Archive for October 2nd, 2014

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02/10/2014

‘US wars in Mideast – only excuse for $ trillion military budget’

Human Wrongs Watch

By Russia Today* (RT) — The purpose of the US campaign against the Islamic State is to provide grounds for the trillion dollar annual military budget Paul Craig Roberts, former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury during the Reagan administration, told RT.

Ships assigned to Combined Task Force One Five Zero (CTF-150) assemble in a formation for a photo exercise

**Ships assigned to Combined Task Force One Five Zero (CTF-150) assemble in a formation for a photo exercise | Source: http://www.navy.mil/view_image.asp?id=13996 | Author: U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Bart Bauer | Wikimedia Commons

RT: The UK is also now on board the military operation against the Islamic State. Will a couple of strikes by Tornado jets make any difference?

Paul Craig Roberts: That is right, it will make no difference. The prospect for Washington prevailing against the Islamic State is no better than the prospect of prevailing against the Taliban.

The purpose of these wars is to provide a reason for the trillion dollar annual budget of the military security complex. It is very difficult to have such massive expenditure without a cause, without a reason. So restoring the war in the Middle East is the reason.

I think Washington had hoped to replace the Middle East in wars with a new Cold War with Russia. But Vladimir Putin said he was not going to participate. So I think that is why Washington is back to the Middle East.

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Posted in Middle East, Others-USA-Europe-etc., The Peoples, War Lords | Leave a Comment »

02/10/2014

Nearly Half the World’s Older Persons Lack Pensions

Human Wrongs Watch

52 per cent of older persons receive a pension, but levels are inadequate and the trend has been worsened by fiscal consolidation, ILO report says.

Source: ILO

Source: ILO

Geneva (ILO)* — Nearly half – 48 per cent – of all people over pensionable age in the world do not receive a pension, and for many of the 52 per cent who do coverage is not adequate, says a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
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As a result, the majority of the world’s older women and men have no income security, have no right to retire and must keep working as long as they can – often in poorly paid, precarious conditions.
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The ILO policy paper “Social Protection for older persons: Key policy trends and statistics” shows that in recent years many middle and low-income countries have been rapidly expanding pension coverage through a mix of contributory and non-contributory, tax-financed social pensions.

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Posted in Africa, Asia, Latin America & Caribbean, Others-USA-Europe-etc., The Peoples | 1 Comment »

02/10/2014

Five Garbage Patches Occupy 15, 915, 933 Square Kilometers of Ocean

Human Wrongs Watch

The steady build-up of garbage in the world’s oceans is a “tremendous challenge” and a growing threat to the planet’s marine ecosystems with the potential for “significant socio-economic consequences,” the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on 1 October 2014  heard. 

Marine litter affects communities and seas in every region of the world, and negatively impacts biodiversity, fisheries and coastal economies. Photo: UNEP GRID Arendal/Lawrence Hislop

In the final day of the 16th Global Meeting of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans, held in Athens, Greece, scientists, policymakers and delegates gathered amid growing global concern over the accumulation of plastic waste in oceans and seas – a problem that could pose an estimated $13 billion in damage to marine life and habitats, and which demands a comprehensive remedy.

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Posted in Africa, Asia, Latin America & Caribbean, Market Lords, Middle East, Mother Earth, Others-USA-Europe-etc., The Peoples | 1 Comment »

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