateur-style report about how the company has bullied and lured governments and farmers to to become the dominant genetically-modified seed distributor on the market. Monsanto refused to be interviewed because they said it would make them look bad.
Monsanto produces Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) to increase milk production despite proven health risks to both the cows and consumers. It was the only company to sell PCBs in the US and has also produced products like Agent Orange and aspartame. Robin illustrates how the company has wedged itself into both the government and local agriculture distributors in order to sell such questionable products.
747 crashes, splits on runway
A cargo Boeing 747 crashed split in half while attempting takeoff at a Brussels airport early this morning. Four of the five crew members had minor injuries and were taken to the hospital. It’s not clear what caused the plane to crash near the end of the runway, close to a rail line and housing. Firefighters coated the plane in flame-retardant foam since the plane was still full of fuel.
Pirate attacks rising
According to the International Maritime Bureau’s latest report, pirate attacks are rising for the first time since 1990. Though not as romantic as Johnny Depp, modern pirates create just as many horrific stories. Last March pirates shot a passenger boat captain and two crew members near the Philippines and tied them to the ship’s anchor before shooting the remaining crew members. The organization says some blame rests on the political instability in coastal countries like Somalia and Nigeria.
Mugabe threatens to expel US ambassador
Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe threatened today to expel US ambassador James McGee from the country if “he makes one more step wrong,” according to Mugabe.
“He says he fought in Vietnam, but fighting in Vietnam does not give him the right to interfere in our domestic affairs.” He also accused the State Department’s top diplomat Jendayi Frazer of behaving like a prostitute. “You saw this little American girl trotting around like a prostitute celebrating that the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) had won. A disgraceful act.”
Add comment May 25, 2008
5/22 News
Chinese earthquake victims reaches 50,000
The death toll of an earthquake that hit Southwestern China May 12th has leaped to over 50,000, increasing 10,000 from the previous estimate. The injured count from this 7.9 magnitude earthquake nears 300,000 with another near 30,000 missing.
Today ended a three-day mourning period that postponed the Olympic torch relay through a coastal province. The final stretch through the Sichuan province will start August 3rd, less than a week before the opening ceremony.
House passes faulty farm bill
House Democrats tasted a bittersweet victory yesterday when a House clerk sent an incomplete copy of the $300 billion farm bill to President Bush. Bush used his 10th veto this presidency on the bill but the House easily overrode the veto. However; when before the bill was sent back to the Senate to override, a 34-page omission was discovered.
2/3 of the bill covers food stamps and other nutrition programs. It also provides farm subsidies to dairy farmers and biofuel farmers, omitting the ethanol industry which has been blamed for helping to raise food prices.
McCain attracts more criticism for lobbyist ties
Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain is attracting more criticism for his ties with lobbyists. His top political advisor Charles Black was a lobbyist and advisor for several questionable regimes, including Angolan guerrilla Jonas Savimbi in the 1980’s. He was also registered as a foreign agent for other African leaders from Zaire, the Philippines, Nigeria and Somalia.
Ironically, McCain recently banned his staff from lobbying for foreign countries. “One of the things Obama will do is portray him as the creature of Washington, and what could be more Washington-esque than having a dictator as a client?” said Paul Light, a public service professor at New York University.
FBI isn’t prepared, says agent
An FBI agent and whistleblower for the organization testified in Congress yesterday, claiming the FBI lacks the knowledge about the Middle East to deal with threats from that region.
“While we appreciate any employee’s views on the state and direction of the FBI, those assessments may be very limited in scope,” said John Miller, head of FBI public affairs.
Add comment May 22, 2008
