With Rainfall and Aid, the Number Facing Starvation in Somalia Drops by Half a Million

Since we have recently talked about the UN programs to help solve the major problems of the South, I chose this article which gives a pretty clear view of the importance of these kinds of aids.

First of all, Somalia has been struggling considerably since the collapse of its central government in 1991, the country is almost totally controlled by the Shabab (my previous post), a militant group that controls much of southern Somalia and that has been blocking aid agencies from reaching people in need.

These agencies have been scrambling to find ways to avoid the reach of the Shabab, even having to send money via cell phones so that people could survive and buy food in markets. The efforts seem to be working. According to a recent report , more food is flowing through markets and prices are falling. In addition to this, seasonal rainfall has also helped this country which relies mainly on its agriculture. Three regions of southern Somalia, Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle, which were famine zones a few months ago are now classified as one step less severe than a famine.

Going back to the UN programs, according to UN officials, the number of people facing imminent starvation in Somalia dropped to nearly 250,000 from 750,000 because of rainfall and increased aid deliveries. The situation is still horrible, however this aid has helped reduce starvation and with this, mortality rates.

As we see these programs do help eradicate some huge problems down South, it is extremely hard to get rid of this problem, but little by little the impact is being done. We can´t give up, we have to continue to put our trust in these programs, and all together in the United Nations, we can save millions of people, especially kids, which need our help to survive.

source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/19/world/africa/somalia-famine-eases-with-rainfall-and-aid.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=somalia&st=cse

Morocco told to stop harassing vote boycott activists

Non-profit organization Human Rights Watch published a statement on Wednesday denouncing Moroccan police abuses on demonstrators who are calling for boycott in Friday parliamentary elections -which are broadly considered flawed and corrupt among the population- all over the country. According to them, the police is doing so in order to prevent an expectedly low voter turnout  from becoming even lower, and in compliance with a legal prerrogative that allows detention of protestors "who use false information" to change the citizens' mind.

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This kind of abuses and the lack of enforcement of what should be a constitutional, basic right -freedom of speech- makes it clear that Morocco is still far from being a democratic regime. These recent events, together with the history of authoritarianism in Moroccan politics and the fear that this week's elections will only take place to calm down the citizens and not to walk towards democratization leads me to think that a massive uprising and a transition similar to the ones that occured in Tunisia earlier this year is the only thing that can bring democracy to the Kingdom of Morocco.

Furukawa ends 5½-month ISS stay

A Soyuz space capsule returned to Earth descending onto a plain in Kazakhstan on Tuesday carrying three astronauts, including Satoshi Furukawa from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Mike Fossum from NASA and Sergei Volkov, a Russian cosmonaut, after all three completed five and a half month mission aboard the International Space Station.

The Japanese astronaut, Furukawa set a record for the longest stay on the station by a Japanese astronaut in a single voyage. 

Initially, the program was set to last 161 days but I had to be postponed a week due to the accident of the Russian Progress spacecraft, the Progress M-12M, that crashed just after launching last August.

The three men looked well and had to undergo a checkup in the Station and then another one at landing to get adjusted to gravity. 

However, the space conquest does not stop here, NASA's Dan Burbank and Russians Anton Shkaplerov and Anatoly Ivanishin remain onboard the International Space Station in order to realize 37 experiments. They arrived at the Station Wednesday and are due to return to Earth in March. Besides, a launch next month will bring the station back to its normal six-member crew. 

Space missions in and outside the ISS keep on coming. The conquest of the Space is far from being over. In fact, this Saturday another scientific laboratory and the rover Curiosity will be sent to Mars. In my opinion this is a very important task and that, as we are doing, we should continue doing experiments and search for new data about something we know so little about. 

Article from The Japan Times, Tuesday, Nov. 22

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20111122x3.html

Canadians willing to pay $400k to save polar bears

A study has shown that canadians are willing to spend over 500 dollars per household to maintain the iconic polar bear. The north american country has 15,000 bears about two-thirds of the world's polar bear population. The polar bear is not just another specie under risk of extintion, but is an iconic animal that attracts tourism and has a great value as hunting game. Even a Conservative senator has declared that polar bear is even more of a national symbol than a beaver.

In my opinion the polar bear must be protected, not only based on its iconic figure but also on the fact that it is an animal at-risk. It is important to notice that canadians will only give 107 dollars to protect the beluga whale, based on the fact that it has a less symbolic importance but still is an at-risk species. I believe that there is no need to set prices on animals specially when they are at risk of extintion, and even less based on its iconic image to a country.

