A Lifesaving Vaccine To Reach Africa And 37 Additional Countries

by Kyle Gainey

        Rota virus and pneumonia are the top two killers in Africa. Both the Rota Virus and pneumonia kill over 500,000 children a year. In response to this epidemic, vaccines has been created to help fight against these diseases. The GAVI Alliance announced in Geneva that the vaccine has recently been approved. 16 countries have introduced the Rota Virus vaccine, and 18 countries have received the pneumonia vaccine. Sudan was the first country to introduce the vaccine in July as a part of their national immunization program- becoming the very first African country to do so. By the year 2015, the GAVI alliance and its partners plan to send funding to over 40 developing countries. That can immunize 50 million children against the Rota Virus. They also  plan to immunize 90 million children with pneumonia. But they plan to distribute the vaccine to the children who are in greater need of the vaccine first. The new vaccine will prevent millions of deaths; most importantly children will have a better chance of living a full life.

CB: Geneva Schlottman

Health Crisis in Somalia

by Luke Garcia     

   There happens to already be so many problems in Somalia. Especially with there disastrous drought and their conflicts with Somalia's political structure. In addition, they now must face a destructive health crisis. A key organization by the name of The World Health Organization has stated that their office in the Eastern Mediterranean has had a reported 6000 cases of diarrhea and cholera in just one hospital since January just this year. Even, Somalia's largest hospital Banadir Hospital has been flooded with recent cases with the same symptoms and signs. The drought has caused many people to get the infection by drinking unclean and unsafe water. This in effect, causes malnutrition and fatal cases of dehydration. Hospital workers have tried to emphasize the importance of hydration. However, even with intensive medical care and hydration most will still not survive. Children are feeling the health crisis the most as over 190 children have been hospitalized in a small timetable.  Adults have also felt the crisis as 100 adults have become ill as well within the same timetable. To make it worse, over 45 percent of AWD related deaths have been among children under 2. The organization is striving and have been building up their supplies while also working on the conflict near Mogadishu, Somalia's capital. They have stated that the number of AWD cases will rise even more between  now and October.

CB: Kyle Gainey
and Geneva Schlottman


http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/22/world/africa/somalia-health-crisis/index.html

World Mourns passing of Wangari Maathai

              People world over mourn Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai. Wangari was an environmentalist leader, particularly for the forests of the Africa. She spent her entire life protecting and planting trees. "Nature sustains us; the food we eat comes from the soil. If we do not protect the environment, we are violating our own rights. For that matter, anybody destroying the environment, they are destroying your environmental rights."
             
               Archbishop Desmond Tutu named her "A leading voice on the continent" and "A true African Heroine"
             
               Former U.S. President Al Gore stated "[She] Overcame incredible obstacles to devote her life to service- service to her children, to her constituents, to the women, and indeed, all the people of Kenya-- and to the world as a whole."


-Paul Ford, your news corespondent for the Latest and Greatest News in Africa

Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/26/world/africa/wangari-maathai-tribute/index.html?hpt=wo_t2

CB: Alex Nunez

Google Maps Has a New Country on Them

By Alex Nunez

    After South Sudan separated from Sudan, Google has finally updated the separation between the two on their maps.  Sadly, other map websites such as Yahoo!, Microsoft, and National Geographic have yet to update their maps. The two countries separated in July following decades of conflict where over two million people died. Six weeks after the countries split up a petition was launched on Change.org. It said that it wanted online mapping services to update the maps with the new country. The person who started the petition said that the inclusion of the new country would give its people a sense of belonging and pride. He also hopes that after Google, the other map websites will follow and change their maps as well. He also said that the people of South Sudan fought long and hard for their independence and they want the maps to catch up and reflect the suffering and hard work of the citizens of South Sudan.  

Source:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15023217


CB: Geneva Schlottman

Protests Revived in Morocco

By Geneva Maniwong-Schlottman

          On September 18^th, it was reported that 3,000 people marched throughout the streets of Casablanca, one the country’s largest cities. In the port city of Tangier, 2,000 people protested against the king and the government’s actions. The protestors were fighting for the completion of the democratic movement. Earlier in the summer, protests had moved King Mohammed VI to sign a constitutional reform that gave over half his power to the prime minister and the Parliament.

