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The World's Sugar Daddy
Vanguard's Mariana van Zeller travels to the "Saudi Arabia of Ethanol", and has a few drinks while she's at it.
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Food Fight
Humans are consuming more oil, more food ... more of everything than ever before. And as modern societies become more dependent on the resources they exploit, we're beginning to see signs that we may be pushing the planet to its limits. Vanguard and Collective Journalists explore the far-reaching consequences of this global fight for resources. Humans are consuming more oil, more food ... more of everything than ever before. And as modern societies become more dependent on the... more
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Does unrest in Nigeria's oil heartland matter?
Ahead of the UK Prime Minister's meeting with the Nigerian leader, Reuters takes on the question: WHY IS THE DELTA IMPORTANT?
We tried to address this question last year with our piece, "Rebels in the Pipeline". Nigeria is the most important oil producer in a region that is expected to supply an increasing percentage of our energy needs. But 50 years of oil production has translated into very little for the people of Nigeria. I think what we're seeing with how all the unrest there is contributing to higher gas prices here demonstrates with sobering clarity how corruption, poverty and oppression in one country can have resounding effects in this increasingly interconnected world.
Ahead of the UK Prime Minister's meeting with the Nigerian leader, Reuters takes on the question: WHY IS THE DELTA IMPORTANT? ... more -
An African Oil War?
Rebels in the Niger Delta called off a self-imposed ceasefire today in response to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's comment that the UK stands ready to provide backing to Nigerian security forces to battle lawlessness in the oil rich region.
The Movement for the Emanicapation of the Niger Delta (MEND) issued a "stern warning" to Mr Brown in an emailed statement: "Should Gordon Brown make good his threat to support this criminality for the sake of oil, UK citizens and interests in Nigeria will suffer the consequences."
The Nigerian press received the British offer as a declaration of war against rebel groups. The Daily Champion newspaper ran the headline "Battle Line! UK to Declare War on Delta Militants".
The renewed tensions in the delta helped push oil to another record high.
See full article here:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/browns-a...
Rebels in the Niger Delta called off a self-imposed ceasefire today in response to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's comment that ... more -
Oil Wars: Nigerian Militants Vow More Attacks
What do a small group of rebels in southern Nigeria have to do with your daily commute?
Oil analysts have been pointing to the growing violence in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta for a while now, but rarely with the frequency that they have over the last few weeks. In that time, militants have pulled-off about a half-dozen attacks on oil pipelines and facilities. With world oil supplies already stretched, Africa's largest producer -- and the US's fifth largest supplier -- has been forced to cut production. And if the rebels themselves are to be believed, the situation may only get worse. What do a small group of rebels in southern Nigeria have to do with your daily commute? ... more -
Generation Gap
Mariana van Zeller looks at the impact of the youth involvement in the 2008 presidential election.
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Unrest in Nigeria's oil region continues
A strike by Exxon Mobil workers and a string of militant attacks on Shell oil facilities in the Niger Delta have led Africa's largest oil producer to cut production by more than half. The shortfall is adding pressure to already tight oil markets and pushing the price of crude to near record highs.
For an in depth look at the deteriorating situation in the delta, check out Rebels in the Pipeline. A strike by Exxon Mobil workers and a string of militant attacks on Shell oil facilities in the Niger Delta have led Africa's largest ... more -
Militants attack Nigerian pipelines
Oil pushed above $117 yesterday after rebels in the Niger Delta attacked two major pipelines. Shell confirmed the attacks and an expected output loss of 169,000 barrels of oil per day. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, claimed credit and in an email to reporters said it was a message to the United States to stop supporting "injustice" in the region.
For more on the situation in the Niger Delta, check out the Vanguard Special report Rebels in the Pipeline:
http://current.com/items/77541651_rebels_in_the_pipelin... Oil pushed above $117 yesterday after rebels in the Niger Delta attacked two major pipelines. Shell confirmed the attacks and an ... more -
Obama’s Army
An inside look at the Obama machine and its army of young volunteers and campaign workers.
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Promo for "Y Vote," A Vanguard Special
A preview of this week's Vanguard Special on the role of young voters in the 2008 Presidential election.
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Republicans voting for Clinton to help GOP
Exit polls show that about 100,000 Republicans voted for Hillary in Ohio, 119,000 in Texas, and about 38,000 in Mississippi.
