The Russian government has reduced the charges against the 30 Greenpeace protesters from piracy to hooliganism, which drops the potential penalties from 15 years to 8 years in jail. We obviously don’t know why the charges were reduced, but one possibility is that the public attention to the case proved somewhat embarrassing. Eight years in a Russian jail, however, still does seem excessive given that no damage was done to the oil rig–freedom of expression is a dangerous activity in Russia.
One of the poorest countries in the world has made incredible strides in reducing child mortality rates by almost two-thirds. Niger has made progress by carefully and systematically targeting the problem, and it did not require substantial additional resources. This result should encourage all governments to take similar steps. It proves that we can end one of the most serious (and common) tragedies in the world simply by paying attention. Reducing child mortality does not reflect a lack of resources; it reflects a lack of will.
The German government has received information that the US government tapped the mobile phone of Chncellor Merkel. The US quickly denied the charge. The foolishness of the NSA continues to boggle the imagination. Tapping the cell phone of one of one’s closest allies is an extraordinary breach of trust.
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