Archive for the 'Top Stories' Category
Vanuatu – a string of more than 80 islands once known as the New Hebrides – achieved independence from France and Britain in 1980.
Local traditions are strong. Women, for example, generally have lower social standing than men and have fewer educational opportunities.
Despite strong growth, the economy has struggled to meet the needs of Vanuatu's expanding population.
The main sources of revenue are agriculture and eco-tourism. Both depend on the weather, and when, as in 1999, cyclones and persistent rain hit Vanuatu, both suffer.
Tax revenue is derived from import duties, and neither personal income nor company profits are taxed.
Vanuatu tightened up its tax and regulatory systems after the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development warned that it could face sanctions if lax taxation regimes were exploited by criminals for money-laundering.
Australia, a key donor, has pushed for good governance and economic reform in the islands.
February 22 2012 | Top Stories | Comments Off
By Dina Zayed
CAIRO |
Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:38pm EST
CAIRO (Reuters) – A lawyer acting for the families of those killed in Egypt’s uprising against Hosni Mubarak Monday told the court trying him that there had been a “conspiracy of silence” by those seeking to shield the former president.
The prosecution and lawyers for the plaintiffs were speaking ahead the final hearing of the case Wednesday, when Judge Ahmed Refaat is due to set a date to deliver his verdict in the trial that began on August 3.
The prosecution is seeking the death sentence for Mubarak over the charge that he was involved in killing some 850 protesters but says the Interior Ministry and its police force have not cooperated to help them build the case.
“There is no doubt that there has been a conspiracy against the court, a conspiracy that started from the first day, a conspiracy of silence,” plaintiff lawyer Sameh Ashour said.
“It is a conspiracy for all those videos to be recorded over, for an officer to be allowed to wipe all recordings from the police force’s operation room,” he said, accusing police of tampering with potential evidence.
Many Egyptians had hoped the trial would help turn a page on the past, but are now worried the prosecution has weaker evidence which could lead to a light sentence. They also say Mubarak received preferential treatment.
Mubarak, 83, who has denied the charges that also include abuse of power and corruption, was again in court on a stretcher and in the same cage as his two sons, the former interior minister and other top police officers.
He has been held in a military hospital rather than in prison facilities. A parliamentary committee said Monday in a report that a prison hospital on the edge of Cairo where other officials have been held was now equipped to receive him.
The prosecution, responding to the final arguments of the defense, said they had worked round the clock to build the case.
“We say the evidence is strong and decisive,” prosecution lawyer Moustafa Suleiman said, adding that television footage showed the violence unleashed on protesters during the 18-day uprising that brought down Mubarak on February 11, 2011.
He added: “Over the course of the past month, what we have heard (from the defense) was distortions, silencing of the truth. Some of it was complete manipulation.”
The prosecution reminded the court of footage from a mobile phone of one victim that showed the moment he was shot during the uprising, with images of the officer who shot him, but the Interior Ministry said it could not identify the shooter.
The prosecution also dismissed the defense argument that “third parties” and foreigners were to blame.
“Were these foreigners or third parties just in Tahrir Square (in Cairo)? How come they didn’t show up in other provinces,” Suleiman said.
(Editing by Edmund Blair)
February 21 2012 | Top Stories | Comments Off
Release Date: 02/09/2012Contact Information:
U.S. EPA Media Contact: Mary Simms, simms.mary@epa.gov additional media contacts below
PLEASE NOTE: Accredited members of the media are invited to participate in a telephonic press conference and Q & A with key state, local and non-profit leaders at 11:15 am today (PT) to discuss the announcement. For call-in and participant details and to reserve a line on the call, please RSVP to Mary Simms at simms.mary@epa.gov. Please include your name, media affiliation and contact information in your request. Due to limited availability of conference lines the call will be limited to accredited members of the press.
TODAY: Feds Approve California Sewage Ban and
Create Largest Coastal No-Discharge Zone in the Nation
Federal action is unprecedented in geographical scope, will prohibit the discharge of more than 22 million gallons of treated vessel sewage to shorelines and shallow waters in Calif. each year
SAN FRANCISCO – U.S. EPA’s Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld will today sign a rule that will finalize EPA’s decision and approve a state proposal to ban all sewage discharges from large cruise ships and most other large ocean-going ships to state marine waters along California’s 1,624 mile coast from Mexico to Oregon and surrounding major islands. Today’s action establishes a new federal regulation banning even treated sewage from being discharged in California’s marine waters.