I was in Texas just before the Primaries there and I heard from several Obama supporters that there was a real fear that GOP loyalists were going to vote for Hillary because they thought she was less likely to beat McCain. Apparently encouraged by conservative talk show radio hosts...
Exit polls show that about 100,000 Republicans voted for Hillary in Ohio, 119,000 in Texas, and about 38,000 in Mississippi. ... more -
Cocaine and Lobster
As the number of lobsters decline, divers on the Miskito Coast are forced to dive deeper. Many have been crippled or killed. And as the region's traditional economy begins to run dry, some are turning to an even riskier shadow economy, known locally as the "white lobster".
Current TV's Mariana van Zeller travels to this remote corner of Nicaragua to examine some very visible effects of overfishing and dwindling ocean resources. As the number of lobsters decline, divers on the Miskito Coast are forced to dive deeper. Many have been crippled or killed. And as t... more -
Lagos la Vida Loca
By next year, more than half the world's population will for the first time in history be living in cities. Current's Mariana van Zeller tours Lagos, Nigeria, the world's fastest-growing "Megacity." By next year, more than half the world's population will for the first time in history be living in cities. Current's Mariana van Zel... more
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Blood Roses and Diamonds
What's the true price of love? Current Vanguard Journalists head to Colombia and Sierra Leone to explore the unromantic stories behind two symbols of love.
Produced by: Evan B. Stone, Kaj Larsen, Jael de Pardo, Darren Foster & Mariana van Zeller What's the true price of love? Current Vanguard Journalists head to Colombia and Sierra Leone to explore the unromantic stories behind... more -
Valentine's Day Buzzkillers
Blood Roses & Deadly Diamonds A Current Vanguard Special Wed. February 13 10PM ET & PT
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Dakar Rally Cancelled Due to Terrorist Threat
This is a particularly big deal here in Europe, where Mariana and I are as we speak. All the cars, trucks and motorcycles have been gathering here in Lisbon all week in anticipation of the big start of the race that was scheduled to begin tomorrow.
This highlights the growing terrorism threat in North Africa and comes after four French tourists were murdered allegedly by al Qaeda-linked gunmen in Mauritania on Christmas Eve.
From the BBC:
"The 2008 Dakar Rally has been cancelled because of safety concerns in the African republic of Mauritania.
Four French tourists were murdered in Mauritania on 24 December, which led to the French government advising against any travel to the country.
Eight of the rally's 15 stages were due to pass through Mauritania.
The event's organisers, the Amaury Sport Organisation, said there had been "direct threats against the race issued by terrorist groups".
The annual car and motorcycle marathon had been due to start in Lisbon on 5 January with the finish coming in Dakar on 20 January." This is a particularly big deal here in Europe, where Mariana and I are as we speak. All the cars, trucks and motorcycles have been ... more -
Clemens and Pettitte Named in Steroid Report
And plenty more asterisks to go around...sad day for the American past time.
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Dr. Phil Heals Iraq
Maybe it wasn't General Petraeus's plan. Maybe it was Dr. Phil and Oprah who are responsible for quelling some of the violence in Iraq.
American TV is perhaps the greatest form of escapism and the Iraqis are apparently eating it up. But if you think its helping out our image, you might want to think again.
"They also see the news about Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan and some say they are worried about the way young girls grow up in America.
'Do you think it's a good place for daughters?' one Iraqi friend asked rhetorically.
'If I go to America, I will leave my wife and daughter here,' replied another."
Maybe it wasn't General Petraeus's plan. Maybe it was Dr. Phil and Oprah who are responsible for quelling some of the violence in Ira... more -
Wasted: UK Trawlers Dump Most of Their Fish
The reason: Quotas designed to stop overfishing.
"By the government's own figures, of the 186 million fish caught in UK waters last year, 117 million of them were thrown away dead as waste.
"That's actually 63% of the catch."
What a colossal waste.
The reason: Quotas designed to stop overfishing. ... more -
Elixir of the Toxic Frog
Current's Mariana van Zeller heads to the Brazilian Amazon to search for the fabled Kambo frog, one of many organisms that could hold secrets for modern medicine. But are other potential cures being lost before they can be discovered? Current's Mariana van Zeller heads to the Brazilian Amazon to search for the fabled Kambo frog, one of many organisms that could hold ... more
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Mariana van Zeller
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Mariana van Zeller
