Brazilian President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva wants to get his country into OPEC -- a move that could lower the price of oil worldwide. With a booming biofuel business alongside new oil reserves, Brazil is poised to become a global energy leader. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will host German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Brazil next week. In 2007, a huge oil reserve was discovered off the coast of Brazil's Rio de Janeiro. The find boosted Brazil's oil reserves by 40 percent and could catapult the South American nation into the top rank of global producers. In an interview with SPIEGEL President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva said that Brazil wants to join the OPEC oil cartel -- a move that could lower petroleum prices worldwide. Brazil is banking on more than just oil. In the interview, the president emphasizes the country's economic successes. Of particular note are the huge gains Brazil has made in the production of biofuel (more...), especially environmentally friendly ethanol from sugar cane. By 2025, Brazil hopes to supply its own energy needs entirely with ethanol and produce enough of a surplus to fuel 5 percent of the world. "Our production costs are unbeatable," Lula said.
Brazilian President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva wants to get his country into OPEC -- a move that could lower the price of oil worldwide. With a booming biofuel business alongside new oil reserves, Brazil is poised to become a global energy leader.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will host German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Brazil next week. In 2007, a huge oil reserve was discovered off the coast of Brazil's Rio de Janeiro. The find boosted Brazil's oil reserves by 40 percent and could catapult the South American nation into the top rank of global producers. In an interview with SPIEGEL President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva said that Brazil wants to join the OPEC oil cartel -- a move that could lower petroleum prices worldwide.
Brazil is banking on more than just oil. In the interview, the president emphasizes the country's economic successes. Of particular note are the huge gains Brazil has made in the production of biofuel (more...), especially environmentally friendly ethanol from sugar cane. By 2025, Brazil hopes to supply its own energy needs entirely with ethanol and produce enough of a surplus to fuel 5 percent of the world. "Our production costs are unbeatable," Lula said.
Brazilian President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva wants to get his country into OPEC -- a move that could lower the price of oil worldwide.
WTF? In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
And this has been another edition of I print the crap that comes out of my ass.
A pleasure I therefore claim to show, not how men think in myths, but how myths operate in men's minds without their being aware of the fact. Levi-Strauss, Claude
HONG KONG: After months of startling increases, the prices of rice, wheat, soybeans and several other foods have come down recently, a development that could ease some of the panic in global food markets. Prices remain volatile and remarkably high by historical standards, and few agricultural experts expect the days of inexpensive food to return soon. There is no sign of a drop steep enough to make food affordable again for the hundreds of millions of people in poor countries who are struggling to maintain adequate diets. Still, any price decline is welcome news for many countries, particularly those heavily dependent on imported rice. The spot price of rice from Thailand has dropped by close to 20 percent in the last two weeks after nearly tripling in the first four months of this year. Rice prices on American markets have been rising this week, including a sharp increase on Thursday, but are still down 10 percent from their high on April 23.
HONG KONG: After months of startling increases, the prices of rice, wheat, soybeans and several other foods have come down recently, a development that could ease some of the panic in global food markets.
Prices remain volatile and remarkably high by historical standards, and few agricultural experts expect the days of inexpensive food to return soon. There is no sign of a drop steep enough to make food affordable again for the hundreds of millions of people in poor countries who are struggling to maintain adequate diets.
Still, any price decline is welcome news for many countries, particularly those heavily dependent on imported rice.
The spot price of rice from Thailand has dropped by close to 20 percent in the last two weeks after nearly tripling in the first four months of this year. Rice prices on American markets have been rising this week, including a sharp increase on Thursday, but are still down 10 percent from their high on April 23.
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hezbollah group took control of the Muslim half of Beirut on Friday in what the U.S.-backed governing coalition described as "an armed and bloody coup". Hezbollah and Amal group gunmen take position during clashes in the Mazra'a area in Beirut May 9, 2008. (REUTERS/Fadi Ghalioum) At least 13 people have been killed and 30 wounded in three days of battles between pro-government gunmen and fighters loyal to Hezbollah, a Shi'ite political movement with a powerful guerrilla army which is also an ally of Syria. The fighting, the worst internal strife since the 1975-90 civil war, was triggered this week after the government tried to dismantle Hezbollah's military communications network. The group said the government had declared war. In scenes reminiscent of the darkest days of the civil war, young men armed with assault rifles roamed the streets amid smashed cars and smouldering buildings. Fighting died down as outgunned government supporters handed over their weapons and offices to the army, which has mainly been seen as neutral during 17 months of political conflict between the Hezbollah-led opposition and government.
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hezbollah group took control of the Muslim half of Beirut on Friday in what the U.S.-backed governing coalition described as "an armed and bloody coup".
