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Chatter: What we're hearing
Tuesday, March 13th, 2012
Need to know:
Taliban militants today attacked an Afghan government delegation visiting the site in Kandahar where a US soldier shot dead 16 civilians.
The attackers opened fire at the group – which included two of President Hamid Karzai's brothers and several top security officials – from several sides. One Afghan soldier was reportedly killed and three people injured.
The Taliban have vowed revenge for each of the 16 murders. But public protests, so far, have been limited. It's unlikely a sign that Afghans are ready to forgive. Could it be, rather, that so many examples of civilian deaths have beaten the Afghan people down to the point where they simply do not expect anything else?
More From GlobalPost:
Taliban militants today attacked an Afghan government delegation visiting the Kandahar site where a US soldier shot dead 16 civilians.
Analysis: After more than 10 years of tragedies, another killing, however shocking, is unlikely to have major consequences, experts say.
Want to know:
As evidence emerges of more massacres by Syrian forces, one of two key nations protecting the regime from international action looks set to rethink its stance: China.
Both China and Russia have twice vetoed UN Security Council resolutions calling on President Bashar Al Assad to step down, arguing that the international community should not interfere. Diplomats are now negotiating a third resolution, due to be put to vote this week, which will likely not include a call for Assad's resignation and would condemn violence by both the government and the armed opposition.
Having vetoed only six Security Council resolutions in its history, observers say Beijing is unlikely to use its veto for a third time to protect the Syrian government – especially when there's oil at stake.
More From GlobalPost:
Diplomats say China won't veto a new Security Council resolution condemning Syria's government.
While some Syrians support international intervention, others warn of a new Iraq.
Dull but important:
Burma, sealed off from Western investors by a thick shell of sanctions, could be open for business as soon as this year.
But even if the US Congress and White House stay on course, and finally reward the authoritarian state's recent reforms by cracking that shell, what will investors find underneath?
The answer, experts suggest, is plenty of promise and plenty of pitfalls.
More From GlobalPost:
Burma, sealed off from Western investors by a thick shell of sanctions, could be open for business as soon as this year.
Eager American investor, meet battle-hardened ethnic rebel.
Just because:
Paraguayan officials confirmed earlier this month that a previously unknown tribe is living in a section of the country's vast Chaco forest.
The group, dubbed the "hiding tribe" by Paraguayan authorities, is thought to belong to the Ayoreo Totobiegosode culture, many of whose members have been driven out of the forests by logging and cattle-ranching.
The tribe's isolation is certainly voluntary. But will they be able to maintain it, as ranchers buy up and deforest surrounding land?
More From GlobalPost:
As loggers and ranchers encroach on the previously unknown tribe, advocates warn that making contact would be illegal.
New images suggest Brazilian ranching companies are destroying Paraguayan forests to clear land for cattle grazing.
Strange but True:
Saudi Arabia must be Pfizer’s favorite country in the world.
According to local media reports, Saudi Arabia ranks as the world's sixth largest consumer of sex-enhancing drugs. Considering that Saudi Arabia is one of the most sparsely populated countries on the planet, that's quite an achievement.
The vast majority of cases of impotence are put down to "psychological factors." Other causes include diabetes and high blood pressure.
— Chatter by Jessica Phelan
More From GlobalPost:
Nearly 12 percent of Saudi Arabia's 20 million men are believed to be suffering from impotence. Great news for Viagra.
Chinese police have reportedly detained 52 people in a crackdown on pornography and drugs, including the anti-impotence pill Viagra and a substance referred to as "man coffee."
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