The Dominion - Salvatore Ciolfi

Nigerian militants free hostages

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 00:16:34 +0000

In a nighttime attack on June 7, the Nigerian militant group "MEND" killed six soldiers and abducted five Korean workers at a Shell Natural Gas plant in the Niger Delta. The soldiers were part of a Nigerian security force that has been assigned to protect the Delta's oil production. Thus far, their efforts have not been successful, as increased attacks have cut the region's extensive oil output by 25 per cent.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is an armed organization that seeks to localize control of the Niger Delta's oil wealth and, in the process, send more of its revenues to the region's poorer south. The latter point in particular is reported to be behind their desire for the liberation of Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, a prominent leader jailed last year on treason charges. Dokubo-Asari has called for autonomy for southerners and his release was demanded in exchange for the Korean hostages. It has been reported that the hostages were released by MEND at his insistence, though it is still unclear how, when or where he made contact.

This is not the first time the group has been involved in attacks against oil multinationals: MEND also kidnapped four foreign oil workers on January 11 and nine on February 18. In all instances, MEND has released its hostages unharmed and has in the past publicly stated that it has no intentions of killing those abducted. On this particular occasion, the attack occurred just after midnight, with the armed assailants arriving in speedboats. One member of the group was killed in the raid, which included the burning of a military boat used for security.

A direct provocation of the violence in the region has been Shell's refusal to adhere to a ruling by a Nigerian high court, which ordered the company to pay $1.5 billion to communities in the region that have been negatively impacted by Shell's activities. Thus far, the company has only appealed the verdict. MEND has vowed more attacks in the weeks ahead, specifically targeting "facilities of crucial importance to the oil industry." Currently, Nigeria is Africa's leading oil exporter, exporting 2.5 million barrels daily.

Sources:

Polar bears added to endangered list

Tue, 16 May 2006 15:52:51 +0000

Long understood to be struggling under the pressure of changes in its habitat, the polar bear, a fierce symbol of the untamed North, has had its plight officially recognized. The animal was one of 530 species added to the World Conservation Union's "Red List" of endangered species.

The Union, or IUCN, is a multicultural, multilingual organization based in Gland, Switzerland, that has been documenting the conservation status of species and subspecies on a global scale. Their "Red List," which was released on May 2, had not been updated for two years.

The inclusion of the polar bear does not come as a surprise to many. Because they rely on sea ice for hunting, traveling and mating, the polar bears' existence is directly tied to the ongoing climate change. Studies on a population in Hudson Bay have shown that the population has declined by 15 per cent in the last 10 years and that polar bears in the region are skinnier than they used to be.

The World Conservation Union also predicts that polar bear populations will decline by more than 30 per cent in the next 45 years, unless the current global warming trend is halted, an event that seems unlikely given the increased energy demands worldwide.

The bleakness of the animals' plight is reflected in their new branding on the conservation list. Previously, the polar bear had been listed in the less-severe "Conservation Dependent" category. The 2006 list, however, has them listed as "Vulnerable." This is one level down from the "Endangered" ranking.

There has been talk of the polar bear being added to the U.S. Endangered List, a nomination that would force all federal decisions to consider the effects of their actions on the animal. So far, however, the mighty northern bear can only hope to remain "Vulnerable."

CBC North

National Geographic

L'Oreal makes $1.14 billion deal with The Body Shop

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 22:11:31 +0000

French cosmetic giant L'Oreal is set to takeover "profit with principles" beauty care merchants, The Body Shop. The 652-million-pound ($US 1.14 billion) deal has been approved by 43 per cent of The Body Shop's shareholders, and stands to net its founders, Anita and Gordon Roddick, 118 million pounds. The couple still have an 18 per cent stake in the company, but are no longer involved in the day-to-day operations.

Anita Roddick famously campaigned against animal testing for cosmetic research, a stand that is at odds with the history of L'Oreal. Officially the company states that they have not tested on animals since 1989, but numerous animal rights groups, including NatureWatch, insist the company has continued these tests unabated, and is hiding behind loopholes in EU legislation.

