Canada Joins Wildlife Coalition April 14, 2007
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The U.S. State Department reports that Canada is the newest nation to join an international effort to prevent trafficking in illegally trapped or sold wildlife. The broad based intent of the coalition is to establish worldwide standards and sanctions to define and limit the trade in live beings.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, Environment and Science Claudia McMurray and Canadian Minister of the Environment John Baird, during an event at Washington’s National Zoo, said Canada is joining the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT), a U.S. initiative launched in September 2005. CAWT, whose members include the United States, India, the United Kingdom, Australia and 14 conservation and industry organizations, seeks to focus attention and resources on ending the illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products.
Relevant Link: CAWT
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Hostile Intent Technology April 14, 2007
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The Department of Homeland Security is developing new biophysical sensors and detectors designed to detect “hostile intent” on the part of people crossing borders.
The novel program, named “Hostile Intent,” is geared towards detecting and gauging physiological and behavioral indications of deception and bad intentions. These include signs of nervousness, such as body head, perspiration and certain facial movements.
It is not clear what part the new screening technology will play in the overall decision on whether a person would be allowed to enter the country. It is worth noting that a number of physiological conditions, such as hypo- and hyperglycemia could mimic some of the symptoms of “hostile intent.”
Tags: perspiration | nervousness | gauging | Signs | SCREEN | program | PHYSIOLOGICAL | NOVEL | named | intent | indications | hostile | geared | factors | facial | Director | developing | detecting | deception | border | behavioral | Technology | Security | homeland | department
Ethiopia Accused of Genocide in Somalia April 14, 2007
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The Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia’s transitional government today accused Ethiopia of genocide through its intervention in Somalia.
The accusations came from Hussein Aideed – a former Somali warlord who is the deputy prime minister of the transitional government.
Ethiopia dismissed Mr Aideed’s comments as an absolute fabrication.
Aideed is highly placed in the transitional government and as Robert Walker notes in this report, his statements are in effect a measure of the dissatisfaction and disunity within the provisional government. Ethiopia invaded Somalia in December to dislodge the Union of Islamic Courts. But the opposition is growing and now it includes:
militias from the Hawiye clan – and they are supported by a groundswell of popular anger towards the Ethiopians.
Many in Mogadishu are opposed to any foreign military presence – and view neighbouring Ethiopia in particular as a longstanding rival.
An offensive by Ethiopian troops in Mogadishu last month has only increased that opposition.
The Ethiopians promised to be out in a matter of weeks, but show no signs of drawing down troops after five months of gritty urban warfare.
Tags: warlord | transitional | opposition | Minister | Government | genocide | ForeignAffairs | Deputy | Comments | arrived | accused | Somalia | somali | Politics | Mogadishu | HUSSEIN | Foreign Affairs | ethiopian | ethiopia | Aideed
