Two South American wemon, a mother and daugter, ages 44 & 23 are being held at the Finflas Garda station. After being notified by flight personel. The two wemon were apprehened in a hotel,with them 14kilos of cocaine. With a street value of 1 million Euro. Offical's believe the South American wemon were on their way to deliver the drugs to the Irish market.
New Dinosaur descovered in South America. Researchers from Argintina an the U.S. announced the discovery of "Eodromaeus." With sharp teeth, long neck, and tail this dinosaur only weighed around 10 to 15lbs. It inhabited the South America around 230 million years ago. It was found near the foot-hills of the Ande's, in an area known as "The Valley of the Moon."
Military vehicles have been sent to Rio de Janerio. Security athorities had attempted to reassert control over "Favelas" which are the corrupt areas of the city. In an attempt of cleaning them up for the up-coming 2014 World Cup & the 2016 Olimpic Games due to be hosted in the city. The gangs began to rebel by attcking police stations, stopped cars, and robbing people of money and valuables. After 5 days 26 deaths, one of which was a 14yr old girl killed by a stray bullet. Athorities say the gangs are rebeling in an attempt to weaken security in the city.
I would like to comment on what Bethany said about the two women. I didn't realize what a big issue their is with drugs in South America, I mean the drug lords with the drug dealers and the cops and now the two women trying to sell it to the Irish market. I'm a little shocked!
Again I'd to comment on Bethany the one about the dinosaur discovery. WOW! First Where did you find this out Bethany? I have always found it very interesting on the discovery of animals. And 230 million years ago that is really awesome how something that lived so long ago was still left behind and we were able to find out things like its weight and how it had a long neck. But as an issue I found interesting about South America was how Argentina and Chile signed a peace treaty together and how they are both a part of the free trade.
I would like to comment again on one of Bethany's blogs.The one about the discovering of the dinosaur, I mean to me that is very interesting to be able to know that this animal 230 million years ago had a long neck, sharp teeth, and to know what it weighed.As for my own comment on South America I read something about how the oil spilling into the waters of the Amazon are getting worse, I mean the Amazon are the lungs of the planet and sooner or later I believe that the entire Amazon will be gone!
To lilangel just punch in South America News on Google. I actually came across the story when I was doing my 5 themes project. So I had decided to blog on it as I found it interesting too. They made the discovery a while ago but you know scince, they won't reveal it until they studie it. There is also a video on you tube about it, it was attached to the link.
In Brazil they have experienced some of the worst flooding in over forty years in the state of Rio De Janeiro. Rio De Janeiro being a mountainous region the worst damage has been caused by mudslides which have blocked roads and interrupted communications. Currently, over 600 people have already been declared dead, and that number is expected to climb as rescuers move into more remote mountainous regions. The Brazilian army has deployed 100 soldiers to assist in the rescue efforts, help clear roads, and to deter looting.
In Chile, the government is preparing to raise gas prices by 17%, which has sparked protests and strikes and road blockades in souther Chile. This has stranded thousands of foreign tourists. Some of the tourists have tried to escape into Argentina, but report having been turned back at the border. The Chilean government has sent troops to maintain order, and the protestors say they have relaxed the blockades to allow the roughly 2,000 tourists through.
Global warming is having a direct affect high in the Andes Mountains in Peru. Rising water temperatures have ruined crops and killed fish causing concern for how the people will survive into the future. Peruvian officials are asking other governments for help totaling $350 million every year until 2030. They need the assistance to build dams and improve irrigation; not to mention educating people living on the mountain how to deal with the rising water temperatures and resulting glacier melt.
The government of Brazil has authorized troops to enter the devastated areas effect by the recent mud slides. The soldiers are charged with building mobile bridges that will support the heavy equipment needed in order to begin clean up and assist the villagers. As of today (Jan 17th) rescue effects have not reached about 20 neighborhoods. The government is being heavily criticized for their lack of notifying residents of the storms and for allowing people to live in such high risk areas. Although Brazil has a good weather alert system, more people are needed to interpret the data and a communication system would take at least 4 years to put in place. The people currently living in shelters are wondering how they will ever be able to leave the shelter.
The United States will file a formal objection Wednesday to Bolivia's proposal to end the ban on coca leaf-chewing specified by a half-century-old U.N. treaty, according to a senior U.S. government official.
"We hope that a number of other countries will file as well," the official told The Associated Press on Tuesday. He spoke on condition he not be further identified, citing the topic's political sensitivity.
Despite being stigmatized as the raw material of cocaine, coca leaves have been chewed by indigenous peoples in the Andes for centuries.
A mild stimulant, the leaves have deep cultural and religious value in the region. Chewed or consumed as tea, coca counters altitude sickness, aids digestion and suppresses hunger and fatigue.
First of all, I didn't even know what coca leaves were or that they were banned. And second of all, why ban it? Just because the leaves come from the plant that produces cocaine? If it helps with sickness, and suppresses hunger and fatigue then I don't see why it should be banned. It's not like it gets the users high or anything. One of the major concerns in South America is hunger so if there is an alternative that could help suppress hunger why not allow it. I don't get it.
Mitsubishi Motors will streamline production in Japan, the United States and Europe while increasing output in emerging markets including Brazil and India, a report said Saturday.
In the United States, Japan's fourth-largest automaker will stop production of three models designed only for the North American market, such as the Eclipse, now manufactured at a plant in Illinois.
