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Bush Touts Religious Freedom and US Record at UN

LibertySugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:30:35 -0800

Speaking at the UN Culture of Peace gathering, President Bush emphasized how religious freedom is crucial to a flourishing society. Bush maintained that freedom to worship as you want is "God's gift to every man, woman, and child."

Bush cited the US as an example of how to promote religious freedom:

Our nation has helped defend the religious liberty of others, from liberating the concentration camps of Europe to protecting Muslims in places like Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. We're not afraid to stand with religious dissidents and believers who practice their faith even where it is unwelcome.

At the meeting billed as an "interfaith" dialogue, the president of Pakistan also spoke out against hate speech, saying: "The imaginary fear of Islam has been rising. This is exactly what the terrorists had hoped to provoke. Those in the West who accept this are falling into the trap of the terrorists."

As this was most likely Bush's last appearance at the UN, do you think he went out with the right message?

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Guard the Nukes! Rate of Nuclear Thefts Disturbingly High

LibertySugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:00:45 -0700

Almost 250 thefts of nuclear or radioactive material were reported last year. The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency explained this week: “The possibility of terrorists obtaining nuclear or other radioactive material remains a grave threat. Equally troubling is the fact that much of this material is not subsequently recovered.”

Experts say health consequences of a dirty bomb are minimal compared to the panic that it would cause. But, there's no need to panic quite yet —all the material stolen last year combined would not be enough to build a device.

Last week, a new commission created by Australia and Japan to bring together officials from nuclear powers and other interested parties, met to discuss the spread of nuclear weapons since the Cold War. In 2009, the commission will meet again in Washington, DC to push for the adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, a treaty that still awaits US ratification.

Hopefully, other crises like the financial or climate crises don't cause world leaders to take their eyes off this dangerous issue.

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Front Page: Strike Kills Taliban Leader, Protesters Attack UN in Congo, AIDS Treatment Should Start Sooner

CitizenSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:00:26 -0700

Strike Kills Taliban Leader:
An missile strike thought to be from the US has killed 20, including a top Taliban commander in Pakistan. Mohammed Omar was killed when the missile, fired from a pilotless drone, hit his compound in South Waziristan. Omar fought with the Taliban in the late 1990s. The US has launched an increasing number of missile strikes from Afghanistan against suspected militants.

Protesters Attack UN in Congo:
Thousands of protesters attacked the UN headquarters in eastern Congo today rallying against the UN peacekeeping force that has been unable to protect residents from rebel attacks that have forced tens of thousands to flee. Thousands of refugees continued to flee as protesters threw rocks at the UN compound.

AIDS Treatment Should Start Sooner:
A new study recommends that people who have the AIDS virus should start treatment sooner than current guidelines suggest. Delaying treatment until the immune system is badly damaged almost doubles the risk of dying in the next few years. There was a 70 percent improvement in patients who started therapy early. Approximately 56,000 Americans are infected with HIV every year.

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Humanitarian Aid Workers Face Growing Dangers

CitizenSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:30:58 -0700

The UN has been doing everything to help the planet from warning about meat consumption to turning down their own thermostat, but there's one global danger that's harder to fix: serious threats to aid workers.

Gayle Williams, a British and South African aid worker stationed in Afghanistan, was recently murdered by Taliban soldiers illuminating this growing tragedy. Growing numbers of people who dedicate themselves to assisting those living in impoverished nations are becoming victims of fatal attacks.

In the year from July 2007 to 2008, 63 aid workers were killed. Eighteen in Somalia, 17 in Afghanistan, 14 in Sudan, six in Pakistan, and four in Chad. Since June, those numbers have increased. Recently 17 were killed in one bomb attack in Algeria. Although in some countries, the murder of aid workers falls along ideological lines, such as the Taliban murdering for what they believe are religious reasons (Aid workers are there solely for humanitarian purposes and not to promote religious ideology). While in other nations, they are murdered simply for their possessions, as a result of unchecked banditry.

