Society's ChildS


Ambulance

At least 15 dead in Chile bus accident

Image
© AFP PhotoChilean rescue workers at the accident site in Tome, Biobio province, on February 9, 2013. At least 15 people were killed and 19 injured when a bus carrying soccer fans plunged into a ravine in central Chile.
At least 15 people were killed and 19 injured on Saturday when a bus carrying soccer fans plunged into a ravine in central Chile, a local official said.

The accident occurred near the town of Tome, in Biobio province, at about 1:00 am (0400 GMT), said Luciano Parra, a spokesman for the Tome mayor's office.

"The information that we have right now shows that, unfortunately, 15 people did not survive, and 19 others were injured," Parra told 24 Hours, a television news channel.

Smoking

Greek MP's flout no smoking law

greek smoking
Greeks ignore No Smoking laws

Joining other Greeks who have ignored five smoking bans in the last decade and light up just about wherever and wherever they want, Greek lawmakers are openly smoking in Parliament in violation of the law they passed, and in the building where they did it.

The defiance has angered 88 of the 300 Members of Parliament who wrote to the body's speaker urging action against what they called a "pathetic and infuriating" state of affairs.

MP's enjoy other special privileges as well and a lifestyle that has angered Greeks suffering under crushing austerity measures. Greek media reported that during debates, most of them are in the halls drinking whiskey and eating unlimited free food.

Ambulance

Plane crash kills 5, closes Belgium's Charleroi airport

Image
© Reuters/Sebastien PirletA police photographer inspects the scene of a tourist plane crash at Charleroi airport February 9, 2013.
A small passenger plane crashed at Belgium's Charleroi airport on Saturday, killing five people and closing the international hub used by Ryanair and other low-cost carriers.

The aircraft, a Cessna, had problems on takeoff and tried to return to Charleroi to make an emergency landing but crashed on the side of the runway, airport officials said.

"There was a problem on takeoff and they tried to come back, but unfortunately the plane crashed," said Melissa Milioto, an airport spokeswoman. "Five people were killed."

Sheriff

Women shot during LAPD ex-cop manhunt had no warning, lawyer says

Image
© Reuters / Patrick T. FallonPolice detectives investigate a shooting incident involving a blue Toyota Tacoma pickup truck in Torrance, Calif. Police opened fire on the vehicle in a case of mistaken identity while searching for former Los Angeles police officer Christopher Dorner.
A mother and daughter who were mistakenly shot by Los Angeles police hunting for rampage suspect Christopher Dorner had no warning before bullets started whizzing through their newspaper-delivery truck, their lawyer said Friday.

"No command, no instruction, no warning. They just opened fire on them," said Glen Jonas, who is representing Emma Hernandez, 71, and Margie Carranza, 47, in possible legal action against the Los Angeles Police Department.

"They had no idea what was going on. They're huddling, covering up and praying and hoping they're not going to die."

Both women survived. Hernandez, shot in the back, was in good condition Friday. Her daughter suffered a hand injury and is physically fine but emotionally scarred, Jonas said.

The LAPD admits the predawn Thursday shooting was a case of mistaken identity that unfolded while police were guarding the Torrance home of someone named in a manifesto that ex-cop Dorner posted online about his twisted plans to avenge his firing.

Arrow Up

Sudan's inflation eases but food prices remain 'very high'

Image
© (File photo)Police in Sudan using US and UK-supplied tear gas to break up student protests against high food prices in June 2012.
Sudan's annual inflation eased marginally to 43.6 percent in January from 44.4 percent in December, official data showed on Thursday but food prices stayed very high, adding to the hardship of ordinary people.

Sudan has avoided "Arab spring" turmoil that has unseated rulers in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia, but spiraling food price inflation has sparked small protests against President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, in power since 1989.

Prices have soared in the African country since South Sudan seceded in July 2011, taking with it three-quarters of the country's oil output. Annual inflation was 15 percent in June 2011, the last data before southern independence.

Arrow Up

The 'perfect storm' of conditions that has worldwide food prices surging, itemized

The World Bank just published its Commodity Market Outlook.
"Most commodity prices are expected to ease marginally in 2013," they write. "[C]rude oil will average US$102/bbl in 2013, just 3 percent lower than in 2012. Agricultural commodity prices are also forecast to decline: food by 3.2 percent, beverages by 4.7 percent, and raw materials by 2.2 percent. Metal prices are expected to rise slightly but still average 14 percent lower than in 2011. Fertilizer prices are set to decline 2.9 percent, while precious metal prices will increase almost 2 percent."