Meanwhile, the Japanese automaker will invest in Brazil to boost local production, while preparing to start output from India by investing in a local partner, the Nikkei said.
Thought this was interesting as we just did the project on the top reasons why Brazil will be a powerhouse. One of the main factors in Brazil's economic success is their manufacturing such as the automobile industry, and it looks like Japan has noticed this too. Kinda bummed that they're not making the Eclipse anymore though. :(
Colombia landslide: Dozens feared buried near Medellin More than 100 people are still missing and feared dead after a hillside collapsed on Sunday, following the heaviest rains in the country for decades. Local residents initially used their bare hands to dig into tonnes of mud that engulfed some 30 houses. Seven people have been saved so far. Thousands of people have fled the area. The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Medellin says many of the bodies being pulled from the mud are those of children who were playing in the streets when the landslide hit. The scar of the collapsed hillside can be seen from miles away, he adds. The landslide hit the La Gabriela district of Bello, Antioquia province, at about 1900 GMT on Sunday. Officials originally feared that 145 people may have been buried.
Catastrophic Drought Looms for Capital City of Bolivia Catastrophic drought is on the near-term horizon for the capital city of Bolivia, according to new research into the historical ecology of the Andes. If temperatures rise more than 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius (3 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit) above those of modern times, parts of Peru and Bolivia will become a desert-like setting. The change would be disastrous for the water supply and agricultural capacity of the two million inhabitants of La Paz, Bolivia's capital city, scientists say. The results, derived from research funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and conducted by scientists affiliated with the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), appear in the November issue of the journal Global Change Biology.
After reading Linda's post about the water crisis in Peru, I wanted to find out more information. The glaciers, that are to blame for the water issues in Peru, are melting more rapidly than orginally projected. Some are expected to completely disappear within the next 10 years. According to an investigation by a team of students from Northwestern University, the US isn't prepared for the environmental changes that are coming in South America. There is said to be only a 5 year the window before it becomes a security crisis and threatens to reshape the demands made on the military community
Colombian police captured a pigeon that was being used to smuggle drugs. The bird had 1.6 ounces of marijuana and cocaine strapped to its back. It was found trying to fly into a jail in north eastern Bucaramanga but, was struggling because the package was too heavy. Apparently, pigeons have been used in the past to smuggle sim cards.
I personally can't believe that a bird would know where to go if you said "go drop these drugs off at the prison." I think it is a little funny that someone would get the idea to use a bird to smuggle drugs. I guess they have some way to train them since they've been used to smuggle sim cards in before.
According to CNN news there have been reported the death toll from devastating flooding in Brazil continued to rise Sunday, surpassing 600, the government said. At least 655 deaths were reported in a mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro state, northeast of the city of Rio. The rain is predicted to continue for several days in areas already submerged in water or slathered with mud.
The strike in Chile over a rise in natural gas prices ended Tuesday after the federal government and city leaders reached an agreement. Travel was getting hectic because the roads were filled with protesters. The original rise in gas was going to be a 17% increase, and after 2 deaths resulted from the protest, the increase in gas prices lowered to just a 3% rise.
I would like to continue with the topic of Brazilian mudslide. A helicopter was out searching for stranded victims when they came across an SOS signal carved into the lawn of home. The helicopter spotted the SOS sign and next to it was several citizens jumping around and waving their arms. These citizens had been stranded for nearly 6 days since the mudslide. The bridges and road ways were demolished with the rock and mudslides that there was no way for the citizens to get around unless they did on foot with rushing waters and mud pits. The citizens that were spotted were given necessities such as water, rice, spaghetti and sauce. Some citizens were evacuated and are now in homeless shelters. Monday was the first time that these stranded citizens received any aid; however there are many more that have still not been located and helped. On Tuesday the death toll was increased to roughly 700 and 14,000 homeless. Prior to Sunday, the weather was still so fierce that rescue teams could not reach most families that were struggling to survive. As stated previously the Brazilian government has been under scrutiny with their lack of communication prior, during, and after this horrific natural disaster. I could not imagine wondering around 6 days after this tragedy to pray and hope that someone would eventually find my family and me; let alone having the stress of where to go next. I believe with the type of resources this country has at their disposal there efforts that have been put forth have been best within their means.
I wanted to comment on Linda’s blog about Peru asking for assistance with irrigation because of global warming and extreme climate change. I believe the continent of South America needs assistance with irrigation and waste removal; not just because of the change of climates. From the video that we watched in class, this area needs help to improve their standard of living. There are people that are lacking the necessities of life including purified drinking water and waste removal. Sickness is spreading through this continent because of its lack of sanitation. I am not sure where they would get the funds to back this type of drastically needed improvement; however I believe this needs to be tackled as soon as possible for the entire continent.
have been reading about the floods since that is a very hot topic for states in South America. In an article i googled, the mayor of a town that was wiped out thinks that lives could have been saved if there was some kind of warning in place. Other government officials are saying more devistation happened because people had illegally built their houses on the hillsides that were already not stable, in response to that people are saying the government should have stricter laws in place for these offenders. I see the article as a big blame game. Whenever devistation hits a communitee everyone reacts with emotions especially when there is a high death toll. People worry about the blame instead of working to resolve the issues and ensure it doesn't happen again. We had it happen in our own country i.e. New Orleans.