To see some of the reasons behind it, and what one aid worker has to say,

Front Page: UN Chief Offers Emergency G-8, Poll Finds 15% Happy With Country's Direction, China's Growth Rate Slows

CitizenSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:56:14 -0700

UN Chief On Emergency G-8:
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has offered to host an emergency G-8 summit at the UN to discuss the global financial crisis. Backing Sarkozy's appeal for world leaders to act together and meet by December, Ban said, "Such a format will allow us to more effectively act upon this crisis which requires a global solution through cohesive international partnership."

15% Happy With Country's Direction:
An AP/Yahoo poll just released found the number of people who believe the country is moving in the right direction has fallen from 28 percent last month to 15 percent this month. Respondents gave President Bush a 25 percent approval rating and nearly half of those in their 30s and 40s are worried about losing their jobs.

China's Growth Rate Slows:
The growth rate of China's economy has fallen for the third straight quarter to 9 percent, down from 10.1 percent in the previous quarter. A spokesman for the statistics department said of the trend, "The growth rate of the world economy has slowed down noticeably. There are more uncertain and volatile factors in the international economic climate. All these factors have started to release their negative impact on China's economy."

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Iran Loses Bid For Global Influence on UN Security Council

LibertySugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:45:45 -0700

Pushing hard for an elected seat on the UN Security Council, Iran failed to get enough votes from its allies. All 192 United Nations members could participate in the vote to chose which nations should fill the five open seats on the UN Security Council. They decided to give the Asian seat to Japan, instead of Iran by 158 votes to 32.

The extremely influential Security Council can impose sanctions and deploy peacekeepers. Today's vote dealt a blow to Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's assertion that the positions of the US do not represent the attitudes of the rest of the world.

In the Europe corner, Turkey, Iceland, and Austria proved formidable opponents. But Iceland was the odd country out, as that continent's open spots went to Turkey and Austria. Uganda and Mexico ran uncontested for the African and Latin American seats. It sure would have been tricky to keep up sanctions on Iran, if they took a seat on the Security Council!

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Iran's Ahmadinejad: We Don't Want Confrontation With Anyone

LibertySugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:45:36 -0700

Anti-Ahmadinejad rallies outside the UN today turned into anti-Obama rallies critical of the senator's support of talks with Iran. Meanwhile, NPR opened a dialogue of its own with the Iranian president. Here are some highlights from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's interview with the station, during which he says Iran seeks no confrontation.

On Iran's stated plans to enrich uranium for energy, not for a bomb:
The people of the world, the majority actually, support our stand. One hundred eighteen member states of NAM have declared their commitment to our program and supported it. The Non-Aligned Movement. And 57 member states of the OIC, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, too have supported our position. . . . You are speaking of only three or four countries, led by the United States and with a couple of their European friends, and we don't care about them, because they don't represent the whole world.
On whether international confrontation is in Iran's interest:
We do not have any confrontation with anyone. We seek relations based on respect and justice. . . . Why is it that the US administration and two or three groups that follow it allow themselves to speak for the world?
On the American elections:
I ask you, can anyone in fact become a president without the support of either of the two parties here in the United States? . . . Are 300 million people here in America members of either of the two parties? No, not necessarily. People have no other choices here. You only have two choices. In Iran, at least, we have eight. Who is more free? Who has more confidence in its people?

To find out how Iran's president addresses his statements toward Israel, freedoms in Iran, and how he thinks the US and Iran can move forward,

Mark the Calendar? Ahmadinejad Wants to Debate Candidates

LibertySugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 06:00:07 -0700

Russia announced yesterday that it plans to sell military equipment to Iran. If you're dying to know what Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has to say about the deal, he'd probably be willing to discuss it with John McCain and Barack Obama.

