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Nigeria's Ogoni & Ken Saro-Wiwa

Nigeria, home of the Ogonis

Ten years ago, on November 10 1993, Ogoni rights activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others were executed in Nigeria by the military regime in power at the time. He had been accused of ordering the murder of four prominent Ogonis, but many believed that he had been framed, and there was international condemnation of the execution. Nigeria was expelled from the Commonwealth. Fellow members of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), which wants Ogoni autonomy, remember the dead every year and continue the struggle.

Today's topical article: Nigeria's Ogoni & Ken Saro-Wiwa.

Bird flu stories

Kuwait Has Mideast's First Bird-Flu Case

Two cases of bird flu have been detected in Kuwait, the first cases in the Middle East. One was in a peacock in quarantine, the other in a flamingo found on a beach. Tests were underway to find out if they were H5N1 or H5N2 cases.

U.S. Seeks Way to Boost Bird-Flu Vaccine

Starting in January, U.S. scientists are to test whether an immune-system booster can be paired with an experimental bird-flu vaccine to make it go further. The U.S. has enough anti-flu drugs stockpiled for 4.3 million people, whereas President Bush wants enough for 81 million people. Lawmakers should approve funding by Thanksgiving. Two companies have been hired to produce H5N1 vaccine.

Bird flu spreads further in Asia,   China reports two new outbreaks of bird flu,
116 Quarantined After Bird Flu Outbreak,   Italy finds mild form of feared H5N1 virus in duck

China, Thailand and Vietnam all reported more outbreaks of bird flu among poultry on Thursday. In Vietnam, a flock of ducks suddenly died, suggesting a more virulent strain. Chin reported new cases in Fuxin and Jinzhou in Liaoning. There is a possible human case in Hunan province.

116 people have been quarantined following two further outbreaks of bird flu in northeastern Liaoning province, China. There is concern that there may be chickens carrying the virus without symptoms, due to inappropriate use of vaccines or poor vaccines. The WHO has praised China's political response.

Hungary rehearsed its preparations on Thursday. Italy found a wild duck with a milder form of H5N1 bird flu, unrelated to the Asian form.

HK researchers urge more accurate fever screenings

Remote-sensing infrared cameras currently being used in many airports and at borders may not be as accurate in spotting travellers with fever as believed. Currently the cameras look at foreheads; Hong Kong researchers say they should focus on ears. The cameras will be needed to spot travellers with bird flu.

CDC Will Allow 1918 Killer Flu Off Campus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will consider sending samples of the recently recreated 1918 killer flu virus to select U.S. research labs. There are around 300 qualified labs.

Hurricane stories

House Chairman May Subpoena Katrina Papers

The Republican chairman of the House panel investigating the response to Hurricane Katrina may subpoena the White House if the panel doesn't get the documents it requested soon.

Former Presidents Clinton, Bush Honored

Former Presidents Clinton and Bush were awarded the International Rescue Committee's Freedom Award for their efforts on behalf of the victims of December's tsunami and Hurricane Katrina.

Former FEMA Chief Brown Off Payroll

Former FEMA chief Michael Brown is no longer being paid by FEMA. He was retained for 60 days after his resignation took effect so he could help others understand what was done wrong, but finished early after pressure from lawmakers.

Hurricanes Take Bite Out of La. Wetlands

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita tore apart large chunks of Louisiana's wetlands, reducing natural protection against future storm surges. If this year was the beginning of the peak years in the storm cycle, as scientists believe, then the marshes may not get the chance to recover. The barrier islands were also badly hit, undoing expensive restoration work. Much of the post-hurricane money seems to be going on levees rather than coastal restoration, however.

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Other stories

Asbestos exposure may raise colon cancer risk

There is a greater risk of developing colorectal cancer in men who have been exposed to asbestos.

Ginkgo may ward off ovarian cancer

Ginkgo appears to reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer, but Echinacea, St. John's Wort, ginseng, and chondroitin don't, according to a new study.

House Could Alter 19th Century Mining Law,   Mining Industry Braces for House Vote

Congress is considering lifting a ban on allowing companies to buy public land, including national park and national forest land, for mining.

House Drops Arctic Drilling From Bill,   US House suspends push for Alaska oil drilling

Plans to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and parts of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to oil drilling were dropped from the budget bill. GOP moderates had opposed the measures. It is still possible that the ANWR measure will be put back during reconciliation, as President Bush and many Republicans are in favour of it. The bill cannot be filibustered.

Boeing Jet's 13,422-Mile Flight a Record,   Boeing plane sets flight endurance record

A Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner has flown a non-stop commercial flight record of 13,422 miles from Hong Kong to London's Heathrow Airport, a flight of 22 hours and 43 minutes. The plane can fly from Sydney to New York; more than a third of the way around the planet. By using two rather than four fuel-efficient engines long-range, the jet could save airlines about 2 million gallons of fuel per year.

Eskimos Try New Explosive in Whale Kill

Alaska Natives have progressed from using 19th century black powder to World War I-era penthrite when killing bowhead whales, which reduces the time it takes the whales to die from about 60 minutes to about 15 minutes, and reducing the likelihood that the whale will be lost at sea.

UK moves to boost biofuel use in cars

UK Transport Secretary Alistair Darling says that 5% of all motor fuel sold in Britain must to come from renewable sources by 2010; a 20-fold increase from the current 0.25%, much of which comes from Brazilian bioethanol.

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Sue [sysop in NewsForum, World Issues, All Animals forums]