Tourism is being pushed still in the Rio de Janeiro state amongst all the devistation. Nova Friburgo, Tersopolis, and Petropolis along with Rio are working together to maintain the tourism. Without the tourism these areas would be completely ruined on top of the natural disaster. Rio is pushing by posting future weather forecasts to show that the rains are subsiding and there is "no" chance of the down pours like what happened last week in the forecast.
The flooding and mudslides that resulted from a month's worth of rain in one day have turned the Teresopolis, Brazil into a wasteland. However, one of the good news is that rescue workers were able to rescue Marcelo Fonseca from the rubble. He was buried alive 13 feet below the mud for 16 hours. After the rescue, he was transport to hospital and expected to make full recovery. This story hold the attention to many people because of the dramatic nature of it.
To Krystal's comment, Believe it or not Pigions have been trained and used for decades to carry information and other items to a particular location. They were mostly used in WWI & WWII. Known as "Carrier Pigions", as they would deliver important messages and even fly in the path of air missile's to divert at the last secound to insure that the missile's, hit their intended targets. The funny thing about the story is, is that you can't expect the bird to carry the weight of a mule! To Dan's comment on the cocoa leaves, the leaves and the stems of the plant are how they make cocaine, they actually cook it down and turn it to pure powder, that is why it has an calming effect the heat actually draws it out. The beans of the plant are what's made into chocolate of all kinds. The reson for the ban is to stop Illegal drugs made for distrabution.
To Dan, I wanted to correct my miss-informed statement. The Coca plant is used to make cocaine, but cocoa also has the same effect because they are almost the same species of plant. The plant of the cocoa has been known to have been processed and used the same way as the coca plant for illegal purpose. They have also found that eating the highly concentrated leaves causes metal disorders.
According to MSNBC, the specialized ship has arrived in Venezuela, and will soon rolling out the cable across the Caribbean Sea to connect the South American country to Cuba. This will bring a big improvement telephone line as well as internet service for Cubans. Since Cuba is the only nation in the Western Hemisphere that is not linked to the outside world by optical fiber. Instead, it relies on slow, expensive satellite links because the U.S. government's embargo has prevented most trade between the island.
Crime is a big problem A judge will decide whether former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier will be tried on charges that include corruption and embezzlement. Duvalier has been accused in the past in Haiti of stealing hundreds of millions of dollars in public money and overseeing the torture and killing of political enemies. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and others have urged the Haitian government to arrest Duvalier for widespread abuses. If true justice is to be done in Haiti, the Haitian authorities need to open a criminal investigation into Duvalier's responsibility for the multitude of human rights abuses that were committed under his rule including torture, arbitrary detentions, rape, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions.
Crime and more crime In the 10 years since he escaped from a high security federal prison in a laundry truck, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman has transformed himself to the most powerful drug trafficker in the world. His fortune has grown to more than $1 billion, according to Forbes magazine, which listed him among the World's Most Powerful People (why would they include him?). He has done all this with a $7 million bounty on his head and while evading thousands of law enforcement agents from the U.S. and other countries devoted to his capture and the destruction of his cartel. Now how is this possible?
I would like to add something to this drug ordeal going on in south America especially in colombia. We all know this did not start over night. Ever till this day the north and everywhere else gets its drugs form south America. Cocaine is the number one drug that is filter our streets, especially in larger cities. and we have the colombian goverment to thank for that. We saw in the film in class the cops and the drug lords are working togather for cash gain, while the rest of the country lives in the poverty.
I would like to respond to Tony’s posting from the 17th of January, Regarding the worst flooding that Brazil experienced in forty years. I can not even image what it would be like to go through such as disaster. I recall what hurricane Katrina did to New Orleans, Where thousands of people where displaced and left to fend for themselves. People were dismantled form family friends and pets. Recall how long it took our government to respond to this disaster? Now put that same circumstances in Brazil, who doesn’t even have of the resources out country has.
As floodwaters ebb in Brazil, death toll keeps rising - cnn.com An update on the mudslides of Rio De Janeiro. As floodwaters receded in some parts of teh state of Rio de Janiero, the devastation from flooding in Brazil continued to climb Wednesday and the death toll nationwide reached at least 765. Thousands are also now homeless across the state. One official predicts that the death tally may far exceed that what has been found so far. Towns that were once picturesque tourist destinations are now wastelands. Furthermore rescuers have not been able to reach some hard-hit areas and the damage is not over - forecasters predict rain for the next several days in areas already submerged.
I'd like to comment on the actions of the Brazilian authorities. They have been criticized for a lack of disaster planning and for allowing homes to be built on property known to become treacherous in the rainy season. This reminded me of the Katrina disaster a few years ago in the U.S. - and how unprepared the FEMA organization was to assist during this disaster. The Brazilian government is under pressure to show a strong response especially since Brazil is scheduled to host the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016. I think that looking at our own government's response however (being a fully developed and industrialized country) we can't criticize a country like Brazil too much. They are going to need aid not criticism at this point.