Nuke

Massachusetts Nuclear plant shuts down during snowstorm

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says a power plant in Massachusetts has lost power and shut down during a massive snowstorm.

The NRC says the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant in Plymouth experienced an automatic shutdown at around 9:15 p.m. Friday after losing off-site power. Spokesman Neil Sheehan says the plant has declared an unusual event, which is the lowest level of emergency classification.

Sheehan says that the reactor shut down without any problems and that backup generators are powering plant equipment.

The NRC says there's no threat to public safety.

The shutdown came as a major snowstorm began clobbering the New York-to-Boston corridor, knocking out power to more than 300,000 customers in Massachusetts.

Attention

Cherokee Elders attempt to end abuse of captive bears on Tribal land

Inhumane Treatment of Bears at 3 Facilities in Cherokee, NC

Image
© SOTT.netTHis bear cub huddles in the corner of his small pen.
An undercover investigation by the animal advocate group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has revealed bears living in deplorable conditions at three road-side zoos located on the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, North Carolina. Details of the conditions of these facilities can be read under FINDINGS at the end of this article.

Most Cherokee people had no idea what was taking place behind the bars of these road-side zoos. Some Cherokee elders are so appalled that they have decided to take action in an attempt to shut down these facilities and bring a halt to the horrible treatment of these jailed bears. Along with other elders, Peggy Hill and Amy Walker plan to introduce a resolution to permanently close Chief Saunooke's Bear Park, Cherokee Bear Zoo, and Santa's Land in an upcoming Tribal Council meeting. Now that the deplorable conditions are known this will give the Principal Chief and Tribal Council an opportunity to make the right decision on behalf of the bears. The following words reveal some of the deep feelings the Elders hold regarding the inhumane treatment of the bears at these facilities.

"Our ancestors, the Kituwah, have been the keepers of these sacred mountains and all of the various life forms that inhabit our precious home land for more than 10,000 years.
Image
© SOTT.netUnderfed bear begs for food.

Our people have survived and sustained life here for thousands of years by respecting ALL life - whether plant, animal, bird, fish or creepy crawlers. We have been taught to give thanks for all Creation; for Creation itself gives us life. Generation after generation we have lived off the land - gathering plants, fishing, and hunting. With great respect for Creation we have learned the appropriate way - taking only what we need to sustain our lives, leaving plenty for others and maintaining these life forms for future use.

Our people knew that Creator had put us in charge of all living things, trusting us with such stewardship and showing us what we could use so that life could continue as planned. Every living thing was intricately designed so as to play a vital role within the circle of life and contributing to the cycle of life. They were placed within specific environments - soil for the plants; water for the fish; air for the birds, two-legged and four-legged beings and crawlers as well. We understand all life requires nurturing and specific elements for sustenance.


If you wish to support Cherokee Elders in their efforts to free the abused bears, please contact:
Principal Chief Michell Hicks
(828) 497-2771

House

Criminalizing poverty: Tenants who fail to pay rent can be arrested in Arkansas even if claims are false

Image
Arkansas is the only state in America that implements a law forcing tenants who do not pay rent and do not vacate a property to be placed in jail.

A recent report published by Human Rights Watch explores the law. In the report, titled "Pay the Rent or Face Arrest: Abusive Impacts of Arkansas's Criminal Evictions Law," it explains that renters have been "dragged into criminal court for transgressions that would not be a crime in any other U.S. state."

The failure-to-vacate law allows those who do not vacate a property to be charged in court.

Bizarro Earth

Maryland school promotes gay-to-straight therapy as a solution to bullying

Image
Prince George's County Public Schools on Wednesday decided to drop the use of a video that promoted so-called "ex-gay" therapy as one possible solution to the bullying of LGBT students.

According to a report published on Thursday by Washington City Paper, students in at least six middle-school health classes were shown the 21-minute film "Acception," which disguises talk about gay-to-straight therapy within a larger message about bullying.

The film's creator, Christopher Doyle, is a board member of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX).