Daily Archives: October 9, 2014

Kenya

Uhuru Kenyatta heads to International Criminal Court

Daily Nation

Mr Kenyatta, 52, faces five counts at the ICC over his alleged role in masterminding post-election violence in 2007 and 2008 that left 1,200 people dead and 600,000 displaced. On Monday, Mr Kenyatta told Parliament he had taken the “unprecedented” move to temporarily hand power over to Ruto — whose trial at the ICC has already begun.

President Uhuru Kenyatta (right), Deputy President William Ruto (left) and other political leaders walking from Parliament to Harambee House after the President announced he would go to The Hague to attend an ICC hearing. BILLY MUTAI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
President Uhuru Kenyatta (right), Deputy President William Ruto (left) and other political leaders walking from Parliament to Harambee House after the President announced he would go to The Hague to attend an ICC hearing. BILLY MUTAI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta flew out of Kenya on Tuesday to attend a hearing at the International Criminal Court, where he will become the first sitting president to appear before the chamber.

Mr Kenyatta, who has temporarily handed power to his deputy to “protect the sovereignty” of his country, waved to supporters at the airport in Nairobi in a relatively low-key early morning departure, an AFP reporter said.

He has travelled as a “private” citizen on a regular flight to Amsterdam, accompanied by a small delegation, including his wife and daughter, as well as six MPs and three ministers. Continue reading Uhuru Kenyatta heads to International Criminal Court →

Peace

Endless Flow of Weapons Fuels Endless War in Iraq and Syria

Common Dreams
New report shows how flood of munitions from across the globe, including the United States, are making peace impossible in Middle East
Jon Queally

Ammo casings found in Iraq and Syria. Top, left to right: China, made in 2009; Syria, made in 1960; Russia, made in 2012; US, made in 2007. Bottom, left to right: U.S., made in 2006; Turkey, made in 2013; Sudan, made in 2012; Iran, made in 2006. (Image: Conflict Armament Research)
Ammo casings found in Iraq and Syria. Top, left to right: China, made in 2009; Syria, made in 1960; Russia, made in 2012; US, made in 2007. Bottom, left to right: U.S., made in 2006; Turkey, made in 2013; Sudan, made in 2012; Iran, made in 2006. (Image: Conflict Armament Research)

An analysis of new data (pdf) collected by a group which tracks weapons in global conflict zones has found that a large proportion of the munitions now being used by ISIS fighters in Iraq and Syria are from U.S. manufacturers, either captured on the battlefield or sold to them by supposed U.S. allies.

According to the New York Times on Monday, the available data put together by the Conflict Armament Research, “suggests that ammunition transferred into Syria and Iraq to help stabilize governments has instead passed from the governments to the jihadists, helping to fuel the Islamic State’s rise and persistent combat power. Rifle cartridges from the United States, the sample shows, have played a significant role.”
Continue reading Endless Flow of Weapons Fuels Endless War in Iraq and Syria →

Brazil, Environment

U.S., Brazil Nearing Approval of Genetically Engineered Trees

By Carey L. Biron

brazil8WASHINGTON, Aug 20 2014 (IPS) – The U.S. and Brazilian governments are moving into the final stages of weighing approval for the commercialization of genetically engineered eucalyptus trees, moves that would mark the first such permits anywhere in the world.

The Brazilian government is slated to start taking public comments on such a proposal during the first week of September. Similarly, U.S. regulators have been working on an environmental impact assessment since early last year, a highly anticipated draft of which is expected to be released any day.

Despite industry claims to the contrary, critics warn that the use of genetically engineered (GE) trees would increase deforestation. The approvals could also spark off a new era of such products, which wouldn’t be confined solely to these countries. Continue reading U.S., Brazil Nearing Approval of Genetically Engineered Trees →