Scorching heat and drought in South America is cutting harvest forecasts in one of the world's key farm belts, helping propel crop prices to two-year highs and fueling concerns about tight global supplies. Dry weather caused by the La Niña weather pattern is already damaging fields in Argentina, which will be the world's second-largest corn exporter this crop year and third-largest soybean exporter, according to U.S. data. With temperatures reaching into the 90s, weather is also threatening crops in southern Brazil and Uruguay, which declared a state of emergency last week for farmers in the north of the country. The region's role in world food markets means any production problems there could be felt around the world. This could make food prices very high. Prices of corn, soybean and wheat crops remain well below their 2008 peaks but analysts figure prices for some crops could rise further as the extent of any lost production becomes clear. The result could be higher prices at grocery stores. Weather forecasters see more heat and little rain on the immediate horizon. This could limit production further as recently planted corn and soybeans have reached key stages of development with only one-quarter of the amount of rainfall they normally need in some regions. While the heat wave in South America is prompting a 'red alert' and raising fears of massive crop damage, the northern hemisphere battles a winter freeze. Where would you rather be??? I pick Argentina!!!
The drug issue in South America has not changed in years and it won’t until Americans and other countries stop purchasing them. (That will never happen)Another way it can be controlled is if the South American government got rid of all the corrupt officials and develop a budget that is not funded by drug dealers This means almost everyone in the South American office needs to be replaced with trust worthy, non- drug dealing persons and that the funds can come from Agriculture (South America has enough exporting goods besides illegal drugs to fund the government) This will never happen either, because as long as there is a demand for the drugs the dealers and market will always be around to make their $$$$.
I like how many of you appear to be reading other posts. SUGGESTIONS: I would like to see each of you develop greater analysis and evaluative skills through blogging. Increasing skills involves picking important issues to relate, then YOUR reaction to that issue and a full explanation of your ideas/reactions. (perhaps posing some questions as well?) The length of each blog should increase substantially...and BE IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Dan is one of the strong bloggers on this thread.
Drug prevention is the main goal of a new partnership between the Mentor Foundation, an international non-profit, and residents of Usme, a marginalized neighborhood on the southern end of Bogota.
A park was remodeled thanks to a $50,000 grant the U.S. government awarded the foundation. Murals are replacing graffiti and residents now hear festive music instead of gunshots.
The country is taking measures to reestablish itself and build on a more positive image
A government official had picked up the travel cash at the treasury and was carrying it in a briefcase when he was intercepted by three gunmen a few yards from his home in an wealthy Buenos Aires neighbourhood, police said. He had just been dropped off by his driver.
Communications Deputy Secretary Alfredo Scocimarro on Thursday confirmed the robbery took place but declined to say how much was stolen. Local media said the official was carrying $68,000 and 17,000 euros in cash.
This is in regards to Krystal's post on the pigeon that was sent into a jail with drugs. I can't believe that. Actually I can! People will find anyway to get what they need done. This was actually on a Simpson episode the other day where they were teaching a pigeon to take messages to people. Whoever set it up to get the drugs to the jail probably got the idea off there! This is true though that pigeons can be trained to do certain things, I seen this on the history channel.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is trying to turn his country into a socialist model Bolivarian Republic. He also wants South America with him. His opponents however, fearing his authoritarian rule, will try everything not to let it happen. Having learned his ways from his mentor Fidel Castro, Chavez has been forging alliances with nations that share his distaste for the United States and capitalism. His plan to socialism has included control of the media, power consolidation, nationalization of industry, and formation of citizen militias. His critics contend that Chavez continues forward with his plan while ignoring national concerns including a rising crime rate and poverty.
In Mexico 9 police officers have been killed since the beginning of the year after 3 Germans were killed because of a suspected attack. All officers were shot and killed while on duty.
Two air lines have formed a partnership to better aid tourism. The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and the Mexico Tourism Board signed a partnership to create more traffic between the two countries.
Three Kenyan police officers have been suspended on Friday after Kenyan's largest newspaper published photos of them shooting two men on Thursday. The first photo is that of an undercover officer pointing a gun at the two men laying on the road. The second photo shows the two men riddled with bullets. Spokesman for the police officers confirms that three men were killed and that an investigation is being conducted. The three officers are suspended pending the investigation. The victims have criminal records and are reponsable for shooting a police officer last week, but according to U N, in 2009 the U N accused Kenyan Police of missusing its power. "Killings by the police in Kenya are systematic, widespread and carefully planned. They are committed at will and with utter impunity," U.N. Special Rapporteur Philip Alston said in a statement.
I am surprised that a newspaper put pictures like this is the paper for everyone to see. I guess if the Kenyan Police Force is getting out of hand some kind of extreme measures are needed? Don't get me wrong, the officers need to be investigated.
This blog is a sad but true story. According to CNN the President of Conservation Justice Luc Mathot confiscated 13 ape heads, 2 hands from gorillas, 30 from chimps, 12 leopard skins, a partial lion skin, snake skin, and 5 elephant tails. On January 13th, five people have been charged with wildlife crimes for dealing in illegal animal parts. If convicted the could spend up to 6 months in jail. If they were arrested in Cameroon or the Congo they would have a stiffer sentence of up to 5 years in prison. It is remarkable that these people are not getting stiffer sentences period. These animals lives have been taken for maybe ritual needs, and I understand that is important to most of the tribul areas, but these beautiful animals deserve to live. I am just saying!!
Two South American wemon, a mother and daugter, ages 44 & 23 are being held at the Finflas Garda station. After being notified by flight personel. The two wemon were apprehened in a hotel,with them 14kilos of cocaine. With a street value of 1 million Euro. Offical's believe the South American wemon were on their way to deliver the drugs to the Irish market.
ReplyDeleteNew Dinosaur descovered in South America.
ReplyDeleteResearchers from Argintina an the U.S. announced the discovery of "Eodromaeus." With sharp teeth, long neck, and tail this dinosaur only weighed around 10 to 15lbs. It inhabited the South America around 230 million years ago. It was found near the foot-hills of the Ande's, in an area known as "The Valley of the Moon."