Ahmadinejad has invited the presidential candidates to debate him on the world stage. Specifically, the Iranian leader would like to chat about global developments at the UN headquarters in New York with John McCain and Barack Obama. And even though he's making the visit to New York for opening session, still thinks that the UN should move its headquarters from the US, to an impartial host country.

At least one person on the tickets will forcefully say "thanks, but no thanks" to Ahmadinejad. Sarah Palin plans on having meetings at the UN next week, and she was set to join an anti-Iran rally outside the UN, until her invitation was taken back.

Even though it's not happening, do you think a televised debate with Iran's president would have any positive results?

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UN Says Cut Meat to Curb Warming, UK Consumption Doubles

CitizenSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:00:06 -0700

Ever thought about becoming a Tuesday-tarian? Going meat-free one day a week is, according to the chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a personal sacrifice that will help fix climate change. The more meat-free days, the better.

Given that the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization has estimated that meat production makes almost a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions and those stinky pre-hamburger cows shoot out tons of methane — 23 times more tied to global warming than carbon dioxide — plus habitat destruction and transportation, just skipping the burger is the easiest option. But that trend seems far from ready to tip. The agency thinks that meat consumption is going to double by the middle of the century.

A group called World Farming is calling governments to lead campaigns to reduce meat consumption by 60 per cent by 2020. The meat industry isn't going to take the patty lying down. A spokesman for a pig industry group says, "Climate change is a very young science and our view is there are a lot of simplistic solutions being proposed."

How much meat does the average person eat? To find out,

Thinking Food: UN Announces Program to Help Hunger Hot Spots

CitizenSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:23:29 -0700

Thinking Food: UN Announces Program to Help Hunger Hot Spots A UN agency rolled out a $214 million program Tuesday to help 16 needy places hit hard by high prices for food and oil, amid a crisis already making it hard for aid groups to provide enough food for the world's hungry. The World Food Program said almost 1 billion poor people around the world are struggling to survive amid the higher prices. "Food prices are not abating, and the world's most vulnerable have exhausted their coping strategies," said Josette Sheeran, the agency's executive director.

Front Page: Anthrax Scientist Commits Suicide, Dorm Collapse Kills 16, US Unemployment 4-Year High, Darfur Peace Mission

CitizenSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 06:56:30 -0700

Anthrax Scientist Suicide:
A top US biodefense researcher, who was of high interest to the FBI in connection with the spate of anthrax mailings following 9/11, has committed suicide. The Justice Department was seriously considering charges against the 62-year-old. The lab where he worked for 18 years was at the center of the FBI investigation into the anthrax attacks that killed five people.

Dorm Collapse Kills 16:
A three-story girls' dorm at a school in Turkey collapsed after a large gas canister exploded, killing at least 16 and injuring dozens. Most of the girls, aged 8 to 16 were asleep at the time. They were at the school to attend Koran classes during Summer vacation.

US Unemployment Four-Year High:
The US unemployment rate hit 5.7 percent in July, its highest level in more than four years. The economy lost 51,000 non-farm jobs, the seventh straight month of losses. Areas showing job growth: government, hospitality, education, and health services.
Darfur Peace Mission:
The UN Security Council renewed the mandate for peacekeepers in Sudan's Darfur region for another year. The decision came two hours before the mandate was set to expire, complicated by the ICC's move to indict Sudan's president for genocide. The United States abstained from voting over language added to the resolution would send the wrong signal to the Sudanese president. The Darfur conflict has left 300,000 dead.

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UN Fights Global Warming and Suits by Turning Up Thermostat

LibertySugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:00:25 -0700

The UN has announced an "In-house Climate Change Initiative," which will begin by raising building temperatures by five degrees at the UN's headquarters in New York. The thermostat in the Secretariat building will be turned up to 77 degrees, and air conditioning turned off during the weekends.

During the month-long "Cool UN" experiment, engineers will test energy consumption and utility costs. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has a plan to beat the heat: he's suggesting UN workers ditch their sweaty suits, and wear their national dress to work, a dress code that used to be common practice at the UN.

