US military death toll in Afghanistan hits 2,000 | World news | guardian.co.uk

US military death toll in Afghanistan hits 2,000 | World news | guardian.co.uk: "Latest 'insider attack' at checkpoint kills two Americans and two Afghan soldiers, marking 2,000th US troop death of conflict"

Bring the troops home now.

No news about Devon Walker, and there seems to be a media balckout

and millions of parents are signing release forms to let their kids get demolished.

Striking Amplats miners in South Africa defiant | Reuters

Striking Amplats miners in South Africa defiant | Reuters: (Reuters) - "South African miners on an illegal strike against the world's top platinum producer defied management threats of dismissal on Friday, throwing down the gauntlet as another wildcat stoppage hit the country's restive mining sector."

UK seeks to mend broken Libor, not scrap it | Reuters

UK seeks to mend broken Libor, not scrap it | Reuters: (Reuters) - "Britain's top financial watchdog delivered a 10-point plan to fix Libor but stopped short of scrapping the benchmark interest rate in a much-awaited reform of a system plagued by scandal."

BofA settles Merrill Lynch lawsuit, to pay $2.43 billion | Reuters

BofA settles Merrill Lynch lawsuit, to pay $2.43 billion | Reuters: (Reuters) - "Bank of America (BAC.N) said it settled a class action lawsuit with investors who purchased or held Bank of America securities at the time the company announced plans to acquire Merrill Lynch."

Activist Mona Eltahawy released after arrest in New York subway protest | World news | guardian.co.uk

Activist Mona Eltahawy released after arrest in New York subway protest | World news | guardian.co.uk: "Eltahawy was charged with criminal mischief after she painted over a poster that read: "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man" and "Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."" (My selection)

Second-quarter GDP cut to 1.3 percent on drought | Reuters

Second-quarter GDP cut to 1.3 percent on drought | Reuters: (Reuters) - "Economic growth was much weaker than previously estimated in the second quarter as a drought cut into inventories, setting the platform for an even more sluggish performance in the current quarter against the backdrop of slowing factory activity."

Insight: U.S. probe of HSBC tangled up in bureaucracy, infighting | Reuters

Insight: U.S. probe of HSBC tangled up in bureaucracy, infighting | Reuters: (Reuters) - "In the second half of 2010, a senior federal prosecutor in West Virginia drafted an impassioned plea to his bosses in Washington to end infighting as multiple government agencies pursued a high-stakes investigation of HSBC Holdings Plc."

Lehman to pay creditors another $10.5 billion | Reuters

Lehman to pay creditors another $10.5 billion | Reuters

(Reuters) - "Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc on Tuesday said it will pay about $10.5 billion to creditors starting early next month, the second leg of a plan to eventually pay out more than $65 billion."

Clinton offers more U.S. help as Libya battles militias | Reuters

Clinton offers more U.S. help as Libya battles militias | Reuters: (Reuters) - "U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton offered Libya more help on Monday as it seeks to rein in militias, stressing that Washington will remain a firm partner despite this month's deadly attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi."

Too  many fronts, and how many American children should be sacrificed? Dead or maimed? At this point:  (My comment)

"6,572 U.S. service members have died in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom"  The Washington post. (my selection)


How many have been maimed: 

  1. IED Blasts Spike In Afghanistan War As The Wounded Flow Home

    www.huffingtonpost.com/.../ied-afghanistan-war-veterans_n_170539...
    Jul 26, 2012 – Nevertheless, the number of Americans wounded in theAfghan and Iraq wars is staggering: 49,186, according to Defense Department records. (My selection)

    When will the sacrifice be too high?

Wells Fargo should buy lender CIT Group, analyst says | Reuters

Wells Fargo should buy lender CIT Group, analyst says | Reuters: (Reuters) - "Wells Fargo & Co, (WFC.N) the fourth-largest U.S. bank, could boost its profits by buying CIT Group Inc (CIT.N) even if it pays a 33 percent premium for the specialty lender, Stifel Nicolaus analyst Christopher Mutascio said on Monday."