Source:http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/11/23/polar-bears-worth-thousands.html

Greek Economic Plan in 2012

Greece will not have to adopt new austerity measures in 2012 if the reforms that have been approved are to be implemented, says the Finance minister of Greece, Evangelos Venizelos. In 2012, the new Executive of Lukás Papadimos´ coalition government foresees a public deficit of 5.4% of the GDP if the agreements of October are implemented, including the debt relief of 50% of public debt of the country. The budget anticipates, in 2012, a fiscal gap of around 6.7% compared to the 9% with which Greece is expected to end this year.

A deficit reduction will be made even though the country is expected to suffer a recession stronger than anticipated, with the GDP expected to fall by 2.8% in 2012 instead of the 2.5% that has been measured in 2011. According to the Greek Executive, these forecasts are correct, thanks to ambitious austerity plans and cuts adopted in public spending.

First of all, it is understood that the new Greek economy minister says Greece will not have to implement further austerity measures, as those implemented before were too strong and traumatic for a developed society, thus also were needed. These measures included: a reduction of the salary of civil servants by 25%; an increase of two years in the retirement age; an increase of VAT; or a new tax on real estate.

On the one hand, it is interesting to note that Greece will see the colossal public deficit that it holds reduced entirely by the help of the EU, whose terms stipulate that the Greece´s repayment to the EU will only be half of the initial debt. Without this debt relief Greece would not keep going. However, on the other hand, a country should not have to be bailed out of its own financial crisis for having dug too deep into its pockets, only to be bailed out by its neighbours. It is not that I do not support the bailout, otherwise Greece bankruptcy could create a domino effect on the rest of Europe, but my question is: So is this the way in which we should award a country, which lied and falsified its macroeconomic data? Would not it be better to defer the debt over a decade?

There are several questions that need to be asked about Greece´s financial conduct as Greece now calls on the ECB to help the euro zone to overcome the crisis. In my opinion, the crisis should be solved with good economic management, the liberalization of the labour market and the implementation tax measures to help SMEs.

Finally, I think that the blame for this great recession in Greece does not come only from the Greek government, but also from the European Union because it let Greece to join the organization when it did not fulfill the requirements.

Mario Monti prepares Italy for more pain as violence flares in Milan.

The upper house of the Italian parliament has given a vote of confidence to the country's new prime minister, Mario Monti (Italian economist and former European commissioner). In his first day as a prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, the former one warned him that he has to be careful because he still has the majority in the senate. Monti presented his government program to the senate, carrying out another package of deficit-reduction measures, according to the European institutions, and also more reductions in order to get money and save Italy. However, this made the people go to the streets in Milan and protest because of these austerity measures and high taxes.

It is important to know the current economic situation of certain countries in Europe because of the crisis, and it is also important to note that anyone, whether politician or economist, can work miracles. The situation is awful in Italy, and it is very difficult to take measures such as raising taxes because the government needs to have money, but the population refuses to pay higher taxes and also refuses to have reductions in education, health, etc. Although Monti takes into account this last, he has said he needs to raise taxes to bring up Italy.
Moreover, Berlusconi still has the majority in the Senate, and this is very dangerous because it may come a time when Berlusconi makes use of this majority, and Monti would stop being prime minister, as Berlusconi did a few days ago. However, and this is my personal opinion, Silvio Berlusconi will not make use of it, knowing that this election of a new prime minister came from Napolitano (11th President of Italy), because if Berlusconi vote against Monti, it will be probably general elections where the Italians would not vote him and he would lose the majority.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/17/monti-prepares-italy-for-more-pain

US Peace Corps quits Kazakhstan

US President John F. Kennedy established Peace Corps in 1961, in order to promote American ideals abroad. Since then it has sent more than 200,000 volunteers to work in 139 countries around the world. Peace Corps has operated in Kazakhstan without interruption since 1993. Since then, over 1,120 Americans have served in Kazakhstan working with communities in projects focused on teaching English, education, youth development, HIV/AIDS prevention, and community development. And, this month the US Peace Corps is leaving the country. In a statement, Peace Corps said it was suspending its program in Kazakhstan for “a number of operational considerations”, but without giving a clear reason.

