UN officials mourn five seminar participants killed in accident in Jordan

Two senior United Nations officials today expressed deep sadness over the deaths of five people, including two contractors for the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and three Iraqi officials, who were killed in a bus accident in Jordan yesterday.

The non-Ice Age cometh

The fast-disappearing Arctic  ice cap could indicate that Russia is in for more summer heat waves – and winter deep freezes – as climate change creates more instability in global weather.

That’s the warning from Russian scientists, who say that while global warming is not exactly to blame for the country’s current heat wave, increasingly erratic weather is causing Arctic Sea ice to disappear at an alarming rate.

And that could speed up global warming.

“Arctic ice doesn’t impact climate, it is the climate,” climatologist Vladimir Kattsev of the Voyeykov Geophysical Observatory told The Moscow News.

And the latest reports from up north aren’t promising.

“Ice in the Arctic is melting very fast,” Alexander Frolov, head of Russia’s Federal Hydro-Meteorological and Environmental Monitoring Service, was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying.

The shrinking ice area could set a new record this season and dip below the 4.14 million square kilometers registered in 2007, he said.

A vicious circle

What this means is that the Arctic could be seeing ice-free summers within a few decades, freeing up waterways and minerals deposits for Russia. “Perennial ice is fast turning into seasonal ice that disappears in the summer,” Kattsev said.

If previous models predicted ice-free summers by the end of the century, that could happen a lot sooner than expected, he added.

Newer models suggest that “ice could become completely seasonal by around 2050,” he said.

But in what many are touting as a silver lining for Russia, this could make the Arctic more accessible, “shortening northern transit routes and making them safer.”

This could explain why Russian researchers have been making a run for the Arctic, staking out territory that could later yield valuable natural resources.

Whatever the benefits, people shouldn’t forget that the Arctic is a formidable force of nature. Possible advantages would be

offset by dangers like shore erosion and volatile seas, Kattsev said.

“And let’s not forget that the polar bears will suffer from this.” More disturbingly, ice-free summers in the Arctic will speed up global warming. 

Heating up oceans

In what is fast turning into a vicious circle, with less white ice area to reflect the sun, warmth will be absorbed by the

darker ocean waters, heating up the currents and causing further changes in the weather – and more ice to melt.

Meanwhile, the sweltering weather that has already made Moscow feel more like Texas shows no signs of abating, with temperatures set to climb as high as 39 degrees Celsius by the end of the week.

The current heat wave has affected a larger area and has lasted longer than any other since 1972.

Hotter up north

Even Russia’s northernmost reaches are feeling balmier than usual.

“This summer is noticeably warmer. It’s about 20 degrees right now, with high humidity,” said a spokeswoman for the Solovetsky Gulag Museum on the Solovki Islands (on right) in the Arctic.

“It has reached 30 this summer, which is unusual, and we’re seeing rapid temperature changes,” she said.

This, however, is not necessarily a signal of global warming, Kattsev, the climatologist, said.

“Just as the abnormally cold winter was not a counter-argument to global warming, the heat is not an argument for it,” he said. “It is merely an enormous weather anomaly that by itself doesn’t speak of anything.”

But over a wider time-span, if these anomalies become more frequent over the course of several decades, this would indicate climate change.

“Average temperatures could remain the same, with colder winters offsetting warmer summers,” he said. “But more extreme weather patterns are certainly an indicator.”

Source:
The Moscow News,”The non-Ice Age cometh“, accessed July 28, 2010

Fijilive left off ‘legal’ media list, news editor quizzed

From the Inbox: Urge your representative to co-sponsor the national Toxic Chemical Safety Act

