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In 2007 the pharmaceutical industry spent $168 million lobbying Congress — a record sum that helped influence legislation and prevented new restrictions on drug ads. And for the first time in history, the bulk of the money was spent on Democrats.
Photo: sparktography
Several new reports reveal that Somali and Ethiopian refugees, fleeing drought and violence at home, often face renewed danger crossing the ocean to Yemen and in South African refugee camps. According to the aid group Doctors Without Borders, 20,000 such refugees crowded into overloaded boats during the first five months of 2008. They endure beatings and abuse by smugglers, and at least 400 died en route. Once the refugees reach their final destination, their troubles often deepen. A post the Boston Globe Web site noted that a group of Somalis in a South African refugee camp threatened to commit suicide en masse last week to protest their living conditions.
Important but overlooked news from around the world. QUOTED:
“We don’t look at it through the prism of Democrats and Republicans. We look at it in terms of those who support free market policies and those who don’t.” — A pharmaceutical industry spokesman on record-breaking lobbying expenses aimed at Congressional Democrats (see “Top Stories,” below). CONTENTS:
*Top Stories*
Big year for (Democratic) drug deals
U.K. jouralist gets some source protection
Australia’s billion-dollar land grab
*Transportation*
Who resurrected the electric car?
After four residents of the low-income neighborhood of Francisville in North Philadelphia (at right) circulated a petition criticizing security cameras on their block, their home was raided by local police, who detained them for 12 hours without charges.
Photo: trishylicious
After four residents of the low-income neighborhood of Francisville in North Philadelphia circulated a petition criticizing security cameras (at right) on their block, their home was raided by local police, who detained them for 12 hours without charges.
Photo: highstrungloner
Important but overlooked news from around the world. QUOTED:
“They’re a hate group. We’re trying to drum up charges against them, but, unfortunately, we’ll probably have to let them go.” — A Philadelphia police spokesman on four people who were detained without charges after criticizing security cameras in their neighborhood (see “Law & Justice,” below). CONTENTS:
*Top Stories*
Philippines: Activist deaths persist
Pa.
As global food prices climb, the debate over genetically modified agriculture is cropping up once again. Farmers are pondering boosted profits, Japan is allowing modified corn in snacks, and companies such as Germany’s BASF (right) are developing new products.
Photo: BASF lab/AgWired
Russian energy giant Gazprom, predicting oil prices as high as $250 per barrel in 2009, is angling to take over an American company that can deliver natural gas to the United States from its vast reserves in northern Russia.
Photo: Moscow Gazprom billboard/captainchaos
Important but overlooked news from around the world. QUOTED:
“This agreement in no way limits our ability to prosecute anyone or any violation of the voter fraud statute.” — Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, on the settlement of a lawsuit over his alleged targeting of minorities in voter fraud investigations (see “Elections,” below). CONTENTS:
*Top Stories*
Food crisis renews biotech farming debate
A Russian bear is bullish on big oil
U.K. faces diabetes “explosion”
*Elections*
When is “voter fraud” a fraud? *Par Avion*
German zeppelins target London, San Francisco
TOP STORIES
* Food Crisis Renews Biotech Farming Debate
As global food prices climb, the debate over genetically modified agriculture is once again heating up.
With corn-based fuels getting the blame for the global food crisis, biofuel boosters are looking for non-food crops to be the next energy source. This includes algae, a plant that few people would rather see on their plates instead of in their gas tanks.
Photo: Algae/mrjingo