At least 13 people have been killed and 30 wounded in three days of battles between pro-government gunmen and fighters loyal to Hezbollah, a Shi'ite political movement with a powerful guerrilla army which is also an ally of Syria.
The fighting, the worst internal strife since the 1975-90 civil war, was triggered this week after the government tried to dismantle Hezbollah's military communications network. The group said the government had declared war.
In scenes reminiscent of the darkest days of the civil war, young men armed with assault rifles roamed the streets amid smashed cars and smouldering buildings.
Fighting died down as outgunned government supporters handed over their weapons and offices to the army, which has mainly been seen as neutral during 17 months of political conflict between the Hezbollah-led opposition and government.
For some reason (a birthday gift to Israel?) the Bush regime found it convinient to have the March 14 people in Lebanon, Siniora, Hariri, Geagea, Jumblat, launch an attack on the March 7 folks, Nasrallah and Aoun. The attack failed:Hezbollah fighters, their guns blazing, seized control of west Beirut on Friday after three days of street battles with pro-government foes pushed Lebanon dangerously close to all-out civil war. ... "There are no clashes anymore because no one is standing in the way of the opposition forces," a security official said as convoys of gunmen firing celebratory shots into the air and flashing the victory sign took to the streets.Yesterday the Siniora government threatened to shut down Hizbullah's TV station. Today Hizbullah shut down Hariri's media outlets. Why did the U.S. and March 14 expected anything different? Did they really believe they could beat Hizbullah into submission? The natives just gave another lesson to the imperialists. But don't expect them to learn form it ...
For some reason (a birthday gift to Israel?) the Bush regime found it convinient to have the March 14 people in Lebanon, Siniora, Hariri, Geagea, Jumblat, launch an attack on the March 7 folks, Nasrallah and Aoun.
The attack failed:
Hezbollah fighters, their guns blazing, seized control of west Beirut on Friday after three days of street battles with pro-government foes pushed Lebanon dangerously close to all-out civil war. ... "There are no clashes anymore because no one is standing in the way of the opposition forces," a security official said as convoys of gunmen firing celebratory shots into the air and flashing the victory sign took to the streets.
Yesterday the Siniora government threatened to shut down Hizbullah's TV station. Today Hizbullah shut down Hariri's media outlets.
Why did the U.S. and March 14 expected anything different? Did they really believe they could beat Hizbullah into submission?
The natives just gave another lesson to the imperialists. But don't expect them to learn form it ...
BEIRUT: Heavily armed Hezbollah fighters seized control of large parts of west Beirut on Friday, patrolling the deserted streets in a show of force that underscored the Shiite militia's refusal to back down in its escalating confrontation with the American-backed government. Hezbollah allies also forced a government-allied satellite television station off the air and burned the offices of its newspaper affiliate, as Sunni fighters loyal to the government largely melted away, outnumbered and outgunned, during a third day of armed clashes here. Those humiliating blows made clearer than ever the power of Hezbollah and its allies, which have links with Iran and Syria, over the government majority in the political stalemate that has crippled Lebanon for 17 months. By Friday afternoon, Hezbollah fighters and paramilitaries were riding joyfully through west Beirut in trucks and cars and on scooters, shouting and firing weapons into the air in a victory celebration.
BEIRUT: Heavily armed Hezbollah fighters seized control of large parts of west Beirut on Friday, patrolling the deserted streets in a show of force that underscored the Shiite militia's refusal to back down in its escalating confrontation with the American-backed government.
Hezbollah allies also forced a government-allied satellite television station off the air and burned the offices of its newspaper affiliate, as Sunni fighters loyal to the government largely melted away, outnumbered and outgunned, during a third day of armed clashes here.
Those humiliating blows made clearer than ever the power of Hezbollah and its allies, which have links with Iran and Syria, over the government majority in the political stalemate that has crippled Lebanon for 17 months.
By Friday afternoon, Hezbollah fighters and paramilitaries were riding joyfully through west Beirut in trucks and cars and on scooters, shouting and firing weapons into the air in a victory celebration.
Another American humiliation. The Shia gunmen who drove past my apartment in west Beirut yesterday afternoon were hooting their horns, making V-signs, leaning out of the windows of SUVs with their rifles in the air, proving to the Muslims of the capital that the elected government of Lebanon has lost. And it has. The national army still patrols the streets, but solely to prevent sectarian killings or massacres. Far from dismantling the pro-Iranian Hizbollah's secret telecommunications system - and disarming the Hizbollah itself - the cabinet of Fouad Siniora sits in the old Turkish serail in Beirut, denouncing violence with the same authority as the Iraqi government in Baghdad's green zone. The Lebanese army watches the Hizbollah road-blocks. And does nothing. As a Tehran versus Washington conflict, Iran has won, at least for now. Walid Jumblatt, the Druze leader and MP and a pro-American supporter of Mr Siniora's government, is isolated in his home in west Beirut, but has not been harmed. The same applies to Saad Hariri, one of the most prominent government MPs and the son of the murdered former prime minister Rafik Hariri. He remains in his west Beirut palace in Koreitem, guarded by police and soldiers but unable to move without Hizbollah's approval. The symbolism is everything.
