Monday, 15 November 2010
Saturday, 13 November 2010
The end of education for all?
All of we are aware of what has happened in the Britain during the past week regarding the increase of the tuition fees of university students. I have also followed the updates regularly and today when I was reading the news online, I found this very alarming questions put forward by guests in Alzeera. Hopefully this is not the future.
The UK government has announced plans to raise university tuition fees by up to $14,000 a year.
Scotland abolished tuition fees in 2000, but in the rest of Britain they are capped at about $4,800 a year. However, the coalition government plans to triple that and to cut funding to universities as it strives to slash $128bn from public expenditure over the next four years.
Students have reacted by storming the offices of the ruling Conservative Party.
Is the government shifting the burden from the state to students? Is the age of affordable education for all coming to an end? Is university education becoming a luxury or is it about time that the subsidised system was reviewed?
To read further follow the link below:
http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/insidestory/2010/11/2010111381932848850.html
The UK government has announced plans to raise university tuition fees by up to $14,000 a year.
Scotland abolished tuition fees in 2000, but in the rest of Britain they are capped at about $4,800 a year. However, the coalition government plans to triple that and to cut funding to universities as it strives to slash $128bn from public expenditure over the next four years.
Students have reacted by storming the offices of the ruling Conservative Party.
Is the government shifting the burden from the state to students? Is the age of affordable education for all coming to an end? Is university education becoming a luxury or is it about time that the subsidised system was reviewed?
To read further follow the link below:
http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/insidestory/2010/11/2010111381932848850.html
Burma releases Aung San Suu Kyi
This is to follow up my my blog post on Aung San Suu Kyi. It seems she has finally been released and we hope that it remains this way, though I have the feeling that it is just a strategy on the part of the Government to gain international support and she will be back in the house arrest soon.
The military authorities in Burma have released the pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.
The military authorities in Burma have released the pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.
She has appeared in front of a crowd of her supporters who rushed to her house in Rangoon when nearby barricades were removed by the security forces.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner has been detained for 15 of the past 21 years.
Earlier, Ms Suu Kyi's lawyer warned that she was highly unlikely to accept a conditional release if it excluded her from political activity.
To read further please visit:
Friday, 12 November 2010
Plane engine failed because of oil fire
Rolls Royce should really be sorry for the recent incident that occurred with the Quantas airlines A380 planes. After all its the latest edition in the aviation history and one cannot tolerate such things to happen with expensive machines like this. Moreover hundreds of lives are in question, so it should be looked at more seriously.
Rolls-Royce said Friday that the failure of a specific component of its Trent 900 engine caused an oil fire that then forced a Qantas A380 to make an emergency landing.
"The failure was confined to a specific component in the turbine area of the engine," the engine maker said. "This caused an oil fire, which led to the release of the intermediate pressure turbine disc. "
Read the full story on-
Burma generals 'sign Aung San Suu Kyi release order'
Reports are coming out of Burma saying the military authorities have signed an order authorising the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
But hopes that the Nobel laureate would be freed on Friday appear to be fading. A leader of her National League for Democracy told 2,000 supporters gathered at the party headquarters to go home and return on Saturday.
Ms Suu Kyi has been detained for 15 of the past 21 years, and her house arrest term expires on Saturday.
There has been increased police activity outside her house in Rangoon, but as yet no official confirmation of any release order.
However, Ms Suu Kyi is not expected to accept a conditional release if it excludes her from political activity.
The 65-year-old was originally due to be released last year, but a case involving an American who swam across Inya Lake to her home, claiming he was on a mission to save her, prompted the latest 18-month detention.
Finally is it really happening? Lets keep our fingers crossed. I have posted on this issue before and hope fully next itme I will have new things to say. Keep your eyes on that.
Please follow the link below:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11740798
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Myanmar court denies Suu Kyi appeal
A Myanmar court has rejected an appeal by the country's detained opposition leader against her house arrest, amid hopes she will be released.
It was the third and final appeal by Aung San Suu Kyi, 65, who has spent most of the last 20 years locked up in her home in Yangon.
Never the less, officials said on Wednesday that preparations for Aung San Suu Kyi's anticipated release - within days of Sunday's general elections - were under way.
Lawyers for the Nobel peace laureate said they expected her to be freed on Saturday, when the latest detention order expires, but had hoped she would also be acquitted to prove her innocence.
Nyan Win, one of Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyers, said the court posted its decision on a public notice board on Thursday, saying only that the appeal was turned down and giving no explanation.
"The court rejected our appeal and upholds the previous court decisions," he told the Associated Press news agency on Thursday.
"This decision is absolutely wrong and shows the state of justice system in the country."
Myanmar's ruling generals stopped Ang San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party from taking power after it won a landslide victory in the last poll in 1990.