Boeing wins $1.9 billion deal for U.S. surveillance planes | Reuters

Boeing wins $1.9 billion deal for U.S. surveillance planes | Reuters: (Reuters) - "Boeing Co (BA.N) has won a $1.9 billion contract to build 11 more P-8 maritime surveillance planes for the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Defense Department said Friday."

MEK decision: multimillion-dollar campaign led to removal from terror list | World news | guardian.co.uk

MEK decision: multimillion-dollar campaign led to removal from terror list | World news | guardian.co.uk: "Revealed: the steady flow of funds to members of Congress, lobbying firms and former officials in support of Iranian group"

All American congressmen and women are bought, and that is why there is no democracy in the US.

Gary Johnson: 'These people are let down by the two-party system' | World news | guardian.co.uk

Gary Johnson: 'These people are let down by the two-party system' | World news | guardian.co.uk: The Libertarian maverick says he's fiscally responsible and socially accepting– and his energetic third-party campaign could spell trouble for Mitt Romney

Richest 400 Americans' net worth jumps 13 percent to $1.7 trillion: Forbes | Reuters

Richest 400 Americans' net worth jumps 13 percent to $1.7 trillion: Forbes | Reuters: (Reuters) - "The net worth of the richest Americans grew by 13 percent in the past year to $1.7 trillion, Forbes magazine said on Wednesday, and a familiar cast of characters once again populated the top of the magazine's annual list of the U.S. uber-elite, including Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Larry Ellison and the Koch brothers."

"But the 13 percent growth in the wealth of the richest Americans far outpaced that of the economy overall, helping widen the chasm between rich and poor." (My selection)

A bunch of white males (my comment)

That is why people are revolting; only the middle class is suppose to tighten its belt while the rich get richer and protect their interests with the aid of the police, CIA, NSA and military; and these organizations are paid by the people's taxes. (my comment)

Fukushima fallout seeps into India's nuclear push | Reuters

Fukushima fallout seeps into India's nuclear push | Reuters: (Reuters) - "On a wind-whipped beach on India's southern tip, a small fishing community feels it is falling dangerously on the wrong side of history."

BBC News - South Africa police fire at Marikana mine protesters

BBC News - South Africa police fire at Marikana mine protesters: "South African police have fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters near a mine owned by Anglo American, a day after a deal ended a strike in Marikana."

S. Africa miners to resume work

S Africa miners to resume work after pay rise - Africa - Al Jazeera English:

"Al Jazeera's Haru Mutasa, reporting from Marikana, said the offer amounted to about $1,200 a month." (my selection)

Who can live on so little money? I hope that the families of the murdered minors will receive good financial support. Because the dead miners likely left families behind.

ACLU takes CIA to court as agency denies existence of drone programme | World news | guardian.co.uk

ACLU takes CIA to court as agency denies existence of drone programme | World news | guardian.co.uk: ..."The London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism tracks the strikes and has calculated that there have been 344 CIA drone hits in Pakistan alone since 2002, killing up to 3,325 people, including 881 civilians. Another area of concern is the use of drones to kill American citizens, such as radical American cleric Anwar al-Awlaki and his 16-year-old Colorado-born son. Both died in drone strikes in Yemen and relatives have sued top Pentagon and CIA officials for damages." (My selection)

Monsanto - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Monsanto - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Monsanto Company (NYSE:MON) is an American multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation. It is a leading producer of the herbicide glyphosate, which it markets under the Roundup brand. Monsanto is also a leading producer of genetically engineered (GE) seed." (My selection)

Monsanto makes Glyphosate resistant corn which permits farmers to spray corn fields with Round Up (Glyphosate); why would people want to eat glyphosate?

Also, Monsanto produces corn with a BT gene which confers resistance to the Bore worm, in effect the corn produces pesticide. Why would people want to eat pesticides?


