Communities in the Himalayan and Andes depend on glaciers to get their daily water. But since the average global temp. Has risen by 0.6 degrees Celsius the temperature of glaciers has increased by 1.5 degrees in just two decades. Over 10 million people depend on water from the glaciers and on top of that many city's depend on the irrigation that the glaciers give off to the food around Lima.
One stated "The availability of water is changing. For a short period of time, there will be more water. In Bolivia, for example, people are not necessarily unhappy about the warmer temperatures because they are able to grow more crops in the warmer climate. But it is not sustainable"
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Iraq buys 3 billion in war planes from US
Basically Iraq has overflow money from there oil business. Now Iraq officials have asked to buy 18 new aircraft to boost there air force that consist of only 158 aircraft. The contract has been signed and this deal is going to go down already. This project will cost Iraq about 3 billion and will come with all the essential training and weaponry.
-Chris
-Chris
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Bullfight is banned in Barcelona
September 25 was the last bull fight in Barcelona, Spain. 20 thousand people gathered at the El monumental bullfighting arena in Barcelona for the last time to watch bull fighting before it is outlawed. El monumental is the largest bull ring in Spain and is nearly 100 years old. Bull fighting is being outlawed in the Catalonia part of Spain because animal rights activists gathered 180 thousand signatures saying that bull fighting is against animal rights and is just barbaric. There hasn’t been too much of an outcry because people know how brutal they treat the bulls. In Spain bullfighting is considered an artistic ritual adored by millions. So to some people it’s going to be hard to see it go away but the running of the bulls well still be an active event everyone can enjoy.
Libya transitional council believes mass grave found
Officals in Libya's transitional govement claimed this Sunday to have found a mass grave site. It holds the remians of 1,270 people. The government claims these are the victims of the 1996 massacre at Abu Salim prison.
Since there has been no excavation, media reporters have claimed the bones may not be of the prisoners. The NTC has called on international governments for help.
"... We need specialists in the field to help us in identifying the victims..." - Dr. Salem Fergani, a committe member
On June 28, 1996, prisoners were shot and killed for rioting over poor conditions and escaping their cells. The ousted leader Moammar Gadhafi did not acknowledge the killings and denied the crime having taken place.
"It could take years to identify all the bodies through DNA"- Fergani
Since there has been no excavation, media reporters have claimed the bones may not be of the prisoners. The NTC has called on international governments for help.
"... We need specialists in the field to help us in identifying the victims..." - Dr. Salem Fergani, a committe member
On June 28, 1996, prisoners were shot and killed for rioting over poor conditions and escaping their cells. The ousted leader Moammar Gadhafi did not acknowledge the killings and denied the crime having taken place.
"It could take years to identify all the bodies through DNA"- Fergani
Monday, September 19, 2011
Dengue Fever Outbreak in Pakistan
According to a health department spokesman, Dengue fever has killed 25 people and affected more than 6,000 over the past two months in Lahore, Pakistan.
There have been 6,000 documented cases. The 25 who died are all from Lahore, which is in eastern Pakistan. New cases of the virus-based disease are being reported with an average of 300 new cases everyday.
The virus-based disease is spread through mosquitoes. Schools have been closed down, and people aren't going to work or going shopping because they are fearful about catching the disease.
The outbreak of this disease has caused panic amongst the people . Hospitals are constantly crowded with people trying to get tested. Apparently, more poshest areas are being affected.
There have been 6,000 documented cases. The 25 who died are all from Lahore, which is in eastern Pakistan. New cases of the virus-based disease are being reported with an average of 300 new cases everyday.
The virus-based disease is spread through mosquitoes. Schools have been closed down, and people aren't going to work or going shopping because they are fearful about catching the disease.
The outbreak of this disease has caused panic amongst the people . Hospitals are constantly crowded with people trying to get tested. Apparently, more poshest areas are being affected.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
HUNGARIAN SLUDGE
Ten people died and serious damage to the environment was caused by the leak at a MAL Zrt plant in early October.