This is an absolute mockery on the part of the Mayanmar government and the question is will there any solution to this in near future.
Log on to:
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Hershey Chocolate Linked to Child Labour
Hershey, one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the U.S., is lagging behind other companies in taking steps to ensure decent working conditions in its supply chain, charges a new report.
"In the United States, Hershey conjures up innocent childhood pleasures and enjoyable snacks," according to "Time to Raise the Bar", a report released this week by four labour rights and fair trade groups. "However, halfway across the globe, there is a dark side to Hershey.
"In West Africa, where Hershey sources much of its cocoa, the scene is one of child labor, trafficking, and forced labor."For the last decade, U.S. chocolate companies have been pressured to take responsibility for abuses in their supply chains.
Competing companies like Cadbury/Kraft, Mars and Nestle have made efforts to combat poor conditions in cocoa- growing countries. But Hershey, which claims 42.5 percent of the U.S. chocolate market, has been slow to initiate adequate measures against abuses.
During the work shops we came across both these topics Fairtrade and Child labour and also discussed how some of the big multinational companies are abusing the system. Now here is another example (Hershey). It is really shocking because where they should be actually helping the cause rather they are just doing the opposite.
Please visit the link below for further information:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201009170951.html
Telenor and UNICEF partnership shows promise after one year of helping children in Bangladesh
There is a little girl in Bangladesh named Zumur. She is only 12 years old and has already suffered exploitation and abuse at the hands of her employer. She ran away and became one of the country’s countless street children, but her life changed the day that the police brought her to a local drop-in centre. Today Zumur is learning to read, write and even dance. With the help of a social worker, she will soon return to her family, begin school and get back to her childhood.
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For further information:
http://www.telenor.com/en/news-and-media/articles/2010/changing-the-definition-of-a-child
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For further information:
http://www.telenor.com/en/news-and-media/articles/2010/changing-the-definition-of-a-child
Changing a national mindset
In order to change a national mindset, Telenor and UNICEF are focusing on three key areas in their campaign to help children in Bangladesh: Educating children, educating the social workers and educating society. Through training programs, shelters, school support, peer educators better informed social workers and nationwide media campaigns, Telenor and UNICEF are not only helping children to better understand their rights, but they are also helping the country at large understand a child’s right to a childhood.
It is really encouraging to see such big companies putting their hands forward for such important cause of our society. Telenor or Grameen phone as it is known in Bangladesh is a mobile phone operator is working jointly with UNICEF to eradicate child labour. Though the task may be a difficult one but none the less it can be achieved.
For further information please visit:
http://www.telenor.com/en/news-and-media/articles/2010/changing-the-definition-of-a-child
It is really encouraging to see such big companies putting their hands forward for such important cause of our society. Telenor or Grameen phone as it is known in Bangladesh is a mobile phone operator is working jointly with UNICEF to eradicate child labour. Though the task may be a difficult one but none the less it can be achieved.
For further information please visit:
http://www.telenor.com/en/news-and-media/articles/2010/changing-the-definition-of-a-child
Friday, 5 November 2010
Terrorism in Bagladesh
While Islamist extremists, who were nurtured under previous regimes, have not engaged in any act of overt violence in 2009, groups like the Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) continue to maintain an active presence across the country, despite their proscription and the arrest of a number of their cadres. Police sources suggested in June 2009 that JMB militants had started regrouping in the remote villages of four Sub-Districts in Chapainawabganj. JMB cadres had fled their localities during the crackdown after the August 17 serial bomb blasts in 2005, had returned to their areas in Shibganj, Bholahat, Gomostapur and Sadar Sub-Districts, and were trying to recruit new cadres. According to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), at least 5,000 JMB cadres remained active across the country. The JMB is also reported to be seeking to ideologically mobilize new recruits, or to entice these with offers of money[1]. The dawati(proselytisation) unit of the outfit first selects youths from poor families in rural areas or by visiting mosques, and these are then exposed to radical ideas and militant cadres, in preparation for jihad. A senior RAB official explains the process: "If the targets respond positively the JMB operatives start giving them some religious books, particularly those on jihad. They also give them a certain monthly amount to gain their confidence and slowly make them dependent on the outfit. At one stage the targets become infatuated with the JMB." He added that some of the recently detained militants disclosed that the outfit was providing a monthly amount of Tk 500 per ‘target’. The JMB has also sought to strengthen its links in Pakistan. On June 21, 2009, an unidentified senior RAB official told Daily Star that some key JMB members, wanted by the enforcement agencies, had shifted to Pakistan for military training or had joined militant groups in that country[2].
