The Netherlands: A Dutch City Seeks to End Drug Tourism - by Suzanne Daley

On a recent summer night, Marc Josemans’s Easy Going Coffee Shop was packed. The lines to buy marijuana and hashish stretched to the reception area where customers waited behind glass barriers.
Most were young. Few were Dutch. Thousands of “drug tourists” sweep into this small, picturesque city in the southeastern part of the Netherlands every day — as many as two million a year, city officials say
.
It is an attraction Maastricht and other Dutch border cities would now gladly do without. Struggling to reduce traffic jams and a high crime rate, the city is pushing to make its legalized use of recreational drugs a Dutch-only policy, banning sales to foreigners who cross the border to indulge. But whether the European Union’s free trade laws will allow that is another matter.

The case, now wending its way through the courts, is being closely watched by legal scholars as a test of whether the European Court of Justice will carve out an exception to trade rules — allowing one country’s security concerns to override the European Union’s guarantee of a unified and unfettered market for goods and services.

For more: A Dutch City Seeks to End Drug Tourism - NYTimes.com

European Union: : EU-US SUMMIT TO BE HELD IN NOVEMBER IN LISBON

The President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, will welcome US President Barack Obama at the next European Union-United States Summit, which shall be held in Lisbon, Portugal, on November 20. Portugal is the  home country of Mr. Barroso.

Following an invitation by the European leaders, both sides agreed on a mutually convenient date and venue for the EU-US Summit and shall engage now in the preparations of the summit.

Note EU-Digest: This all looks pretty confusing to have two "EU Presidents" inviting and speaking to the US President - which leads to the following question, who is in charge at the EU ? Logic would have it that Barroso should not be there.  To the outsider it certainly gives an unprofessional impression and could indication to some there is a power struggle going on.

For more: EUROPEAN UNION - Delegation of the European Union to the USA - EU/NR 36/10: EU-US SUMMIT TO BE HELD IN NOVEMBER IN LISBON

7 Classic Time-Wasters and How to Make Them Stop

There are loads of ways that people waste your time at work or in ways that affect your work. Some can’t manage their own time, but mostly, they do it to make themselves feel important. No, they don’t do it consciously, but at some level, they are aware of it. It doesn’t help to know that, but I think it’s interesting, nevertheless. I’m pretty sure Sigmund Freud would have thought so, too.

Anyway, here are 7 Classic Time-Waster Types. They’re annoying and yet, at the same time, amusing in a twisted, masochistic sort of way. Afterward I’ll give you some tips for dealing with this sort of nonsense, but some of the examples have links to posts with more detail, as well:

For more click on: 7 Classic Time-Wasters and How to Make Them Stop | BNET

The sullied name of Suriname - by Tim Sturtridge

After just one weekend back in the saddle Desi Bouterse  has made some interesting calls to kick off his first legitimate term in charge of Suriname.


Among the 15 MPs called to serve in Bouterse’s cabinet is Alice Amafo. After becoming the youngest minister in Suriname’s history Amafo resigned from her government post in 2007 following allegations of inappropriate use of public funds, when opposition MP Jiwan Sital questioned her over the $13,000 that was spent on celebrating her 30th birthday. Much like the latest president of Suriname, the new Housing and Social Affairs minister has enjoyed an unlikely return to prominence.

With the appointment of Amafo the 64-year-old Bouterse has shown he has lost none of his appetite for controversy. Not only was Bouterse handed down an 11 year prison sentence in absentia by a Dutch court for cocaine trafficking but he is also currently on trail for the 15 murders which comprised Suriname’s December Massacre of 1982.

For more: The Independent

US Economy: Republican Position on Economy: Do Nothing, Let George Bush’s Policies Continue | CafeSentido.com

The most rapidly expanding area of federal spending is consistently the military, yet no prominent Republican arguing for reduced spending argues that Defense spending should be cut. Since George W. Bush took office in the year 2001, the Pentagon’s annual budget has doubled, to half a trillion dollars, and that does not include the two wars, which are projected to cost over $3 trillion before they are through.

