Vaccine Found

A study finds that a vaccine has reduced malaria in African children. They would give children a shot that would lower their risk of getting malaria. The final results of the testing were released n Tuesday. The developers call this a milestone for the vaccine. But the vaccine wont be available for at least another 3 years. But the vaccine can still save thousands of lives. There must be further testing to see how properly the vaccine works. Tests show that the vaccine is 50% effective. Malaria kills about 1,000,000 people a year. GlaxoSmithKline developed the vaccine. Only 1500 cases of malaria are reported in the US a year. But millions of people die by malaria in Africa yearly. The testing started in 2009 and had 15,000 children involved. Right now they are waiting to see how the vaccine worked on younger children infants-6 year olds. We hope this vaccine helps and saves children lives

Nigerian Ex-Speaker now cleared of Fraud

By Alex Nunez

In June 2011, Nigerian Ex-house speaker Dimeji Bankole was accused of fraud. He was accused of raising his salary and that of other senior parliment members with a loan of $65 million that he took out and stealing tens of millions of dollars from government funds.Today the judge cleared him of any fault of the crime. The judge stated that even though what Bankole did was immoral and wrong he did not commit a crime. Also Bankole is known to be allied with the president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan. The Nigerian President also had previously and ironically promised to tackle and eliminate corruption.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16821097

The Upper House Being Voted in by Egyptians

Sunday, Egyptians in multiple cities went to the polls in the first stage of the very exciting elections for the parliament particularly the upper house. The Egyptian voters will cast for Shura over days beginning with 13 governorates including Cairo. This election come after the blowout in the lower house poll by Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt's first election since the well know protest of former President Hosni Mubarak. It happens to be that in the lower parties for parliament Islamist parties such as Muslim Brotherhood did drastically better than liberal parties representing some protesters. Last week, 2 parties won roughly 70 percent of the entire lower parliament voting. It was reported that the Egyptian military rulers handed over the legislative powers to the house. This happens to be the first Parliament in Egypt's history to be dominated by Islamists.





Source: http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/29/world/africa/egypt-elections/index.html

Dinosaur bones found in South Africa

The oldest ever found dinosaur nest was found in a national park in South Africa. Scientists have confirmed that the dinosaurs were herbivores. The hatchlings would have walked on all fours, but the adults were bipedal, a rarity. There was evidence that the nest was very well taken care of, with the mother returning often to feed her children. Also, next to the nest, the oldest found tracks of young dinosaurs footprints. This is a very exciting find for the paleontologists in south Africa.

-Paul Ford, sparse news on Africa

Gambia's President Wants to Wipe Out "Lazy Workers"

By: Alex Nunez
After being sworn in for his fourth term, Gambia's President, Yahya Jammeh has promised to wipe out 82% of workers after accusing them of being lazy. He vowed to turn his country into an economic powerhouse. After the country's change, the only choice besides jail time or leaving work is actually working. A possible reason for the change is most likely to give more jobs to the youthful percentage of the country and also wants to focus on the empowerment of women.
Jammeh has also declared a no tolerance policy for drugs and corruption. The reason for this is that Gambia has recently become a key transit point in trafficking cocaine. Also a former minister was arrested for distributing t-shirts that read "End to Dictatorship Now" and plotting a coup.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16636685

Two Key Parties Win HUGE in Egypt Election

A few days ago their were the Egyptian election's in its final day. However, there happened to be two Islamist parties that won roughly 70 percent of the seats for the lower house of parliament for the Egyptian election. The Justice Party and The Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom combine won 235 seats of the 498 assembly elected members. The other 30 percent is controlled by the Al Nour party which controls 121 seats of the 498 elected members. However, 10 other people will be chosen by the country's military ruler. This happens to be the first elected body since the ouster of the unjust former President Hosni Murbarak who is being tried for the death penalty. Durning last week Egypt's top political parties agreed to nominate Mohamed Katatni a member of the Muslim Brotherhood for speaker, which happens to be the first time in multiple decades that an Islamist would hold this post. The full parliment however, must appoint a 100 memeber panel that will write a new whole new consitution for Egypt. The presidential elections are going to be in June. This will be a good change for Eygpt because Military Leaders have been in charge of the government since the Burburak downfall. We will see how this plays out for the race to become the Egyptian president.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/21/world/africa/egypt-elections/index.html

Attack In Nigeria Leave Over 140 Dead

An attack on North Nigeria's largest city by a radical Islamist sect left over 140 civilians dead. The attacks were on Saturday where the sect set off bombs all over the city. They hit places like police stations, and immigration stations. The city has a  population of over 9 million. The first attack was a suicide bomber who detonated a car filled with big time explosives outside of a police station. It tore the roof off of the building, and  blew out all of the windows out of the building. Authorities did not want to comment on the status of the casualties because they were still finding bodies in the ruble. A hospital spokesperson said that 143 people had died in the attack. Journalist Enenche Akoguw was shot while reporting on the attacks, and Nansok Sallah was also found dead. Local authorities issued a 24 hour curfew on the city.

