As the race for the US presidency begins, another Texas governor has emerged as a leading contender. The dilemma facing American voters as the 2012 presidential election season begins might be summed up in one colourful question: “Is America ready for another set of cowboy boots in the White House?” The man posing the question
Fukushima Radiation Alarms Doctors
Japanese doctors warn of public health problems caused by Fukushima radiation. Scientists and doctors are calling for a new national policy in Japan that mandates the testing of food, soil, water, and the air for radioactivity still being emitted from Fukushima’s heavily damaged Daiichi nuclear power plant. “How much radioactive materials have been released from
Citizen Group Tracks Down Japan’s Radiation
Amid contradictory government statistics, a volunteer group has recorded 500,000 radiation points across the country. The aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear crisis has been marked by an outcry in Japan over radiation leaks, contaminated food and a government unable to put the public’s fears to rest. Perhaps the most worrying aspect of the meltdown
Extreme Weather: The New Normal
Climate experts link current droughts, heat waves, and extreme weather events to climate change. Climate experts warn that setting weather records, be they for high or low temperatures, or record amounts of rain or snow as well as record drought, will likely be the new normal. According to a UN report released July 5, humanity
The Scourge of ‘Peak Oil’
When demand for oil consistently surpasses supply, experts warn that our lives will look “very differently”. Energy derived from oil reaches, quite literally, every aspect of our lives. From the clothes we wear, to the food we eat, to how we move ourselves around, without oil, our lives would look very differently. Yet oil is
Murdoch’s Ambitions in the Middle East
With his media empire under fire in the west, NewsCorp chief eyes the Middle East market. Embroiled in a scandal that has global implications, Rupert Murdoch’s media empire is under fire due to the ongoing fallout resulting from the News of the World scandal. But while News Corp remains under heavy scrutiny in the UK,
Israel Expands Its Borders Into Europe
Recent clampdowns on Palestinian solidarity activists underscore Israel’s ability to outsource its security operations. On July 11, Israel announced it was not interested in having the United Nations become involved as a mediator in its maritime border issues with Lebanon. But when it comes to recruiting other countries to assist in the enforcement of its
Israel’s No Fly Zone
While it is the lawful right of a country to prohibit air passengers from entering, the move remains controversial. The majority of an estimated 600 Tel Aviv-bound pro-Palestine activists intending to arrive on Friday, July 8 as part of the “Welcome to Palestine” movement have not been allowed to board their flights at originating airports.
Activists Conducting ‘Fly In’ to Israel
Despite threats from Israeli security, hundreds of Palestinian solidarity activists plan to fly into Tel Aviv’s airport. This Friday, July 8, hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists are planning to fly to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport in a display of solidarity with Palestinians living in the occupied territories. According to organisers, at least 500 people have
The Decline of Agriculture?
Climate change induced extreme weather events and shifting weather patterns are challenging farmer’s ability to feed us. Wendy Johnston with Oakwyn Farms in Athens, West Virginia, is deeply concerned about how shifting weather patterns are impacting farmers’ ability to feed the global population. “This year we’re off to a slow start,” Johnston, who farms 40