Donate Join NRDC and help protect the planet’s wildlife and wild places Explore Subscribe to NRDC Online, our weekly newsletter, for news you can use Plug In Connect to Switchboard, the NRDC blog Reach Out Send messages in style with our beautiful nature postcards Update Use your Action Center Profile to manage your subscriptions and personal info July 27, 2010 Urge your representative to co-sponsor the Toxic Chemicals Safety Act The Toxic Substances Control Act, the law regulating the use of industrial chemicals, was enacted in 1976 and is in serious need of an overhaul. Although other laws require pharmaceuticals and pesticides to undergo safety testing before they are available for purchase, the Toxic Substances Control Act has allowed thousands of industrial chemicals — used in children’s products, cleaning products, toys, furniture and electronics, and as oil dispersants in the Gulf of Mexico — to reach consumers without that same precaution. Rather than requiring chemical manufacturers to prove the safety of their products before putting them on the market, the Toxic Substances Control Act compels the Environmental Protection Agency to prove that a chemical is unreasonably dangerous before its use can be restricted or prevented. To make matters worse, the law drastically limits the EPA’s ability to obtain information from companies about the potential environmental and health effects of the chemicals they produce. In April, Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced the Safe Chemicals Act to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act. Now Rep. Waxman (D-CA) has introduced a House companion to that bill, the Toxic Chemicals Safety Act, moving us one step closer to passing these much needed reforms into law. Like its Senate companion, the Toxic Chemicals Safety Act would strengthen the current law by shifting the burden back to the chemical industry to prove its products are safe, establishing health standards for chemicals to protect children and other vulnerable groups, and strengthening the public’s right to know about the safety and use of chemicals. What to do Send a message urging your representative to co-sponsor the Toxic Chemicals Safety Act (H.R. 5820). President announces new national oceans policy For the last year, you have sent tens of thousands of comments urging the Obama administration to establish the nation’s first-ever comprehensive policy for our oceans, coasts and Great Lakes. And we are thrilled to report that on July 19th President Obama signed an executive order to do exactly that! Just as we have a Clean Water Act for our water and a Clean Air Act for our air, we now have a national policy for our oceans that will help better protect, maintain and restore ocean ecosystems. Our oceans, coasts and the Great Lakes are valuable economic engines providing jobs, food, energy resources, recreation and tourism, and the administration’s ground-breaking action will help ensure that our oceans are better managed to meet the needs of present and future generations.   Thanks to everyone who took action, and congratulations on this remarkable victory! You can read the full executive order at the White House website.

Abayomi Azikiwe, Editor of the Pan-African News Wire, Leads Class onU.S. Militarism in Africa, Sat., 5:00-7:00pm

For Immediate Release

Detroit Public Class & Discussion

Topic: “Pentagon Expands U.S. Role in Africa”
Date: Saturday, July 31, 2010, 5:00-7:00pm
Facilitator: Abayomi Azikiwe, Editor of the Pan-African News Wire
Location: 5920 Second Ave. at Antoinette, North of WSU Campus
Sponsors: Workers World Party & The Harriet Tubman School
Contact: 313.671.3715
URL: http://www.panafricannews.blogspot.com
E-mail: ac6123@wayne.edu

Abayomi Azikiwe, Editor of the Pan-African News Wire, to Lead Class on Expanding U.S. Military Intervention in Africa

The Pentagon is increasing its military involvement on the African continent. With the founding of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in 2008, the imperialists have poured more money and military personnel into Uganda, Somalia, Mali, Egypt, the Gulf of Aden and the Gulf of Guinea.

There have been war games by the U.S. military in West Africa and threats to engage in more aggressive actions against Somalia in order to prop-up the puppet Transitional Federal Government. In addition there are ongoing U.S. efforts to destabilize Zimbabwe, Sudan and Nigeria.

This intervention is taking place at the same time that increasing amounts of oil are being imported into the U.S. from Africa, which has outstripped the Middle-East in the supply of petroleum to North America. This emphasis on military and profit-making ventures is redirecting resources away from much needed development assistance in the areas of healthcare, public service, education, women’s affairs, agricultural development and mounting food deficits in the Sahel and in East Africa.

Come out and join this important discussion which has serious implications for the anti-war movement in the United States and Western Europe.

There will also be a report back from the MECAWI delegation that attended the United National Anti-War Conference held in Albany, N.Y. between July 23-25.

