Loretta and Bobbie

Loretta Lynn - First City

Bobbie Gentry - Ode to Billy Joe

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Female Genital Mutilation in the UK

Female circumcision will be inflicted on up to 2,000 British schoolgirls during the summer holidays – leaving brutal physical and emotional scars. Yet there have been no prosecutions against the practice.

Princess Chelsea - And I love Her

Financial Reform Bill Including Conflict Minerals Passed in USA

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On July 15 USA Congress passed the financial reform bill with the inclusion of a key provision on conflict minerals, an incredible victory for the thousands of activists who for months have been calling on their members of Congress to take decisive action to end the trade in Congo's conflict minerals.

The amendment will require companies to disclose whether they source conflict minerals from Congo or neighboring countries, and require companies to report on steps taken to exclude conflict sources from their supply chains, backed by independent audits. From the day President Obama signs the bill, the Securities and Exchange Commission will have nine months to develop regulations implementing the new law.

Global Military Expenditure

source: Global Issues

Global military expenditure stands at over $1.5 trillion in annual expenditure at current prices for 2009, and has been rising in recent years.

(1991 figures are unavailable.)

Summarizing some key details from chapter 5 of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)’s 2010 Year Book on Armaments, Disarmament and International Security for 2008:

*World military expenditure in 2009 is estimated to have reached $1.531 trillion in current dollars;

*This represents a 6 per cent increase in real terms since 2008 and a 49 per cent increase since 2000;

*This corresponds to 2.7 per cent of world gross domestic product (GDP), or approximately $225 for each person in the world.

*The USA with its massive spending budget, is the principal determinant of the current world trend, and its military expenditure now accounts for just under half of the world total, at 46.5% of the world total;

SIPRI has commented in the past on the increasing concentration of military expenditure, i.e. that a small number of countries spend the largest sums. This trend carries on into 2009 spending. For example,

*The 15 countries with the highest spending account for over 82% of the total;

*The USA is responsible for 46.5 per cent of the world total, distantly followed by the China (6.6% of world share), France (4.2%), UK (3.8%), and Russia (3.5%):

The Cutest

Tom/Fri night please come.

Tom/Fri night please come.

TOMORROW:

Congo – Stronger Women, Stronger Nations

Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard, London EC2A, £3 unwaged, £5 waged

Hear from Women for Women International’s DRC Country Director Christine Karumba, human rights activist Sam Roddick, Judith Wanga from BBC documentary The Worlds Most Dangerous Place For Women and Susan Schulman photo journalist and Amnesty Media Award winner as a part of an expert panel discussing the impact of the current conflict in DRC on women and the vital role that they are playing in building a stable Congo. For further information email Kate Hughes on KHughes@womenforwomen.org

FRIDAY:

Congo Now! - London Literature Festival, Southbank Centre, £9

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/literature-spoken-word/tickets/congo-now-53462

Congo Now! is an evening to celebrate the extraordinary vitality and resilient creativity that is the Democratic Republic of Congo. Congolese poets, writers, performers and musicians are joined by international artists in solidarity to mark the 50th anniversary of Congolese independence. Contributions from renowned writers and performers including Eddie Kadi, Frederick Kambemba Yamusangie, Sandi Toksvig, Norbert Mpu-Mbutu, Lynn Nottage, Adam Hochschild and Eve Ensler feature alongside a moving photo exhibit by the acclaimed photojournalist Susan Schulman. Music from the Congo features the celebrated Kasai Masai and singer-songwriter Safroman.

Congo Now! got in the press!!!!!!

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