Extent of worldwide use of GM crops

Country2010- planted area (million hectares)[75]2009 - Agriculture area (million hectares) [76]Percentage of agriculture area with GM cropsBiotech crops
USA66.840316.56%Soybean, Maize, Cotton, Canola, Squash, Papaya, Alfalfa, Sugarbeet
Brazil25.42659.60%Soybean, Maize, Cotton
Argentina22.914116.30%Soybean, Maize, Cotton
India9.41805.22%Cotton
Canada8.86813.02%Maize, Soybean, Canola, Sugarbeet
Rest of the world14.73,8830.38%----
 (Source: Wikipedia) (my selection)

The GMO crops in the US are: Soybean, Maize, Cotton, Canola, Squash, Papaya, Alfafa, Sugarbeet,

Study finds tumors in rats fed on Monsanto's GM corn | Reuters

Study finds tumors in rats fed on Monsanto's GM corn | Reuters: (Reuters) - "In a study that prompted criticism from other experts, French scientists said on Wednesday that rats fed on Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) corn or exposed to its top-selling weedkiller suffered tumors and multiple organ damage."


I have tried to eliminate corn and corn based products from my family's diet, but found this impossible; corn products and byproducts are everywhere. No corn is safe to eat because contaminated transgenic pollen fertilizes organic fields. Why would Americans want to eat insecticide producing plants? (my comment)

I buy 100% organic and I always buy products which clearly label: no GMO, no Soy, no corn.  (my comment)

Romney derides Obama supporters in hidden camera speech | Reuters

Romney derides Obama supporters in hidden camera speech | Reuters: (Reuters) - "Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney dismissed supporters of President Barack Obama - almost half of U.S. voters - as people who live off government handouts and do not "care for their lives," in a potentially damaging video."

Halliburton - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Halliburton - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

"Controversies
Halliburton has become the object of several controversies involving the 2003 Iraq War and the company's ties to former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney. Cheney retired from the company during the 2000 U.S. presidential election campaign with a severance package worth $36 million.[40] As of 2004, he had received $398,548 in deferred compensation from Halliburton while Vice President.[41] Cheney was chairman and CEO of Halliburton Company from 1995 to 2000 and has received stock options from Halliburton.[42]

In the run-up to the Iraq war, Halliburton was awarded a $7 billion contract for which 'unusually' only Halliburton was allowed to bid.[43]

Bunnatine Greenhouse, a civil servant with 20 years of contracting experience, had complained to Army officials on numerous occasions that Halliburton had been unlawfully receiving special treatment for work in Iraq, Kuwait and the Balkans. Criminal investigations were opened by the U.S. Justice Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Pentagon's inspector general." Wikipedia (My selection)

Halliburton - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Halliburton - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Halliburton is one of the world's largest[7] oilfield services companies with operations in more than 70 countries. It has hundreds of subsidiaries, affiliates, branches, brands, and divisions worldwide and employs over 60,000 people.[6]" (My selection)

U.S., allies in Gulf naval exercise as Israel, Iran face off | Reuters

U.S., allies in Gulf naval exercise as Israel, Iran face off | Reuters: (Reuters) - "The United States and its allies have launched a major naval exercise in the Gulf that they say shows a global will to keep oil shipping lanes open as Israel and Iran trade threats of war."


This is provocation. The west and the US must stop deceiving themselves: they have not brought democracy, freedom and peace to the middle east.  They have promoted separatism, turmoil, violence, and are responsible for thousands of deaths. (my comment)


Families to Sue in Football Players’ Heat-Related Deaths - NYTimes.com

Families to Sue in Football Players’ Heat-Related Deaths - NYTimes.com: MIAMI — "As high school football players around the country gear up for practices in the searing heat, two families in Southern states whose sons died last summer after strenuous workouts are suing in hopes of holding school officials accountable."

The parents chose to let these kids play, they endangered their kids. REFUSE TO SIGN RELEASE FORMS.