A government statement said the fine reflected the unprecedented volume of hazardous material released when reservoir walls were breached.
Some 184 million gallons flooded out. The company has two weeks to pay the fine or appeal.
"MAL Zrt will be obliged to pay a fine of over 135 billion forints for the environmental harm caused during the operation of the red mud reservoir," the ministry of rural development said on its website.
The alkaline substances - a byproduct of aluminium production - flooded into nearby towns and villages and across agricultural land in western Hungary.
It eventually spread across an area of over 15 sq miles and reached the River Danube, injuring more than 150 people.
Officials said it was Hungary's worst chemical accident but the firm was allowed to resume production barely two weeks after the accident.
A government statement said the fine reflected the unprecedented volume of hazardous material released when reservoir walls were breached.
Some 184 million gallons flooded out. The company has two weeks to pay the fine or appeal.
"MAL Zrt will be obliged to pay a fine of over 135 billion forints for the environmental harm caused during the operation of the red mud reservoir," the ministry of rural development said on its website.
The alkaline substances - a byproduct of aluminium production - flooded into nearby towns and villages and across agricultural land in western Hungary.
It eventually spread across an area of over 15 sq miles and reached the River Danube, injuring more than 150 people.
Officials said it was Hungary's worst chemical accident but the firm was allowed to resume production barely two weeks after the accident.
Floods in Pakistan
Floods and heavy rains have deluged more than 4.5 million acres in southeastern Pakistan, damaging at least 1.19 million homes. At least 233 people have died, and an estimated 80% of cash crops in Sindh province have been destroyed.
The National Disaster Management Authority says there's no chance of the floodwater receding anytime soon.
Countries, including the U.S., Iran, Japan, and China, have provided or pledged aid.
The National Disaster Management Authority says there's no chance of the floodwater receding anytime soon.
Countries, including the U.S., Iran, Japan, and China, have provided or pledged aid.
Monday, September 12, 2011
22 Shiite Pilgrims Found Dead In Iraq
While traveling on a bus to a Syrian shrine, 22 Shiite Pilgrims where forced off the bus and then shot one by one. It is currently unknown why they where killed. The bodies where found a little ways from the main highway between Baghdad and the Jordanian border. The event took place in Iraq's Sunni-dominated Anbar province
Thursday, September 8, 2011
"Japan's Energy Reality"
This article shows us how japan is recovering after there masive natural disaster. It manly shows how they are shutting down a few nuclear reactors and cutting balk on unneeded electricity
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Explosion Kills 11 In New Delhi
On Wednesday at around 10:15 AM a bomb went off just outside The Delhi High Court. The attack killed around 11 people and injured 76 more. As paramedics rushed to the scene, the police received a description of the suspects by a witness. The bomb was concealed in a briefcase and hidden outside gate number 5, used by litigants and lawyers. The attack was pulled off by an Islamic extremist group and they are considered to be very dangerous.
Texas Wildfires
Texas fires that have consumed around 600 houses are 30% contained. Caused by drought, 5K residents misplaced. Firefighting crews started to gain control of the wind-stoked blaze that has raged unchecked across parched Central Texas for days, leaving a trail of charred properties in its wake and causing thousands of people to flee. The blaze in Bastrop is the most catastrophic of the more than 180 fires that have erupted in the past week across Texas, marking one of the most devastating wildfire outbreaks in state history. Three aircraft capable of scooping 1,500 gallons of lake water at a time also helped set the flames down a small portion.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Hurricane Irene
The tropical storm Irene, swept over the Eastern seaboard this weekend hitting North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, New York, and even Washington D.C.
By the time Irene reached New York it had died down a bit with winds up to 65 mph, which still managed to flood suburbs, as well as take out electricity for miles, leaving three milion houses without power. It also forced thousands of flights to be canceled, stranding people at airports. Also, almost all subway systems were shut down.