It is important to highlight that since Kazakhstan´s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the country has built up a reputation as one of the most stable countries in Central Asia. Some newspapers ensure that the reason of leaving was the rape of a Peace Corps volunteer, and the alert of radical Islamists attacks as the one that happened a week ago when a gunman killed seven people. However, the Kazakh education ministry ensures that Peace Corps is leaving because of the country´s rapid social and economic development over the past years. From my point of view, the US Peace Corps is leaving Kazakhstan because almost all of its programs are completed. Propelled by revenues from oil, Kazakhstan´s economy is booming and before this year terrorist attacks had been unheard of. Therefore, I think this movement of radical Islamists is not the main reason of leaving the country. My opinion is that the suspension of activities in the country is the logical action, taking into account the fact that Kazakhstan has reached progress in political, social, and economic development and that Kazakhstan is currently a country with the above average level of income and an increasingly important global energy supplier.


Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/kazakhstan/8899201/US-Peace-Corps-quits-Kazakhstan.html

McCanns give evidence to Leveson

Madeleine McCann disappeared in 2007 in Portugal when she was 3 years old. Four years later, her parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, are giving evidence to the judge-led inquiry into media practices. Their lawyer defended that the way the media was dealing with the situation was a “national scandal”, and after admitting that both the TV and the press helping them spreading the news the parents also said that they felt overwhelmed seeing their daughter’s disappearance in every English media for so long.

I completely agree with the McCann’s; when a story is negative, is not easy to get over it if the medias are talking about it all the time. It is true that the press and the TV gave so much importance to the disappearance but we also have to admit that the parents where the first ones who wanted the medias to get involved in the situation in order to let the world know that their daughter was missing, and they also went to different TV shows to explain how bad they felt. You cannot pretend to let people know about your life and stop it when you are tired of it, if you decide to open the barrier of privacy, you have to accept the consequences. The problem here is, when it has to do with a major problem, where is the limit of the help and the limit of the privacy?

Hackers get Norway info secrets

Like other countries, Norway is not immune to computer attacks. Oil, gas and defense companies in Norway have been affected by a number of sophisticated hacker attacks. According to the Norwegian National Security Agency ( NSM) trade secrects and information on contract negotiations have been stolen. The attackers accessed the corporate network through personalized email messages with attached viruses, which caused no anti-malware detection system. The NSM has found that these attacks took place whe the companies concerned were engaged in important commercial contracts. The US Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive ( ONCIX) point the finer at Russian and Chinese intelligence .

More and more internet is becoming an important part of our lives. We can even say that it is nearly impossible to live without it. The majority of our information is stored in the computer ( e-mail, photos, essays..). The fact that someone spies your personal information can be catastrophic, but reaches greater levels if instead of a person, what is spied is a company or a business. The problem also comes when an attacks affects not only the company but also the others, usually costumers. Your private data may end up published on the Internet, also credit cards...Such attacks are multiplying thoughout the years and it is necessary to improve the defense mechanisms within companies in order to avoid tragedies.

Energy-starved Bangladesh signs nuclear power deal with Russia.

Banglash has recently signed with Russia a nuclear power deal which would allow the country to construct its two first nuclear power plants. This project, funded by Russia will help reduce Bangladesh’s immense energy deficit. According to authorities, the construction of these plants won’t start until 2013, and they will be located 170km northwest from the town of Rooppur. Regarding the installation of the plants, Russian authorities assured the population that security and safety measures will be taken. In addition, these plants will be able to resist extreme weather events, alone or simultaneously, and even a plane weighting over 4000 tons. On the other hand, this project will be able to reduce Bangladesh’s energy deficit considerably, most particularly by 1000 megawatts of electricity.


On the one hand I consider this to be a really good idea. Firstly, it would reduce Bangladesh’s energy deficit which would automatically imply that more and more people will be able to have more access to electricity. Secondly, and as result of the first, people’s quality of life will increase and subsequently, the protests and social unrest that take every day in this country will progressively decrease. Thus, there will be a significant social progress.

On the other hand, though this project is beneficial in the long term, as of today, it is already causing country-wide protests because of its potential risk and of its costs. In addition, it is necessary to take into account that Bangladesh is very prone to natural disasters and terrorist attacks, and even though security measures will be taken and the plant will be virtually indestructible, this doesn’t mean it can’t be destroyed. As a result, it is necessary to weight the benefits vs. the risks, because if a disaster were to occur, it could have catastrophic consequences.

Reference: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/03/world/asia/bangladesh-nuclear-power/

Portugal denies US extradition request for longtime US fugitive George Wright

This article is about George Wright, a criminal who committed murder in 1962 and, after escaping from prison, hijacked a plane in 172, not being extradited to the United States to finish the rest of his jail sentence. Wright has become an official citizen of Portugal by marrying a Portuguese woman and the court decided to release him of all charges that had a relation with the US. Wright says that his life has changed a lot since those crimes and says that he is not guilty of the murder in 1962.


