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Gov’t Issues First Gulf Deepwater Drilling Permit Since Moratorium
The federal government has awarded its first permit for deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico since lifting a moratorium last year. Noble Energy is the first new firm authorized to drill for oil since a ban imposed in the aftermath of the BP spill.
Untreated Radioactive Wastewater from Hydrofracking Dumped in Rivers, Streams
Newly disclosed figures show wastewater produced from the natural gas drilling practice of hydrofracking has contained radioactivity and other contaminants at levels far exceeding federal limits. According to the New York Times, internal government documents show at least 15 wells produced wastewater with more than 1,000 times the amount of radioactive elements considered acceptable. The wastewater is sometimes brought to sewage plants ill-equipped to properly treat it and then disposed into rivers supplying drinking water. At least 12 sewage plants in three states discharged partly treated wastewater and waste into rivers and streams. The documents also show government regulators and industry officials knew of the problems with the wastewater disposal and treatment but took no action
U.S. silent on the recent attacks against Iraqi dissidents
While the U.S. has sharply criticized Libya for brutally cracking down on protesters, it’s remained noticeably silent on the recent attacks against Iraqi dissidents. tens of thousands of protesters participated in Iraq’s largest protest in years. They demanded an end to corruption, shortages of jobs, food, power and water.
Although the protests were largely peaceful, authorities fired water cannons, sound bombs, live bullets, to disperse the crowds as Iraqi army helicopters buzzed overhead. Officials estimated 29 Iraqis were killed, including a 14-year-old boy. Deaths were recorded in at least eight places across Iraq, including Fallujah, Mosul and Tikrit.

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