Duties of the buyer under a FOB contract
Duties of the buyer[1]
The buyer must pay the price as determined in the contract of sale, incur at his own risk and expense all import licences, authorisations, formalities, contracts of carriage and insurance. The buyer must take delivery when delivered at port and in the manner customary at the port on board the nominated vessel. He will also bear all risk once goods have passed over the ship's rail. The buyer on the other hand pays costs from time goods have passed over rail. He is also obliged to give adequate notice of the vehicle he has selected and has to pay for costs arising from lateness of such vehicle.
In Pyrene & Co v Scindia Navigation CO[2], Mr Justice Devlin carefully laid out three types[3] of f.o.b. contract. First, in the classic case, the buyer nominates the ship and the seller puts the goods on board for account of the buyer, procuring a bill of lading. The seller is then a party to the contract of carriage and if he has taken the bill of lading to his order, the only contract of carriage to which the buyer can become a party is that contained in or evidence by the bill of lading which is endorsed to him by the seller. The second is a variant of the first. In this instance the seller arranges for the ship to come on the berth, but the legal incidents are the same. In the third case the seller puts the goods on board the ship takes a mate's receipt and gives this to the buyer or his agent who would then procure a bill of lading.
This classification was approved and clearly summarised in the subsequent case of The El Amria and The El Minia.[4]
[2] [1954] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 321; 2 QB 402; 2 All ER 158; accessed on 27th October 2010
[3]<https://login.westlaw.co.uk/maf/wluk/app/document?&src=rl&srguid=ia744d0650000012beec2fb80f5bb0a38&docguid=IE473C2F0533811DFA4079190C164A3BC&hitguid=IE473C2F0533811DFA4079190C164A3BC&spos=2&epos=2&td=280&crumb-action=append&context=3 2010> accessed on 27th October 2010
[4] [ 1982] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 28; accessed on 27th October 2010
Success of Fairtrade
Fairtrade producer organizations[1] have been certified in 59 developing countries, while Fairtrade certified products are sold in over 60 countries. The largest markets for Fairtrade certified products are countries where there is a Fairtrade Labelling Initiative or Associate Member. According to them a unified structure, message and tone of voice will be critical for future success in the global market which will also prevent any global economic crisis.
The European economic and social committee[2] gave an opinion that among all the consumer nations the continent of Europe is the biggest market for the fair-trade products which claims to around 65% of the world market, for example, turnover in 2008 exceeded EUR 913 bn. Fairtrade has also been recognised by the European Parliament as a key tool for development, helping poor producers to relieve them from poverty. Fairtrade Towns campaign appears as success as continues to grow. By April
2009 there were over 650 Fairtrade villages, towns, cities, and regions worldwide. In October 2008, London became the largest Fairtrade City yet, joining the likes of Rome, San Francisco and Brussels. Fairtrade Towns must attain at least five core goals which increase Fairtrade awareness and availability by engaging
local councils, businesses, schools, faith groups, workplaces and media. This has inspired spin-off campaigns such as Fairtrade Schools, Fairtrade Churches, Synagogues and Mosques, and Fairtrade in the workplace.[3]
[2]<https://login.westlaw.co.uk/maf/wluk/app/document?&src=rl&srguid=ia744d0640000012bc9e93353f0c13e13&docguid=IDC4371FF470B4EDE93D93D64B7C601D9&spos=1&epos=1&td=2&crumb-action=append&context=12>
Iraqi civilians systematically abused, court hears
More than 220 Iraqi civilians were subjected to "systemic abuse", including torture, by British soldiers and interrogators in Iraq, the High Court was told on Friday. Solicitors acting on behalf of the Iraqis submitted video evidence to support their claims. They are appealing for a judical review of a refusal by Defence Secretary Liam Fox to order a wide-ranging public inquiry into allegations that abuse was widespread. A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman said a dedicated team had already been set up to investigate.
The Iraqi civilians complain the abuse occurred during the period from March 2003 to December 2008 in British-controlled detention facilities in Iraq following the war to oust Saddam Hussein. Allegations of mistreatment include sexual abuse, food, water and sleep deprivation, prolonged solitary confinement, mock executions and being denied clothes. The High Court application is being made by the Public Interest Lawyers (PIL) group[1].
It is an interesting news for us and it is an issue concerning human rights. The question is will the Iraqi people get justice?
Should children be expected to work?
[1]Although there is evidence that many children want to work, some academics believe the increased pressure of school work holds many of them back. But research at University College London suggests that a part-time job does not have any significant effect on a child's exam results.
The drive for "education, education, education" has gone too far, according to Berry Mayall, professor of childhood studies at the Institute of Education.
"Quite frankly, school doesn't really suit everybody," she says. "Paid work brings in some money of your own. It gives you a taste of a world outside school. And it gives you a sense that you are able to do something other than school work."