65 million people were on high alert, 'the largest number of Americans ever affected by a single storm.' Of these 65 million, 16 people died.
A nuclear reactor in Maryland was closed because of damage from objects blowing in the wind. Also a foot of water covered streets in lower Manhattan. Heavy winds and rain forced three bridges to close. The over all damage is going to cost into the billions.
By the time Irene reached New York it had died down a bit with winds up to 65 mph, which still managed to flood suburbs, as well as take out electricity for miles, leaving three milion houses without power. It also forced thousands of flights to be canceled, stranding people at airports. Also, almost all subway systems were shut down.
65 million people were on high alert, 'the largest number of Americans ever affected by a single storm.' Of these 65 million, 16 people died.
A nuclear reactor in Maryland was closed because of damage from objects blowing in the wind. Also a foot of water covered streets in lower Manhattan. Heavy winds and rain forced three bridges to close. The over all damage is going to cost into the billions.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
What options does Gadhafi have?
Gadhafi may have been able to strike a deal allowing him passage out of the country a month ago, but he is a hunted man now that the rebels have taken Tripoli.
the National Transitional Council is insisting that if caught in Libya he will be given a fair trial, although they don't know how he would defend himself against the crimes he has committed against the people
Both Gadhafi and his son are being charged with crimes against humanity, Gadahfi would have to stay in hiding and organize a guerrilla resistance to continue fighting the rebels as he plans to do
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Steven Colbert's Polititcal Action Commitee
Steven Colbert, host of the Colbert Report has established 3 political action committees, devoted to satirically commenting on the system of campaign finance which funds the electoral campaigns of politicians at every level of government in the US. The three combined PAC's have an estimated 165,000 members, and has managed to generate substantial sums of money, spending $60 million on adds which poke fun of loose campaign finance regulation.
“He is taking on a serious subject that many Americans find deadly dull and is educating the broader public on why it matters and what is at stake,” said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics. Still, she adds, “it’s all fun and games until somebody gets hurt, like a specific campaign or the electoral system.”
NY Times
Class: how might we view these "institutions" (Colbert's PACs) through our functional analysis model?
“He is taking on a serious subject that many Americans find deadly dull and is educating the broader public on why it matters and what is at stake,” said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics. Still, she adds, “it’s all fun and games until somebody gets hurt, like a specific campaign or the electoral system.”
NY Times
Class: how might we view these "institutions" (Colbert's PACs) through our functional analysis model?
Monday, August 22, 2011
End of Qaddafi?
Source:
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/08/201182261941319259.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/23/world/africa/23libya.html?_r=1&hp
The big news of today: Libyan Rebels invade Tripoli
It seemed that the Qaddafi era has finally come to an end, as rebels surrounded his estate this afternoon.
Rebels are still sweeping the city clearing out the last loyalist holdouts, but 85% of the city is now rebel owned.
However, Qaddafi is still at large as of 4:20 -7GMT this evening, and rebels are searching for him throughout the city. They have captured 3 of his sons, but the other 4 have not been found.
President Obama said that he supported the rebel takeover, but urged the rebels not to retaliate against the loyalist forces.
Read more at any news source imaginable.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/08/201182261941319259.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/23/world/africa/23libya.html?_r=1&hp
The big news of today: Libyan Rebels invade Tripoli
It seemed that the Qaddafi era has finally come to an end, as rebels surrounded his estate this afternoon.
Rebels are still sweeping the city clearing out the last loyalist holdouts, but 85% of the city is now rebel owned.
However, Qaddafi is still at large as of 4:20 -7GMT this evening, and rebels are searching for him throughout the city. They have captured 3 of his sons, but the other 4 have not been found.
President Obama said that he supported the rebel takeover, but urged the rebels not to retaliate against the loyalist forces.
