THE WORLD
From Issue #16
GLOBAL ISSUES
World News Briefs
Read, contemplate, comment, discuss
OUT THERE - Digital Doctoring
N.A.S.A. is currently developing a new
technology called Telehealth. An experiment on
the international space station uses ultrasound to
search for injuries to the human body during space flight.
Digital imaging is sent to doctors on earth who then
diagnose health problems involving the heart, abdomen, and
lungs. The experiment is designed to provide health care to
astronauts who go on extended trips to space, such as a
manned mission to Mars. Telemedicine has numerous
applications here on earth, using satellites and
high-speed internet to assist patients at remote
locations where the high-quality medical
resources are unavailable.
CANADA - Cheap Drugs
Canada became the first country to pass
legislation to support a W.T.O. decision to allow the
waiver of certain obligations concerning Trade Related
Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. Named ”The Jean
Chretien Pledge to Africa,” the legislation allows for the
production of generic copies of patented drugs under license.
These drugs will be exported at low cost to Least Developed
Countries and Developing Countries to fight tuberculosis,
malaria, HIV/AIDS and other public health problems.
700 million people will benefit from this program. Critics
hope to amend the legislation to include all
developing regions of the world including Latin
America and Southeast Asia.
GUATEMALA - Queen is Found
(sort of)
A rare discovery, the tomb of a Mayan queen was
located in the ancient city of Waku in the rain forest of
Guatemala. The 1200-year-old skeleton was missing the
skull and leg bones, and was surrounded by 1600 artifacts
including 22 jade plaques (a helmet) and a jade carving typical
of those worn by kings and queens. Stingray spines found in
the tomb were used as bloodletting instruments for offerings
to the gods. Archaeological research suggests that Waku
originated in 500 B.C. and disappeared about 900 A.D.
The tomb has yet to reveal the queen's name or era
of her rule.
GREECE - Olympic Woes
Greece and Athens are known as the
“Cradle of Democracy and Western Civilization.”
The 2004 Olympics in Athens are from August 13-29, and
have been plagued by construction delays, cost overruns,
and security concerns. The Greek government is
receiving assistance from N.A.T.O. to help provide
security for the games, given the global threat of
terrorism. Recent bombings in Athens have been blamed on
anarchist groups and extremists, however, there is a fear that
foreign terrorists could target the games. The International
Olympic Committee has an insurance policy for the
Olympics that protects them in the event that the
games are cancelled due to a natural
disaster, war, or terrorism.
SUDAN - In Self-Defence
A humanitarian crisis is growing in the
Darfur region of Sudan. Arab militias (janjaweed)
have committed atrocities and displaced upwards of
one million of the six million black Africans living in this
region, killing approximately 10,000. Humanitarian groups
have evidence that government forces have been arming
and providing support for the Arab militias and that continued
displacement would result in disease and famine. Two rebel
groups formed in 2003, the Sudanese Liberation Army and
the Justice and Equality Movement, and the government
maintains that the Arab militias and government
soldiers are simply defending themselves.
AFRICA - Liquid Life
A young Canadian named Ryan Hreljac has
given life to many Africans. In 1998, and at the
age of seven, Ryan raised $75 towards a well for his
pen pal Jimmy in Uganda. Ryan's Well Foundation was
created in 2001, and has now raised over $800,000, and
drilled 80 wells in seven countries, including Kenya and
Zimbabwe. The wells provide clean water and
sanitation for over 100,000 people. Ryan received the
Meritorious Service Medal in 2002 from the Governor
General and the Order of Ontario in 2004 as recognition
for his work.
THAILAND - New Front in
Global Terrorism
Thailand is home to a Muslim minority numbering
six million. Islamic militancy has been rising in the
South brought on by economic deprivation and
marginalization felt by Thai Muslims. Earlier this year,
108 Muslims died after they attacked government installations
and police posts in three provinces in Southern Thailand.
Five government soldiers also died. The advent of 9/11 and
the existence of Western soldiers in both Afghanistan and
Iraq have increased the militancy of these groups.
Thailand's fear is that an internal problem will
become internationalized resulting in foreign
fighters joining the insurgency.
IRAQ - Time to Rebuild
The occupation of Iraq by the Americans
continues to pose many problems and very
limited success. The reconstruction of Iraq is critical
to building a stable democracy. Infrastructure including the
electricity grid, water, sewers, and highways, damaged by
years of neglect and the U.S. bombardment must be repaired. The United
States and the international community are pumping billions
of dollars into this reconstruction. Iraqi citizens and coalition
soldiers continue to die in the effort to provide enough
security in the country for the reconstruction.
Elections will be held in January 2005.
