HIV Vaccine

Canadian scientists get green light for trials on groundbreaking HIV vaccine

A potential HIV vaccine is under review by the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration). The team led by Dr. Chil-Yong Kang, a virologist at the University of Western have been working on the vaccine since 1987 and are very excited.

After they get the go ahead they will be able to begin testing on humans because so far, in the lab, the vaccine have had no negative effects on rats and monkeys.

A vaccine like this could save millions of lives with 2.3-2.8 million people becoming infected every year. Hundreds in Canada alone. Between Nov. 1, 1985 and Dec. 31, 2009, there were 69,844 positive HIV tests reported in Canada.

Rising Price of Food

High prices are here to stay

Attawapiskat

Attawapiskat Human Rights and Housing Problems

The problems within Attawapiskat are not very complicated, but the responsibility to solve these problems are. The very obvious problem is in housing and quality of life of natives; more than 100 people have been living in wood-frame tents, repurposed garages and sheds, and two large trailers that were donated by the De Beers mining. Another issue is the lack of a school for the children of this settlement. Unfortunately this community is also troubled with alcoholism, a problem that was introduced by the DeBeers mining company after 2005.

The entire community is falling apart now and everyone is desperate to find someone to hold responsible so that they can be saved. Though not legally bound to help the native reserve the federal government claimed to have already sent $90 million dollars to Attawapiskat and blames local band council for misusing the money and taking much f it for themselves. The Council has responded claiming that they never received the money that they were promised.

The provincial government is technically responsible for education within its province but is not willing to pay for Attawapiskat's new school because the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is responsible for education of First Nations. However the department does not feel they have enough power or money to get anything done without the help of the government.

At the same time DeBeers has made promises that they have not kept. An Impact Benefit Agreement was signed in 2005 by both Attawapiskat community members and De Beers Canada outlining financial compensation, training and job opportunities for aboriginals and additional building materials, if available, would be given to the community. Blockades were set up Feb 6 when community felt De Beers was not living up to the agreements set out in an impact benefit agreement (IBA) signed by the mining company and the community : zero tolerance for racism and discrimination, pay equity, a new school, and housing in the community.

The community's pleas for new school and for support have been ignored by all parties involved. Is Canada doing the First Nation's wrong by not paying millions more? We have done great injustices to our natives like many other nations have to their own, but is it a corporation this time and are they responsible?


       

Still waiting in Attawapiskat: Will Canada fail the next generation of Fisrt Nations students -Canadian Geographic

Kim Jong-Il's Death

Kim Jong-Il's death brings new opprotunities- and new perils- to the U.S.

Globalization of Trade, Capital, and Now Talent

Immigration undergoes a sea of change

As countries continue to suffer economic problems and people face lack of jobs, the topic of immigration is under review. But unlike in the past, immigration is no longer a problem and countries as a whole are being viewed in a whole different way.

The lines of what is a country is being blurred. It is becoming a more virtual idea rather than a physical community. Because of this it makes sense that the idea of immigration would change as well. Talented people are adopting a nomadic life style, not calling one country thier home. Or if they have a home it is one of many and they do thier business in an entirly differet one.

Doing business in other countries is what sparks interest. It is just another step of globablization. Talent is being spread and shared across the world. Immigration is now a way to circulate information and ideas around the globe.

India in particular is on board and ready to surf this new wave of change. They are using it effectively and the rest of the world too is starting to get look at the options and opprotunites that will come with this face of globalization.

Immigration may no longer be something countries fear during economic hard times, but rather something they will welcome even more.

Climate Change

How much did humans contribute to this Years extreme weather events?

Flooding in Utah

Economically 2011 has been the worst year for natural weather disasters. Though scientists say it is too soon to blame increasing greenhouse gas emissions, they do strongly believe where is a correlation between the two figures.
Floods, droughts, record highs, record lows; 2011 has dished out planet earth some of its worst. 

In total there have been 5 major floods this year. In China more than 48 million people were directly affected by one flood. Indirectly the Thai flood is affecting the world. Also more than 11 million people have been affected by the Somalia drought. So it is obvious that weather abnormalities are no longer simply intensive but extensive, effecting many people.