Another American humiliation. The Shia gunmen who drove past my apartment in west Beirut yesterday afternoon were hooting their horns, making V-signs, leaning out of the windows of SUVs with their rifles in the air, proving to the Muslims of the capital that the elected government of Lebanon has lost.
And it has. The national army still patrols the streets, but solely to prevent sectarian killings or massacres. Far from dismantling the pro-Iranian Hizbollah's secret telecommunications system - and disarming the Hizbollah itself - the cabinet of Fouad Siniora sits in the old Turkish serail in Beirut, denouncing violence with the same authority as the Iraqi government in Baghdad's green zone.
The Lebanese army watches the Hizbollah road-blocks. And does nothing. As a Tehran versus Washington conflict, Iran has won, at least for now. Walid Jumblatt, the Druze leader and MP and a pro-American supporter of Mr Siniora's government, is isolated in his home in west Beirut, but has not been harmed. The same applies to Saad Hariri, one of the most prominent government MPs and the son of the murdered former prime minister Rafik Hariri. He remains in his west Beirut palace in Koreitem, guarded by police and soldiers but unable to move without Hizbollah's approval. The symbolism is everything.
They beat Israel last year. Last Year !!!. Does that sound like some little group of bedouins who are gonna roll over when you send in the feds ? keep to the Fen Causeway
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Export restrictions and higher taxes in neighbouring countries are worsening an already dire food crisis in Afghanistan.Rick Corsino, the World Food Program's director in Afghanistan, said international response to a recent appeal for aid was impressive, but in a global food emergency, donations don't go as far as they usually do.The branch of the program strives to buy food at reasonable prices in the region, but other nations in south-central Asia have their own food issues to deal with. Pakistan is expected to see its own wheat production drop this year. "In a way, it's understandable. They are reluctant to export when they already expect to have their own shortfall," Corsino said from Kabul. "This means it's taking more time to get the food here, which is a worry."
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Export restrictions and higher taxes in neighbouring countries are worsening an already dire food crisis in Afghanistan.
Rick Corsino, the World Food Program's director in Afghanistan, said international response to a recent appeal for aid was impressive, but in a global food emergency, donations don't go as far as they usually do.
The branch of the program strives to buy food at reasonable prices in the region, but other nations in south-central Asia have their own food issues to deal with. Pakistan is expected to see its own wheat production drop this year. "In a way, it's understandable. They are reluctant to export when they already expect to have their own shortfall," Corsino said from Kabul. "This means it's taking more time to get the food here, which is a worry."
I know, Iknow, I'm just a DFH. Too flippin' radical when there are villages to be bombed and crops to be burnt. keep to the Fen Causeway
I know, how about repairing the thousands of years old irrigation systems you bombed to shit back in 2002 so their own farmland can be productive again.
Where's the fun in that?
might as well get started on building it a whole new generation of targets, especially in areas where they've already removed the ability to shoot back. Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.
Also, what is the difference in price now between opium and wheat? I'm guessing it's still massive, but, you know. Member of the Anti-Fabulousness League since 1987.
U.S. Drug Policy Pushes Heroin: Newsroom: The Independent Institute
This drug, until recently, was cocaine. A Horse of the Same Color Sadly, this is no longer true. The South American drug cartels have discovered that growing opium poppies and refining their gum into heroin yields ten to twenty times more profit per unit shipped than cocaine. Peasants can annually earn $500 for one hectare of subsistence crop, $1,500 for coca, and $4,500 for opium poppies. Distributors can sell cocaine for perhaps $15,000 per kilo, but heroin brings $150,000 or more. Consequently, shipments of South American heroin to the United States are increasing at an alarming rate.
One of Barack Obama's Middle East policy advisers disclosed yesterday that he had held meetings with the militant Palestinian group Hamas - prompting the likely Democratic nominee to sever all links with him. Robert Malley told The Times that he had been in regular contact with Hamas, which controls Gaza and is listed by the US State Department as a terrorist organisation. Such talks, he stressed, were related to his work for a conflict resolution think-tank and had no connection with his position on Mr Obama's Middle East advisory council. "I've never hidden the fact that in my job with the International Crisis Group I meet all kinds of people," he added. Ben LaBolt, a spokesman for Mr Obama, responded swiftly: "Rob Malley has, like hundreds of other experts, provided informal advice to the campaign in the past. He has no formal role in the campaign and he will not play any role in the future." The rapid departure of Mr Malley followed 48 hours of heated clashes between John McCain, the Republican nominee-elect, and Mr Obama over Middle East policy.