Miners' strike tops S Africa congress agenda - Africa - Al Jazeera English

Miners' strike tops S Africa congress agenda - Africa - Al Jazeera English

If anyone is interested here is the website of Anglo-Amiricana Platinum: http://www.angloplatinum.com/

Some thoughts: Platinum is a precious metal and as is clear in the website Anglo-American's shares are up; so why do not they share the profit with their workers: the ones digging, ingesting dust particles; sacrificing their health, quality of life and longevity for a meager salary?


 "Platinum is used in catalytic converters, laboratory equipment, electrical contacts and electrodesplatinum resistance thermometersdentistry equipment, and jewelry. Because only a few hundred tonnes are produced annually, it is a scarce material, and is highly valuable and is a major precious metal commodity. Being a heavy metal, it leads to health issues upon exposure to its salts, but due to its corrosion resistance, it is not as toxic as some metals.[3] Compounds containing platinum, most notably cisplatin, are applied in chemotherapy against certain types of cancer.[4]"   
(My selection) Wikipedia



Furthermore, although the workers are Africans natives,  the name of the company Anglo-American Platinum suggests that the company is ran by white exploiters who- as much as during colonialism or apartheid -  exploit African resources and labor. Yet, they do no share the profits raked.


"Controversy

Anglo Platinum, the world's largest platinum miner and a subsidiary of Anglo American PLC, the world's fifth largest mining corporation, filed SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) against a South African public interest lawyer Richard Spoor, who represented indigenous communities affected by platinum mining on tribal land. The actions include an application in the High Court for a so-called gagging order, ostensibly to prevent him further injuring the good name and reputation of the corporation, the lodging of complaints with the Law Society of unprofessional behaviour and the lodging of a civil action for damages for some $500,000. Anglo Platinum also obtained an ex parte (without notice) order interdicting two tribal chiefs from interfering with their mining operations and had them arrested on charges of intimidation and trespass. Subsequently, followers of the two tribal chiefs were shot, beaten and arrested for protesting the mine's presence on tribal land.[1][2]
In August 2007, British charity War on Want published a report accusing Anglo Platinum's parent company Anglo American of profiting from the abuse of people in the developing countries in which the company operates.[3] In the report, Anglo Platinum is accused of displacing communities in South Africa, including forcing the entire Magobading community off its land and into the Mecklenberg township."  Wikipedia (My selection)

Now how can the west and particularly the US wonder why the world is angry at us.

[edit]

NATO admits killing civilians in Afghan strike - CNN.com

NATO admits killing civilians in Afghan strike - CNN.com: (CNN) -- "NATO admitted that it had killed Afghan civilians in an airstrike early Sunday morning, hours after saying there was no evidence of civilian deaths."

These are war crimes.

Chris Brown's albums sabotaged with protest stickers | Music | The Guardian

Chris Brown's albums sabotaged with protest stickers | Music | The Guardian: "In the wake of the outcry over the singer's tattoo, protesters are putting warning stickers on his CDs that condemn him for beating up ex-girlfriend Rihanna"

BBC News - Call to freeze fishing in Europe to replenish stocks

BBC News - Call to freeze fishing in Europe to replenish stocks: "A think tank has made a controversial case for freezing fishing in Europe, saying most fish stocks would return to sustainable levels within five years."

BBC News - Twitter hands over messages at heart of Occupy case

BBC News - Twitter hands over messages at heart of Occupy case: "Legal pressure has forced Twitter to hand over messages sent by an Occupy Wall Street protester."

JPMorgan faces money laundering probe: source | Reuters

JPMorgan faces money laundering probe: source | Reuters: (Reuters) - "JPMorgan Chase & Co's compliance with U.S. anti-money laundering laws is being reviewed by a banking regulator, a source said, making the largest U.S. bank the latest target of a wide investigation of how banks prevent transactions involving drug money and sanctioned countries."

