Right now, more than 2000 people are dying every day in Somalia, in a famine that threatens to starve eleven million people to death. Drought has brought this region to its knees, but the food crisis is really fueled by a complete breakdown in governance and international diplomacy, and we can put an end to it.
The famine-hit area is governed by Al-Shabaab, an Islamist regime that is linked to terrorist groups. The isolation and conflict between Al-Shabaab, other local leaders, and the international community has kept out much of the aid and trade that could end the famine. But afew key countries, including the United Arab Emirates, still trade with Al-Shabaab -- they have an opportunity to broker a deal with the regime and break the stalemate that threatens the survival of millions.
We cannot let the politics of the war on terror claim any more innocent lives. It's time for the international community and Al-Shabaab to come to an agreement to immediately get food to the suffering Somali people. The UN Security Council is meeting in a few days -- let's demand that they take immediate action to support key Arab nations in an effort to open talks with Al-Shabaab on cooperating to end the famine and seize this chance for a long-term political solution.
Over 300.000 have signed a petition @UN to end the #famine in #Somalia. Join me now @Avaaz www.avaaz.org/en/somalia_stop_the_famine
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Saturday, August 6, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Activists' demands to Israeli government:
"lower taxes, free education and end to privatization".
Demands also include reform in health care system and government involvement mortgages and rent; scattered protests continue across the country with activists blocking roads.
After setting up joint protest headquarters on Tuesday, representatives of the 40 tent encampments scattered across Israel, students and youth groups released an agreement they had reached and guidelines for negotiating with the government.
The demands include lowering indirect taxes, canceling the national housing committees bill, free education starting at the age of three months and increasing the Housing Ministry's assistance budget to mortgages and rent.
The activists also demand steps be taken in the health care system, such as more positions for medical staff, more beds, medical equipment that upholds the standards for OECD countries, an end to the privatization of welfare institutions and mental health centers and a commitment to a gradual cancellation of contractual work in the public center.
The National Union of Israeli Students stressed that the list constitutes an agenda for the negotiations, therefore there is no mention of numbers and costs. However, during the meeting in Tel Aviv the organizers said that a final document is being drafted, one that will include "clauses and numbers."
Meanwhile, approximately 150 people gathered on Tuesday evening at Bilu Junction near Rehovot to protest the high costs of raising a family in Israel, occasionally blocking the junctions. In Hod Hasharon about a hundred fathers, mothers and children took part in a "stroller march," and in Jerusalem dozens of people protested in front of the Knesset and the Supreme Court.
Also on Tuesday, opposition leader Tzipi Livni slammed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview on Channel 2. "Netanyahu is acting in an arrogant and indifferent manner." She added that what is happening in the streets is a brave and unprecedented social process.
From: Haaretz.com/news
Info is free, spread it!
Demands also include reform in health care system and government involvement mortgages and rent; scattered protests continue across the country with activists blocking roads.
After setting up joint protest headquarters on Tuesday, representatives of the 40 tent encampments scattered across Israel, students and youth groups released an agreement they had reached and guidelines for negotiating with the government.
The demands include lowering indirect taxes, canceling the national housing committees bill, free education starting at the age of three months and increasing the Housing Ministry's assistance budget to mortgages and rent.
The activists also demand steps be taken in the health care system, such as more positions for medical staff, more beds, medical equipment that upholds the standards for OECD countries, an end to the privatization of welfare institutions and mental health centers and a commitment to a gradual cancellation of contractual work in the public center.
The National Union of Israeli Students stressed that the list constitutes an agenda for the negotiations, therefore there is no mention of numbers and costs. However, during the meeting in Tel Aviv the organizers said that a final document is being drafted, one that will include "clauses and numbers."
Meanwhile, approximately 150 people gathered on Tuesday evening at Bilu Junction near Rehovot to protest the high costs of raising a family in Israel, occasionally blocking the junctions. In Hod Hasharon about a hundred fathers, mothers and children took part in a "stroller march," and in Jerusalem dozens of people protested in front of the Knesset and the Supreme Court.
Also on Tuesday, opposition leader Tzipi Livni slammed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview on Channel 2. "Netanyahu is acting in an arrogant and indifferent manner." She added that what is happening in the streets is a brave and unprecedented social process.
From: Haaretz.com/news
Info is free, spread it!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
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