President Obama Speaks to Troops at Fort Bliss

On the two-year anniversary of the end of our combat mission in Iraq, the President speak to troops at Fort Bliss, and discusses that part of ending wars responsibly demands standing by those who have served.

White House Briefs: August 30th

Whiteclay Protesters Put in Manure-Laced Trailer

Video Taken by Protester From Inside and Placed on Facebook

This video is an update regarding a news story that was posted earlier in the week entitled  Whiteclay, Nebraska: The Slaughter of the Lakota People.

Democrats and the 2012 Election

Stan Greenberg talked about Mitt Romney acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, and the upcoming Democratic National Convention.

Mitt Romney Acceptance Speech at the Republican National Convention

Today in History: August 31st

Highlights of this day in history: Britain's Princess Diana killed in a Paris car crash; Poland's Solidarity labor movement born; Jack the Ripper's first victim found dead in London; Violinist Itzhak Perlman and singer Van Morrison born. (Aug. 31)

New Jersey Supermarket Shooting Leaves Three Dead

Sources:ABCNews12NewJerseyStar-Ledger 

By Steven Sparkman
Anchor: Logan Tittle
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Other Newsy videos will play following this report. 

South Africa Miners Charged with Murder

South African authorities have used a law last used in the apartheid era to bring murder charges against 270 miners involved in unrest at the Marikana mine earlier this month. The 270 workers would be tried under the "common purpose" doctrine because they were in the crowd which confronted police on 16 August, an official said. Police opened fire, killing 34 miners and sparking a national outcry. Al Jazeera's Tania Page reports from Rustenberg.

Will Romney's Faith Factor in the Race for the White House?

If elected, Mitt Romney would be the first Mormon in the White House - and in a country where 80 per cent of people identify as religious - his Mormonism could play a factor. So how will the race be impacted by a church still struggling for acceptance? Al Jazeera's Rob Reynolds reports.

Arctic Wildlife at Risk from Climate Change

Global warming is having a major impact on the melting of the polar ice caps. Al Jazeera's Nick Clark went to the northernmost civilian community in Canada's Greeze Fjord to find out more. This is his fourth and final report in a special series from the region.

Syria Refugees Must Vacate Lebanese Schools

Syrians who sought refuge in schools in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley are being told they have to leave before the start of the school year next week. Lebanese officials have been handing out tents, but refugees have had to find somewhere to erect them. With more than 200,000 refugees now registered in countries on Syria's borders, it is further evidence of a growing humanitarian crisis. Al Jazeera's James Bays reports from the Bekaa Valley.

Egyptians Mourn Drowned Migrants

Egyptian officials have confirmed seven men died after their boat sank off the Libyan coast. They are the recent casualties in the wave of illegal migrants from Egypt that are taking to the shores in hopes of a better life abroad. Residents of the village the victims came from said the young men were short of choices with nothing but the prospect of abject poverty. Al Jazeera's Rawya Rageh reports from Abu Gandeer, El Fayoum.

The Marikana Murders: What Will You Do, President Zuma?

"The Reaper" Takes a Stand for South Africa's Poverty-Stricken and Condemns Excessive Force Policy

‘Traditional weapons’ are practically the hallmark of resistance politics in South Africa. You only have to step onto any rail carriage in the country today to be faced with signs discouraging the carrying of the panga and knobkerrie – weapons associated with our culture – as well as the ubiquitous AK47 and other weapons. As tensions escalated in the years leading up to 1994, more and more people openly carried weapons. This was a rather powerful symbol of defiance that had an amazing effect on the general public. One has to only conjure an image of a group of men dancing through a town or city chanting war songs and brandishing what are essentially a garden tool (machete) and a shillelagh (as well as shields, dustbin lids or whatever else came to hand) to imagine the fear it struck into the heart of what was by then a very frightened public.

The blatant defiance gave the police a free ticket to use ‘any and all means possible’ to quell such displays of power. But as things wore on and observers noted that most carriers of these weapons used them purely for effect, and not for mass murder as most suspected, they gradually became part of the cultural landscape. No political rally or strike action these days goes by without similar displays. In fact, people would find it strange if they didn’t. Moreover, First World cultures even have a word for it; it’s called saber-rattling.

