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Haitian Farmers Commit to Burning Monsanto Hybrid Seeds

Beverly Bell May 19, 2010 Beverly Bell

Farmer Jonas Deronzil
"A new earthquake" is what peasant farmer leader Chavannes Jean-Baptiste of the Peasant Movement of Papay (MPP) called the news that Monsanto will be donating 60,000 seed sacks (475 tons) of hybrid corn seeds and vegetable seeds, some of them treated with highly toxic pesticides. The MPP has committed to burning Monsanto's seeds, and has called for a march to protest the corporation's presence in Haiti on June 4, for World Environment Day.

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African Grandmothers Launch Campaign for Rights and Resources

Swaziland Positive Living/Stephen Lewis Foundation May 19, 2010 Swaziland Positive Living/Stephen Lewis Foundation

Source: Pambazuka News

At the close of the historic first African Grandmothers’ Gathering, in Manzini Swaziland, 500 grandmothers from 13 countries issued a clarion call to the world, demanding economic independence, and the necessary resources to build their own capacity to raise healthy families in the midst of the AIDS pandemic.

They called for urgent action to prevent acts of violence against them, to ensure social security and to enact laws that uphold their rights and those of their grandchildren. read more

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In Gulf Spill, BP Using Dispersants Banned in U.K.

Marian Wang May 19, 2010 Marian Wang

Source: ProPublica

The two types of dispersants BP is spraying in the Gulf are banned for use [1] on oil spills in the U.K. As EPA-approved products [2], BP has been using them in greater quantities than dispersants have ever been used [3] in the history of US oil spills.

BP is using two products from a line of dispersants called Corexit [4], which EPA data [2] appears to show is more toxic and less effective [5] on South Louisiana crude than other available dispersants, according to Greenwire. read more

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Economic Power: Avoid Arizona and Boycott BP

Joel S. Hirschhorn May 18, 2010 Joel S. Hirschhorn

Money is power. Each of us has it to varying degrees. Our challenge is to use our spending to advance worthy goals. Right now we see economic power being used against the state of Arizona because of the awful legislation recently passed that makes it all too easy for police there to seek proof of citizenship from virtually anyone they choose. Economic boycotts can be very powerful and change the world for the better. Sadly, too few Americans use their personal spending power to advance worthy goals. An immediate opportunity is for people to stop buying BP gasoline.

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Africa Has Less Say After Changes in World Bank Voting

Hilaire Avril May 17, 2010 Hilaire Avril

Source: IPS News

The World Bank has described its recent increase of 3.13 percent in the voting power of emerging economies as a reform "to enhance voice and participation of developing and transition countries". But the shift has actually decreased a third of African countries’ share of votes.

Eighteen sub-Saharan countries have thus lost a measure of their already modest influence in the institution’s decision-making process. Nigeria and South Africa are hardest hit, their voting powers having been decreased by about 10 percent. read more