November 2009 - Page 4 of 6

Climate Change and Africa’s Natural Resources

William Minter and Anita Wheeler November 11, 2009 William Minter and Anita Wheeler

On the eve of the climate change summit in Copenhagen this December, momentum for action still falls far short of that needed to avert catastrophe. Africa will suffer consequences out of all proportion to its contribution to global warming, which is primarily caused by greenhouse gas emissions from wealthy countries.

But Africa can also make significant contributions to mitigating (i.e. limiting) climate change. Stopping tropical deforestation is one of the most cost-effective means to slow the growth of greenhouse gases. Ending gas flaring in Africa’s oil-producing countries could reduce carbon emissions and, as a bonus, also provide cleaner electricity. read more

Justice Dept. Subpoenaed Indymedia Site for Web Visitors

Democracy Now! November 11, 2009 Democracy Now!

Source: Democracy Now!

And the Justice Department is coming under criticism for demanding information on visitors to the independent progressive news website Indymedia. A US attorney in Indiana reportedly subpoenaed the records from Indymedia earlier this year and then ordered the site to keep silent about the request. The Electronic Frontier Foundation says the subpoena demanded the individual internet protocol addresses of every single Indymedia visitor. The group says the subpoena was ultimately dropped. read more

The Plight of the Roma: From Europe to Canada

Reuel S. Amdur November 11, 2009 Reuel S. Amdur

Roma Camp in Italy

The media have not paid enough attention to the plight of the Roma in Europe. The Roma's living conditions are miserable, and they suffer from serious discrimination in education and employment, and attacks from racists and neo-Nazis. Because of the conditions they face in Europe, a number of Czech Roma fled to Canada in 2008 and 2009. Their Hungarian cousins quickly began to follow suit. Across these international borders, the Roma's struggle for rights and survival has not been an easy one.

The Peru Shoot Down: The CIA, DynCorp, and Why the Truth May Not Come Out

Greg Guma November 10, 2009 Greg Guma

Among the five cases of intelligence operation cover up currently being investigated by the US House Intelligence Committee is the 2001 shoot down of a small plane in Peru, resulting in the death of a Baptist missionary from Michigan and her 7-month-old daughter. The CIA inspector general has already concluded that the CIA improperly concealed information about the incident. So, what happened in Peru, and why? At first, of course, the CIA employed its usual tactics: denial and deflection of blame.

Obama Resuming Bush’s Extraordinary Renditions

Sherwood Ross November 9, 2009 Sherwood Ross

Source: Counter Currents

Even though Barack Obama, the candidate, pledged to end “the practice of shipping away prisoners in the dead of night to be tortured in far-off countries,” his FBI has been rendering kidnap victims to the U.S. The practice is still kidnapping, however; and it’s still illegal.

Unlucky victim No. 1 was Raymond Azar, 45, flown from Afghanistan to Alexandria, Va., not to a foreign country. The construction manager for Sima International, a Lebanese outfit that did work for the U.S. military, Azar said he was tortured by his abductors. He might just as well have been flow to Egypt under the Bushies. read more

Honduras: Talks Are Off with Coup Government After Deal Collapses

Democracy Now! November 9, 2009 Democracy Now!

Source: Democracy Now!

An American-mediated accord to end the four-month political crisis in the country appears to be in shambles just a week after it was signed. On Friday, ousted President Manuel Zelaya, who remains in the Brazilian embassy, declared the deal was over. Meanwhile, coup president Roberto Micheletti said he would install a national unity government without the participation of Zelaya. We speak to President Zelaya from the Brazilian embassy.

AMY GOODMAN: We go now to Honduras, where an American-mediated accord to end the four-month political crisis in the country appears to be in shambles just a week after it was signed. On Friday, the ousted president, Manuel Zelaya, who remains in the Brazilian embassy, declared the deal over. Meanwhile, the coup leader, Roberto Micheletti, said he would install a national unity government without the participation of Zelaya.
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