          After the signing of the Constitution, nation-wide protests dropped from over 100,000 to 10,000. But the protestors, called the February 20^th Movement, say that little has been changed since the signing of the Constitution. It has also been said that the king still has power over the army and the country’s religious affiliation. Although the king promised reform, protestors speculate that it was just a front to prevent future rebellion.

        Up until this point, the king has been able to choose his prime minister. In November however, that decision will be governed by the ruling political party. All hopes rest on the parliamentary elections as the majority will be able to choose the prime minister and will govern the country’s future actions. 

CB: Paul Ford

Sources: 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/19/world/africa/thousands-revive-protests-in-morocco.html?ref=morocco

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/12/opinion/12Charai.html?ref=morocco

Israeli Embassy Attacked in Mauritania

By Geneva Maniwong-Schlottman

On Friday morning at 2 a.m., several men were reported to of opened fire on the Israeli Embassy in Nouakchott, Mauritania.     As well as the embassy, a nearby nightclub was also gunned down as well. The armed men fled after a brief gun battle with the Embassy’s guards. Although no one was killed, five people were harmed in the shooting. Witnesses report that before shooting, the assailants shouted “God is great” in Arabic. This has led the Israeli, Mauritanian, and American forces investigating the shooting to believe this to be the acts of Muslim terrorists.

          No reason has been found as to why the terrorists tried to gun down the Israeli Embassy and nightclub. Government officials in Mauritania have tried to persuade the public that the gunmen were targeting the nightclub because of the prohibited use of alcohol and numerous prostitutes.  Mauritanian analysts and researchers suggest otherwise- they suspect that the attack was directed at the Israeli Embassy. They have reason to believe that the shooting was a part of the renewed hatred for Israel many Muslims felt. Israel’s actions with Gaza and Mauritania’s actions concerning peace with the Jewish nation have caused much grief and resentment among its people. 

CB: Paul Ford

Sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/02/world/middleeast/02mauritania.html?ref=mauritania

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/world/africa/01embassy.html?ref=mauritania

Somali Pirates Release Captives

Somali pirates released seven Danes, five of which were a family.  They were kidnapped from a Yacht on February 24th in the Indian ocean. They were seized while on a two-year-world-round trip. Officials would not reveal their whereabouts, nor if they would be returning to Denmark.

The foreign ministry stated "They have now been brought to safety" and added that they were recovering after their six-month-plus captivity.

It's still known that there are another six people within the pirates clutches.





-Paul Ford- Your News correspondent for the latest in Africa
Corrected By: Alex Nunez

Bar Attack in Burundi

by Alex Nunez

          Unidentified gunmen opened fire in a crowded bar near Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi on Monday, September 19, 2011. There are at least 36 civilians dead and many more injured. Local hospitals are overwhelmed by the number of wounded. Most hospitals are running low on blood, medical equipment, beds and rooms, and medicine to treat the wounded. Some were even treated on the floor of a hospital. One survivor heard someone say, “Kill them all”, before opening fire. Survivors also say that the men might have worn military uniforms. Also, there have been reports that the attackers could have crossed the border and fled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

         The government blames bandits for the shooting but some citizens fear the rise of a new rebel group. The last rebel group from Burundi’s civil war officially ceased attacking in 2009 but random attacks still occur. 300,000 people died in the civil war. The president of Burundi visited the site and has promised that there will be justice. He also canceled his trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