Warren Buffett says cancer radiation treatment completed | Reuters

Warren Buffett says cancer radiation treatment completed | Reuters: (Reuters) - "Berkshire Hathaway Inc Chief Executive Warren Buffett has said he has completed final radiation treatment for prostate cancer, the Omaha World-Herald newspaper reported on Saturday."

Afghan policeman kills two NATO soldiers | Reuters

Afghan policeman kills two NATO soldiers | Reuters: (Reuters) - - "A man believed to be a member of the Afghan Local Police force turned his weapon on soldiers from the NATO-led forces in the country's south on Saturday, killing two, the coalition said in a statement."

Time to bring the troops home, enough is enough.

The media never discusses the cost of Afghani lives when NATO bombs, or uses drones. It seems that European lives are worth more than Middle Eastern lives. If it is a war, war has two sides: two enemies. NATO calls it a war and deploys soldiers and occupies a sovereign country, yet the opposition are not fighters or soldiers but terrorists; let's be real here.

Half of drugs prescribed in France useless or dangerous, say two specialists | World news | The Guardian

Half of drugs prescribed in France useless or dangerous, say two specialists | World news | The Guardian: "The doctors claim that the state wastes money on unnecessary medicine that they blame for up to 20,000 deaths annually"

We can assume the same thing is happening in the US and elsewhere. And although thousands of people are killed by the legal drug makers, it seems to be accepted; no is charged with murder and no one goes to jail.

U.S. drones fly over Benghazi; cause airport to shut | Reuters

U.S. drones fly over Benghazi; cause airport to shut | Reuters: (Reuters) - "Libya closed its air space over Benghazi airport temporarily because of heavy anti-aircraft fire by Islamists aiming at U.S. reconnaissance drones flying over the city, days after the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans were killed in an attack."

Anti-American fury sweeps Middle East over film | Reuters

Anti-American fury sweeps Middle East over film | Reuters: (Reuters) - "Fury about a film that insults the Prophet Mohammad tore across the Middle East on Friday with protesters attacking U.S. embassies and burning American flags as the Pentagon rushed to bolster security at its missions."

Gasoline pushes up retail sales, inflation in August | Reuters

Gasoline pushes up retail sales, inflation in August | Reuters: (Reuters) - "Retail sales rose by the most in six months in August, boosted by automobiles and high gasoline prices, but the underlying tone pointed to modest economic growth in the third quarter."

Clara Schumann: Google doodle celebrates life of piano prodigy | Music | guardian.co.uk

Clara Schumann: Google doodle celebrates life of piano prodigy | Music | guardian.co.uk: "Musical prodigy, concert pianist, composer and mother of eight – Clara Schumann's outstanding achievements are still overshadowed by that of her husband Robert Schumann"

Russian mammoth remains give glimmer of hope for cloning | Reuters

Russian mammoth remains give glimmer of hope for cloning | Reuters: (Reuters) - "Scientists who found well preserved woolly mammoth remains in a remote part of Russia hope they might contain the necessary material to clone the long extinct beast."

Here is a bunch of humans wanting to toy with life and reverse evolution. I would like to see the effect of a mammoth herd escaping its prison; i.e. escaping the Bronx zoo, on neighborhoods. This is material for science fiction.

Investors see obstacles, risks to BAE-EADS tie-up | Reuters

Investors see obstacles, risks to BAE-EADS tie-up | Reuters: (Reuters) - "Shares in EADS (EAD.PA) and Britain's BAE Systems (BAES.L) tumbled on Thursday as investors feared that a planned tie-up aimed at creating the world's biggest defense and aerospace group could run up against political and regulatory obstacles."

The military industrial complex is the cause of wars and conflicts; it brews tensions, separatism, hatred, fear, and arms which ever faction it wants in power and greases it.  The villains who lead it can bomb at will, terrorize populations and murder thousands; no one can stop them. They hide their war crimes under the cover of national security and behind puppet representatives of the people. The military and secret agencies are beyond reproach and above all natural, constitutional or criminal laws.

