(December 21, 2006) In a country where media censorship is national policy, Liu Jianqiang has pulled off some remarkable journalistic scoops. When a wealthy socialite struck and killed a farmer with her BMW in northeastern China three years ago — and then got off with a slap on the wrist — it was Mr. Liu, an investigative reporter from out of town, who dug deep into the case.
Media at the forefront of China’s environmental fight
(December 20, 2006) Environmental destruction has reached serious proportions in China, where press freedom remains a pipe dream. Yet, the government is trying to use the media to throw light on this growing problem — one that has the potential to undermine economic development.
Citizens file complaint against international finance corporation pulp and paper mills in Uruguay
(December 16, 2006) The Center for Human Rights and Environment (CEDHA)
Thailand and Myanmar at odds over Salween dams
(December 13, 2006) Signaling a potentially momentous change in its foreign policy toward Myanmar, Thailand’s new Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand has said he intends to reassess, and possibly abandon, the previous Thai government’s controversial joint-plans with Myanmar’s military junta to build five hydroelectric dams along the Salween River.
Scientists fail to find endangered white-flag dolphin
(December 13, 2006) A team of 30 Chinese and foreign scientists wrapped up their 39-day hunt for the rare white-flag dolphin here on Wednesday, regretting that they had failed to find the rare mammal in the Yangtze River, the species’ only habitat.
Kenyan corruption case a step forward for odious debts campaign
(December 12, 2006) An International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes tribunal has struck out a lawsuit against the Kenyan government over a contract dispute after it discovered the contract had been secured illegally through a US$2 million bribe paid to former President Daniel arap Moi.
Inter-American Development Bank debt relief a smoke screen
(December 12, 2006) A move last month by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) to write off US$2.1-billion in debt owed to it by five Latin American countries helps the Bank bail itself out and bury its mistakes under a cloak of magnanimity, says odious debts expert, Patricia Adams.
Starving Africa of money
(December 12, 2006) Deprived of the funds needed to develop their economies by the corruption-obsessed West, African countries are turning to China.
Fu Xiancai petitions procurator-general over official inaction on assault case
(December 12, 2006) Human Rights in China (HRIC) has learned that Three Gorges activist Fu Xiancai has sent an open letter to China’s Procurator-general, Jia Chunwang, requesting his intervention into Fu’s assault case.
Overpopulated Beijing facing water crisis
(December 12, 2006) The authorized government portal site to China, http://www.china.org.cn reports that “the water shortage in China’s capital is set to reach crisis point in 2010, when the population is expected to top 17 million — at least three million more than its resources can feed.” The article goes on to say that “the ceiling on Beijing’s population, set by the central government in 2004, is 18 million in 2020….One approach to cap the city’s population is [sic] relocate some people.”
UK firm accused of Lesotho bribes
(December 11, 2006) British company accused of bribing officials connected to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project as part of a consortium led by convicted German company, Lahmeyer.
Clean hydropower a myth, warns study
(December 11, 2006) Despite its image as one of the cleanest forms of power generation, hydropower may contribute to global warming, according to a new study.
China strives to handle mass incidents
(December 9, 2006) The Communist Party of China (CPC) is exerting efforts to actively prevent and handle mass incidents, and such a move shows the Party’s clear recognition of China’s current social and economic development and its courage to confront realities.
Dam protester put to death in secret, rushed execution
(December 7, 2006) A 20-year-old who took part in angry local protests against the Pubugou dam in Sichuan province two years ago was executed last week, with neither his family nor his lawyer notified beforehand.
People displaced by dam on Yangtze River to protest against corruption
Many residents of Hubei province plan to gather at the Zigui county government building tomorrow to denounce corruption among local officials.
Patricia Adams
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Mu Lan
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