Global Report - 23-September -2008

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Ehud Olmert resigns

It is all too late for Ehud Olmert, finally his past has pursued him like a shadow and caught up with him. We saw a caricature in one of the newspapers: Olmert is still at his desk, standing, and Tzipi Livni is at the door and he says to her: "I'll just collect the last envelopes and I'll be out of here." Who would want to be prime minister if that is the way it ends? Sad, very insulting and disgraceful! Olmert leaves behind a dejected national mood, lack of faith in leadership, unfinished and unraveling agreements, missed opportunities, revulsion at corruption, fear of violence, crumbling government institutions, a bruised army, an undermined court and great anxiety over the future. For the first time people are asking about tomorrow and they do not have a clear answer. The successors, we concede, do not inspire faith and confidence. They seem frantic, and self absorbed. What will come tomorrow for Israel? We may not know that answer...




Violent clashes erupt in Philippines

Muslim radical Islamists burned down 16 homes and buildings in Maguindanao in southern Philippines to punish residents believed to be supporting the military. Residents fled as several houses, a health clinic, daycare center, and a building of a government agency advocating peace and development were destroyed after the arson attacks late Sunday by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF. Fighting continues between the MILF and government forces after last month's suspension of Malaysian-brokered peace talks. There is now a deadlock between the Philippine government and the rebels over a proposed expansion of an existing Muslim autonomous region. Nearly 200 soldiers, rebels and civilians have been killed in sporadic clashes in Maguindanao and nearby provinces since last month.




Pollution raises health risks in Brazil

An estimated 12 people die daily due to pollution caused by cars in Sao Paulo. That surpasses the number of deaths caused by smoking and violence. Expenses relating to health, both public and private, are increasing to offset the pulmonary and respiratory diseases directly caused by pollution. During the winter, season of short rains, the hospitals are crowded with thousands of patients, especially children, mostly affected either from respiratory problems or from eye irritation. It is sad to see that economic growth only exacerbates this kind of problem, because this could be avoided especially if the residents of Sao Paulo seek alternatives, because what more can be seen in major avenues are cars with only one passenger. The public transport should be developed more as nobody likes to burn expensive fuel and wait in the traffic. And may be people will also realize that a day without car is also possible, and far more beautiful than their routine honking bumper to bumper traffic. Till there is individualistic mentality, the situation will only continue worsening.




Illegal logging in Sunderbans

Bangladesh is face to face with yet another serious problem that has put its environment at risk. Rampant corruption in Bangladesh’s Forest department has proved too destructive for the Sunderban forests that are becoming prey to illegal logging worth millions of dollars a year.
Corruption is everywhere in the Govt. machinery and Bribery is the most evident threatening the future of our forests. It’s now put biodiversity at stake as the appointment process for top-level jobs and forest chiefs is even done through an auction system in which the person who paid the biggest bribe gets the job.
With this widespread corruption, Bangladesh is losing huge area of its forest each year. Particularly, it has led to sever climatic conditions and Bangladesh’s poor to pay heavy prices as they constantly face heavy floods and draughts at time when the food crises are tormenting Bangladesh and the world as a whole.
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