Possible Mining Law Changes in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin on Tuesday, January 22, alternative plans for mining legislation were released. This was aimed at heading off a Republican bill that relaxes environmental regulations for a proposed iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin. This new Democratic bill would give the state Department of Natural Resources more time to conduct its review and calls for a new tax on iron ore. On Wednesday, a public hearing will be held in Madison; the meeting will discuss the Republican’s plan to tailor mining laws for iron ore mining. This Republican bill is supported by Gogebic Taconite, which is proposing to construct a $1.5 billion iron ore mine in Ashland and Iron counties. It would create 700 mining jobs and thousands more in construction and spinoff employment. This bill though has come under fire from environmental groups; they are worried about changes in iron mining laws that could harm the water-rich ecosystem between Mellen and Hurley. The amount of sulfides in the waste rock that covers iron ore deposits could be dangerous; the rock could mix with air and water to cause acid mine drainage. This is a serious concern. The Bad River band of Lake Superior Chippewa opposes the mine- it lies downstream from the proposed site and the effects a mine would pose on water quality could be hazardous. On acid mine drainage, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce said state law would require a mining company in its application to engineer a process to make sure acidified rock didn’t pollute local streams or groundwater. The DNR couldn’t approve a mining permit if a mine couldn’t meet water quality standards. Hopefully, the Democrats and Republicans can come to a compromise on this issue that will be environmentally-friendly.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/188062581.html

Bolshoi Ballet Director Attacked

Friday, Sergei Filin, the artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, Russia, was attacked by a masked man. Acid was thrown in his face, leaving him with third degree burns that threaten his eyesight. This attack follows two weeks of threats against Filin. Those involved with the case believe Filin was targeted for his work; the attack may have been fueled by professional jealousy. His tires were punctured, his car was scratched, his cellphone and email accounts were hacked, and he received anonymous phone calls. Apparently, Filin opened the gate to his residence early Friday morning; the masked man called out to Filin and threw the bottle of acid in his face. Dancers from the company kept an overnight vigil at the burn unit where he is being treated.


http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/19/world/europe/sergei-filin-bolshoi-ballet-director-is-victim-of-acid-attack.html?_r=0

Fighting in Syria Continues

On Friday, Lakhdar Brahimi, the joint U.N.-Arab League envoy for Syria, met with Russian and United States diplomats with the goal of finding a political solution to Syria’s conflict. Brahimi met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns. The conflict in Syria began in March 2011 with peaceful protests against the Assad family dynasty. But an intense crackdown and armed rebel opposition created civil war in the country. 60,000 people have been killed in the war so far. All international efforts to end the war have not worked. Friday’s meeting will hopefully lead to peace, but this conference coincided with ground action in Syria during which Islamic militants took full control of a strategic northwestern base. This seizure was part of the rebels’ campaign to topple the Syrian government’s air supremacy.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/01/11/un-envoy-meets-with-us-russia-on-syria-conflict/

Women's Rights Protests in India

In India, violence against women has recently become a major issue. On December 16^th, a young paramedical student was returning home from seeing Life of Pi. She was lured aboard a bus and repeatedly raped; she was thrown naked from the bus and left for dead. The woman spent two weeks in the hospital before dying. Similar events have been occurring more and more frequently in India over the past few years. These accounts of rape and abuse are a result of the government promoting girls’ education, women in the work force, and women’s greater autonomy. In Indian culture ordinarily, women are supposed to be wives and mothers. As women grow more independent, men grow more uncomfortable. Gang rape has become a method to subdue women and establish male superiority. Now, India as a nation is recognizing the impact of this violence. Protests are breaking out and attempting to bring about change in gender relations in India.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8fa9c8ec-565e-11e2-aaaa-00144feab49a.html#axzz2H2De2lWL

More Cliffs Ahead

Congress has conquered one fiscal cliff, but apparently there are three more ahead. The next deadline is in late February; at this time, Congress will have to raise the $16.4 trillion debt ceiling or default on the loans of the US. President Obama said that the consequences of defaulting on the loans could be “catastrophic- far worse than the impact of a fiscal cliff.” Also in February, Congress will have to revisit the spending cuts that it put off in the deal passed Tuesday night to avoid the fiscal cliff. This deal really only delayed the eventual spending cuts. Congress has to plan for the budget deal in addition. This deadline is in late March.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/cliff-crossed-congress-faces-new-fiscal-crises-article-1.1231507