Further to Alex’s recent posts (here, here and here) on wealthy countries’ purchases of arable land in the developing world, here’s a map from Le Monde showing the main buyers of land, their primary targets, and the amount of land in hectares they are buying up. The map includes both done deals and deals that are still being negotiated. Note the massive sell-offs by the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan and Laos to China, Saudi and the United Arab Emirates. Excuse the French.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrwgiprDBtA&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O791QM00Hwk[/youtube]
The US report (linked by Alex earlier) on far-right extremism risks becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, as it drives the far-right even further up the wall. Michelle Malkin voices the rage:
The “report [is] one of the most embarrassingly shoddy pieces of propaganda I’d ever read out of DHS. I couldn’t believe it was real… The piece of crap report issued on April 7 is a sweeping indictment of conservatives. And the intent is clear…In Obama land, there are no coincidences. It is no coincidence that this report echoes Tea Party-bashing left-wing blogs… and demonizes the very Americans who will be protesting in the thousands on Wednesday for the nationwide Tax Day Tea Party.
Andrew Sullivan has the best snark: “Why, one wonders, would Michelle Malkin read a DHS report on fringe, far-right extremism that could lead to violence or Oklahoma-style domestic terrorism and think … they’re talking about her?”
(Image courtesy: Random Factor)
He’s done it again. Berlusconi’s gaffe’s just keep on coming. His latest comes as he went on a walkabout in the Abruzzo earthquake zone. Turning to one female doctor he told her: “I wouldn’t mind being resuscitated by you” . Dr Fabiola Carrieri, a specialist in intensive care from Milan replied diplomatically that she hoped she would never have to resuscitate him and that he had been trying to raise a smile in the middle of all the sorrow we have all around us.
Dr Carrieri a specialist and a complete professional. Sadly the same can’t be said for the Italian Prime Minister. Remember these:
April 2009: Touring camps set up for survivors of the recent Italian earthquake he told a journalist: They have everything they need, they have medical care, hot food… Of course, their current lodgings are a bit temporary. but they should see it like a weekend of camping
On left-wing voters at a conference of retailers during the 2006 campaign : “I trust the intelligence of the Italian people too much to think that there are so many pricks around who would vote against their own best interests.”
At the launch of the 2006 campaign : I am the Jesus Christ of politics. I am a patient victim, I put up with everyone, I sacrifice myself for everyone
To German MEP Martin Schulz, at start of Italy’s EU presidency in July 2003 : I know that in Italy there is a man producing a film on Nazi concentration camps – I shall put you forward for the role of Kapo (guard chosen from among the prisoners) – you would be perfect.
*We will aim to update this page as and when they occur in the future. More here