Admission to the class in free. Light refreshments will be served.

UN official warns terrorism and organized crime increasingly linked in Africa

Terrorism in Africa is increasingly linked to organized crime, and the continent’s governments must take stronger steps to try to break those connections, a senior United Nations official said as he called for countries worldwide to broaden their anti-terrorist strategies beyond involving only the military and law enforcement agencies.

Celebrating the Life of a Warrior Queen: Mama Njeri Alghanee

Celebrating the life of a Warrior Queen

By Dianne Mathiowetz
Atlanta
Published Jul 30, 2010 7:52 AM

The rhythmic sound of African drums filled the air and brought hundreds of mourners into harmony in tribute to Sister Njere Alghanee, first on July 2 at the Tupac Shakur Center for the Arts and then at many home-going celebrations on July 3.

A respected leader of the reparations movement in the U.S., Alghanee had served in several capacities for NCOBRA, the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America, and was a national co-chair at the time of her death.

Alghanee died in a tragic car accident in Atlanta on June 24, when the car she was riding in lost power on the interstate and was hit by an 18-wheeler. It was her 58th birthday. Her son, Biko, suffered broken bones.

She had left the U.S. Social Forum in Detroit on that day to return home to Atlanta so she could prepare to leave for the NCOBRA conference in New Orleans the next morning.

Alghanee’s life was dedicated to the liberation of African peoples. As a teenager in Indianapolis she joined the Black Panther Party and continued her activism as a student at Wayne State University in Detroit.

She became a citizen of The Republic of New Africa and was a vocal supporter of African liberation struggles in Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia and South Africa. Detroit was a center of revolutionary Black political activism, and she established relationships with many who are today leaders of such organizations as the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement and The Republic of New Africa, as well as elected officials in Detroit and Mississippi.

Among Alghanee’s many areas of work was her unceasing concern for the many political prisoners who have now spent decades in prisons as a result of their stands against racism and police terror.

With degrees in mass communications and early childhood education, Alghanee held executive positions at the Georgia Citizen’s Coalition on Hunger and the Georgia Advocates for Battered Women and Children. She also devoted considerable energy to Disabled in Action, consistently including the struggle of this marginalized community in the overall liberation agenda. Several schools, community arts centers, youth programs and women’s organizations credit Alghanee’s vision and skills for their creation and continued success.

Known as Sister Courage on her weekly radio show on WRFG 89.3 FM, Atlanta’s progressive community station, Alghanee created a space for the issues of reparations, racism, political prisoners and grassroots organizing to be analyzed and discussed.

Mama Njere, as she was affectionately called, had six children and was the proud grandmother of three.

Dozens of laudatory tributes brought applause, tears and laughter to the many hundreds of family members, fellow activists and community supporters who traveled from across the U.S. to honor the contributions of this warrior for the people.

When speakers recalled her radiant smile and steady personality, unfailing love for justice for all those oppressed and exploited, dedication to the liberation of African people, and optimistic and hopeful spirit, all present knew just what they were talking about.

From the national and local leadership of NCOBRA to the co-hosts of her radio program, “What Good Is a Song,” all declared that the life’s work of Sister Njere would go forward.

Njere Alghanee, ¡presente!
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Spain - the cowards who want “justice”

In the latest European court attack on American troops involved in the war in Iraq, a Spanish judge announced that he will re-issue an arrest warrant for three American soldiers he claims are culpable in the death of a Spanish journalist killed at the Palestine Meridian Hotel in 2003. What we have here is Spain, a nation that caved to terrorists’ demands in the aftermath of the 2004 bombing o f some trains in Madrid, trying to re-assert itself as an antiwar, anti-American state. They’ve been successful - I’ll call this episode “The cowards who want ‘justice.’”

Incident at the Palestine Hotel in Baghdad
To get a better understanding of Spain’s convoluted logic, it might be useful to explain the significance of the venue of the alleged crime - Firdus Square, located on the east bank of the Tigris River, across the river from and a bit north of the Republican Palace.