CB: Geneva Maniwong-Schlottman

An English Girl Kidnapped

 By Kyle Gainey

           Recently Judith Tebbutt, an English tourist staying at a remote Kenyan resort was kidnapped. The resort is being held and questioned by ruthless Somali pirates in an unknown location of the country where laws are considered void. Conspiracy expert and editor for the Somalian Report, Andrew Mwangura states that the gangs from Southern Somalia took Tebbutt up the coast and have moved her several times since. It's believed that she was abducted by an armed soldier from a lodge in a remote safari near the border of the country. While the attack occurred, her husband resisted and was killed by one of the pirates. Only one man thus far has been charged with being in connection with the case. Babitu Kololo was suspected of being a part of the kidnapping- however he pleaded not guilty to both counts against him. Another man, Issa Sheck Saadi, is will appear in court as well in the near future. No demands  were made thus far for the people captured. The details of the incident have been sketchy, and people are looking to journalists to find answers. This is not the first time the Somali pirates have done this before. They are known for attacking commercial boats and ships in the big shipping lanes between Europe and Asia. Although they have been pirating for years they have never kidnapped anybody. Authorities wait to see what the pirates' next step is from here. We wish all of the innocent the best in being returned safely back to their homes.




CB: Geneva Maniwong-Schlottman

Youth League Leader Julius Malema Convicted of Hate Speech

By Geneva Maniwong-Schlottman

               Head of the Youth League of the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa, Julius Malema was found guilty of hate speech for repeatedly reciting “Shoot the Boer”. The song, originally sung by South Africans at the beginning of the Apartheid, means to shoot the “farmer”- or in their case- the white farmer. Although the song is found as a part of their South African heritage, the judge, Judge Lamont, found the reciting of these songs to be unnecessary. “People must develop new customs and rejoice in a developing society by giving up old practices which are hurtful to members who live in that society with them,” Judge Lamont stated.

            In South Africa, 20% of the population is white. On Monday, the court ruled songs like “Shoot the Boer” and others as forms of hate speech. As for Malema, he was required to pay court fees and was also scheduled to meet with his political party concerning his actions. Members of the party like President Zuma find Malema’s actions as threatening to the party and are one of his main opposing forces. Zuma finds his actions as questionable and also views him as a potential downfall to the success and reputation of the ANC and his re-election. If his political party finds him guilty, Malema could either have to be suspended or be called to resign.

Resources: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/world/africa/13southafrica.html?ref=southafrica

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2011/09/12/world/africa/international-us-safrica-malema.html?ref=southafrica

Surface-to-Air Missiles Missing From Warehouse in Libya

A stash of surface-to air- missiles were found missing from a warehouse in Tripoli, Libya. The missiles were Grinch SA-24 shoulder launched missiles, also known as Igla-S missiles. They are the equivalent of U.S Stinger missiles. The Igla-S missiles can hit a plane as high as 11,000 feet, and can travel as far as 19,000 feet. Empty boxes were also found for such things as mortars, artillery rounds, and another surface-to-air missile, the SA 7.  The director of Human Rights Watch said, "We are talking about some 20,000 surface-to-air missiles in all of Libya, and I've seen cars packed with them." he said. "They could turn all of North Africa into a no-fly zone."

Apparently, the looting of these warehouses are a regular occurrence in Libya, which makes it a growing concern of military and government officials.



http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/07/exclusive-libyan-missiles-looted/?hpt=wo_bn1

U.S Stinger Surface-to-Air missiles

Corrected By: Alex Nunez

Aid Needed for the Animals in Tripoli

Recently, at the Tripoli Zoo, a Siberian tiger by the name of Osama, has been in critical condition for the past couple of days. He just lays there lifeless, with his breathing on a hush motionless. Aid has been giving to this poor helpless tiger. A group by the name of Austria's Four Paws who are animal welfare experts. They have no clue as to why this Osama is sick. However, they have reason to believe that he is 21 years old. Which is extremely old for a tiger of his kind. The war and controversy has caused a great deal to Tripoli's zoo. The animals have had to hear all of the gunfire and rampage over the pass 6 months because of the riots and the determination of people trying to kill Gadafi. Animals ears are a lot more sensitive then humans so they have had to hear everything at a greatly larger volume. The zoo continues to struggle they have had plently of litter, there is a massive hole in there roof due to a rocket propelled grenade and lastly there was absolutely no water at the zoo for the past 2 weeks which is horrible for animals like hippos who need it to live. Meanwhile the animal rescue team still struggles to save Osama. Dr. Khalil rushed from Vienna to help with the team after seeing multiple CNN reports about the future of these animals. We all hope Osama a great recovery and all the other animals a save a happy life in the Tripoli Zoo. I hope that soon the order will once again be restored.