Critics portray the effort as a token policy, but even if it doesn't stop global warming at least diplomats will relate to their constituents in dress and in body temperature.

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Court Seeks Genocide Charges Against Sudanese President

LibertySugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:30:33 -0700

The International Criminal Court's prosecutor requested a warrant for the arrest of Umar al-Bashir, the president of Sudan, alleging genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. If issued, it would be the body's first indictment against a sitting head of state. Many hail this as an important international step in stopping the bloodshed in Darfur.

The prosecutor, claiming Bashir took out his inability to defeat a rebellion on civilians, said:

Al-Bashir organized the destitution, insecurity, and harassment of the survivors. He did not need bullets. He used other weapons: rapes, hunger, and fear. As efficient, but silent.

Others, with hopes of a political settlement, prefer to tread lightly with Bashir and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon apparently called Bashir to let him know the ICC made its decision independent of the UN. But Darfur activists want the UN Security Council to use the legal maneuver as launching pad for further action. To see why,

Front Page: Pakistan and UN to Investigate Bhutto, Austrian Cellar Captive Questioned, Missing Soldiers' Bodies Found

CitizenSugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:57:38 -0700

Pakistan and UN to Investigate Bhutto:
Pakistan and the UN have agreed for the need to set up a UN panel to investigate the killing of Benazir Bhutto. A UN statement said a broad understanding between Pakistan and the UN had been reached, but further discussion was be required to move forward with the investigation. Pakistani's Foreign Minister said, "in principle we have decided to move on, but the modalities have to be discussed." Bhutto was twice prime minister of Pakistan, and was campaigning for the parliamentary elections when she killed in a suicide attack on a rally last December, setting off deadly riots around the country. Though five people have been arrested in connection with her killing, none have been convicted.

Austrian Cellar Captive Questioned:
Prosecutors have questioned Elisabeth Fritzl, the woman held captive in an Austrian cellar for 24 years by her father. Part of the questioning was to determine how one of the seven babies she was forced to bear by her father had died. Josef Fritzl has confessed to incinerating the body of the dead baby, and a trial on all formal charges may start later this year.
Missing Soldiers' Bodies Found:
The bodies of two US soldiers missing in Iraq for more than a year have been found, according to their families. The father of Army Sgt. Alex Jimenez, of MA, said the remains of his son and another soldier, Pvt. Byron W. Fouty, of Michigan, had been identified. The soldiers were kidnapped during an ambush in May 2007 in an unstable area area south of Baghdad known as the ''triangle of death.'' Fouty's stepfather said, ''Byron went to Iraq to help people who couldn't help themselves. I know their sacrifice was not for nothing. It was not in vain.''

United Nations: Iran a Model of Drug Addiction Treatment

LibertySugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:00:00 -0700

While the UN isn't sanctioning Iran, it's praising the country for its successful efforts to treat drug addiction. The UN Office on Drugs and Crimes says Iran has been more supportive of drug treatment than any other government in the Islamic world.

One to 10 million Iranians (depending who you ask) battle addiction. Abandoning strict punishment a while back, the theocratic government takes the drug problem head on, generously financing numerous treatment centers, providing those not ready to quit with services like free needles, and encouraging citizens to think of addiction as a disease, according to the New York Times.

Even though they don't treat addicts like criminals, Iranians aren't ready to stop all the blaming. To see why Iran thinks America is slowing down their treatment efforts,

HIV Positive Outsiders Banned From America

LibertySugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:00:40 -0700

People living with HIV are banned from traveling to twelve countries, including Armenia, Colombia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sudan, the United States and Yemen.

China just lifted its ban, as a result of pre-Olympic human rights pressure. Yesterday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon urged these nations to change their immigration laws — which "uphold stigma and discrimination" — during a major summit on HIV/AIDS.

