Ezine Blog » World

Fidel Castro Steps Down – Cuba News

Melissa — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:43:35 +0000

On February 18, 2008, Fidel Castro revealed in a letter that he would not be accepting the roles and responsibilities of President and Commander in Chief at the February 24, 2008 National Assembly meetings, saying “I will not aspire nor accept – I repeat I will not aspire or accept – the post of President of the Council of State and Commander in Chief.” This decree will effectively announce his retirement and stepping down from government service. This letter is published on the internet by the official Communist Party Paper Granma. In it, Fidel Castro noted that his health was a large reason for this critical decision, saying that “It would betray my conscience to take up a responsibility that requires mobility and total devotion, that I am not in a physical condition to offer,” however such has yet to be confirmed.

Somewhat crazy guess for today…Castro is actually dead. If Radio Havana starts playing mournful, dirge-like salsas later today, watch out. I would guess this means he’s probably not too far from death, based on his known health. Lots of turnover in world leadership.. Blair, Musharraf, Castro, and now Bush.

Diet enacts law to reduce air pollution in big cities

Alex — Fri, 11 May 2007 04:47:39 +0000

TOKYO â€” The Diet enacted a revised law Friday aimed at reducing motor vehicle emissions by tightening regulations on the construction of department stores, offices and other facilities in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. The revised law on vehicle-emitted nitrogen oxides and particle matters is designed to regulate those facilities, which may generate heavy vehicle traffic.

The revised law empowers prefectural governors to formulate and implement antipollution measures such as building flyover roadways at intersections or other designated areas polluted heavily with nitrogen oxides and particles from vehicle emissions that cause asthma. It requires reporting to governors projections of gas emissions and plans for reducing emissions before building facilities such as hotels and theaters that may draw vehicles.

In addition, trucking and transport companies in areas surrounding the designated ones are required to work out measures to cut vehicle emissions such as reducing the number of their entries into such areas.

Animal Human Hybrid Embryo Research Approved

Bethany — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:19:11 +0000

The Human Fertilization and Embryo Authority in England has allowed the creation of part human and part animal hybrid embryos for research purposes. Once the legislation is finalized, British scientists will be able to keep hybrid embryos alive for 14 days, but not implant them into a womb. These mashup embryos must be destroyed within 14 days by current British law. The will cells form the fundamental building blocks of the body and have the propensity to evolve into any tissue, making them indispensable for research and development. It is already illegal to implant human-animal embryos in a female womb or to allow them to enter post fertilization stages.

The United Kingdomâ€™s House of Lords has since sponsored state plans which will allow investigations using human-animal hybrid embryos. The vote came as a reprieve for scientists who had campaigned in favor of permitting such research. However, the end consequence was too met with disenchantment from certain memberships who see the creation of such embryos as unethical. These creations are formed from primarily human tissue for, but also contain a minimal amount of animal DNA. Today England has rejected a bill that would put a ban on creating human-animal hybrids clearing the way to be the worldâ€™s first nation to license such creations to private business for use in medical research. They are wasting no time, just one day after the announcement trials are scheduled to begin. The decision is setback for those who donâ€™t view humanity as a genetic playground for corporate profits.

In addition, they already have a movement to create living human embryos from the genetic material of two females as well as a drive to force the harvesting of organs and human material from deceased Britons without their consent.