Military vehicles have been sent to Rio de Janerio. Security athorities had attempted to reassert control over "Favelas" which are the corrupt areas of the city. In an attempt of cleaning them up for the up-coming 2014 World Cup & the 2016 Olimpic Games due to be hosted in the city. The gangs began to rebel by attcking police stations, stopped cars, and robbing people of money and valuables. After 5 days 26 deaths, one of which was a 14yr old girl killed by a stray bullet. Athorities say the gangs are rebeling in an attempt to weaken security in the city.
ReplyDeleteI would like to comment on what Bethany said about the two women. I didn't realize what a big issue their is with drugs in South America, I mean the drug lords with the drug dealers and the cops and now the two women trying to sell it to the Irish market. I'm a little shocked!
ReplyDeleteAgain I'd to comment on Bethany the one about the dinosaur discovery. WOW! First Where did you find this out Bethany? I have always found it very interesting on the discovery of animals. And 230 million years ago that is really awesome how something that lived so long ago was still left behind and we were able to find out things like its weight and how it had a long neck. But as an issue I found interesting about South America was how Argentina and Chile signed a peace treaty together and how they are both a part of the free trade.
ReplyDeleteI would like to comment again on one of Bethany's blogs.The one about the discovering of the dinosaur, I mean to me that is very interesting to be able to know that this animal 230 million years ago had a long neck, sharp teeth, and to know what it weighed.As for my own comment on South America I read something about how the oil spilling into the waters of the Amazon are getting worse, I mean the Amazon are the lungs of the planet and sooner or later I believe that the entire Amazon will be gone!
ReplyDeleteTo lilangel just punch in South America News on Google. I actually came across the story when I was doing my 5 themes project. So I had decided to blog on it as I found it interesting too. They made the discovery a while ago but you know scince, they won't reveal it until they studie it. There is also a video on you tube about it, it was attached to the link.
ReplyDeleteIn Brazil they have experienced some of the worst flooding in over forty years in the state of Rio De Janeiro. Rio De Janeiro being a mountainous region the worst damage has been caused by mudslides which have blocked roads and interrupted communications. Currently, over 600 people have already been declared dead, and that number is expected to climb as rescuers move into more remote mountainous regions. The Brazilian army has deployed 100 soldiers to assist in the rescue efforts, help clear roads, and to deter looting.
ReplyDeleteIn Chile, the government is preparing to raise gas prices by 17%, which has sparked protests and strikes and road blockades in souther Chile. This has stranded thousands of foreign tourists. Some of the tourists have tried to escape into Argentina, but report having been turned back at the border. The Chilean government has sent troops to maintain order, and the protestors say they have relaxed the blockades to allow the roughly 2,000 tourists through.
ReplyDeleteGlobal warming is having a direct affect high in the Andes Mountains in Peru. Rising water temperatures have ruined crops and killed fish causing concern for how the people will survive into the future. Peruvian officials are asking other governments for help totaling $350 million every year until 2030. They need the assistance to build dams and improve irrigation; not to mention educating people living on the mountain how to deal with the rising water temperatures and resulting glacier melt.
ReplyDeleteThe government of Brazil has authorized troops to enter the devastated areas effect by the recent mud slides. The soldiers are charged with building mobile bridges that will support the heavy equipment needed in order to begin clean up and assist the villagers. As of today (Jan 17th) rescue effects have not reached about 20 neighborhoods. The government is being heavily criticized for their lack of notifying residents of the storms and for allowing people to live in such high risk areas. Although Brazil has a good weather alert system, more people are needed to interpret the data and a communication system would take at least 4 years to put in place. The people currently living in shelters are wondering how they will ever be able to leave the shelter.
ReplyDeleteThe United States will file a formal objection Wednesday to Bolivia's proposal to end the ban on coca leaf-chewing specified by a half-century-old U.N. treaty, according to a senior U.S. government official.
ReplyDelete"We hope that a number of other countries will file as well," the official told The Associated Press on Tuesday. He spoke on condition he not be further identified, citing the topic's political sensitivity.
Despite being stigmatized as the raw material of cocaine, coca leaves have been chewed by indigenous peoples in the Andes for centuries.
A mild stimulant, the leaves have deep cultural and religious value in the region. Chewed or consumed as tea, coca counters altitude sickness, aids digestion and suppresses hunger and fatigue.
First of all, I didn't even know what coca leaves were or that they were banned. And second of all, why ban it? Just because the leaves come from the plant that produces cocaine? If it helps with sickness, and suppresses hunger and fatigue then I don't see why it should be banned. It's not like it gets the users high or anything. One of the major concerns in South America is hunger so if there is an alternative that could help suppress hunger why not allow it. I don't get it.
Mitsubishi Motors will streamline production in Japan, the United States and Europe while increasing output in emerging markets including Brazil and India, a report said Saturday.
ReplyDeleteIn the United States, Japan's fourth-largest automaker will stop production of three models designed only for the North American market, such as the Eclipse, now manufactured at a plant in Illinois.
Meanwhile, the Japanese automaker will invest in Brazil to boost local production, while preparing to start output from India by investing in a local partner, the Nikkei said.