Petrol Pipeline Explodes in Nairobi

By Alex Nunez

An oil pipeline that exploded in Nairobi, Kenya killed more than 120 people and injured at least 110 more. Only 75 bodies were discovered; some were found in the ruins of shacks near by the pipeline and others in a nearby river.

Though no one is sure the true cause of the explosion. A possible cause of the explosion is a cigarette that fell into a sewer that was filling with oil from a pipe that was near it. Another possible cause of the leaking pipe is the fact that most pipes in that region are 40 years old. Another one of the many reasons for the leak is that many people have been stealing oil and gas from the pipes, which probably caused a spill. One last possible cause for the oil being in the sewer is that right before the explosion, a fuel tank had spilled its contents in the sewer. As people scrambled to scoop some up someone threw a cigarette into the sewer.

After the explosion, Kenya’s prime minister visited the disaster site and said it was the worst disaster in the oil sector of the country. There have been 30 major explosions within the last 2 years and this one was the worst since 2006.

Sources:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/12/kenya-pipeline-explosion-deaths-analysis

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14879401

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/fire-in-nairobi-slum-kills-scores-of-people/2011/09/12/gIQAFIEgMK_story.html

Boat Capsizes Between Zanzibar's Main Island Of Unguja And Pemba

Volunteers carry dead bodies out of the water on stretchers.

A boat capsized between Zanzibar's main islands of Unguja and Pemba. It is still unknown how the boat carrying 800 passengers capsized but it is though to believe that there was a engine malfunction while encountering strong wave currents.A plane flew over the ocean searching for survivors and reporting signs of live to rescue workers. 200 of the passengers lost their lives, while 600 were lucky to keep theirs. The boat was only licensed to carry 600 passengers but the boat tacked on an extra 200 while on their voyage. Scared that the boat could sink some passengers exited the boat before it even left the port. The people who passed away because of this tragedy were taken to a football field and separated by sexes so relatives and friends could identify the bodies. Survivors were rescued in the water where some were clinging to mattresses, wood pieces and whatever fell into the water that could keep the afloat. The death total could increase into the week.

The United Nations have arrived by Kyle Gainey

Recently, in Libya the United Nations have been trying to solve the problem of food, gas and water supply shortage in Tripoli. The situation is still very fragile. However, U.N. has been trying to help with the humanitarian situation. Although with the fighting recently esculating they have been very cautious to do so. UNICEF teamed up with the U.N to distrubute 500,000 bottles of water to the people of Libya. The World Food Programme has also played a huge role in the help of Libyan people. They provided over 600 metric tons of food which is estimated to feed over 35,000 people. In addition to this, they supplied 250,000 metric tons of gas  It is great to see all these programs grouping up to help one big cause, it is just amazing.

Experts believe that this shortage is effecting over 60% of the country of 1.6 million people. It is clear the effects the war has put on the country Tripoli. With the war now peeking it's 6th month, there is no indication of it ending anytime soon especially with Gadhafi still on the loose. The people will continue to fight until he is dead. Recently, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, the chairman of the National Transitional Council has said that anyone in the regime would be pardoned of any crime of such sort if they captured or killed Gadhafi. With there pardon they would be rewarded 2m Libyan dinars (£1m) as well. With this target on Gadhafi's head, it strikes the question. How and when will this war come to and end, and will order ever be restored fully in Tripoli? 


CB: Geneva S.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/09/02/libya.war/index.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/24/gaddafi-wanted-dead-or-alive-offer

Was Former Pres. Mubarak’s Control of the Media Counterintuitive?

By Geneva Maniwong-Schlottman

    Although many might agree that the media helped spread world-wide recognition of the corruption in Egypt, certain research has shown that the internet also slowed the population’s recalcitrance in the protests. According to Yale graduate student Navid Hassanpour, former Egyptian President Mubarak’s decision of cutting off all social networking was counter-intuitive to his control of the nation. After recent studies of the protests, Hassanpour concluded that after Jan. 28, the Egyptian public became more involved with their government’s actions since they had no other outlet of communication.

