Congressmen delay pipeline project

UNITED STATES: Construction of TransCanada’s controversial pipeline project, Keystone XL, has been stalled by opponents. The Guardian reported that 13 congressional Democrats have demanded the pipeline’s environmental impact be reinvestigated before it is approved by the State Department. Concerns have been raised about a possible conflict of interest because the contractor who completed the first evaluation was hired by TransCanada. The project faces further delays as the state of Nebraska explores possibilities of rerouting the pipeline away from an important underground aquifer. As these debates continue, it is questionable whether the pipeline, which would transport crude oil from Canada to the U.S., will ever reach completion.

American drone strike kills brother of Taliban commander

PAKISTAN: The brother and cousin of one of the Taliban’s most influential commanders were killed when two missiles from an American drone strike collided with their vehicle. According to the New York Times, the incident occurred in the northwest corner of Pakistan, close to the Afghanistan border, an area Taliban groups often use to wage attacks on American forces. The strike came a week after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the country and urged Pakistani leaders to take action against Taliban militant groups.

China to crackdown on entertainment and blogging

CHINA: The Chinese government is calling for stricter regulations on entertainment television and micro-blogging websites that are similar to Twitter. Beginning Jan. 1, television stations across the country, which already experience government censorship, will be limited to only two 90-minute entertainment shows per week and be required to air two hours of state-approved news every evening. Government officials are also working to expose and punish residents who spread “harmful information” via social networking sites, reported the New York Times. It’s possible this crackdown has been inspired by social media-assisted uprisings in other parts of the world.

UN to end Libya mission

NEW YORK: The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously to end the NATO military operation in Libya on Oct. 31. The UN operation, which has been active since March, enacted a no-fly zone over Libya and permitted foreign military forces to use “all force necessary” to protect Libyan civilians, reported the Globe and Mail. The NATO efforts led to the recent capture and death of ousted Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi. Libya’s Deputy Ambassador to the UN had asked the council to postpone the termination of the operation so the country could assess its security situation. The council denied the request since the operation was already beyond the UN’s mandate.

Flooding forces evacuations in Thailand capital

THAILAND: Major flooding has occurred in Bangkok after the Chao Phraya River burst its banks due to high tides and monsoon rain. Four thousand residents have been evacuated from their homes in the country’s capital and it is expected flooding will get worse in the low-lying area. Among those evacuated, 600 serious offenders have been moved from the city’s Bang Kwang Central Prison. Shortages of drinking water and other staples have caused many supermarkets to ration items, reported the Telegraph. So far, 26 of Thailand’s 77 provinces have experienced extensive flooding and 373 people have died.

Published in Volume 66, Number 10 of The Uniter (November 2, 2011)