Andrew Sullivan forcefully advocated for a removal of the discriminatory ban, in a recent Washington Post op-ed. He pointed out that not even leprosy or tuberculosis is considered grounds for inadmissibility to the US. Sullivan wrote about 1993, when Congress wrote the ban into law:

It was when I, a legal immigrant, became infected. With great lawyers, a rare O visa (granted to individuals in the arts and sciences), a government-granted HIV waiver and thousands of dollars in legal fees, I have managed to stay in the United States. Nonetheless, because I am HIV-positive, I am not eligible to become a permanent resident.

Sullivan, a conservative political commentator, explained that every year he must leave the country to reapply for the waiver. Even though he has lived in and paid taxes to the US for almost 25 years, he and his family must face the insecurity that he may not be allowed back. For further discussion,

Two Air Force Leaders Ousted For Nuclear Mishap

LibertySugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:45:27 -0700

Two US Air Force leaders must resign due to their involvement in the accidental sending of four nuclear warhead fuses to Taiwan, in place of helicopter batteries.

The ousting of Air Force secretary Michael W. Wynne, as well as the force's chief of staff, Gen. T. Michael Moseley, come after a still classified report leveled serious allegations against the two.

America, which has criticized Russia for its management of nuclear weapons and material, seems to be having trouble of its own. Irresponsible handling of dangerous weapons impedes the US's ability to make the case that countries like Iran and North Korea should be halted from developing nuclear power. When the US cannot keep track of its nuclear program, it appears dangerous as well.

Meanwhile, Iran has threatened to sue Western states. To see why,

Ashley Judd Speaks Up For Victims of Human Trafficking

LibertySugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:00:23 -0700

The UN General Assembly met yesterday to discuss human trafficking, an annually $32 billion illegal industry.

One star shined some light on the dark issue. Actress Ashley Judd, a board member of Population Services International, went to the UN headquarters in New York to speak about the cause she adopted after a 12-nation public health tour.

In her words to the General Assembly, Ashley explained:

I have been to 12 countries worldwide and spent a great deal of time in brothels, slums, hospices, youth drop-in centers, in both public hospitals as well as rural clinics. It is very difficult to leave behind people I know are victims of human trafficking. I defy anyone to walk out of a brothel or to walk out of an orphanage leaving those people behind. So I have been making a series of sacred promises: "I will never forget you" and "I will tell your story." I know that the unheard are helped when they are heard.

Right now about 2.5 million people face forced labor of sexual exploitation. Over 56 percent of these victims live in Asia and the Pacific. The UN estimates 1.2 million children are trafficked each year. When those with first-hand experience like Ashley share their stories, do you feel more connected to the victims and hope for a more urgent solution?

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UN Leader: World Needs 50 Percent More Food

LibertySugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:00:21 -0700

The world must produce 50 percent more food by 2030, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told world leaders yesterday at a summit hosted by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome.

The UN leader urged nations to minimize trade barriers, and to produce more food. Pope Benedict XVI had a slightly different message, noting that the world already has the means to solve the problem. The Pope said: "hunger and malnutrition are unacceptable in a world which, in reality, has sufficient production levels, the resources, and the know-how to put an end to these tragedies and their consequences."

While they meet about how to solve the immediate hunger crisis caused by rising food costs, world leaders don't want to look like a bunch of foodie hypocrites. To see what they'll be eating,

Front Page: Ted Kennedy In Surgery, Mugabe at UN Food Summit, Gates to Myanmar "Criminal Neglect"

CitizenSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:00:04 -0700

Ted Kennedy In Surgery: Ted Kennedy is at the Duke University Medical Center this morning undergoing surgery for his cancerous brain tumor. The surgery comes after the 76-year-old senator was diagnosed last month with a malignant glioma, an especially lethal type of brain tumor. He's being operated on this morning by one of the nation's top neurosurgeons, Dr. Allan Friedman, and the surgery will be followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Kennedy will recuperate in NC for a week, before moving to Massachusetts General for the rest of his treatment. Kennedy said of the support he's received, ''I am deeply grateful to the people of Massachusetts and to my friends, colleagues and so many others across the country and around the world who have expressed their support and good wishes as I tackle this new and unexpected health challenge. I am humbled by the outpouring and am strengthened by your prayers and kindness.''

