Why global water shortages pose threat of terror and war
From California to the Middle East, huge areas of the world are drying up and a billion people have no access to safe drinking water. US intelligence is warning of the dangers of shrinking resources and experts say the world is 'standing on a precipice'
On 17 January, scientists downloaded fresh data from a pair of Nasa satellites and distributed the findings among the small group of researchers who track the world's water reserves. At the University of California, Irvine, hydrologist James Famiglietti looked over the data from the gravity-sensing Grace satellites with a rising sense of dread.
The data, released last week, showed California on the verge of an epic drought, with its backup systems of groundwater reserves so run down that the losses could be picked up by satellites orbiting 400km above the Earth's surface.
"It was definitely an 'oh my gosh moment'," Famiglietti said. "The groundwater is our strategic reserve. It's our backup, and so where do you go when the backup is gone?"
That same day, the state governor, Jerry Brown, declared a drought emergency and appealed to Californians to cut their water use by 20%. "Every day this drought goes on we are going to have to tighten the screws on what people are doing," he said.
Frank Mugisha: 'Homophobia is not African. It's imported'
Outside his country, he has won many plaudits, including the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Award and the Thorolf Rafto Memorial Prize for his activism.
Troubled Times: Developing Economies Hit a BRICS Wall
Until recently, investors viewed China, Brazil and India as a sure thing. Lately, though, their economies have shown signs of weakness and money has begun flowing back to the West. Worries are mounting the BRICS dream is fading.
It was 12 years ago that Jim O'Neill had his innovative idea. An investment banker with Goldman Sachs, he had become convinced following the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks that the United States and Europe were facing economic decline. He believed that developing countries such as China, India, Brazil and Russia could profit immensely from globalization and become the new locomotives of the global economy. O'Neill wanted to advise his clients to invest their money in the promising new players. But he needed a catchy name.
O'Neill, celebrated by Businessweek as a "rock star" in the industry, looked for years like a vastly successful prophet. From 2001 to 2013, the economic output of the four BRIC countries rose from some $3 billion a year to $15 billion. The quartet's growth, later made a quintet with the inclusion of South Africa (BRICS), was instrumental in protecting Western prosperity as well. Investors made a mint and O'Neill's club even emerged as a real political power. Now, the countries' leaders meet regularly and, despite their many differences, have often managed to function as a counterweight to the West.
Journalist's death a sign of Sri Lanka's brutalisation?
One of Sri Lanka's most prominent journalists, Mel Gunasekera, was stabbed to death in her home, on Sunday. Although this death does not appear to have been politically motivated, Sri Lankans have reacted by lamenting what they say is the "brutalised" nature of their country.
To wake up to the news that a friend has been murdered is shocking.
My own distress and horror at the sudden ending of Mel Gunasekera's life is shared by hundreds of others in Colombo: her loving family and her many friends including fellow journalists.
Many cannot believe she is no longer with us.
Thanks to the internet, there have been many tributes to a woman who was good-humoured and irreverent, who helped others, who loved keeping dogs, driving fast cars and singing choral music.
"You expected her to outlive you, and just be there," one friend of the 40-year-old wrote.
| MIDDLE EAST |
Iran says warships sailing towards US borders |
Commander quoted by semi-official news agency as saying the deployment is a response to US exercises in the Gulf.
Last updated: 09 Feb 2014 05:41
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An Iranian naval officer has said a number of warships had been ordered to approach US maritime borders as a response to the stationing of US vessels in the Gulf, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.
"Iran's military fleet is approaching the United States' maritime borders, and this move has a message," the agency quoted Admiral Afshin Rezayee Haddad as saying on Saturday.
Haddad, who is described as the commander of the Iranian navy's northern fleet, said the vessels had started their voyage
towards the Atlantic Ocean via "waters near South Africa", Fars reported.
towards the Atlantic Ocean via "waters near South Africa", Fars reported.
Fars said the plan was part of "Iran's response to Washington's beefed up naval presence in the Persian Gulf".
The report, which carried no details of the vessels, could not be confirmed independently.
Indian Kashmir under curfew amid separatist strike
By AIJAZ HUSSAIN30 minutes ago
Thousands of Indian troops fanned out across Indian-controlled Kashmir on Sunday, detaining about 200 separatist activists to prevent protests during a three-day strike to mark the execution anniversaries of two separatists in New Delhi, officials said.
Many parts of the Himalayan region were under curfew, with major roads blocked by razor wire and barricades, as authorities sought to prevent anti-India protests and possible violence, Inspector General Abdul Gani Mir said. Wireless Internet services were shut down.
Shops and businesses remained closed in Srinagar, the main city in Indian Kashmir. Most people stayed indoors while police and paramilitary soldiers patrolled the lakeside city's deserted streets.
Authorities detained about 200 known activists and placed their leaders under house arrest, a police officer said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak with reporters.
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