  

Is there a similarity with the Marikana incident to the ongoing service delivery protests that have resulted in heavy-handed police action around the country? Should there be? Why were police summoned in such numbers and armed with live ammunition in what was essentially a pay dispute? The police track record of handling situations such as this suggests that maybe the situation would have been better off had they not shown up at all.

One is put in mind of the Pondo revolt of the early 1960’s, where a similar tragedy could have been avoided had the police just left well enough alone. The protesters would have got bored and gone away eventually, but as a direct result of police action, the incident is now a celebrated part of the African National Congress’ (ANC) struggle for human rights.

Or is it simply a case, as the suggestion goes, that the Marikana ‘informal settlement’ -- a euphemism at best for what is described as an inhuman cesspit -- is a place where even the police fear to tread, and that ‘getting them’ at Wonderkop was their best hope of making an example to the rest? Either way, it appears that government is so busy filling its pockets that it is outright failing the people at the most basic level of service. 

Has anyone revoked Beki Cele’s mad-dog ‘shoot to kill’ policy yet? Apparently not, judging by the 300 or so bullets that were poured into the crowd of advancing men. Were the cops afraid for their lives? Hell yes! Were they acting out of that fear? To a point, but more importantly, they were acting on orders from higher office. “This is not a time for finger-pointing,” Jacob Zuma said. Why not? Are you concerned the finger will end up being pointed at you, Mr. President?

Let us not forget that police action has been increasing in violence, not decreasing as one would have hoped in a country that is still reeling from the atrocities of the apartheid era. The murder of schoolteacher Andries Tatane in April 2011 was just one of 1,769 deaths at the hands of police that year, with 5000 cases of police brutality brought in that same year. With headlines such as “Cops Shouldn’t be Sorry about Marikana Shooting” ringing in our ears, isn’t it time to stop and take a look at what’s going on around us?

The following article provides more insight on situation: Marikana Miners Assaulted in Custody

With government interests in mining being delved into and uncovered all the time, should we not draw some kind of connection between the ANC’s links with NUM (the National Union of Mineworkers) and the power struggle between NUM and AMCU (Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union), with AMCU supporting the rock drillers demands while NUM does not? The story behind the story is far more complicated than many would admit.

No-one is denying that the strikers were acting in a very provocative manner. They are certainly not without blame in this situation, having done a bit of murder themselves while atop Wonderkop, and intimidating non-striking workers into joining them, and using sangomas to bewitch them into thinking that they were invincible against the guns of their foe.

And yet, the feeling remains that this was an act of desperation. The Marikana rebellion is not merely a struggle for more pay. It is, in fact, yet another microcosm of the struggle for survival of a nation of uprooted, dispossessed people desperately trying to survive in a world not of their making. It’s a microcosm of a people rudely awakened by cold Calvinism and dragged kicking and screaming directly out of the Iron Age and into the Consumer Age without the comfort of having their senses dulled by three hundred years of slavery to the industrial machinations that brought about the modern era.

As of today, nearly two weeks later, two of the miners wounded by the police gunfire and being held in custody have as yet not received any medical treatment whatsoever for their injuries. Others who are in urgent need of tuberculosis medication and antiretroviral drugs (ARV's) for the treatment of HIV are being denied access to treatment. What are you going to do, President Zuma? What are you going to do?!  

  

“The Reaper” is a citizen-journalist, political activist, and writer based in South Africa.

Image courtesy of http://www.butterfunk.com.

Unprecedented Turnout for Addabbo's Annual 'Veterans' BBQ'

(Click images to enlarge them.)

Senator Addabbo: "This Was Just Our Way of Saying Thank You for Your Service"

Queens, NY – On Saturday, August 25, New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr., welcomed some 125 veterans and their families to his fourth annual Veterans’ BBQ, which was held outside his Howard Beach district office and VFW Post 2565, under the direction of Pat Connolly. 

 Chaplain Andrew Sioleti, Chief of Chaplains for the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, and Assemblyman Mike Miller join Addabbo in welcoming the veterans and families.