While scientists are not willing to make concrete conclusions some nations have chosen to be proactive and invest in clean air projects and further research. Canada is promising $500 million to clean air projects, research, and initiatives across the nation.

Future of Kyoto Protocol

The Commons: Convictions Without Courage


Rumours have just come out that our government is planning on abandoning our obligations to the Kyoto Protocol. Though they are denying it at present they do believe it has failed.

The main reason the government is arguing it has fail is that the USA and China are not a part of the agreement. Therefore they believe anything Canada does will be pointless as our air will continually be polluted by these two giants.

Liberal opponents are quick to point out to our Conservative government that they have legal and moral obligations to abide by the protocol. That clean air is a promise we made to future generations.

There are no hard facts that our Government wishes to abandon the protocol. I agree with our conservatives that Kyoto has failed and will fail unless everyone is in it together. At the same time I agree with our liberals that above all else we have an obligation. We are responsible for what actions we take, and not what the world does.

When it comes to Kyoto we are failing it and this needs to change, and dropping the agreement is not the answer. So I sincerely hope we stick it out and try and turn this around. Otherwise we really are internationally humiliating our self, but worst of all we are stealing from our children.

'Peak Oil' Crisis

Oil Running Out?

In 1956 Marion King Hubberts, a geoscientist with Shell in Huston predicted the end of oil. He said that oil production would peak out in 1969 and decline, ultimately increasing prices of oil and ceasing to meet global demands. Effectively the world saw this exact thing happen.

It is still happening today with more oil being used than produced and more wells being dried up than new ones being found. Since 2000 only one barrel of oil is found for every 4 barrels we use. What we are seeing is what Dr. Colin J. Campbell, a petroleum geologist who did work with Hubberts, says is the permanent end of cheap oil.

To complicate matters further OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) countries and oil companies are not being honest about how much they are actually producing. Reserves that are claimed to hold 49million barrels have been found to have only 8 million. Saudi Arabia, the #1 oil producing nation in the world, is claiming to have 257.5 barrels of oil still. Yet there is only "130 billion barrels of proven reserves".

The oil picture just gets bleaker too. China and India are buying into the game. China is aiming to consume 200 million barrels a year by 2015. At present they are the second largest consumer with 17 million tonnes per year. Potentially China will only add 12.5 million barrels per year to the world market.

According to BP Statistical Review of World Energy, 18 major oil-producing countries have passed their peak production. At the same time the world is consuming more and more. The problem is obvious.

See A Crude Awakening- The Oil Crash for more information on the Peak Oil Crisis.

Malaria in Africa

World Health Organization- Malaria

Nearly the entire continent of Africa is at present suffering from malaria outbreaks. The most susceptible to this disease are children. Approximately every 45 seconds a child dies from malaria. This is incredible tragic because malaria is a preventable and curable disease.

The reason that children are at such a risk to this disease is because they have not fully developed their immune system. Adults' immune systems on the other hand are well developed and able to survive infection.

At the same time no one is naturally immune to the disease. This causes huge issues for the economy of many African countries. Because of the large number of people infected some nations face up to a 1.3% decrease in GDP.

Getting medication to people in Africa is proving to be difficult and the now appearance of drug resistant malaria is a large issues. The one sure way to cut back on the effects of malaria is to prevent it. Prevention measures such as mosquito nets are guaranteed to help communities in Africa. Prevention is the only way to take the risk of malaria out breaks down to nearly zero.

It is imperative that malaria prevention be dispersed throughout Africa if this "lost continent" is to turn around and get on its feet and to prevent it from spreading across the world.


Malaria the Silent Killer -Documentary

Conflict in Egypt

October 2011 Clashes


Though without friction, Egypt (which has the largest Christian population in the Middle East) was once thought to be tolerant towards many faiths but is now becoming hostile.

What started out as a peaceful sit-in protest ended up to be a deadly clash that left 28 dead and 500 people wounded due to the riot that broke out. The Coptic Church is blaming the military for not properly protecting the Christians. Muslims as well are frustrated with the military. However they are upset because of the threat to crack down on future riot.