            When former Pres. Mubarak shut down internet access, he forced the people to look outside their windows and to actually become involved with their government. While the media helped them gain the involvement and concern of the political world, it distracted the public’s interaction. Although the number of protesters never escalated, Hassanpour’s studies show that the protests spread to different areas of the country. Instead, Hassanpour and other analysts suggest that the smarter tactic would be to discreetly slow internet access and communication or to limit it to certain areas of the population. Either way, this would prove as a more tactful approach to the control of any nation.  

           Although the media can be a useful tool for the communication of vital issues, it has also proven to be a substitute for public interaction. As the result of former Pres. Mubarak’s actions the Egyptian population became more involved- pressuring the resignation of their leader and helping speed the end of their tyranny. 


Sources: http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/egypt/index.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/29/business/media/in-times-of-unrest-social-networks-can-be-a-distraction.html?ref=egypt
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Observer/Columnist/Columnists/2011/6/16/1308236088727/Anti-Mubarak-Protesters-G-007.jpg

Kenya's "Swiss Knifes" Finally Have A Birthday by Alex Nunez

In the shoreline sediments of Lake Turkana in Kenya, French scientists found hand axes in the 1990's. Sadly, it was not until today that the technology was advanced enough for American and French scientist to be able to determine the date that the Stone Age Swiss knifes were made. Scientists now know that the tools' age are 1.76 million years old, older than any other previous discoveries of the Achelulian tools which were found in places like Etheopia.

Now the question is why did homo erectus not take this wonder tool with it when it migrated out of Africa? Some scientists think that the reason why the tools stayed in Africa is because the group that migrated out of Africa did not use the tools. The strange thing is that they were known to carry their tools for up to 100 km, why did they not carry their tools with them. Also, the stones had very specific designs and were planned, why leave them behind if they had so much work put into them. Now how did they find out the age of the stones?
The way that scientist were able to determine the age of the artifacts was by finding out the age of the soil it was found in. The way they did that was by using a technique called paleomagnetism. This technique tells scientist whether the magnetic bits in the soil are pointing toward the Arctic or toward Antarctica. Now, I know what you're thinking, how does that have to do with when the stones were carved. Well, in the last 10 million years, the poles have switched about 4 to 5 times. Now if they find out where the poles where at the time then they can estimate the time that the stones were carved.


Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14754314

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/09/really-really-old-tech-and-the-new-tech-used-to-study-it/244413/

Heart For Africa: People that help

           Heart For Africa is a Christian non-profit organization that works with churches and childrens home within Swaziland, Africa. They work to provide hope for the future of many children without parents, mainly due to AIDs.  It consists completly of volunteers that visist Swaziland for 11 days before the next group arrives. Within the last five years, over 5,000 people have traveled to Africa with their program.
           Heart for Africa has many projects running at the moment, but the largest of which being project Canaan. It's to raise money to help a series of sub-projects within Canaan, such as educating the youngest generation about agriculture to help the constant food crisis. "30,000 children die every day from hunger or malnutrition because they have no food or because there is no one there to feed them." http://www.heartforafrica.org/Project%20Canaan.aspx

Sudan In State Of Emergency!

200,00 flee their homes, Violence outbreaks, state in emergency, This is Sudan today. Today September 2nd 2011 Sudan has declared a state of emergency. Governor of Sudan Malik Agar has had his official residence attacked by soldiers. The army has blamed the ex rebel commander for this attack on the Governor. This is the first major outbreak of violence since 2005. Malik Agar has since then has launched attacks on police stations and also government buildings in Damazin, the capitol of Sudan. Tanks have been patrolling the city. Residents in Damazin have fled the city because of their fear of more outbreak of violence. They fled by either foot, horse, car, or donkey. Shots were heard on Thursday night and gunfights were soon to follow, Gunfire flooded into Friday morning. Since then gunfights have spread into different areas. The fighting is taking place near the border separating the Sudan from the newly independent south. Sudan has appointed a Military ruler of state. There have been air attacks that have killed 4 civilians two of them were women.