Thought this was interesting as we just did the project on the top reasons why Brazil will be a powerhouse. One of the main factors in Brazil's economic success is their manufacturing such as the automobile industry, and it looks like Japan has noticed this too. Kinda bummed that they're not making the Eclipse anymore though. :(
Colombia landslide: Dozens feared buried near Medellin
ReplyDeleteMore than 100 people are still missing and feared dead after a hillside collapsed on Sunday, following the heaviest rains in the country for decades.
Local residents initially used their bare hands to dig into tonnes of mud that engulfed some 30 houses. Seven people have been saved so far. Thousands of people have fled the area.
The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Medellin says many of the bodies being pulled from the mud are those of children who were playing in the streets when the landslide hit.
The scar of the collapsed hillside can be seen from miles away, he adds.
The landslide hit the La Gabriela district of Bello, Antioquia province, at about 1900 GMT on Sunday. Officials originally feared that 145 people may have been buried.
Catastrophic Drought Looms for Capital City of Bolivia
ReplyDeleteCatastrophic drought is on the near-term horizon for the capital city of Bolivia, according to new research into the historical ecology of the Andes. If temperatures rise more than 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius (3 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit) above those of modern times, parts of Peru and Bolivia will become a desert-like setting. The change would be disastrous for the water supply and agricultural capacity of the two million inhabitants of La Paz, Bolivia's capital city, scientists say. The results, derived from research funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and conducted by scientists affiliated with the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), appear in the November issue of the journal Global Change Biology.
After reading Linda's post about the water crisis in Peru, I wanted to find out more information. The glaciers, that are to blame for the water issues in Peru, are melting more rapidly than orginally projected. Some are expected to completely disappear within the next 10 years. According to an investigation by a team of students from Northwestern University, the US isn't prepared for the environmental changes that are coming in South America. There is said to be only a 5 year the window before it becomes a security crisis and threatens to reshape the demands made on the military community
ReplyDeleteColombian police captured a pigeon that was being used to smuggle drugs. The bird had 1.6 ounces of marijuana and cocaine strapped to its back. It was found trying to fly into a jail in north eastern Bucaramanga but, was struggling because the package was too heavy. Apparently, pigeons have been used in the past to smuggle sim cards.
ReplyDeleteI personally can't believe that a bird would know where to go if you said "go drop these drugs off at the prison." I think it is a little funny that someone would get the idea to use a bird to smuggle drugs. I guess they have some way to train them since they've been used to smuggle sim cards in before.
According to CNN news there have been reported the death toll from devastating flooding in Brazil continued to rise Sunday, surpassing 600, the government said. At least 655 deaths were reported in a mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro state, northeast of the city of Rio. The rain is predicted to continue for several days in areas already submerged in water or slathered with mud.
ReplyDeleteThe strike in Chile over a rise in natural gas prices ended Tuesday after the federal government and city leaders reached an agreement. Travel was getting hectic because the roads were filled with protesters. The original rise in gas was going to be a 17% increase, and after 2 deaths resulted from the protest, the increase in gas prices lowered to just a 3% rise.
ReplyDeleteI would like to continue with the topic of Brazilian mudslide. A helicopter was out searching for stranded victims when they came across an SOS signal carved into the lawn of home. The helicopter spotted the SOS sign and next to it was several citizens jumping around and waving their arms. These citizens had been stranded for nearly 6 days since the mudslide. The bridges and road ways were demolished with the rock and mudslides that there was no way for the citizens to get around unless they did on foot with rushing waters and mud pits. The citizens that were spotted were given necessities such as water, rice, spaghetti and sauce. Some citizens were evacuated and are now in homeless shelters. Monday was the first time that these stranded citizens received any aid; however there are many more that have still not been located and helped. On Tuesday the death toll was increased to roughly 700 and 14,000 homeless. Prior to Sunday, the weather was still so fierce that rescue teams could not reach most families that were struggling to survive. As stated previously the Brazilian government has been under scrutiny with their lack of communication prior, during, and after this horrific natural disaster. I could not imagine wondering around 6 days after this tragedy to pray and hope that someone would eventually find my family and me; let alone having the stress of where to go next. I believe with the type of resources this country has at their disposal there efforts that have been put forth have been best within their means.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to comment on Linda’s blog about Peru asking for assistance with irrigation because of global warming and extreme climate change. I believe the continent of South America needs assistance with irrigation and waste removal; not just because of the change of climates. From the video that we watched in class, this area needs help to improve their standard of living. There are people that are lacking the necessities of life including purified drinking water and waste removal. Sickness is spreading through this continent because of its lack of sanitation. I am not sure where they would get the funds to back this type of drastically needed improvement; however I believe this needs to be tackled as soon as possible for the entire continent.
ReplyDeletehave been reading about the floods since that is a very hot topic for states in South America. In an article i googled, the mayor of a town that was wiped out thinks that lives could have been saved if there was some kind of warning in place. Other government officials are saying more devistation happened because people had illegally built their houses on the hillsides that were already not stable, in response to that people are saying the government should have stricter laws in place for these offenders. I see the article as a big blame game. Whenever devistation hits a communitee everyone reacts with emotions especially when there is a high death toll. People worry about the blame instead of working to resolve the issues and ensure it doesn't happen again. We had it happen in our own country i.e. New Orleans.
ReplyDeleteTourism is being pushed still in the Rio de Janeiro state amongst all the devistation. Nova Friburgo, Tersopolis, and Petropolis along with Rio are working together to maintain the tourism. Without the tourism these areas would be completely ruined on top of the natural disaster. Rio is pushing by posting future weather forecasts to show that the rains are subsiding and there is "no" chance of the down pours like what happened last week in the forecast.
