What’s New April 2005

This page lists changes to this site for April 2005.

See below for other updates and to get notified of changes to the site.

These are the charges from the World Health Organization, the world's premier authority on health issues. In addition, by diverting land away from food production, tobacco also contributes to world hunger. These costs make it a wasteful industry in terms of capital, resources and labor. Recently, a health treaty came into effect, despite the tobacco companies numerous attempts to lobby against it. This new page brings in content from other parts of this site, and also discusses these issues further.

The New York Times revealed that there has been a large amount of fake and prepackaged news created by US government departments, such as the Pentagon, the State Department and others. This has then been disseminated through the mainstream media reaching millions often with citizens believing it is news produced by the station they are watching. A new page has been created that begins to explore this issue

Product placement, whereby a company subtly advertises their product in a film, has been going on for decades. But now this idea is extending to books, television programs, pop songs and computer games. Even news items can really be advertising. Advertisers therefore have an influence on the entertainment and programming we receive. An additional sub-section on product placement has been added.

Despite a number of nuclear non-proliferation treaties, efforts seem to be headed in the opposite direction: proliferation. The US has in recent months and years indicated an interest in increasing nuclear weapons. North Korea has admitted to having nuclear weapons, and the Bush Administration is concerned with Iran. With countries fearing each other, there may be increased calls saying that all countries have a right to nuclear weapons, not just nuclear energy as current non-proliferation treaties allow. Updated sections have been added on the lack of progress in non-proliferation, on Iran, and the questionable right for everyone to nuclear weapons.

One of the many causes of hunger around the world is the diversion of productive lands to non-productive uses. Coffee production is an example where much land is used in production, environmental damage is another consequence, and incomes from coffee production are falling. Fair trade coffee is often talked about today, but is it really helpful in terms of wider issues or a temporary solution? A small section has been added that begins to explore this issue

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