One of Barack Obama's Middle East policy advisers disclosed yesterday that he had held meetings with the militant Palestinian group Hamas - prompting the likely Democratic nominee to sever all links with him.
Robert Malley told The Times that he had been in regular contact with Hamas, which controls Gaza and is listed by the US State Department as a terrorist organisation. Such talks, he stressed, were related to his work for a conflict resolution think-tank and had no connection with his position on Mr Obama's Middle East advisory council.
"I've never hidden the fact that in my job with the International Crisis Group I meet all kinds of people," he added.
Ben LaBolt, a spokesman for Mr Obama, responded swiftly: "Rob Malley has, like hundreds of other experts, provided informal advice to the campaign in the past. He has no formal role in the campaign and he will not play any role in the future." The rapid departure of Mr Malley followed 48 hours of heated clashes between John McCain, the Republican nominee-elect, and Mr Obama over Middle East policy.
IOKIYAR is the flip side of this, of course. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
He is constrained by the idot discourse.
Once he's in, he will have more flexibility. Our problem here is that we doubt his progressive credentials and fear this will be emblemetic of his Presidency. But I'd accept right now he couldn't even if he wanted to. keep to the Fen Causeway
The guy was the head of an international crisis group, so he probably could've gotten away with it. Plus, Carter gives him some cover, even though Carter gets treated like shit by the press. (He's not a greatly loved ex-president, but he's universally respected as being one of the few people with a sense of decency to ever hold the office.) But I say that knowing I'm probably a bit too bold on hitting back.
This is one point on which I'm not terribly concerned, because I think this is one issue on which we know where he's at. I think the "secret liberal" tag applies on this one.
Still, it'd be nice to mount an assault on the idea that speaking with these groups is unacceptable. Conservatives want live babies so they can raise them to be dead soldiers. - George Carlin
The McCain campaign, I assure you, is scared shitless of that, and you can bet your bottom dollar Howard Dean's running an endless series of ads in front of the focus groups on it right now somewhere deep inside DNC Headquarters, trying to decide which one works best. Conservatives want live babies so they can raise them to be dead soldiers. - George Carlin
Ehud Olmert faced pressure from colleagues and political rivals to resign yesterday after police released details of a corruption investigation into the Israeli prime minister, the fifth such inquiry since he replaced Ariel Sharon in 2006.Olmert is suspected of illegally receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars from the US financier and political donor Morris Moshe Talansky, and possibly other foreigners, beginning in 1993 when he first ran to be Jerusalem's mayor and later when appointed as minister of industry, trade and labour in Sharon's government.While Sharon also weathered bribery allegations as prime minister, only to be forced from the helm by a massive stroke, Olmert's colleagues and rivals are growing increasingly nervous about the number of scandals that now dog him.Ronit Tirosh, a member of Olmert's centrist Kadima party, said she wanted "very much to believe him" but was uncomfortable about the investigation.
Ehud Olmert faced pressure from colleagues and political rivals to resign yesterday after police released details of a corruption investigation into the Israeli prime minister, the fifth such inquiry since he replaced Ariel Sharon in 2006.
Olmert is suspected of illegally receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars from the US financier and political donor Morris Moshe Talansky, and possibly other foreigners, beginning in 1993 when he first ran to be Jerusalem's mayor and later when appointed as minister of industry, trade and labour in Sharon's government.
While Sharon also weathered bribery allegations as prime minister, only to be forced from the helm by a massive stroke, Olmert's colleagues and rivals are growing increasingly nervous about the number of scandals that now dog him.
Ronit Tirosh, a member of Olmert's centrist Kadima party, said she wanted "very much to believe him" but was uncomfortable about the investigation.
China is undertaking a dramatic overhaul of its nuclear weapons in an effort to modernise and expand its arsenal. One of the world's leading arms control experts has said that the Chinese have realised that their nuclear weaponry has fallen behind those of other major powers and might not survive a first strike.
China is undertaking a dramatic overhaul of its nuclear weapons in an effort to modernise and expand its arsenal.
One of the world's leading arms control experts has said that the Chinese have realised that their nuclear weaponry has fallen behind those of other major powers and might not survive a first strike.
Presidential candidate John McCain's pastor problems are bubbling up again, with Reverend John Hagee, whose support and endorsement McCain has actively sought, reversing last week's retraction of remarks he made in 2006 blaming the destruction of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina on a planned gay pride parade.
But for a mindblowing read - this long extract from a book by Matt Taibbi of Rolling Stone...
An Atheist Goes Undercover to Join the Flock of Mad Pastor John Hagee You can't be me, I'm taken