Veterans and their families enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage and peppers, and ice cream and soda, all of which were served up by the senator’s staff and local volunteers.

For a fourth consecutive year, food, drinks, ice and condiments were donated by local merchants Ragtime Deli, Russo’s on the Bay, Sal’s Food Market, Brothers Deli, Sugar Bun Bakery and Carvel of Howard Beach, Bruno's Restaurant, Lenny's Pizza, and Cero's of Floral Park. This year’s event marked the largest turnout since Addabbo began honoring the veterans.

The crowd also was treated to music performed by a local singer and a guitarist, Mary and John Wagner. 

Photos courtesy of the office of Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr.

Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan at the RNC

Condoleezza Rice Speaks at RNC

Today in History: August 30th

Highlights of this day in history: The Civil War's Second Battle of Bull Run ends; Thurgood Marshall confirmed as first black Supreme Court justice; First black astronaut blasts off; Ty Cobb's baseball debut; David Letterman moves to CBS. (Aug. 30)

Top Newsy Headlines: Syrians Walk Out on Morsi

Sources:HLNAlJazeeraBBCWHTM 

By Charles McKeague
Anchor: Logan Tittle
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Other Newsy videos will play following this report. 

Isaac Brings Heavy Rains to U.S. Gulf Coast

Hurricane Issac has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm, but not before dumping huge amounts of rain on the US Gulf Coast. This has caused widespread flooding in the southeast, including New Orleans in Louisiana. Al Jazeera's Tom Ackerman reports on how the city's flood defences held up.

London Paralympic Games Underway

London put on yet another spectacular opening ceremony to launch the Paralympic games. Over 80-thousand spectators watched as physicist Stephen Hawking invited them to "look up at the stars" and enjoy the opening ceremony. A record 4,200 athletes are participating to represent 165 countries in the birthplace of the games. Al Jazeera's Lee Wellings has more from the British capital.

Tracking the Effects of Climate Change

Al Jazeera has been tracking the effects climate change has been having on the world's landscape and its people. As the ice retreats, a crucial environment is literally disappearing into the sea. In the third part of his series, Al Jazeera's Nick Clark travels from Qaanaaq, in the west coast of Greenland, to Canada.

As Isaac Moves Inland, Risk of Flash Flooding Increases

FEMA and Federal Partners Mobilizing Resources and Assets Closer to Impacted Areas

WASHINGTON - At the direction of President Barack Obama, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to coordinate the federal government's response and recovery efforts.  Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and National Hurricane Center Director Dr. Rick Knabb briefed President Obama this morning on Hurricane Isaac's landfall and the potential impacts to coastal and inland states. 

Earlier this week, the President authorized emergency declarations for Louisiana and Mississippi making aid available for federal support to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety in designated areas. 

"Residents are urged to continue to listen to the instructions of your local officials,” said Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator. 

"As the storm continues to move inland, there are a number of areas both along the coast and inland that can be affected by strong winds, storm surge and inland flooding and tornadoes.  Residents should monitor NOAA weather radio and local news reports for the latest storm conditions, and, again, follow the direction of local officials."

As Tropical Storm Isaac slowly moves inland, power outages have been reported throughout Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. 

The Department of Energy (DOE) emergency responders are working side by side with FEMA staff in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, as well as at the National Response Coordination Center in Washington, DC.

Emergency responders facilitate clear and consistent communication with other deployed responders, provide subject matter expertise to help with restoration, and identify where the federal government can possibly engage in restoration efforts. 

Power restoration is already taking place in many areas and the federal government remains ready to assist if requested. 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has proactively deployed Emergency Power Teams to Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi to supply the energy needs of critical infrastructure and facilities necessary to continue with life-saving and life-sustaining efforts as needed. 

Also, USACE has deployed commodities, debris, and temporary roofing teams to Louisiana.  USACE teams also have been closely working with the State of Louisiana and Plaquemines Parish to assist in the flood fight of locally owned levees experiencing overtopping from Isaac. 

Teams on the ground are providing technical assistance, such as hydraulic modeling and finding available portable pumps, to reduce flooding. 