"This is an important step to protect California’s coastline. I want to commend the shipping industry, environmental groups and U.S. EPA for working with California to craft a common sense approach to keeping our coastal waters clean." said Gov. Jerry Brown.
"By approving California’s ‘No Discharge Zone,’ EPA will prohibit more than 20 million gallons of vessel sewage from entering the state’s coastal waters," said Jared Blumenfeld. "Not only will this rule help protect important marine species, it also benefits the fishing industry, marine habitats and the millions of residents and tourists who visit California beaches each year."
This action strengthens protection of California’s coastal waters from the adverse effects of sewage discharges from a growing number of large vessels. Several dozen cruise ships make multiple California port calls each year while nearly 2,000 cargo ships made over 9,000 California port calls in 2010 alone. EPA estimates that the rule will prohibit the discharge of over 22 million of the 25 million gallons of treated vessel sewage generated by large vessels in California marine waters each year, which could greatly reduce the contribution of pollutants still found in treated vessel sewage.
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) authored Senate Bill 771, the Clean Coast Act which prohibits all commercial ships from dumping hazardous waste, sewage sludge, oily bilge water, “gray water” from sinks and showers, and sewage in state waters. Simitian’s SB 771 also required California to petition the federal government for a ‘No Discharge Zone’ to enforce the bill’s anti-dumping provisions.
"This is a great day for the California coast, which is far too precious a resource to be used as a dumping ground," said Simitian. "This ‘No Discharge Zone’ – the largest in the nation – protects our coastal economy, our environment and our public health."
"California’s coastal waters will no longer serve as a sewage pond for big ships," said Cal/EPA Secretary Matthew Rodriquez. "For too long, pollution from these vessels has endangered our marine environment, jeopardized public health and threatened the coastal communities that rely on recreation and tourism dollars. I commend U.S. EPA for helping us ensure that our coastline remains pristine."
California’s coastal waters are home to a wide variety of unique, nationally important marine environments that support rich biological communities and a wide range of recreational and commercial activities. Four national marine sanctuaries, a national monument, portions of six national parks and recreation areas, and more than 200 other marine reserves and protected areas have been established to protect California’s unique marine resources. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has already implemented similar vessel sewage discharge bans in the four California marine sanctuaries that it oversees. Recreational and commercial uses of California’s coastal waters are equally important. Seventy-seven percent of the State’s population lives on or near the coast and annually, over 150 million visitor-days are spent at California beaches. California ranks first in the nation as a travel destination and its beaches are the leading destination for tourists. California’s commercial fishing industry also relies upon clean water to help preserve and restore coastal fisheries.
Under the Clean Water Act, states may request EPA to establish vessel sewage no-discharge zones if necessary to protect and restore water quality. In 2006, following passage of three state statutes designed to reduce the effects of vessel discharges to its waters, the State of California asked EPA to establish the sewage discharge ban. After releasing the proposed rule in 2010, EPA considered some 2,000 comment letters from members of the public, environmental groups, and the shipping industry before finalizing the regulation.
"California’s economic health is tied to the health of our oceans and beaches," said Charles Hoppin, Chair of the State Water Resources Control Board. "Pollution from cargo and cruise ships directly threatens public health, marine life and our economy. This led to our request to declare the whole coastline a no discharge zone so that we could provide equal water pollution protection along our precious coastline."
Today’s prohibition is unprecedented in geographical scope. In contrast to prior no-discharge zones under the Clean Water Act, which apply in very small areas, the new ban applies to all coastal waters out to 3 miles from the coastline and all bays and estuaries subject to tidal influence. Other California no discharge zones for ten bays and marinas remain in effect for all vessels.
"Big ships make for big pollution but unfortunately, responsible disposal of sewage from ships hasn’t always been a given in California," said Marcie Keever, oceans and vessels project director at Friends of the Earth. "The actions taken today by the U.S. EPA, the State of California, and the thousands of Californians who supported the Clean Coast Act mean that cruise lines and the shipping industry can no longer use California’s valuable coastal and bay waters as their toilet."
Consistent with the State’s request, today’s prohibition applies to all passenger ships larger than 300 tons and to all other oceangoing vessels larger than 300 tons with sewage holding tank capacity.
"The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association shares the concern for protection of California’s marine environment. Our member companies are dedicated to the facilitation of trade while also minimizing any associated environmental impacts," said John Berge, Vice President of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association.
In addition to today’s discharge prohibition, other vessel sewage discharges will continue to be regulated under existing Clean Water Act requirements, which generally require sewage to be treated by approved marine sanitation devices prior to discharge. The State is also continuing to implement and strengthen other efforts to address sewage discharges from smaller vessels, including recreational boats, to state waters.
