Saturday, November 24, 2012
Friday, November 23, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
The battle for the Arctic
The Arctic holds thirteen percent of the world’s undiscovered oil and
thirty percent of its untapped natural gas, which is trillions of
dollars of potential profit.
And that means, here in the far north, issues of sovereignty, security, environment, and trade are intersecting at colossal pace.
This documentary looks at the potential environmental impact of resource extraction in the Arctic, and what that might mean for the people who live there.
The UN has imposed a 2013 deadline for the submission of scientific claims to the Arctic seabed. It is the precursor to a resource boom which would see Canada, the US, Russia, Norway and Greenland all attempt to exploit the region’s resources.
These Arctic countries are desperately mapping out their territories so they can tap into the fossil fuels and minerals locked beneath the fast melting ice.
And with global warming speeding up the melting of the Polar ice caps, potential shipping routes are opening up – raising concerns about oil spills, and control over these new passageways.
And that means, here in the far north, issues of sovereignty, security, environment, and trade are intersecting at colossal pace.
This documentary looks at the potential environmental impact of resource extraction in the Arctic, and what that might mean for the people who live there.
The UN has imposed a 2013 deadline for the submission of scientific claims to the Arctic seabed. It is the precursor to a resource boom which would see Canada, the US, Russia, Norway and Greenland all attempt to exploit the region’s resources.
These Arctic countries are desperately mapping out their territories so they can tap into the fossil fuels and minerals locked beneath the fast melting ice.
And with global warming speeding up the melting of the Polar ice caps, potential shipping routes are opening up – raising concerns about oil spills, and control over these new passageways.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Zumba dance in Sint Ursula
Slow, leaky, rusty
The Guardian says the Royal Navy's new multi billion pound submarine, HMS Astute, has been beset by design and construction flaws that have raised doubts about its performance and potential safety. Full story >>
VOCABULARY
A sub is tha same as a submarine, a ship that can travel both on the surface of the water and under water. • The last time a Russian sub was detected close to the United States was in 2009, according to defense officials.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Tallest dog in the world
According to the upcoming Guinness Book of World Records for 2013, Zeus
the Great Dane is the tallest dog in the world right now. Standing on
his hind legs, Zeus measures 7'4
Photos by Guinness World Records 2013 Book, Kevin Scott Ramos, HO / AP
Photos by Guinness World Records 2013 Book, Kevin Scott Ramos, HO / AP
Violent clashes as austerity protests grip EU cities
Millions of EU workers have held a day of action against austerity, with protests in Spain and Portugal marred by violence.
General strikes in the two southern countries halted transport and closed businesses and schools, while 21 other states also saw disruption.Hundreds of flights to and from striking nations were cancelled.
Clashes in Lisbon left nearly 50 people hurt while in Spain at least 70 were injured and some 140 arrests were made.
Wednesday's action was co-ordinated by the European Trade Union Confederation. One of its officials, Judith Kirton-Darling, told the BBC that austerity was not working.
"It's increasing inequalities, it's increasing the social instability in society and it's not resolving the economic crisis," she said.
'No future' Unions in Spain and Portugal began their strikes at midnight on Tuesday to protest against austerity measures that have combined tax rises with cuts in salaries, pensions, benefits and social services.
Spain has unemployment of above 25%, the highest rate in Europe
Source : BBC news
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