According to NOAA National Weather Service, Isaac made initial landfall as a Category 1 hurricane when it passed over the Mississippi River Delta in Louisiana last night.

Isaac is beginning to move inland in southeast Louisiana and a dangerous storm surge and flood threat from heavy rains is likely to continue through today and tonight.

In advance of the storm, FEMA has placed four Incident Management Assistance Teams and liaisons onsite at emergency operations centers in Gulf states and has moved two Mobile Emergency Response Support teams and additional commodities to pre-positioned locations closer to the potential impact areas. 

Texas Task Force-1, a federal urban search and rescue team, was deployed to Louisiana.  Other support teams have been identified and are ready to deploy as needed and requested. 

At all times, FEMA maintains commodities including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets, strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States and its territories, to support states if needed and requested. 

FEMA has distribution centers in Atlanta, Ga. and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, and in coordination with U.S. Northern Command, has prepositioned supplies closer to potentially affected areas. 

Incident support bases have been established in Pineville, Louisiana, in Shelby, Mississippi and in Meridian, Mississippi, allowing the federal government to quickly move supplies throughout nearby affected states, should they be needed and requested.

Have Obama and Romney Forgotten Afghanistan?

Al Jazeera Asks Why the Afghan War is Not a Campaign Issue in the Race for the White House

Whiteclay, Nebraska: The Slaughter of the Lakota People

Alcohol is Rampant in the "Dry Town" of Pine Ridge and Decimating Tribe Members

The video from "World Report" sheds more light on this issue. In the video below, the protesters are shown being taken into custody by police and placed in a horse trailer, which demonstrators claimed was illegal and inhumane.  

According to the Sheridan County Attorney, charges are pending and citations were given instead of actually arresting the protesters. 

From The G-Man will continue to follow this story and provide more information as it becomes available.  

Isaac Flooding Areas More Than Katrina

Ann Romney's Speech at the RNC

Ann Romney tells America why they should vote for her husband during her speech at the Republican National Convention. Mitt Romney was officially nominated as the GOP presidential candidate earlier in the day.

Albany Action a Big Boost to No-Fracking Movement

 
A Special Guest Commentary by Renowned Activist Ted Glick

Albany Action a Big Boost to No-Fracking Movement

By Ted Glick

Upwards of 2,000 people attended the Don’t Frack New York demonstration yesterday, Monday, August 27 in Albany, N.Y. That’s a lot of people on a work day in the last week of August.

But it wasn’t just the numbers that were impressive.

It was the vision articulated by numerous speakers at the pre-march and post-march rallies that Cuomo should be rising to the challenge of history and connecting with the history of past NY state leaders like Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Instead of allowing fracking, he should embrace a green energy program to make NY a national leader in the absolutely essential shift away from fossil fuels to the clean, jobs-creating and totally possible renewable energy economy we urgently need.

It was the determination that, if Cuomo bows to the demands of a profit-hungry gas industry and unleashes them, thousands of people are prepared to put their bodies on the line, risk arrest and jail, to physically disrupt and stop fracking operations. 3,200 people had signed a “pledge of nonviolent resistance,” if necessary, in advance of the demonstration.

It was the spirit of unity, the talk from the stage about the family that this no-fracking movement has become, about the friendships and connections that have been developed as people have joined together throughout the state in their towns and cities to take a stand against the frackers.

It was the mix of people from the grassroots with national leaders like Josh Fox and Bill McKibben and prominent personalities like Debra Winger, not just on the stage as far as the speakers but in the interactions on the parks and street over the course of the almost four hours of the action. It had the complete feel of a grassroots people’s movement that understood that, as we campaign to stop fracking and build a genuine democracy where the people, not the corporations, rule, we need to interact with each other in ways which are respectful and participatory.

Finally, it was the feeling that, no matter what Cuomo does, the no-fracking movement in New York will move the whole movement against fracking and climate change and for a new society forward.

Thank you, New Yorkers, for leading by example at this critical time.

Ted Glick is the National Policy Director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and has been a progressive activist and organizer since 1968. Past writings and other information can be found at http://tedglick.com and he can be followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jtglick.