For more: Republican Position on Economy: Do Nothing, Let George Bush’s Policies Continue | CafeSentido.com

World Economy: Can China Become the World's Biggest Economy? EU is still the largest economy in the world

China has overtaken Japan to become the world's second largest economy and is threatening the U.S. for the top spot. Japan insisted it was still ahead when international research agencies said China had already overtaken it late last year but admitted defeat in second-quarter GDP figures on Monday.

Over the last five years, China gradually overtook the major European economies, starting with the U.K., France and Italy in 2006 and Germany in 2007. The main reason was its breakneck growth rate of between 10 to 13 percent backed on the effects of its admission into the World Trade Organization and a booming global economy during the early and mid 2000s. China managed to expand more than 9 percent last year even in the midst of the global financial crisis.

Note EU-Digest: How come when it concerns the EU the figures get broken down per country. The number one economy in the world is still the EU. The economy of the European Union generates a GDP of over €11,805.66 billion ($16,447.26 billion in 2009) according to the IMF, making it the largest economy in the world. The EU economy consists of a single market and is represented as a unified entity in the WTO. Hello anyone listening?

For more: The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition): Daily News from Korea - Can China Become the World's Biggest Economy?

Greece/Israel: Netanyahu's visit to Greece signals strategic rapprochement

While Israeli media have touted the visit as a sign of rapprochement, there are speculations that Israel may be strategically courting Greece in order to replace its strained ties with Turkey.

Deutsche Welle Radio's Athens correspondent, Jannis Papadimitriou said that, before Greece, Israel had "already started warming its ties with other traditional rivals in southeastern Europe - for example, with Bulgaria and Cyprus." Papadimitriou added that, "in the last months after Turkey closed its skies to Israeli military aircraft, everything happened very quickly" between Israel and Greece, which did not recognize Israel's statehood until the early 1990s.

The Israeli air force carried out military exercises in Greece in 2008 and again this year, though May's maneuvers were cut short by Athens directly after Israel's raid of aid flotillas. There is a chance the exercises could begin again this fall, although Papadimitriou remains skeptical, pointing out that many of the 30 Greeks on the aid flotilla to Gaza claim mistreatment by Israeli forces. "For the moment I can't imagine that Greece will open its skies for Israeli military forces unless it gets something really good in return - for example, advanced military technology from Israel," he said.

Greece's tourism sector has already profited by Israel's fallout with Turkey, as Israeli tourists, who once flocked to Turkish resorts now prefer Greek destinations.

For more: Netanyahu's visit to Greece signals strategic rapprochement | Europe | Deutsche Welle | 16.08.2010

Iran Threatens 'Israel's Existence' If It Attacks

Iran will respond if Israel attacks its first nuclear power plant, which will begin loading fuel Aug. 21, according to the Persian Gulf country's defense minister.

"In that case we will lose a power plant, but Israel's existence will be in danger," Ahmad Vahidi was cited as saying today by the state-run Mehr news agency, in response to questions about the possibility of an attack by Israel on the Russian-built atomic facility at Bushehr.

The Foreign Ministry's spokesman, Ramin Mehmanparast, said today he "doubts" that Israel would "make such a dangerous move." In comments on state television, he said, "Any aggression against this power plant will result in a serious reaction."

For more: Iran Threatens 'Israel's Existence' If It Attacks

Golf: Ryder Cup problems mounting up for Europe's Montgomerie

Just when it seemed everything — woeful form of Tiger Woods included — was pointing to Europe winning back the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in October, nobody can be quite so sure any more.

Lee Westwood is injured, Henrik Stenson and now Ian Poulter sick, captain Colin Montgomerie has personal troubles and there is the real possibility one of four more stars — Padraig Harrington, Justin Rose, Luke Donald and Paul Casey — might have to be omitted.

For more: Ryder Cup problems mounting up for Europe's Montgomerie - Golf, Sport - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Romanian, Bulgarian Roma Stir Riots in Southern France:

Roma have blocked a major road bridge near the city of Bordeaux in southern France in protest against their eviction from an illegal camp site, BBC reported late Sunday.

Around 250 vehicles blocked the bridge for five hours, causing tailbacks of up to five kilometers on a public holiday weekend. More than 40 illegal camps have been closed in the past week.

