Lebanon’s position on Libya
March 19th, 2011 by Roger Darlington
As regular readers of NightHawk will know, I’ve just returned from Lebanon, so I was particularly interested that the country, the only Arab member of the current United Nations Security Council, voted in favour of the resolution imposing a no-fly zone over Libya.
A key factor is the issue of continued concern over the fate of Imam Musa al-Sadr, an influential Shia cleric from Iran who disappeared in Libya in 1978, as explained here.
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Security Council resolution on Libya
March 19th, 2011 by Roger Darlington
What does it actually say?
You can read the text here.
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Word of the day: shufti
March 18th, 2011 by Roger Darlington
As in the phrase “have a shufi” which means “have a look”.
The word comes from the Arabic šufti ‘have you seen?’ which comes from the Arabic verb šāf to see.
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Happy birthday Italy
March 17th, 2011 by Roger Darlington
It may have escaped your notice but today marks the 150th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Italy. In fact, I am half-Italian – my mother came from Naples where my parents met and married.
Italy today is a strange country. I have written an explanation of the Italian political system here.
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Should we be worried about a nuclear meltdown? (3)
March 17th, 2011 by Roger Darlington
It seems clear that the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant is more serious than ever and that the crisis is still far from under control – see here for up-date.
I’ve just received the following message from a long-time Japanese friend living in Tokyo:
“Dear Brother Roger & Vee: This is just to say to you “Hello” before possible trouble of our net-work system for short/medium term. We are doing fine so far though less convenient living environment owing to day-and-night aftershocks and worsened grave concern over the nuclear power plant disaster spreading radioactivity, even over here in Tokyo though slightly. I would say again so far so good, of course, far better than those in the stricken areas and people. Thank you for your kind attention and very best wishes to you, family and our mutual friends in UK.”
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How well do countries handle natural disasters?
March 15th, 2011 by Roger Darlington
This interesting posting suggests that democratic countries – like Japan or the USA – handle disasters better than totalitarian regimes – such as North Korea – since a free media makes information more available to citizens and elections provide politicians with an incentive to act effectively. This is probably true as a general rule but, on the other hand, some totalitarian regimes like China have greater resources, such as a massive army, and more freedom over how to use them.
The posting makes the point though that democratic countries have more incentive to devote resources to disaster alleviation than to disaster prevention. This is why a country like the United States did not spend enough on the levies in New Orleans and why British politicians do not spend enough on flood prevention measures.
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500 days to the London Olympics
March 15th, 2011 by Roger Darlington
It is now exactly 500 days until the 2012 Olympic Games open in my city of London. A countdown clock has been installed in Trafalgar Square and tickets have now gone on sale here.
To be honest, I’m an atypical man and not really interested in sport. But I’m exited about the Olympics because it is the largest event on earth and will bring to my city people from every corner of the globe. That’s why I’ve volunteered to be a London Ambassador.
Posted in British current affairs, My life & thoughts | Comments (2)
Remembering the Chilean miners
March 15th, 2011 by Roger Darlington
We can’t do anything to prevent earthquakes and tsunamis but we can do something to minise the risk of mining accidents.
Immediately following the successful rescue of 33 copper miners in Chile on 13 October 2010, President Sebastián Piñera proclaimed to the world that within 90 days Chile would reform its mine safety laws. But he did nothing of the kind. Nearly five months on, Chilean miners are still waiting.
The International Federation of Chemical, Energy & Mine Workers‚ Federation(ICEM), the global union federation that represents miners around the world, is calling for a massive online campaign to flood the Chilean government with e-mails of protest. Check out the campaign here.
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Should we be worried about a nuclear meltdown? (2)
March 15th, 2011 by Roger Darlington
After a third explosion at the Japanese nuclear plant in Fukushima Daiichi, there is understandably rising concern, but the risk should be kept in proportion. The BBC web site has a helpful question and answer here.
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Should we be worried about a nuclear meltdown? (1)
March 14th, 2011 by Roger Darlington
As if the death and destruction of the Japanese earthquake was not horrific enough, there are media reports that one or more nuclear reactors might suffer a meltdown. What is happening and what is the risk? You’ll find a helpful explanation here.
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