ReplyDeleteThe flooding and mudslides that resulted from a month's worth of rain in one day have turned the Teresopolis, Brazil into a wasteland. However, one of the good news is that rescue workers were able to rescue Marcelo Fonseca from the rubble. He was buried alive 13 feet below the mud for 16 hours. After the rescue, he was transport to hospital and expected to make full recovery. This story hold the attention to many people because of the dramatic nature of it.
ReplyDeleteTo Krystal's comment, Believe it or not Pigions have been trained and used for decades to carry information and other items to a particular location. They were mostly used in WWI & WWII. Known as "Carrier Pigions", as they would deliver important messages and even fly in the path of air missile's to divert at the last secound to insure that the missile's, hit their intended targets. The funny thing about the story is, is that you can't expect the bird to carry the weight of a mule! To Dan's comment on the cocoa leaves, the leaves and the stems of the plant are how they make cocaine, they actually cook it down and turn it to pure powder, that is why it has an calming effect the heat actually draws it out. The beans of the plant are what's made into chocolate of all kinds. The reson for the ban is to stop Illegal drugs made for distrabution.
ReplyDeleteTo Dan, I wanted to correct my miss-informed statement. The Coca plant is used to make cocaine, but cocoa also has the same effect because they are almost the same species of plant. The plant of the cocoa has been known to have been processed and used the same way as the coca plant for illegal purpose. They have also found that eating the highly concentrated leaves causes metal disorders.
ReplyDeleteAccording to MSNBC, the specialized ship has arrived in Venezuela, and will soon rolling out the cable across the Caribbean Sea to connect the South American country to Cuba. This will bring a big improvement telephone line as well as internet service for Cubans. Since Cuba is the only nation in the Western Hemisphere that is not linked to the outside world by optical fiber. Instead, it relies on slow, expensive satellite links because the U.S. government's embargo has prevented most trade between the island.
ReplyDeleteCrime is a big problem
ReplyDeleteA judge will decide whether former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier will be tried on charges that include corruption and embezzlement. Duvalier has been accused in the past in Haiti of stealing hundreds of millions of dollars in public money and overseeing the torture and killing of political enemies. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and others have urged the Haitian government to arrest Duvalier for widespread abuses. If true justice is to be done in Haiti, the Haitian authorities need to open a criminal investigation into Duvalier's responsibility for the multitude of human rights abuses that were committed under his rule including torture, arbitrary detentions, rape, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions.
Crime and more crime
ReplyDeleteIn the 10 years since he escaped from a high security federal prison in a laundry truck, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman has transformed himself to the most powerful drug trafficker in the world. His fortune has grown to more than $1 billion, according to Forbes magazine, which listed him among the World's Most Powerful People (why would they include him?). He has done all this with a $7 million bounty on his head and while evading thousands of law enforcement agents from the U.S. and other countries devoted to his capture and the destruction of his cartel. Now how is this possible?
Ok......Thanks Bethany for looking that up for me.
ReplyDeleteI would like to add something to this drug ordeal going on in south America especially in colombia. We all know this did not start over night. Ever till this day the north and everywhere else gets its drugs form south America. Cocaine is the number one drug that is filter our streets, especially in larger cities. and we have the colombian goverment to thank for that. We saw in the film in class the cops and the drug lords are working togather for cash gain, while the rest of the country lives in the poverty.
ReplyDeleteI would like to respond to Tony’s posting from the 17th of January, Regarding the worst flooding that Brazil experienced in forty years. I can not even image what it would be like to go through such as disaster. I recall what hurricane Katrina did to New Orleans, Where thousands of people where displaced and left to fend for themselves. People were dismantled form family friends and pets. Recall how long it took our government to respond to this disaster? Now put that same circumstances in Brazil, who doesn’t even have of the resources out country has.
ReplyDeleteAs floodwaters ebb in Brazil, death toll keeps rising - cnn.com
ReplyDeleteAn update on the mudslides of Rio De Janeiro. As floodwaters receded in some parts of teh state of Rio de Janiero, the devastation from flooding in Brazil continued to climb Wednesday and the death toll nationwide reached at least 765.
Thousands are also now homeless across the state. One official predicts that the death tally may far exceed that what has been found so far.
Towns that were once picturesque tourist destinations are now wastelands.
Furthermore rescuers have not been able to reach some hard-hit areas and the damage is not over - forecasters predict rain for the next several days in areas already submerged.
I'd like to comment on the actions of the Brazilian authorities. They have been criticized for a lack of disaster planning and for allowing homes to be built on property known to become treacherous in the rainy season. This reminded me of the Katrina disaster a few years ago in the U.S. - and how unprepared the FEMA organization was to assist during this disaster. The Brazilian government is under pressure to show a strong response especially since Brazil is scheduled to host the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016.
ReplyDeleteI think that looking at our own government's response however (being a fully developed and industrialized country) we can't criticize a country like Brazil too much. They are going to need aid not criticism at this point.
Scorching heat and drought in South America is cutting harvest forecasts in one of the world's key farm belts, helping propel crop prices to two-year highs and fueling concerns about tight global supplies.