The French Interior Minister, Brice Hortefeux, says Roma from Eastern Europe will be deported on "specially chartered flights".

For more; Romanian, Bulgarian Roma Stir Riots in Southern France: Romanian, Bulgarian Roma Stir Riots in Southern France - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency

Turkey detains freelance journalist for alleged ties to Kurdish rebels

Turkish authorities have detained American activist and freelance journalist Jake Hess in the southeastern, predominantly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir.

At a court appearance Sunday, a prosecutor charged Hess with "taking orders from a terrorist organization" and called for his immediate deportation from Turkey, witnesses said.

Turkish officialdom regularly refers to the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, as a terrorist organization.
Note EU-Digest: The PKK is considered a terrorist organization by both the US and the EU.


For more: Turkey detains freelance journalist for alleged ties to Kurdish rebels - CNN.com

Israel and Greece: PMs Agree To Expand Trade, Military cooperation

Greece Prime Minister George Papandreou and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Monday that they agreed to expand economic and military cooperation.
It was Israel's highest level delegation to Greece and Netanyahu is reciprocating the visit Papandreou made to Tel Aviv in July.

"We can deepen and broaden our relations with Israel in commercial relations, large investments and tourism as well as security. We are in the same neighborhood and Greece has a vital interest in a two-party solution for Israel and the Palestinians, and we want to contribute to the economy and safety of the region," Papandreou said in a joint press conference after the prime ministers' face-to-face discussions.


Note EU-Digest: Israel should keep its nose out of the EU and stop trying to play games between Greece and Turkey. As to Greece, they certainly can find more productive things to do within the EU than playing along with Mr. Netanyahu's "political" schemes, who is backed up against the wall by the whole world as a result of his disastrous Palestinian policies.


For more: Greek, Israel PMs Agree To Expand Trade, Military Ties | Real Time Market News | Dow Jones

Euro-Zone Inflation Rises on Higher Energy Prices ( 1.7% annual rate) - by Jack Ewing

Higher energy prices drove inflation in the euro area to an annual rate of 1.7 percent in July, the highest level in 20 months but still within the range considered acceptable by the European Central Bank, according to data released Monday.


The rise in prices, from a rate of 1.4 percent in June, was not considered alarming by economists, who expect price pressures to remain in check as growth slows in most of Europe. Excluding energy prices, inflation was 1.1 percent in July, up from 0.9 percent in June, according to Eurostat, the European Union’s statistics office.
“We need to see convincing signs of an upturn in domestic demand and we’re not seeing that just yet,” said Nick Matthews, an economist at Royal Bank of Scotland. “Underlying domestic price pressures are still quite contained.”

For more: Euro-Zone Inflation Rises on Higher Energy Prices - NYTimes.com

Chinese Invest in Europe, Japan -- Less in U.S

China is voting its views on America's economy with its own pocketbook as the Chinese are starting to invest more in Europe and Japan and less in the U.S. 

Yu Yongding, former advisor to the People's Bank of China, told Bloomberg News that his country has been buying "quite a lot" of European bonds. "Diversification should be a basic principle," Yu said. 

For more: Chinese Invest in Europe, Japan -- Less in U.S. - Finance - CBN News - Christian News 24-7 - CBN.com

42 ways to not make trash

In the last, for a while, of the LV GRN posts about how to bring No Impact measures to your own life, I've decided to list 42 ways we adopted to avoid making trash. If you've been reading for a while, you'll have seen these before. But I thought the newer readers might like to take a look. The list is in no particular order: Here is the first one... for all 42 click on the link at the bottom of this blog.

1. No soda in cans (which means we’re probably less likely to get cancer from aspartame).

For more: No Impact Man: LV GRN: 42 ways to not make trash

European Involvement in Gaza Spells Trouble for Israel - by Soeren Kern

Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero will lead a European Union delegation that is scheduled to visit the Gaza Strip in early September. The EU delegation, which will also include representatives from Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Norway, was invited by Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman during a June 24 meeting with his Italian counterpart, Franco Frattini. Lieberman said the idea is for the EU representatives to be able to see Gaza "with their own eyes."