Special Report: Well-to-do get mortgage help from Uncle Sam | Reuters

Special Report: Well-to-do get mortgage help from Uncle Sam | Reuters: (Reuters) - "Silicon Valley, the birthplace of the microprocessor, the personal computer and the iPhone, is a model of private enterprise at work. But not when it comes to getting a mortgage."

Wholesale inflation rises; labor market struggles | Reuters

Wholesale inflation rises; labor market struggles | Reuters: (Reuters) - "Producer prices rose by the most in three years in August as the cost of energy surged, but underlying inflation pressures were contained, keeping the door open to additional monetary policy easing."

South Africa mine protests hit top world platinum firm | Reuters

South Africa mine protests hit top world platinum firm | Reuters: (Reuters) - "Machete-wielding strikers forced top world platinum producer Anglo American Platinum to shut down some of its South African operations on Wednesday, widening the labor unrest sweeping through the country's mining industry."

Number of U.S. poor holds steady but gap grows | Reuters

Number of U.S. poor holds steady but gap grows | Reuters: ..."Overall, the 2011 poverty rate was 15 percent, representing about 46.2 million Americans, down slightly from 15.1 percent in 2010, data showed.

But median household income declined by 1.5 percent to $50,054 in 2011 from $50,831 in 2010.

A measure of household income inequality, the Gini index, increased 1.6 percent, recording its first annual increase since 1993, the U.S. Census Bureau said". Reuters

US ambassador to Libya killed in Benghazi attack | Reuters

US ambassador to Libya killed in Benghazi attack | Reuters

We armed the thugs.  We must remember that until the US led NATO intervention -another illegal war- libya was stable.

U.S. spies press for renewal of broad electronic surveillance law | Reuters

U.S. spies press for renewal of broad electronic surveillance law | Reuters: (Reuters) - "U.S. intelligence officials made a public plea on Tuesday, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks, for quick congressional action to extend a sweeping but controversial U.S. electronic surveillance law."

Tulane football player who fractured spine in game undergoes surgery - CNN.com

Tulane football player who fractured spine in game undergoes surgery - CNN.com

Ban the gladiatorial game, left over from our Barbaric ancestry. All players from HS to pro retire with life long injuries. It is criminal to have our children inflicting and inflicted with physical injuries. It is time for parents to refuse to sign release forms, and for people to stop watching.  
 
It is our responsibility to keep our children safe and to stop accepting violence as a from of entertainment. Parents who authorize their kids to play this sport are endangering their children.  
 
Ban football. 



Chicago teachers strike after contract talks break down | World news | guardian.co.uk

Chicago teachers strike after contract talks break down | World news | guardian.co.uk: "Rahm Emanuel condemns union's decision as 'unnecessary' as 26,000 teachers in nation's third largest school system walk out"

Tulane football player fractures spine in game at Tulsa - CNN.com

Tulane football player fractures spine in game at Tulsa - CNN.com

Parents who let their kids play football should be jailed for endangering their children. How many head injuries and spinal injuries will it take to ban this stupid sport?

Religion and Dawkins




Thumbs up for his courage, here are some thoughts that came to me:

I refuse to believe in a violent male entity above in the heaven who toys with humanity; I refuse to believe in a murderer who starves, inflicts diseases and rages wars - not unlike the Greek Gods - taking sides. I refuse to believe in a thunder maker who created the poor so that he could let them die. I refuse to believe in  a God who chose a few over billions others. 

Zeus had warned that if people stopped believing he would destroy them.  People stopped believing they survived - although they had, for Zeus and in his name- conducted sacrifices, especially and conveniently of their daughters (dowry)...

"Jesus is to the church as men is to woman" is what religions preach; it ... is creepy. 

All that I want is God taken out of the political discourse; and all the churches, mosques and temples to pay taxes, so that they do not become an evasion system through which the religious radicals channel political moneys and thus influence the laws of our country. These religious Institutions promote bigotry, because they  are isolationists, and thus always dislikes some other groups.