Other academics believe the decline in children's work has deeper roots. They argue there may have been a fundamental change in the way children grow up. Jane Humphries, professor of economic history at the University of Oxford, says children had lost a sense of control over their own lives.
"Children today are priceless possessions whose wants and needs are attended to. Because they can obtain pocket money from parents, they can by and large enjoy drifting around in society. You have to actually exercise some responsibility and initiative in order to get a job."
At home in Suffolk, Peggy Cole looks back on her childhood with few regrets. She feels that even though her childhood was hard - she had to work to support her family because her father was ill - in many ways she had more freedom than today's children.
"I've got five grandchildren. The two eldest have been to university and one of the girls is now a solicitor. I'm very proud of what they can do. But they could never skin a rabbit and a lot of people wouldn't know how to make a cake, even. If I go tomorrow, I've had a wonderful life, and they can't take that away."
Mosque attack in Pakistan
Authorities in Pakistan are reporting a second deadly mosque attack Friday in the country's volatile northwestern region, a strike that killed four people and injured 18 others. This follows a fatal blast that killed at least 67 people and wounded more than 80 others in a suicide attack that targeted anti-Taliban members at another mosque in the northwest[1].
Pakistan has been going through such devastating attacks for the last few years but the question is are the muslims really involved in bombing the place where they woreship?
Is it fair to kill an accused person without trial?
Lot of my friends are aware of RAB ( Rapid action batallion) and for those of you who are not it is a special team set up by Bangladesh government to combat crime.
The question is, will it be possible to do so in a country where corruption is in every corner? Or was this team set up just for the benefit of the ruling party?
They use the word encounter or crossfire to define a murder. It is an international human rights concern to look into such unjust killing. I believe a lot of the international organisation are doing so including the UN, but are they doing anything to stop it or it is just in black and white?
Even though we know that the government is fully aware of it, but they remain silent or avoid it.
So on this note please do comment what should be the role of the government and how should the UN involve themselves to stop such killings.
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
The benefits of Fairtrade and its success
The establishment of fairtrade initiatives were to support the poor farmers and their main policy was to pay minimum price to the fair-trade producers which were determined by the fairtrade standards. It was designed in a way which would ensure that even if the world markets fall below a sustainable level the price would act as a safety net for the farmers. Fairtrade not only deals with the poor producers but also has a great impact on the major companies in their business strategies. Many of the biggest chocolate companies worldwide, such as Cadbury and Verkade made considerable new commitments to fair-trade in recent years.[1]
The Fairtrade Certification Mark (or, in North America, the Fair Trade Certified™ label), is the primary tool for linking consumers to the farmers and workers who benefit from Fairtrade. Its use on packaging indicates to consumers that the product they are purchasing has been produced in accordance with Fairtrade standard[2], for example the labelling on Starbucks Coffee cans confirms the above.
Fairtrade producer organizations have been certified in 59 developing countries, while Fairtrade certified products are sold in over 60 countries. The largest markets for Fairtrade certified products are countries where there is a Fairtrade Labelling Initiative or Associate Member.[3] According to them a unified structure, message and tone of voice will be critical for future success in the global market which will also prevent any global economic crisis.
The European economic and social committee[4] gave an opinion that among all the consumer nations the continent of Europe is the biggest market for the fair-trade products which claims to around 65% of the world market, for example, turnover in 2008 exceeded EUR 913 bn[5].
Fairtrade has also been recognised by the European Parliament as a key tool for development, helping poor producers to relieve them from poverty. Fairtrade Towns campaign appears as success as continues to grow. By April 2009 there were over 650 Fairtrade villages, towns, cities, and regions worldwide. In October 2008, London became the largest Fairtrade City yet, joining the likes of Rome, San Francisco and Brussels. Fairtrade Towns must attain at least five core goals which increase Fairtrade awareness and availability by engaging local councils, businesses, schools, faith groups, workplaces and media. This has inspired spin-off campaigns such as Fairtrade Schools, Fairtrade Churches, Synagogues and Mosques, and Fairtrade in the workplace.[6]
[4]<https://login.westlaw.co.uk/maf/wluk/app/document?&src=rl&srguid=ia744d0640000012bc9e93353f0c13e13&docguid=IDC4371FF470B4EDE93D93D64B7C601D9&spos=1&epos=1&td=2&crumb-action=append&context=12>
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Fairtrade
The establishment of fairtrade initiatives were to support the poor farmers and their main policy was to pay minimum price to the fair-trade producers which were determined by the fairtrade standards. It was designed in a way which would ensure that even if the world markets fall below a sustainable level the price would act as a safety net for the farmers. Fairtrade not only deals with the poor producers but also has a great impact on the major companies in their business strategies. Many of the biggest chocolate companies worldwide, such as Cadbury and Verkade made considerable new commitments to fair-trade in recent years.
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