The invitation is part of Lieberman's recent proposal for a complete Israeli disengagement from Gaza. But promoting greater EU involvement in Gaza could backfire on Israel. Zapatero, who leads one of the most anti-Israel governments in Europe, will almost certainly use the visit to call for exerting more international pressure on Israel to completely lift the four-year blockade on Gaza. A high-profile EU visit is also likely to grant international legitimacy to the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip. Moreover, European officials will use the trip to call on Israel to make more concessions to the Palestinians in other areas as well.

Separately, France and Spain appear to be laying the political groundwork for the European Union to recognize a Palestinian state — possibly as early as October 2011 — even if negotiations for a permanent settlement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority are not concluded. The initiative is being spearheaded by Kouchner and his Spanish counterpart Miguel Angel Moratinos. Palestinian Authority leaders Mahmoud Abbas and Salam Fayyad have repeatedly said they intend to unilaterally declare Palestinian independence before the end of 2011, with or without a peace deal. Abbas and Fayyad have been visiting European capitals in recent months to drum up political and financial support for Palestinian statehood.

For more: European Involvement in Gaza Spells Trouble for Israel :: Hudson New York

Iran: A campaign for war with Iran begins - by Trita Parsi

Obama administration officials, as well as U.S. lawmakers and European diplomats, passionately made the argument this spring that tough sanctions on Iran were necessary to avoid war. But contrary to their predictions, the drumbeat for war -- particularly from Israel – has only increased since the U.N. Security Council adopted a new resolution against Tehran in June.

The latest in this crescendo of voices is Jeffrey Goldberg’s article in the Atlantic, "Point of No Return." As the title suggests, it essentially makes the case (though in an uncharacteristically subtle manner by neoconservative standards) that there are no choices left -- war is a fait accompli, and the only question is whether it will be initiated by Israel or by the United States.

For more: A campaign for war with Iran begins - War Room - Salon.com

Large oilfield discovered in northern Afghanistan

The Afghan government said today SundayAugust 15th it had discovered a large oilfield containing an estimated 1.8 billion barrels in northern Afghanistan, fuelling hopes that foreign investment would flow to the war-torn country if the security situation improved.

For more: France24 - Large oilfield discovered in northern Afghanistan

Europe’s far-right to visit Japanese war shrine - Summit

Leaders from Europe’s far-right parties will visit a controversial World War II shrine in Tokyo on Saturday after gathering in the city for a conference held by Japanese nationalists.

Guests from eight European countries included members from the British National Party and French National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, who finished second in his country’s presidential election in 2002.

The groups say they want to honour Japan’s war dead at the Yasukuni Shrine. But critics say the shrine is the resting place of some of Japan’s worst war criminals.

For more: Europe’s far-right to visit Japanese war shrine - Summit : news, world | euronews

A Barbaric Muslim ( Sharia) Practice: stoning a person to death. - Islam needs a revolutionary reform movement

A mother will be stoned to death in Iran if the world does not object to this Islamic barbaric law which still allows killing a woman for the accusation of  infidelity. Also see this vdeo link 

In this day and age the ancient death sentence of this woman and her children’s anguishing pleas to let her live is beyond reason and so typical of Iranian authority and Sharia Law. This is clearly a case of a backward male dominated world, where women are still subjected to stoning, death, imprisonment, and worse at the slightest whim or accusation.

This is the Islamic Sharia Law which allows men to have four or more wives and where a woman cannot travel without her husband’s permission. Even basic rights in Iran such as citizenship is only derived by an Iranian male, and if an Iranian woman marries a non-Iranian husband, she does not pass on citizenship to her children. There is also a Sharia law which states a man can have temporary wives who have no rights at all.

Sharia law is practiced in the following countries: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan , Nigeria , Sudan , Egypt, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan .

There are several Muslim Reform Movements like Muslims against Sharia, but nothing yet on the level of   the Protestant Reformation which began back in 1517 in an attempt to reform the Catholic Church, that the reformers saw as corrupt including the office of the Pope. Islam needs a similar  revolutionary reform movement to radically change and remove its archaic religious structure and barbaric practices, which even in the past was unacceptable, but certainly makes no sense at all in today's world.

EU-Digest