Nigerian bishop raises alarm over Shell

Independent Catholic News By: Paul Donovan Human rights groups have filed an official complaint against oil giant Shell for breaches of basic business standards, after a Nigerian bishop protested about the company’s activities.

Arctic Defrost Dumping Snow on U.S. and Europe

By Stephen Leahy UXBRIDGE, Canada, Jan 28, 2011 (IPS) – The world’s northern freezer is on rapid defrost as large volumes of warm water are pouring into the Arctic Ocean, speeding the melt of sea ice, according to a new study.  Surface temperatures in parts of the Arctic have been 21 degrees C above normal [...]

If the world is to be fed …

The Tablet Tim Aldred In 40 years’ time the earth will no longer be able to sustain its projected population. The only chance to feed the billion who then face starvation would be for the billion overeaters in the developed world to cut back significantly on their consumption

Kenyan’s mission: solar lamps to empower the poor

By Helen Vesperini (AFP) CHUMBI, Kenya — Evans Wadongo is not yet 25 but has already changed the lives of tens of thousands of his fellow Kenyans living in poor rural communities by supplying them with solar lamps. As a child growing up in west Kenya, Wadongo struggled to do his homework by kerosene lamp. [...]

Brazil Green Lights Amazon Dam Disregarding Environmental Laws and Local Opposition

New Dilma Government Approves Fast-Track Forest Clearance and Commencement of Controversial Belo Monte Construction Site Amazon Watch International Rivers, Friends of the Earth – Brazilian Amazonia. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | January 27, 2011 For more information, contact: Christian Poirier, Amazon Watch, + 1 510 666 7565, christian@amazonwatch.org Brent Millikan, International Rivers, + 55 61 8153 [...]

Manufacturing: Made in Africa

The Africa Report The argument in the press is that Chinese entrepreneurs invade Africa to sell cheap consumer goods or buy raw materials cheaply; both options discourage local manufacturing. But Nicholas Norbrook argues that China is shedding manufacturing jobs in its most labour-intensive sectors to low-cost alternatives elsewhere. Africa can benefit from this, but there [...]

Immigration challenges church to respond with courage

National Catholic Reporter ‘Tell them to come to the church,’ speaker tells conference attendees By Pat Marrin Immigration and the Church SAN ANTONIO — Sr. Mary McCauley, her silver hair framing a classic Irish face, could easily seem a diminutive nun in her 70s looking at retirement after a lifetime in the classroom or convent [...]

The State of the Union vs The State of the Spirit

We present Robert Scheer’s critique of President Obama’s State of the Union talk last night, followed by Rabbi Michael Lerner’s analysis of the State of the Spirit. Both have important elements of truth, and Lerner’s remarks appear in the Winter 2011 issue of Tikkun and were written over a month ago. Yet Lerner’s approach, if [...]

DR Congo: Firms linked to conflict minerals may face prosecution

Institute for War and Peace Reporting A new legal framework has been put forward by lawyers and human right activist to enable prosecutors to charge firms engaged in illicit exploitation of resources in conflict zones. It is believed that if national prosecutors start prosecuting pillage as a war crime, the activities of firms will be [...]

Grain cartels set to cash in on hunger facing Kenya

Daily Nation By  SAMWEL KUMBA skumba@ke.nationmedia.com and MUCHIRI KARANJA In Summary This week’s announcement by government that Sh9.7 billion will be required to stave off drought ‘crisis’ marks an important stage of the annual frenzy in which hunger feeds graft