Mugabe at UN Food Summit: Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe presence at a United Nations food summit has raised eyebrows and hackles and is being called "obscene". Australia's foreign minister said of the embattled leader's arrival, "this is the person who has presided over the starvation of his people." It's Mugabe's first visit to Europe since the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) won a majority in parliamentary elections in March. He still faces a presidential run-off on June 27 against opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
Gates to Myanmar, "Criminal Neglect": US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said yesterday that Myanmar was guilty of “criminal neglect” for blocking international aid to cyclone victims, and warned that more civilians would perish unless the military regime reversed its policy. Because of the stonewalling, he said it was probably a matter of days before the Pentagon withdrew four Navy ships carrying supplies that have been “steaming in circles” for days in the waters off Myanmar’s coast, waiting for permission to unload their cargo of aid. Gates said, “it’s becoming pretty clear that the regime there is not going to let us help. I’d say that unless the regime changes its approach, changes its policy, more people will die.”

Progress in Iraq Gives UN Secretary General Hope

LibertySugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 09:00:00 -0700

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon shed a positive light on the situation in Iraq, yesterday.

As more Americans disapprove of their country's effort in Iraq, the UN leader said that Iraq was stepping back from the abyss, but warned the situation remains fragile. He said:

There is new hope that the people and government of Iraq are overcoming daunting challenges and working together to rebuild their country.

Over 100 countries are currently meeting in Sweden to discuss the International Compact with Iraq, a five-year UN created international agreement on Iraq put together a year ago.

While the Secretary General gave words of encouragement, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki encouraged neighboring countries to engage in some good-hearted debt forgiveness. Iraq has $60 billion in debt, owed mostly to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The new Iraq wants a fresh financial start to help its reconstruction efforts.

Of course humble decreases in violence do not mean the rebuilding of Iraq is complete, but this cautious celebration of Iraq's progress may give Iraq the political momentum it needs to take the next step forward. Will praise from an international figure like the Secretary General of the UN have political implications back in the US?

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Front Page: Ban Ki-Moon in Myanmar, Oil Spikes Three Days, Farm Bill and Tax Package

CitizenSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 07:00:48 -0700

Ban Ki-Moon in Myanmar: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has begun his tour the devastated Irrawaddy Delta in Myanmar. He is set to meet with military ruler Gen Than Shwe hoping to persuade the government to accept more aid for cyclone victims. So far the government has blocked large-scale international assistance, and foreign agencies say they are able to deliver just 30 percent of what they would like. The death toll from Cyclone Nargis is currently 78,000 dead, with another 56,000 missing. The UN says that fewer than a 25 percent of the 2.4 million people affected have received aid.

Oil Spikes Three Days: Oil cost attained a new record for highest price for a third straight day, topping $135 a barrel. OPEC producer Saudi Arabia last week said it had raised production by 300,000 barrels per day, but the news had minimal impact on the market.
Farm Bill and Tax Package: The House voted 316-to-108 to override President Bush's veto of the Farm Bill. The vote was well over the two-thirds needed. Bush said in his veto announcement, “for a year and a half, I have consistently asked that the Congress pass a good farm bill that I can sign. Regrettably, the Congress has failed to do so. At a time of high food prices and record farm income, this bill lacks program reform and fiscal discipline.” The House also passed a $54 billion tax package. The measure renews tax breaks that have expired or will expire soon and provides new tax relief in the form of child tax-credits and breaks for renewable energy.