I have stayed at both the Palestine and Sheraton in Baghdad when I was a liaison officer to the Iraqi directorate of military intelligence - always at Iraqi expense. Both were quite comfortable, not as nice as the Rashid, but I only got to stay at the Rashid when traveling with my boss. Senior Executive Service civilians qualified for the Rashid, Air Force captains did not. The rooms and restaurant at the Sheraton were nicer, but the Palestine had a great bar decorated like a Bedouin tent as well as a casino. I digress.

Everglades returns to UNESCO list of global heritage sites in danger

The Everglades National Park in the United States is back on the List of World Heritage in Danger because of the “serious and continuing degradation of its aquatic ecosystem,” the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced today.

President Jacob Zuma to Abolish Six South African “Monarchies”

Jacob Zuma to abolish six South African monarchies

South Africa moves to bury apartheid era legacy, saying kings were appointed as part of divide-and-rule strategy

David Smith in Johannesburg guardian.co.uk,
Friday 30 July 2010 15.45 BST

Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini will not be affected by Jacob Zuma’s ruling.

Nearly half of South Africa’s traditional monarchies are to be abolished in a government move to bury another legacy of the apartheid era.

Some of the kings were originally appointed by the white minority government with few legitimate claims to their thrones, a report found. They were part of a divide and rule strategy to undermine opposition to the apartheid regime, said Jacob Zuma, the South African president.

Zuma announced that six out of 13 monarchies would be derecognised to correct “the wrongs of the past” and defuse tensions among rival leaders. He stressed that no one would be accused of being an apartheid collaborator.

South Africa is a constitutional democracy and its traditional monarchs are symbolic figureheads with little political power, although they still preside over hearings to resolve tribal disputes. The National House of Traditional Leaders advises parliament on issues of customary law.

Seven of South Africa’s 13 kingships were approved after a six-year study by the Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims. The other six will end when the incumbent ruler dies, with their successors becoming lower-ranking leaders.

“The apartheid regime created its own traditional leadership at the expense of authentic leadership in some communities,” Zuma said. “It was how those in charge divided and disunited people.

“We urge all communities to accept the findings in the spirit of correcting the wrongs of the past, and as part of the country’s nation-building efforts.”

The move will also mean savings for the South African taxpayer because each monarchy is subsidised by the government.

Zuma added: “The finding must help all affected communities to begin the path of acceptance, healing and reconciliation.

“We have always been able to find ways of resolving issues, and of accepting even the most difficult of solutions for the good of the country. We must face the truth, even if it is uncomfortable, and move forward.”

But leaders of the six kingships affected by the move have said they will challenge their demotion in court. One political analyst, who did not wish to be named, said: “Whatever the circumstances of their appointment, some of the leaders have come to think of themselves as royalty and won’t go quietly.

In some contexts, there is a risk of violence between rival groups.”

But Steven Friedman, director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy, described the threat of violence as “implausible”. He added: “There will be quibbles over which monarchies were legitimate and which weren’t, but there was a great deal of manipulation under apartheid of traditional institutions. The decisions look pretty expected and sensible.”

The leaders of South Africa’s two biggest tribal groups, the Zulus and Xhosas, will not be affected. Zulu king Goodwill Zwelithini, who has six wives, demonstrated his influence recently by launching a campaign to the revive the custom of male circumcision as a means of combating HIV/ Aids.

Another king to survive the cull is Buyelekhaya Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo of the AbaThembu clan, who has urged about half the nation, including Johannesburg, to secede from South Africa. This was after he was sentenced to 15 years in prison last year for charges including culpable homicide, arson and assault.

Khosi Fhumulani Kutama, chairman of the National House of Traditional Leaders, said he would attempt to persuade the affected monarchs of the merits of the decision.

“We have been waiting for this decision for a long time,” he told South Africa’s Mercury newspaper. “It will help us build our democracy. It is important that people accept it not only for the institution of traditional leadership but for the whole country.”