Today in History: August 29th

Hurricane Katrina blows ashore in southeast Louisiana. (Aug. 29th)

Republicans Continue 'You Didn't Build That' Attacks

Sources:C-SPANYouTubePolitifactTheDailyDolt 

By Ferdous Al-Faruque
Anchor: Zach Toombs
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Other Newsy videos will play following this report. 

Tom Ackerman Reports on Hurricane Isaac from New Orleans

Hurricane Isaac has hit the US Gulf Coast, and forecasters are warning that tornadoes could appear over the states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. The storm has already brought winds of up to 130 kilometres per hour. In New Orleans, the city's flood system will get its first real test after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area exactly seven years ago. That's where Al Jazeera's Tom Ackerman is reporting.

Romney Affirmed as the Republican Nominee

The U.S. Republican party has officially nominated Mitt Romney to run against president Barack Obama in November's election. The convention in Tampa had two other goals: attack Obama's policies, and make Mitt Romney look like a warm and personable candidate. Alan Fisher filed this report from the convention in Tampa, Florida.

France Opens Arafat Murder Investigation

The death of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is now the subject of a murder investigation. It follows an Al Jazeera documentary which revealed high levels of Polonium-210 on his clothing, the same radioactive element that killed former Russian spy, Alexander Litvinenko. Arafat died in a military hospital near Paris in 2004, aged 75. French prosecutors opened the investigation after a complaint lodged by Arafat's widow Suha. Al Jazeera's Andrew Simmons reports from Paris.

Violence and Clashes Continue Across Syria

Free Syrian army members and Syrian government forces continue to clash. The government is reportedly using artillery, helicopter gunships and even fighter jets, and the armed opposition is fighting back. A car bomb also struck Damascus, killing 12 people on Tuesday. And the refugee situation along Syria's border is escalating, with the UN expecting a dramatic increase in numbers as violence escalates from both sides. Al Jazeera's Rula Amin reports from Beirut.

Nigeria's Questionable New Banknote

Nigeria's new 5,000-naira banknote, worth five times as much as the previous largest, has earned scorn from money changers well aware than at least 100 million citizens earn less than 160 naira per day. Likewise, economists question how the introduction of a new note dovetails with government plans to begin making Nigeria a cashless society next year. But the central bank says the country's booming economy and middle class, in addition to bank costs for handling so many small notes, make the new 5,000-naira bill a good idea. Yvonne Ndege reports from Lagos.

Future of U.S. Role in Afghanistan Remains Unclear

Thirty thousand American troops sent into Afghanistan to bolster the US effort there are due to be withdrawn by the end of the month. But the Obama administration has not specified what the US commitment will be moving forward. Al Jazeera's Rosiland Jordan reports on the future of a tenuous US-Afghan partnership.

Areas of Tampa Reeling from Poverty

The Republican party will likely pick Mitt Romney to run against President Barack Obama in November. There's sure to be plenty of talk about cutting taxes and reforming social programs - policies the convention's host city will be interested in. Tampa suffers from one of the highest poverty rates in the country. Al Jazeera's Andy Gallacher is there and has this report.

Tampa's Preparations for the Republican National Convention

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn (D) talked the city's economic, state, and efforts in preparing for the Republican National Convention. He described the effects of Tropical Storm Isaac on the convention, previewed his speech as the only Democratic speaker at the event, discussed the presence of protestors. He also responded to telephone calls and electronic communications. 

President Obama Speaks on Preparing for Tropical Storm Isaac

President Obama discusses steps FEMA and other federal and local agencies are taking to keep Gulf Coast residents safe and minimize the damage from approaching Tropical Storm Isaac.

Tom Metzger: 'Non-Whites, Get Out While You Can!'

White Nationalist/Supremacist Icon Discusses the Sikh Temple Shooting, "RaHoWa", the Killing of Trayvon Martin, and the 2012 Presidential Election  

The following is from the 2011 From The G-Man article Tom Metzger: 'White Rights' Activist - Unapologetic and Uncensored.