They believe that stabilizing security is just an excuse for the military to stay in power. If all things go accordingly Egypt's military will be in power for at least 2 years. For Muslims this is too long, for now emergency laws will be extended and there is now time for them to slant presidential elections.

Many people are suspicious of who was behind the attack. Was it the military trying to secure another 2 years in power? Or was it simply a group of citizens tired of Christian protests? The threat of civil war has increased. But a war like this would not stay within Egypt. It would spread east and west pulling in Christian nations to the west and Muslim nations of the east. The stakes are high.

Poverty Levels Increase in the States

Soaring Poverty Cast Spotlight on 'Lost Decade'

Poverty in the United States has been rising at alarming rates. More than 15% of their population is now under the poverty line. The gap between the rich and poor has widened by approximately 10% this year.

It is no shock that unrest is increasing. As the economic state of America deteriorates a government that promised new jobs for the country is now struggling to deal with the 48 million people, between the ages of 18 and 64, who did not work a single week out of the year.

Lack of jobs is not the only problem; those who have jobs have been hit hard this year as well. Many US citizens have found their income drop to 1996 levels. Minorities in particular have been most affected this year. African Americans are sitting at a 27% poverty rate, Hispanics at 26%, and Asians at 12.1%. Citizens of European heritage however are at 9.9%.

The richest country in the world is slowly crumbling. The gap between rich and poor has made the States very unstable as well. Promises, that were impossible to keep in the first place, are not being kept. Sadly there is no follow through for even realistic promises. It is a strange thing to see the great United States of America falling, world change is sure to soon ensue.

World at Risk of Second Financial Heart Attack

 World at Risk of Second Financial Heart Attack

The Euro Crisis is an incredibly complex and equally alarming as it is confusing. Though I found very little encouraging news in this article, the analogy of Europe having a heart attack did help me understand why Europe is in the dire situation it is in. It is not reassuring to know that Europe is not only where right back where they were a few months ago, but that they are there and without the means to resuscitate themselves like last time. Europe has wasted all the time and money they had. Things are on the breaking point. What worse is the "heart attack" we saw before was due to smaller European Union countries such as Ireland and Greece. The threat of a large, powerful, country's economy collapsing completely seems likely to all but demolish the EU. Satyajit Das, author of Extreme Money, had a lot to say in this article. Then again he predicted this catastrophe back in 2006 so I'd say he deserves a few words. Even still, I would like to read what other economists have to say about this imminent issue. Mr. Das was very clear that there was hope, if Europe can break their unhealthy habits. I hope he's correct, I also hope that Europe has the will power to make the change. Give up their "addiction" to debt-fuelled growth and live within the strict limitations they are setting for themselves. But I have to be careful where I put my hope; this world issues class has taught me to be very careful with it. I'm learning, the hard way, not put it on everything that sounds like good ideas or people with good intention. Europe and I both have some changes to make, if we don't melt-downs are sure to ensue.

Putin Proposes Union of Former Soviet Nations

Putin Proposes Union of Former Soviet Nations: Could compete with U.S., Europe, Asia, he says

It is no surprise to see Vladimir Putin running for president of Russia again. His propositions are not a surprise either. The push to further develop the connections between Russia and Asia, in Particular China, looks like it will be a smart move for the future. However I am unsure of what the effects of his pet project will be exactly. Or what will happen if he does unite ex-Soviet nations and establishes an Eurasian Union. The one obvious answer is worrying several european nations. They see this as competition for the already troubled European Union. As governments battle "with a spiralling financial crisis", the former super power's push away from Europe is not ideal. Putin has obviously waited  to offer this idea at an opportune time, drawing EU members out of the chaos of their present union. Fortunately all nations presented with this proposition are resisting, and "[will not] yield to pressure".
That is hopeful, but Putin has obviously been orchestrating many things that have happened in Russia recently, him running again is no accident. I suspect Putin does have a plan and will do what he can to make Russia a global player once again. What will happen when this takes place is a mystery.

 For another article on Vladimir Putin , the upcoming election, and his plans for Russia click here.