ReplyDeleteDry weather caused by the La Niña weather pattern is already damaging fields in Argentina, which will be the world's second-largest corn exporter this crop year and third-largest soybean exporter, according to U.S. data. With temperatures reaching into the 90s, weather is also threatening crops in southern Brazil and Uruguay, which declared a state of emergency last week for farmers in the north of the country.
The region's role in world food markets means any production problems there could be felt around the world. This could make food prices very high. Prices of corn, soybean and wheat crops remain well below their 2008 peaks but analysts figure prices for some crops could rise further as the extent of any lost production becomes clear. The result could be higher prices at grocery stores. Weather forecasters see more heat and little rain on the immediate horizon. This could limit production further as recently planted corn and soybeans have reached key stages of development with only one-quarter of the amount of rainfall they normally need in some regions.
While the heat wave in South America is prompting a 'red alert' and raising fears of massive crop damage, the northern hemisphere battles a winter freeze. Where would you rather be??? I pick Argentina!!!
The drug issue in South America has not changed in years and it won’t until Americans and other countries stop purchasing them. (That will never happen)Another way it can be controlled is if the South American government got rid of all the corrupt officials and develop a budget that is not funded by drug dealers This means almost everyone in the South American office needs to be replaced with trust worthy, non- drug dealing persons and that the funds can come from Agriculture (South America has enough exporting goods besides illegal drugs to fund the government) This will never happen either, because as long as there is a demand for the drugs the dealers and market will always be around to make their $$$$.
ReplyDeleteI like how many of you appear to be reading other posts. SUGGESTIONS: I would like to see each of you develop greater analysis and evaluative skills through blogging. Increasing skills involves picking important issues to relate, then YOUR reaction to that issue and a full explanation of your ideas/reactions. (perhaps posing some questions as well?) The length of each blog should increase substantially...and BE IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Dan is one of the strong bloggers on this thread.
ReplyDeleteDrug prevention is the main goal of a new partnership between the Mentor Foundation, an international non-profit, and residents of Usme, a marginalized neighborhood on the southern end of Bogota.
ReplyDeleteA park was remodeled thanks to a $50,000 grant the U.S. government awarded the foundation. Murals are replacing graffiti and residents now hear festive music instead of gunshots.
The country is taking measures to reestablish itself and build on a more positive image
A government official had picked up the travel cash at the treasury and was carrying it in a briefcase when he was intercepted by three gunmen a few yards from his home in an wealthy Buenos Aires neighbourhood, police said. He had just been dropped off by his driver.
ReplyDeleteCommunications Deputy Secretary Alfredo Scocimarro on Thursday confirmed the robbery took place but declined to say how much was stolen. Local media said the official was carrying $68,000 and 17,000 euros in cash.
This is in regards to Krystal's post on the pigeon that was sent into a jail with drugs. I can't believe that. Actually I can! People will find anyway to get what they need done. This was actually on a Simpson episode the other day where they were teaching a pigeon to take messages to people. Whoever set it up to get the drugs to the jail probably got the idea off there! This is true though that pigeons can be trained to do certain things, I seen this on the history channel.
ReplyDeleteVenezuelan President Hugo Chavez is trying to turn his country into a socialist model Bolivarian Republic. He also wants South America with him. His opponents however, fearing his authoritarian rule, will try everything not to let it happen. Having learned his ways from his mentor Fidel Castro, Chavez has been forging alliances with nations that share his distaste for the United States and capitalism. His plan to socialism has included control of the media, power consolidation, nationalization of industry, and formation of citizen militias. His critics contend that Chavez continues forward with his plan while ignoring national concerns including a rising crime rate and poverty.
ReplyDeleteIn Mexico 9 police officers have been killed since the beginning of the year after 3 Germans were killed because of a suspected attack. All officers were shot and killed while on duty.
ReplyDeleteTwo air lines have formed a partnership to better aid tourism. The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and the Mexico Tourism Board signed a partnership to create more traffic between the two countries.
Three Kenyan police officers have been suspended on Friday after Kenyan's largest newspaper published photos of them shooting two men on Thursday. The first photo is that of an undercover officer pointing a gun at the two men laying on the road. The second photo shows the two men riddled with bullets. Spokesman for the police officers confirms that three men were killed and that an investigation is being conducted. The three officers are suspended pending the investigation. The victims have criminal records and are reponsable for shooting a police officer last week, but according to U N, in 2009 the U N accused Kenyan Police of missusing its power.
ReplyDelete"Killings by the police in Kenya are systematic, widespread and carefully planned. They are committed at will and with utter impunity," U.N. Special Rapporteur Philip Alston said in a statement.
I am surprised that a newspaper put pictures like this is the paper for everyone to see. I guess if the Kenyan Police Force is getting out of hand some kind of extreme measures are needed? Don't get me wrong, the officers need to be investigated.
This blog is a sad but true story. According to CNN the President of Conservation Justice Luc Mathot confiscated 13 ape heads, 2 hands from gorillas, 30 from chimps, 12 leopard skins, a partial lion skin, snake skin, and 5 elephant tails. On January 13th, five people have been charged with wildlife crimes for dealing in illegal animal parts. If convicted the could spend up to 6 months in jail. If they were arrested in Cameroon or the Congo they would have a stiffer sentence of up to 5 years in prison.
ReplyDeleteIt is remarkable that these people are not getting stiffer sentences period. These animals lives have been taken for maybe ritual needs, and I understand that is important to most of the tribul areas, but these beautiful animals deserve to live. I am just saying!!
I got these additional blogs.
ReplyDelete