Read more at any news source imaginable.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Forests Of Borneo
August 21, 2011
Many indigenous cultures such as the Dayaks in Borneo, Indonesia are threatened by deforestation. Most Dayak people spend everyday farming their land. The community grows bamboo on land they see as theirs and always have, but even this indigenous communities land is not virgin to deforestation, though it was reforested with more useful plants and trees. The community only has a small patch of virgin land they see as theirs that is only used for prayer. Little does this community know even though Indonesian laws and policies give them rights to this land, the constitution says all their land and resources belong to the state.
Some farmers choose to sell their land, such as Lambia Sudian. He sold his land to a company that offered him a job working in the field. The company also said he would receive 20% of the palm oil profits. Four years have gone by and Lambia says he regrets selling his land because none of the companies statements were true. "In the future, the children and grandchildren of the indigenous people will not own these lands, they will become beggars or criminals, because the bounty before their eyes is no longer theirs." he said.
Conservationist believe it would be a difficult task to restore Borneo's rainforest, but reforesting would help developing communities and create a smaller carbon output. Currently 60% of Borneo's rainforest has been deforested, while only 8% remain virgin.
"Forests are a means for the power holder to maintain his power, by giving concessions to the military commander in the regions, governors or those who can support the regime, you cut trees, you got money, OK? And it's been practiced like that for 40 years." - Andy White - A coordinator at the Washington, D.C.-based Rights and Resources Initiative, a coalition of groups focusing on land rights.
What are other counties doing about deforestation problems?
Many indigenous cultures such as the Dayaks in Borneo, Indonesia are threatened by deforestation. Most Dayak people spend everyday farming their land. The community grows bamboo on land they see as theirs and always have, but even this indigenous communities land is not virgin to deforestation, though it was reforested with more useful plants and trees. The community only has a small patch of virgin land they see as theirs that is only used for prayer. Little does this community know even though Indonesian laws and policies give them rights to this land, the constitution says all their land and resources belong to the state.
Some farmers choose to sell their land, such as Lambia Sudian. He sold his land to a company that offered him a job working in the field. The company also said he would receive 20% of the palm oil profits. Four years have gone by and Lambia says he regrets selling his land because none of the companies statements were true. "In the future, the children and grandchildren of the indigenous people will not own these lands, they will become beggars or criminals, because the bounty before their eyes is no longer theirs." he said.
Conservationist believe it would be a difficult task to restore Borneo's rainforest, but reforesting would help developing communities and create a smaller carbon output. Currently 60% of Borneo's rainforest has been deforested, while only 8% remain virgin.
"Forests are a means for the power holder to maintain his power, by giving concessions to the military commander in the regions, governors or those who can support the regime, you cut trees, you got money, OK? And it's been practiced like that for 40 years." - Andy White - A coordinator at the Washington, D.C.-based Rights and Resources Initiative, a coalition of groups focusing on land rights.
What are other counties doing about deforestation problems?
Friday, August 19, 2011
US Ratchets the Pressure on Assad
Good Post : )
Friday,Aug. 19th, 2011.
In light of increasing violence in Syria, Mr.Obama has asked his Syrian counterpart, Bashir Assad, to step down. Although Assad has declared to the UN that military operations in his country have ended, on Wednesday Syrian activists reported that 18 civilians had been killed. They are among the some 2000 protesters which have, according to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, been slaughtered over the last 6 months by the Assad regime.
President Obama's request for Assad to leave office will be accompanied with a third round of sanctions. The European response is expected to be similar. Although Turkish officials have leveled harsh words at the Syrian regime this week, even likening Assad to Moammar Gadhafi, Turkey remains reluctant to join the U.S. and European nations in imposing sanctions.
(Source: Fox News)
Bad Post : (
18 people died in Syria when the president killed them for protesting. Now Obama and Clinton want the Syrian president to stop hurting people and quit his job. How come Obama waited to song to do something is the question?
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)