Believe if you may but do not impose your beliefs on me.


Japan's Fukushima operator to release more video on disaster | Reuters

Japan's Fukushima operator to release more video on disaster | Reuters: (Reuters) - "Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco), the operator of the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant, has bowed to pressure from the media and government and decided to release more video footage of staff trying to contain the March 2011 crisis."

Exclusive: China president-in-waiting signals quicker reform - sources | Reuters

Exclusive: China president-in-waiting signals quicker reform - sources | Reuters: (Reuters) - "China's president-in-waiting, Xi Jinping, has said the ruling Communist Party must embrace reform with fresh vigor to stave off social and economic malaise, sources said, citing accounts of comments he made at a meeting with a party reformer."

BP executives sought to blame blue collar rig workers: U.S. | Reuters

BP executives sought to blame blue collar rig workers: U.S. | Reuters: (Reuters) - "BP executives wanted to concentrate blame for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster on "blue collar rig workers" in order to save themselves, U.S. government lawyers wrote in a court document that until Thursday was partially redacted."

The separatist map of Africa: interactive | World news | guardian.co.uk

The separatist map of Africa: interactive | World news | guardian.co.uk: "When African states gained independence, the continent's new leaders agreed to respect the old colonial borders to avoid endless wars. But separatist movements still abound"

We should note that the colonial borders never took into account the different tribes and their undrawn territories; this has had dire consequences on Africa's stability, and are to a large extent responsible for many of the tribal unrests. Western countries and China have exploited these conflicts selling weapons to a favored tribe over others and thus gained access to Africa's rich resources.

Human rights group alleges U.S. waterboarded Gaddafi opponents | Reuters

Human rights group alleges U.S. waterboarded Gaddafi opponents | Reuters: (Reuters) - "A human rights organization says it has collected evidence of two previously unreported cases in which U.S. agents used waterboarding or a similar harsh interrogation technique on Libyan militants held by American forces in Afghanistan."

BBC News - West Nile virus death toll in US jumps by a third

BBC News - West Nile virus death toll in US jumps by a third: "The death toll from US cases of West Nile virus, which has killed scores of people, has risen by nearly a third in a week, according to health officials."

Exclusive: A fourth trader under scrutiny in JPM Whale probe | Reuters

Exclusive: A fourth trader under scrutiny in JPM Whale probe | Reuters: (Reuters) - "A fourth London-based JPMorgan Chase trader is under scrutiny in the investigation by U.S. authorities into the bank's nearly $6 billion trading loss, according to sources familiar with the situation."

ECB faces moment of truth on bond-buying plan | Reuters

ECB faces moment of truth on bond-buying plan | Reuters: (Reuters) - European Central Bank President Mario Draghi will try to back up his pledge to do "whatever it takes" to save the euro on Thursday, presenting some details of a new bond-buying plan that is transfixing markets hopeful it can ease the euro zone crisis.

New York probes private equity tax strategy: source | Reuters

New York probes private equity tax strategy: source | Reuters: (Reuters) - "At least a dozen U.S. private equity firms have been subpoenaed by the New York state attorney general as part of a probe into whether a widely used tax strategy that saved these firms hundreds of millions of dollars is proper, a source familiar with the situation said on Saturday."

Human safaris may be banned, but still tourists flock to Andaman Islands | World news | The Observer

Human safaris may be banned, but still tourists flock to Andaman Islands | World news | The Observer:"Eight months after the Observer revealed the shocking story of how tourists were paying to gawp at reclusive tribe, Gethin Chamberlin returns to find the practice still goes on"


Spineless creatures under threat, from worms to bees: study | Reuters

Spineless creatures under threat, from worms to bees: study | Reuters: (Reuters) - "The vital tasks carried out by tiny "engineers" like earthworms that recycle waste and bees that pollinate crops are under threat because one fifth of the world's spineless creatures may be at risk of extinction, a study showed on Friday."