Front Page: Army Stealing Aid in Myanmar, Bombings in Iraq and Afghanistan, Farm Bill Passes

CitizenSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 06:59:21 -0700

Army Stealing Aid in Myanmar: Officials from several relief organizations say that the international aid being sent into Myanmar is being "stolen, diverted or warehoused" by the army. The members of the military junta told Thailand's prime minister they were in control of the relief operations and had no need for foreign experts. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon wants to send a senior UN official to inspect the relief effort in the ravaged country. To make matters worse, the US military’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center said there was a possibility that “a significant tropical cyclone” — another one — would form in the next 24 hours and head across the Irrawaddy Delta, the already hardest hit region.

Bombings in Iraq and Afghanistan: In an attack claimed by the Taliban, a suicide bomber wearing a burqa detonated by a police patrol at a crowded market in western Afghanistan today, killing at least 12 people and wounding 27 others, officials said. Yesterday, at least 20 people were killed and 35 others wounded in a suicide bombing at a Sunni funeral west of Baghdad. Police said the funeral was for the head teacher of a local school. The bombings occurred hours the announcement that Prime Minister Nouri Maliki was supervising an offensive against Sunni insurgents in the northern city of Mosul.
House Passes Farm Bill: The House approved a five-year, $307 billion farm bill with a solid bipartisan majority yesterday. Despite a veto threat from President Bush, the House voted 318 to 106 — more than the two-thirds needed to override a presidential veto — with 100 Republicans joining the Democratic majority in favor.

Front Page: Relief Lands in Myanmar, Putin Confirmed as PM, Stem Cell Award in CA

CitizenSugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 07:00:27 -0700

Relief Lands in Myanmar: UN relief supplies touched down in Myanmar this morning, though US military planes loaded with aid are still denied access by the country's isolationist regime. The junta also continues to stall visas for UN teams wanting to enter the country and ensure that the aid supplies reach victims amid fears that food and water shortages could push the death toll above 100,000. The prime minister of Thailand has offered to negotiate on the US's behalf to persuade the junta to accept their aid. US aid is currently at a staging area in Thailand, waiting. The coordinator of UN humanitarian aid said, "it is imperative at this point that they do open up and allow a major international relief effort to get under way."

Putin Confirmed as PM: Russia's parliament has just easily approved former President Vladimir Putin to be its new prime minister. Russia's new president Dmitry Medvedev nominated Putin almost immediately. The State Duma (lower house) voted 392-56 for Putin's appointment just after a speech where Putin promised parliament "single-digit inflation within a few years". Putin also said Russia could overtake the UK's GDP this year and become the world's sixth-largest economy.
Stem Cell Award in CA: California awarded $271 million in grants slated to build 12 stem cell research centers. The awards, announced yesterday, are the biggest sum of money awarded by California’s taxpayer-backed stem cell program. The program is scheduled to spend about $3 billion over about a decade. The grants are needed as the Bush administration prohibits federal financing of research using any human embryonic stem cells derived after August 2001 so any work involving newer stem cell lines cannot share any supplies or space with a project that is federally financed.

Crisis in Zimbabwe Turning People Veggie

LibertySugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:00:37 -0700

In Zimbabwe, it costs 50 cents a month to eat meat every night for dinner. Think 50 cents sound like a good deal? Well, in Zimbabwe dollars, that's Z$ 8 to 10 billion, which equals one person's entire month salary!

Needless to say, many people are being force to trim the fat and go vegetarian. Only one in five people in Zimbabwe has an official job, and inflation is out of control. BBC News ran excerpts from the diary of a young woman living in Zimbabwe. "Esther" wrote:

So it looks like I am going to become a part-time vegetarian. Not a pleasant thought, as I love my meat. And Sunday breakfast used to consist of eggs, sausages or bacon, baked beans, nice crusty bread, and creamy coffee. Now it is tea with lemon or powdered milk, eggs and stale bread. Well these times will certainly leave us leaner and healthier!

Esther also wrote about how that the lack of meat is the least of some people's problems. To see why,