EPA’s action complements our ongoing ocean protection efforts including strengthening the existing Vessel General Permit, development of a Vessel General Permit for smaller vessels, and our efforts to reduce marine debris such as plastics and other human-generated debris. The California No Discharge Zone will be submitted today to the Federal Register and be published within 3-5 business days.
To view the electronic media kit for this announcement including photos and a copy of the final rule please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/mediacenter/nodischarge
For more information on this and other no-discharge zones in California, and Clean Water Act programs to address vessel discharges and marine debris, please visit EPA’s website at:
http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/no-discharge
http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/regulatory/vesseldisch.html
http://www.epa.gov/region9/marine-debris
Additional media contacts:
Cal/EPA Deborah Hoffman, Director of Communications 916-324-9670 dhoffman@calepa.ca.gov Cal/EPA Lindsay VanLaningham, Deputy Director of Communications, 916- 324-9670, LindsayV@calepa.ca.gov
State Water Resources Control Board – George Kostyrko, Director of Public Affairs 916- 341-7365 gkostyrko@waterboards.ca.gov
Sen. Simitian’s office, Lisa Gardiner, lisa.gardiner@sen.ca.gov, 916-651-4011
Marcie Keever, Friends of the Earth, Oceans & Vessels Project Director, 415.544.0790 x223, mkeever@foe.org
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February 21 2012 | Top Stories | Comments Off
Published by: United States Environmental Protection Agence (EPA) (
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February 20 2012 | Top Stories | Comments Off
A tiny country with a small population, Brunei was the only Malay state in 1963 to choose to remain a British dependency rather than join the Malaysian Federation.
It became independent in 1984 and, thanks to its large reserves of oil and gas, now has one of the highest standards of living in the world.
Its ruling royals, led by the head of state Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, possess a huge private fortune. Overview
A country of dense forests and mangrove swamps whose people enjoy high subsidies and pay no taxes, Brunei is highly dependent on imports. Despite its immense wealth, most of the country outside the capital remains undeveloped and unexploited.
While oil and gas exports account for the bulk of government revenues, reserves are dwindling and Brunei is attempting to diversify its economy. It markets itself as a financial centre and as a destination for upmarket and eco-tourism.
About two-thirds of the people of Brunei are ethnic Malays, and these benefit from positive discrimination. The Chinese comprise about 16% of the population. There are also Indians and indigenous groups, of whom the Murut and Dusuns are favoured over the Ibans.
Since 1962 the sultan has ruled by decree. In a rare move towards political reform an appointed parliament was revived in 2004. The constitution provides for an expanded house with up to 15 elected MPs. However, no date has been set for elections.
Brunei's financial fortunes have wavered. Shares and other assets were hit by the crash of the Asian financial markets in the late 1990s. In 1998 Prince Jefri's Amedeo conglomerate collapsed, leaving massive debts and precipitating a financial scandal.
February 20 2012 | Top Stories | Comments Off
MOSCOW |
Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:28am EST
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin received a drink fit for dinosaurs on Friday when he was presented with a sample of ancient water from a sub-glacial Antarctic lake pierced by Russian scientists.
Russian scientists said this week they had drilled through Antarctica’s frozen crust to the vast Lake Vostok, which has lain untouched for at least 14 million years hiding what scientists believe may be unknown organisms and clues to life on other planets.
“Well, did you drink the water?” Putin asked Russia’s Natural Resources Minister Yuri Trutnev after being presented with a vial of water which the government said was from the Vostok borehole.
Trutnev, looking flustered, assured Putin that he had not tried a drop of the water.
“Well it would have been interesting you know: dinosaurs drank it and Trutnev, a member of the Russian government, too,” Putin said with a smile.
Trutnev stifled a chortle and said he did not want to be dinosaur.
Sealed deep under the ice, Lake Vostok is one of the world’s last unexplored frontiers. Scientists suspect its depths may provide a glimpse of the planet before the ice age.
(Reporting By Guy Faulconbridge, editing by Paul Casciato)
February 19 2012 | Top Stories | Comments Off
Release Date: 01/23/2012Contact Information: David Deegan, 617-918-1017
(Boston—Jan. 23, 2012) Donald Schagen, Superintendent of the Lebanon, N.H. Wastewater Treatment Plant is being honored with a "2011 Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Excellence Award" by EPA.
The EPA Regional Wastewater Awards Program recognizes personnel in the wastewater field who have provided invaluable public service managing and operating wastewater treatment facilities throughout New England. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services was instrumental in Mr. Schagen’s nomination.
