Humanitarian – Worth Knowing
• US latest to criticize Botswana government over treatment of Bushmen: The US State Department’s latest human rights report has criticized the Botswana government for its ‘continued narrow interpretation’ of the 2006 High Court ruling that granted the Bushmen the right to return to their ancestral lands...
• SPANISH OIL GIANT TARGETS UNCONTACTED INDIANS’ RAINFOREST: Spanish-Argentine oil giant Repsol YPF has applied to Peru’s government to cut 454 kilometres of seismic lines and construct 152 heliports in its search for oil on uncontacted tribes’ land in the remote Amazon rainforest...
• Protests against Spanish oil giant’s plans for uncontacted tribes: Demonstrators gathered outside the headquarters of oil giant Repsol-YPF today to protest at its plans to explore for oil on uncontacted tribes’ land. Repsol, holding its AGM today, refuses to accept that the uncontacted tribes exist...
• ‘PIONEERING’ PLAN TO GIVE BUSHMEN ARMBANDS AS TOURIST LODGE OPENS: In a major announcement, Botswana’s government today responded to critics of its ‘immoral policy’ of allowing safari lodges with swimming pools in the Kalahari while the Bushmen who live there are denied access to water...
• Afghan Tribes Find Common Ground During Humanitarian Aid Drop: Every summer, the Kuchi tribe migrates through the Daymardad district of this central-Afghanistan province, allowing their animals to graze in the open pastures belonging to the Hazara tribe. This frequently has sparked violent territorial disputes...
• Troops Give Afghan Baby Second Chance at Life: Members of Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Afghanistan recently conducted an unusual mission handover — rather than discussing troop disposition and battle status, the soldiers were passing along information about bottle feedings and sleeping schedules...
• The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB): The TEEB study is a major international initiative to draw attention to the global economic benefits of biodiversity...
• C-130 Missions Drop Supplies to Afghan Villagers: Villagers in a remote area of northern Afghanistan recently were the latest recipients of an Air Force high-altitude airdrop mission that drops tons of supplies to those in need...
• Appreciation Finds No Language Barriers During Continuing Promise: Eighty-five-year-old Simone Alexis arrived at a medical clinic set up by the crew of USNS Comfort wearing her Sunday best in anticipation of getting new eyeglasses...
• Medevac Crew Stays Ready in Iraq: The phone rings, and silence fills the room. All eyes and ears become focused on the soldier answering. The word “urgent” is uttered, and the sequence begins...