The Body Shop, which was founded 30 years ago in Brighton England, now has 2085 stores in 53 different countries. Its success is based partly on its image as a company dedicated to the use of ethical and fair trade products.

L'Oreal chief executive Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones explains the reasons behind the deal, "A partnership between our companies makes perfect sense. Combining L'Oreal's expertise and knowledge of international markets with the Body Shop's distinct culture and values will benefit both companies."

News of the takeover has already produced financial benefits for shareholders in both companies: The Body Shop's stock price jumped close to 10 per cent in the last week, despite the fact that their sales last year were weaker than expected.

Currently, L'Oreal has no plans to interfere with the company, and has stated that they plan on allowing it to run independently from the UK.

Salvatore Ciolfi

100,000 march for immigrant rights in Chicago

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 16:51:47 +0000

On Saturday, March 11, more than 100,000 people took part in a public protest against bill HR44367; a bill that is soon to be voted upon by the U.S. Senate.

The proposed legislation has controversially called for the creation of a fence along parts of the Mexican border and would also criminalize the action of assisting undocumented immigrants illegally remaining in the country.

More than 100 organizations representing Chicago-area immigrants organized the massive march just days before the,event, with delegations also coming from neighbouring states and the northeast.

Starting at noon, the marchers chanted, "Si se Puede," which translates as, "Yes, it can be done," and eventually overtook much of the busy downtown Loop business district. There, the protesters waved multi-lingual banners, as well as American, Mexican, Asian and Caribbean flags, and cheered as numerous politicians spoke, including Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.

"Do not allow anyone to tell you that you're an immigrant. Everyone in America is an immigrant," the mayor said.

Governor Rod Blagojevich spoke next, and was treated like a hero when he said, in both English and Spanish, "You are not criminals. You are workers."

According to new reports in the U.S. media, the illegal immigrant population has grown from about 8.4 million people in 2000 to about 12 million.

Locally, the efforts of immigrants' groups have begun to pay off, as already both state and city government bodies have passed resolutions rejecting proposals such as HR44367. The state senate, in fact, has already requested an immigration reform that would allow undocumented people to be granted legal residency and eventual citizenship.

Salvatore Ciolfi

Uruguay implements smoking ban

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 18:36:40 +0000

Uruguay has become the first country in Latin America to pass anti-smoking legislation. The new laws, which came into effect at midnight on March 1st, are similar to the amendments Quebec made to its smoking laws and mirror those already implemented in Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Italy and Spain. They will prohibit smoking in all enclosed public places, including bars, restaurants, government and private office buildings and shopping malls.

The restrictions are already being considered among the most stringent in the world, though this is hardly a surprise, as current Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez is a practising oncologist. Prior to the laws' implementation, his government stated that smoking causes 5,500 tobacco-related deaths a year in the country of 3.4 million people.

"Passive smoking is also linked to chronic disease and premature deaths. Since there's not a secure level of exposure, the best thing to do is to ban cigarettes in enclosed places," argued Vazquez.

To help promote the plan, the president launched a campaign called "A Million Thanks," which is a reference to the number of Uruguayan smokers. So far, the campaign seems to have won these people over, as an opinion poll conducted by the Ministry of Public Health states that close to 70% of the country's smokers support the legislation.

Nevertheless, it may be hard for most citizens to adapt to the new laws, as most Uruguayans are not only accustomed to smoking at work and in schools, but also to seeing tobacco advertising. The locally made, and controversially visible 'Nevada' brand is the most popular cigarette in the country. As recently as 2002, 'Nevada' caused international concern when they sponsored Uruguay's national soccer team in the World Cup. The act was especially galling as the tournament coincided with the launch of the World Health Organization's World No-Tobacco Day, whose theme was "Tobacco Free Sports."

Cuba and Argentina have also taken their first steps with smoking restrictions. In fact, on the same day that Uruguay went smoke-free, authorities in Buenos Aires implemented a ban on smoking in municipal buildings, with the aim of later extending the ban to all public places. Cuba passed similar measures last year, but these laws have yet to be enforced in Castro's cigar-loving island nation.

