Latin America's oil rush means more climate change
Brazil, Argentina and other countries across the Americas are seeking to ramp up fossil-fuel production. So much for curbing carbon emissions.
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The United Nations Vote on the Cuba Embargo – 22 Years In a Row
A sign protesting the embargo of Cuba at the Occupy Oakland protests, November 2, 2011 (Photo: Nathan Jongewaard/Flickr) For years American political leaders and media were fond of labeling Cuba an “international pariah”. We haven’t heard that for a very long time. Perhaps one reason is the annual vote in the United Nations General Assembly on the resolution which reads: “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”. This is how the vote has gone (not including abstentions): Year Votes (Yes-No) No Votes 1992 59-2 US, Israel 1993 88-4 US, Israel, Albania, Paraguay 1994 101-2 US, Israel 1995 117-3 US, Israel, Uzbekistan 1996 138-3 US, Israel, Uzbekistan 1997 143-3 US, Israel, Uzbekistan 1998 157-2 US, Israel 1999 155-2 US, Israel 2000 167-3 US, Israel, Marshall Islands 2001 167-3 US, Israel, Marshall Islands 2002 173-3 US, Israel, Marshall Islands 2003 179-3 US, Israel, Marshall Islands 2004 ...
New Trends in Free Trade Agreements – Canada, the EU and the BRICS
Canada and the European Union are working out the final details of their newly minted Free Trade Agreement . The first of these modern agreements will be completed with Canada in the midst of new agreements being discussed with Brazil as well as added access for Colombians and with Mercosur as a whole. The Canadian agreement is unique as it addresses agreements on mutual access to government procurement contracts between Canada and the EU. With many BRICS nations needing to change their economies from manufacturing exports and exporting natural resources into more research intensive skills, a Canada-EU style agreement may make it easier for the movement of Research and Development as well as Intellectual Property into places like China and Brazil. It is no secret that recent government policies in BRICS nations are focused on expanding their own growing R+D programs, promoting local skills and technology outside of their own region. With the aging population in China, the young ...
What’s in a (country’s) name? Lots—especially when disputed.
Before the era of nation-states, Shakespeare had it easy. While humanists may agree labels matter little, geographers in the 21st century must keep up with country name changes, and the accompanying politics. Readers these days come across Myanmar (Burma), or Burma (Myanmar), depending on the writer’s point of view. Burma is the original name of the second-largest country in southeast Asia, known in recent years for a thawing autocracy and human rights luminary Aung San Suu Kyi. The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Conflict and Stability Operations (CSO) in September put out a press release recounting its activities in “Burma.” Yet the U.N., Japan, France, Russia, and most other nations have relations with Myanmar, to which its name was changed after a 1989 military coup. The two are essentially the same, with Burma the more colloquial in the native tongue. That new rulers instituted “Myanmar,” the more traditional, literary name, hinted at establishing a new identit...
Is Brazil lost at sea?
Analysis: After a rough season, Brazil hopes bidding for its massive offshore oil reserves will right the ship. Now Brazilian oil workers are striking and energy majors like Exxon-Mobil, Chevron and BP aren't placing their bids. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff poses with workers of state-run oil giant Petrobras. (Vanderlei Almeida/AFP/Getty Images) HOUSTON, Texas — Brazil, a festive land of vast resources and seemingly great prospects, has had a lousy year. Many hope Monday's sale of its vast Libra offshore oil reserves will turn the tide. So what's got the South American giant down? For one, corruption scandals have tarnished the country's high-flying elite. Even Eike Batista, only recently feted by the media as a cross between to John D. Rockefeller and Sean "Puffy" Combs, is bleeding billions, his empire near bankruptcy. The economy, big enough to place Brazil at the head of the club of would-be superpowers known as BRICS (also including Russ...