Global Notebook Archives - Page 5 of 18

Missionaries expelled for alleged experiments

Super User November 2, 2005 Super User

CARACAS – Minister of Interior Jesse Chacon has accused New Tribes, a fundamentalist evangelical project, with carrying out experiments on indigenous people in Venezuela that have led to 80 deaths, Prensa Latina reports.

A year ago, dozens of indigenous people allegedly died from malnutrition in the state of Apure, the minister has charged. According to an investigation, there were "experimental warehouses" and medicines "never reached these people," he said.

Pres. Hugo Chavez, who accused the missionary project of exploiting indigenous peoples and spying, ordered New Tribes out of Venezuela. According to the government, New Tribes has been working with the CIA, General Dynamics and Westinghouse. read more

Israeli leaders split over negotiations

Super User November 2, 2005 Super User

TEL AVIV – Two top Israeli officials are at odds over the chances for peace with the current Palestinian leadership, according to Agence France Presse. Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has expressed serious doubts that "one day we can reach a peace accord with the present leadership," but Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Perez has criticized that position.

"We must wait for the next generation," Mofaz told the Yediot Aharonot daily. "I don’t think that a Palestinian state will see the light of day in the coming years." read more

Detained reporter pressured to spy

Super User November 2, 2005 Super User

NEW YORK – U.S. military interrogators have allegedly told a journalist for Al Jazeera who has been detained since December 2001 as an "enemy combatant" that he would be released if he agreed to provide U.S. intelligence authorities with inside information about the satellite news network’s activities, according to London’s Guardian newspaper.

Sami Muhyideen al-Haj, an assistant cameraman for Al Jazeera, was arrested by Pakistani authorities along the Afghan-Pakistani border while on assignment, then transferred to U.S. custody and brought to the detention center at Guantanamo Bay. read more

Study says THC reduces cancer risk

Super User November 2, 2005 Super User

In an interview with Reuters, Melamede explained that while nicotine has several effects that promote lung and other types of cancer, THC acts in ways that counters the cancer-causing chemicals in marijuana smoke. "THC turns down the carcinogenic potential," he said. Melamede reviewed the scientific evidence in a recent issue of Harm Reduction Journal.

Lab research indicates that nicotine activates an enzyme in the body that converts certain chemicals in both tobacco and marijuana smoke into cancer-promoting form. But studies in mice suggest that THC blocks this enzyme activity. read more

Iraq: Fight for “hearts and minds” lost

Super User October 26, 2005 Super User

BAGHDAD – Millions of Iraqis believe that suicide attacks against British troops are justified, according to a secret military poll commissioned by senior officers and released by The Sunday Telegraph in Britain.

The poll, commissioned by the British Ministry of Defense, shows that up to 65 percent of Iraqi citizens support attacks and less than 1 percent think allied military involvement is helping to improve security. It demonstrates for the first time the depth of anti-Western feeling in Iraq, more than two and a half years after the war commenced. read more

Australia to relax anti-terror laws

Super User October 26, 2005 Super User

CANBERRA – Australia’s tough anti-terror laws likely will be softened in response to criticism about raids, preventive detention, a shoot-to-kill provision and infringement of free speech, The Australian reports. Attorney General Philip Ruddock said that members of a parliamentary security committee already have forced some "minor changes," and agrees that there could be more.

The new laws allow a sentence of up to seven years in jail for inciting violence or racial hatred. Some lawmakers warn that the law could be misused to restrict legitimate criticism. Muslim and civil liberties groups also object to a shoot-to-kill provision for police in cases where a terror suspect attempts to escape or avoid "preventative detention." read more