Mr. Schagen has been the Superintendent of the Lebanon Wastewater Treatment Plant for the past 12 years. He has been with the City of Lebanon for over 22 years and has been in the wastewater treatment profession since 1978. He has done an outstanding job over the years, and is extremely well regarded. by his peers, state and federal personnel. In fact, the City of Lebanon Wastewater Treatment Plant (Don and his entire plant staff) was a past recipient of a National EPA Wastewater Operations and Maintenance Excellence Award.
“The professionals operating these wastewater treatment plants, as well as the municipalities and the state environmental agencies that support them, are essential to keeping our environment healthy by protecting water quality. I am proud to acknowledge Mr. Schagen’s outstanding contributions to help protect public health and water quality for so many years and to give him the credit he deserves,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England Office.
EPA’s New England office will formally acknowledge Mr. Schagen’s outstanding contributions during the annual New England Water Environment Association Conference on January 25th.
For more information: http://www.epa.gov/ne/topics/water/wwater.html and
http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/intnet.htm
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February 19 2012 | Top Stories | Comments Off
A number of newspapers focus on a meeting between Prime Minister David Cameron and Scotland's first minister, Alex Salmond.
The Times describes it as a tense event, predicting "years of bitter wrangling" over Scotland's future.
The Independent features a cartoon of Mr Cameron wearing a union flag kilt.
And the Daily Mail says Mr Cameron took a "dramatic gamble" by offering concessions to Scots if they voted "no" in a referendum over a breakaway.
Chris Huhne's court appearance over allegations of perverting the course of justice appears on the front pages of the Daily Telegraph and the Guardian.
The Guardian uses a court sketch to illustrate the former energy secretary and his ex-wife's appearance before magistrates.
The Telegraph reports the Ministry of Defence is due to announce it has balanced its books for the first time in four decades.
The defence secretary will reveal a £38bn "black hole" has been dealt with.
EU officials are set to draw up "unprecedented controls" on Greece's ability to spend money as part of its bailout, the Financial Times reports.
It says an account which always holds enough cash to pay Greece's debt for nine to 12 months will be stipulated.
The Independent says David Cameron and French President Nicholas Sarkozy are to meet later in Paris.
It says the two leaders will agree on plans to build a new generation of pilotless "fighter drone" aircraft.
The Sun reports a Health and Safety Executive inspector who was in India has lost a memory stick with details of a nuclear power station in Hartlepool.
The paper warns this "careless behaviour", which breaches security guidelines, could put lives at risk.
And finally, an answer to that question eternally posed by football terraces – who ate all the pies. The Daily Express reckons it may just be Tesco worker Helen Dwyer.
The paper says she "earns her crust" travelling up and down the country buying and eating pies in a hunt for the UK's best flavour – but points out that she remains slim and a "glamorous blonde".
February 18 2012 | Top Stories | Comments Off
De la redacción
El euro ha recuperado terreno en los últimos días en momentos en que los funcionarios europeos se esfuerzan por resolver la crisis de la deuda soberana en el bloque de 17 países que comparten la divisa.
La moneda europea cerró el miércoles a US$1,326, su nivel más alto desde principios de diciembre. El euro había caído a US$1,266 el 16 de enero debido a los temores de que los problemas del viejo continente pudieran conducir a una crisis financiera y socavar la economía mundial.
El gobierno griego y los partidos de la oposición negociaban el miércoles una serie de reformas económicas monetarias exigidas por los acreedores internacionales. Grecia debe llegar a un acuerdo para comienzos de marzo o se arriesga a caer en una cesación de pagos.
February 18 2012 | Top Stories | Comments Off
Legislators in the US state of New Jersey have passed a bill legalising same-sex marriage, but Governor Chris Christie has vowed to veto the measure.
The state's Assembly approved the bill 42-33, after the Senate passed the bill on Monday.
Mr Christie and most state Republicans say they want gay marriage put to a popular vote.
Democrats who support the bill say gay marriage is a civil right and should not be subject to a referendum.
Last week, Washington state Governor Christine Gregoire signed her own state's bill, making it the seventh state in the US to legalise same-sex marriages.
Opponents have promised to bring the law to a referendum.
New Jersey allows same-sex couples to register under civil unions, but the state's own review commission has since found problems with the law.
Mr Christie has promised "very swift action'' on the bill.
The measure would need several Republican votes in each legislative house to override the governor, and is unlikely to gain those votes.
February 18 2012 | Top Stories | Comments Off
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