I believe that it is not right for George Wright to get away with his crimes just because he is a citizen of Portugal now by marrying a portuguese woman. It might be true that he is sorry for his crimes and has changed his life, but he still is responsible for what he did in the United States, including being an accomplice to a murder, breaking free from prison and hijacking a plane with innocent people on board. It’s an enormous injustice for the families of the victims of George Wright’s crimes and it’s a shame that he is not going to be responsible for what he’s done. He should pay the consequences of his acts just like everybody else does.

* Article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/report-lisbon-court-denies-us-extradition-request-for-fugitive-george-wright/2011/11/17/gIQAMuHWUN_story.html

Pak girl who opposed Taliban nominated for int'l peace award

A small Pakistani girl might be awarded with the International peace award. She is nominated with four other girls and today we will know who is winning this extraordinary price. Yousufzai with only 13 years old has already fought against the Taliban. They have imposed a ban on education for girls in Swat Valley, and they have also banned watching the Indian serial 'Raja Ki Ayegi Baraat'. Yousufzai has stood up for her rights by writing about her pain and anguish in a diary for BBC Urdu online.

Yousufzai is an example of courage, bravery and maturity, taking into account that with only 13 years old, her story has already been heard in the whole world. Her actions are extremely important and relevant not only today but also for the coming years. She has been able to face an issue that even governments fear to do. Furthermore, this claim will help not only to get education back in her valley, but also, it will serve as an example to other people who are living the same situation. If her claims get a response and an action from the government, this would be an incentive for other people to rebel against these kinds of acts of injustice and to claim for their rights in the same way. Maybe we all should learn from this brave girl who dares to face a terrible situation that a lot of people is living, and what is more, a lot of people are watching in silence, but unfortunately, she is the only one claiming what she believes is fair.

Source: www.hindustimes.com

Venezuela’s Economic Growth Doubles 2011 Forecast

Minister of the Economy, Jorge Giordani

Venezuela’s economy this year is set to grow at double the rate of the Venezuelan Central Bank’s forecast of a 2% expansion in Gross Domestic Product in 2011, with the BCV yesterday reporting third quarter GDP growth of 4.2% “Venezuela has entered a new period of growth. There’s a rate of approximately 4% in the first three quarters of 2011, which doubles the GDP estimate for this year,” Venezuelan Minister of Planning and Finance Jorge Giordani stated. The minister further emphasized that the aim of 5% GDP growth contained within the projected 2012 Venezuelan national budget was both “real” and “feasible”, with the Venezuelan economy likely to finish 2011 with over 4% GDP expansion. Construction was the most important economic sector contributing to the third quarter figures, growing by 10%

The news shows the apparently good shape of Venezuela’s economy, one of the largest and fastest-growing in South America. This will surely mean a higher influence exerted by this country in the continent, and also a more secure position for its president, Higo Chávez, who has been accused of electoral fraud and whose authority has been challenged heavily throughout the year. It will also mean an increase in foreign direct investment in the country and probably a higher value for the national currency, the bolívar. However, the news also shows a disturbing piece of information, the fact that Venezuelan growth appears to be based on the construction sector, something that has proved to be very dangerous in a liberal economy. That could mean that, if Venezuela finally adopted free trade policies and stopped basing its economy on oil exports and the construction sector, the country’s economy might be absorbed by the recession cycle that is currently affecting many industrialized nations in the world.

Iran dismisses IAEA report as 'meaningless'

In response of a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran’s nuclear program, as well as the UN nuclear watchdog worries, the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has stated that the Iranian nation will not retreat anything from its nuclear program openly stating that “Iran does not accept IAEA atomic approach”. In addition, North Korea has accused Israel and the US of getting involved in an “extreme war frenzy” which will lead to a new war in the Middle East.

The situation in Iran is certainly critical. The Green Revolution has taken over the population; since April of this year, people have taken over the streets of the country to fight for their rights, their fundamental rights such as freedom for which people are dying. On June 15th, thousands of people got together and stood against the regime, and even though many people were killed and are still being killed, the Iranians don't give up.

Therefore, listening to the Iranian president say that Iran is not going to retreat its nuclear program overwhelms us, given the fact that Iran's raise of nuclear weapons endangers the whole world. The intervention of the International Community is needed before it's too late; Russia and theU.S have already discussed the implications of the Iranian nuclear program, and they have agreed to move Iran to follow its obligations to avoid grave consequences.