Salvatore Ciolfi

Election in Costa Rica is unexpected cliffhanger

Thu, 09 Feb 2006 18:31:07 +0000

Costa Ricans voted on February 6th but may not know their new leader until the end of the month. With close to 90% of the votes accounted for, the two main candidates are in a dead heat, with the well-known Oscar Arias leading newcomer Otton Solis by only 3250 votes.

Arias, who was president of the country between 1986-1990, was expected to easily gain the 40 per cent threshold needed to enter office. The pollsters, however, seem to have underestimated a larger than expected voter turnout among the country's youth, a group that has unexpectedly supported Solis. The results have forced election officials to start hand counting every ballot, a process that make take up to three weeks.

Arias won a Nobel peace prize for his work in helping end the Nicaraguan civil war. During that conflict he managed to get all five Central American countries to sign his peace plan, an arrangement that has had a lasting stabilizing effect on the region. It is therefore not surprising that his campaign focused on his previous tenure, as well as the need for corrupt-free government.

The Central American Free Trade Accord with the U.S. may be playing a role in the closer than expected results. Although both candidates supported the pact, Solis has been the only one to discuss the matter openly. He maintains that the free trade agreement needs to be renegotiated, stating that it favors Washington in areas of agriculture, telecommunications and the environment. Currently Costa Rica is the only signatory not to ratify the deal.

Netherlands to send more troops to Afghanistan

Sun, 05 Feb 2006 23:15:34 +0000

The Dutch parliament voted in favor of sending more troops to Afghanistan on with the hope of raising its current number of 600 soldiers to roughly 1400 by the end of February. This marks the most significant Dutch military mission since the failure of its peacekeepers to prevent the Serbian massacre of Muslims in Srebrenica, now 10 years ago.

There was, however, a lot more riding on the outcome of the vote than international reputation and the healing of past wounds. If the Labour party refused to support the vote, the Dutch government was in jeopardy of falling.
The decision comes less than a week after U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan met with Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende. "Let me say to the population that the work that is being done in Afghanistan is extremely important. It is an international effort and I think we all have a stake in it. No-one can afford to see a destabilized Afghanistan," the Secretary-General said to the press.

Balkenende's center right party openly discussed sending 1200 troops to the embattled country last year, but backed off when polls showed close to 70% of the Dutch population was opposed to the idea. Polls this week displayed a dip in those numbers, however, with disapproval ratings in the 40 per cent range. Because this was still higher than those who supported the plan, however, the debate that followed was reportedly fiery and emotional. Nevertheless, only the Liberal D66 party, the smallest party in the governing coalition, officially voiced opposition to the plan. Their argument was based on the belief that the Netherlands would inherit hostility generated by US failures in the region.

The Dutch deployment will come as good news for the British and Canadian forces already in Kabul and Kandahar, as both countries are expected to shoulder much of the load once the thinly stretched U.S. army withdraws from the region. Canada recently added 140 soldiers to the 650 already stationed in the increasingly unstable southern Afghanistan, and it plans to send 1300 more troops in February.

Pakistan relaxes laws against Indian films

Sun, 05 Feb 2006 23:14:50 +0000

For the first time since the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965, a Hindi film will be screened in Pakistan. The news comes after an amendment to the laws of the Pakistani Censor Board, which had been preventing the screening of all films involving Indian actors or directors.

No final decisions or official announcements have been made, but the Times of India has reported that the film Sohni Mahiwal, a joint production between India and the then Soviet Union, will be the first Bollywood film to hit Pakistani movie theatres in forty years.

Directed by Latif Faiziye and Umesh Mehra, Sohni Mahiwal was originally released in 1984 and stars Indian actors Sunny Deol and Poonam Dhillon. It was submitted to the censor board nearly three years ago.

Despite the ban and fears that Indian movies would have a negative influence on Islamic culture, their popularity in the country has exploded, as pirated versions, radio, and an affordable cable network have made both the films and their music readily available. The Pakistani piracy market, in particular, has mushroomed, generating some $27 million dollars a year. This has come at the expense of local movie theatres, which have seen their audience numbers plummet.