"Tom Metzger, a native of Warsaw, Indiana, was born there in April of 1938. He has six children, five girls and a son, and nine grandchildren. His wife Kathy passed away in 1992 after a bout with cancer, ending what Metzger describes as "28 years of happy marriage." He relocated back to Warsaw in 2006 after spending 45 memorable years in California, where he worked in the electronics field, including five years with Douglas Aircraft on the Apollo Project.

In the 1950's, Metzger served in the Army Signal Corp and was stationed in Europe. Although an avid supporter of the right to keep and bear arms, he was and is an outspoken opponent of "America's wars and imperial policies." He protested the Vietnam War as a Tax Resister by refusing to pay Federal income taxes, which led to numerous confrontations with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

After an early stint with the Republicans, Metzger joined the American Independent Party, supporting George Wallace, and then Congressman John Schmitz for president. He then led the California Ku Klux Klan from 1975 to 1980, when he created the White Aryan Resistance -- W.A.R. -- which in 2005 evolved into his non-membership association, "THE INSURGENT"."

Over the last few weeks, U.S. Army officials admitted that white supremacists have infiltrated the military, and Wade Michael Page -- a white supremacist -- shot and killed several members of a Sikh temple in Wisconsin. From The G-Man decided to contact Metzger and conduct a follow-up interview to try and learn more about the "white rights" movement, its objectives... and the people that are quickly joining its ranks. 

I apologize for the slight echo each time Metzger responds. The interview was conducted via SKYPE.   "The G-Man" 

Warning: Some may find the content of this interview extremely offensive! 

2012 Republican National Convention, Day One

The 2012 Republican National Convention opened. Because of Tropical Storm Isaac threatening to gather strength and make landfall somewhere along the Gulf of Mexico, the convention convened and quickly recessed until the following day. Following the invocation led by Reverend Russell Levenson, a Mitt Romney campaign video was shown.

Invisible Americans Get the Silent Treatment

Bill Moyers explains why President Obama needs to reaffirm his commitment to the American poor.

Today in History: August 28th

Highlights of this day in history: Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech; Clashes mar the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago; Black teen Emmett Till abducted and killed; Prince Charles and Princess Diana granted a divorce. (Aug. 28)

Isaac Threatens Gulf Landfall on Katrina Anniversary

Sources:CNNNBCExaminerCBSUSAToday 

By Danny Matteson
Anchor: Megan Murphy
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Other Newsy videos will play following this report.

Afghanistan's Ex-Foreign Minister Speaks to Al Jazeera

Speaking to Al Jazeera's Ghida Fakhry from Kabul, Abdullah Abdullah, the former foreign minister of Afghanistan, says the killing of 17 Afghan civilians in southern Afghanistan is the latest result of a series of problems facing the Central Asian nation. Though Abdullah said he could not verify reports on Monday that 15 men and two women in Helmand province were killed by Taliban fighters, he said the ongoing insecurity in Afghanistan is can be attributed to several factors. Abdullah, who challenged Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, during the controversial presidential election in 2009, says an "absence of good governance" in Kabul has led to a situation where the people of the nation do not know what the vision of the Karzai government for the country is. The former foreign minister also went on to accuse neighboring Pakistan of "continued support of the Taliban". Of the Taliban itself, Abdullah said though the door for talks between the Karzai government and the fighters should be "wide open", the group's ideology "from the beginning has been to dismantle any system" in place and instead replace it with an "Islamic Emirate". Referring to the security in Afghanistan during the Taliban, Abdullah said "that was security in a graveyard".

Thai Girl Inspires Buddhist Nun Program

It is common practice for Buddhist boys to become monks as part of their adult development. Not many women, however, are ordained as Buddhist nuns and even fewer girls are allowed to join religious orders. Yet one young girl's calling in Thailand is making a difference. Al Jazeera's Florence Looi reports from Bangkok.

Strikers Regroup at South African Mine

Hundreds of defiant miners have regrouped for a protest near the spot where South African police killed 34 of their colleagues, as platinum giant Lonmin said less than a quarter of employees had shown up for work. Meanwhile, the ANC national executive has met over concerns President Jacob Zuma is losing political support over his handling of the incident. Al Jazeera's Tania Page reports from the Marikana mine.

