A UN panel that ruled this week that the herbicide glyphosate was probably ‘not carcinogenic to humans’ has become embroiled in a bitter row about potential conflicts of interests. It has emerged that two people on the UN panel have ties to groups that have accepted over $1 million from Monsanto and another industry group representing agrochemical giants.
An eruption at Guatemala’s Volcan de Fuego, one of the most active volcanoes in Central America, has prompted an evacuation of the area surrounding the peak. On Wednesday, volcanologists also observed explosive activity at the Santiaguito volcano in Quetzaltenango. RT reports: Guatemala’s National Institute for Seismology and Vulcanology are reporting that an ash column reaching 5,500 meters (18,000 feet) above sea level has emerged, while “moderate” lava flow is pouring out of the mountain.
The U.N. is warning that millions of Yemeni civilians are threatened by famine:
The director of U.N. humanitarian operations warned Tuesday that 7.6 million people in conflict-torn Yemen face severe food shortages and are ”one step” from famine.
John Ging, who just returned from Yemen, told a news conference that there has been ”a shocking fall off” in support from the donor community over the last few months for the millions of Yemenis who need food, clean water and basic health care.
An earthquake with a 6.7 magnitude struck western Ecuador early on Wednesday. According to the US Geographical Survey, the quake’s epicentre was 36 miles south of the city of Esmeraldas, at a depth of 6.2 miles. Prelim M6.7 earthquake near the coast of Ecuador May-18 07:57 UTC, updates https://t.co/Z97W3OdNun — USGS Big Quakes (@USGSBigQuakes) May 18, 2016 There have been no reports of significant damage, though electricity was cut in some coastal areas.
Ron Paul on the presidential election and Iran tourism.