'Drop Boxes' to be Placed at NYS Trooper Headquarters

Measure Taken in Order to Properly Dispose of Unused Prescription Drugs

Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced the placement of drop boxes at nine New York State Police Troop Headquarters that will give New Yorkers across the state a secure place to anonymously dispose of unused prescription medications and controlled substances.

"With the state cracking down harder than ever before on prescription drug abuse, these secure drop boxes will give New Yorkers a place to dispose of unneeded medications, helping keep harmful substances out of the hands of those who would abuse them," Governor Cuomo said. 

New York’s State Troopers are often faced with situations involving the abuse of prescription medications.

Recognizing that more than 70 percent of the abused prescription medications are obtained from friends or relatives, the State Police has established secure disposal sites at nine Troop Headquarters locations for the safe disposal of unused controlled substances.

The medication drop box program is open to the public. The public can anonymously dispose of prescription medications, medicated ointments, over-the-counter medications, and inhalers.

Hazardous materials and needles are not accepted. Pharmacies and medical providers are not allowed to take part in the program.

Medication drop boxes will be in the following locations and made available to the public:

Troop A - Batavia 4525 West Saile Drive Batavia, NY 14020-1095	Troop B - Ray Brook 1097 State Route 86 Ray Brook, NY 12977-0100
Troop C - Sidney 823 State Route 7 Unadilla, NY 13849	Troop D – Oneida Route 5 Oneida, NY 13421-0030
Troop E - Canandaigua Route 332 1569 Rochester Road Canandaigua, NY 14425-0220	Troop F - Middletown 55 Crystal Run Road Middletown, NY 10941
Troop G - Latham 760 Troy - Schenectady Road Latham, NY 12110	Troop K - Poughkeepsie 2541 Route 44 Salt Point, NY 12578
Troop L - Farmingdale 7140 Republic Airport East Farmingdale, NY 11735-1597

State of Emergency Declared for Louisiana

President Obama Signs Declaration

The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of Louisiana and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Tropical Storm Isaac beginning on August 26, 2012, and continuing.

The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the parishes of Ascension, Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, and Washington.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.  Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding. 

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Gerard M. Stolar as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. 

President Obama Briefed on Preparations for Tropical Storm Isaac

Speaks with Governors Bentley, Jindal, Bryant and Mayor Landrieu

This afternoon, President Obama was briefed by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and National Hurricane Center Director Dr. Rick Knabb on the preparations underway for Tropical Storm Isaac, which the National Hurricane Center has projected could become a Category One hurricane later today.

During the briefing, Administrator Fugate provided the President with an update on the resources FEMA has prepositioned along the Gulf Coast to support state and local officials as they prepare and begin to respond. 

Working with DOD, FEMA has set up Incident Support Bases in Jacksonville, FL and Montgomery, AL to proactively stage supplies closer to areas potentially affected by the severe weather.

Additionally, FEMA has deployed response teams to Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi to support state and local officials and to work to make sure there are no unmet needs.

The President directed Administrator Fugate to ensure that FEMA was prepared regardless of the ultimate strength and impact of the storm.

Following the briefing, the President convened a call with Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.

On the call, the President asked Dr. Knabb and Administrator Fugate to provide the Governors and Mayor an update on the storm’s track as well as on the resources FEMA has to support their teams.

The President made clear that he has directed Administrator Fugate to make sure the Governors have the resources they need as the storm approaches, and asked each Governor to identify additional needs if they arise.

The President also informed Governor Jindal that he had approved the Governor’s request for an Emergency Declaration for Louisiana ahead of Tropical Storm Isaac.

The declaration builds on resources already deployed by FEMA and makes Federal funding available for certain emergency activities undertaken by the state to prepare for and respond to the storm.

Whiteclay Protestors Released After Unlocking Themselves

KOTA Territory News

In estimated 150 to 200 people came together in Pine Ridge early Sunday afternoon and walked the two miles to Whiteclay, Neb. 

The march was part of a protest against alcohol distributors in the small town selling to Oglala Sioux Tribal members from the otherwise dry Pine Ridge Reservation.