Looking for Oil in Somalia

By: Alex Nunez

For the first time 21 years a Canadian oil firm has begun drilling for oil in two wells in Puntland, Somalia. Many say that the discovery of oil in Puntland might change not just Puntland but the entire country for the better. This is important because Somalia has not had a completely functioning central government since 1991 and there has been constant fighting between independant militias. However just as the discovery of oil can be a change for the better, it at the same time can turn into a curse as it has damaged many other African countries. There were policies that will most likely benefit the people of Somalia.
The two wells are about 2 miles deep and an estimate of 3 to 4 billion barrels of oil will be brought in with both of these wells. The wells will also take about 3 months to be drilled.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16600649

Doing Something about Poaching Rhinos

The South African Government has agreed to posting 150 extra rangers in the world-renowned Kruger National Park, in attempts to discourage poachers from hunting rhinoceroses for their horns.

There has been record poaching in the park, in fact, last week, park rangers found 8 dead rhinoceroses in the park, horns cut off. South Africa is known for illegal poaching, holding what is  said up to more than half the world's population of rhinos. Last year, 448 rhinos were shot in South Africa, and more than half of them killed within the boundaries of Kruger Park.

The recent rise in rhinoceros poaching is mostly blamed on the spiking demand for rhino horn is Asia, where in some places it is believed that rhino horn can cure various diseases. With the addition of the Park Rangers, their total number shall be increased from 500 to 650. With any luck, the rangers, along with a few other precautionary measures, rhinoceros poaching will decrease, if not stop.

  

                   ~Paul Ford, African Informer.

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2012/01/16/Rhino-poaching-up-in-South-Africa/UPI-83901326756566/?spt=hs&or=sn

We want gas!!!!! for cheap!

In Nigeria Friday marked the fifth day of the protest of the increase of fuel prices. The union suspends the protest for the weekend to allow people to go home rest and stock up on food and water. Groups of protesters took the street to fight against the government demanding accountability. Gas prices doubled since January 1st which in retrospective caused other goods to skyrocket in prices as well. Reports claim that protesters are running short on basic necessities hence why a weekend suspension was in play. The deadline to shut down the production of oil is still in play despite the suspension unless, somehow the union and government make a deal soon. The petroleum association in Nigeria has threatened to halt the production if the government cannot restore the subsides and return the price of fuel to previous levels. This would be trouble globally, effecting gas prices around the world with Nigeria being eighth largest exporter. There has been speculation that the Nigerian leaders are corrupt by misusing oil revenue in the country where most of the citizens happen to be in grinding poverty. Tons of Nigerians believe that the only benefit to an oil producing country is that it has infrastructural, high unemployment and intermittent electricity. However, this is not the only problem in Nigeria with the continued anti-Christian violence going on. Recently more than 30 Christians died in violence in Adamawa State.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/13/world/africa/nigeria-strike/index.html

Unrest in Nigeria

Unrest in Nigeria caused a mob to attack a Mosque in Benin City. The outraged mob caused the death of five people and the injury of a sixth. On Monday, another mob had attempted to set the Mosque on fire, but failed. Authorities have tried to control the violence, but the country is divided into two parts: Christian and Muslim.


There have been everything from riots, to bombings, to shootings, to peace gatherings. The whole country is under tension.Soldiers have been deployed to hold back the straining forces."I will not say it is easy, but we are trying to contain it," said Moses Onireti, a police spokesman in Oyo state, where demonstrations have been large. "These protesters are everywhere, everywhere."

Paul Ford, African News

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Anger-emerges-in-Nigeria-strike-as-unrest-possible-2449070.php#ixzz1j5hRw4Z4

Murbarak Being Demand to Death by Lawyers?!

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Recently, civil rights lawyers have ordered the death penalty Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The prosecutor expects Hosni to be executed in the next couple of days. "We have proof Mubarak is directly responsible for the killings along with El Adly and his aides."Attorney Khalid Abu Bakr told CNN. Abu Bakr says that Mubarak clearly broke many of the Egyptian laws so he deserves to die. The attorney also happened to show video of the Egyptian police firing at the protestors. Surprising, another lawyer named  Sameh Ashour also presented evidence that then security officers had communication to have snipers on the roofs of buildings during the revolution. Ahmed Refaat the judge of this all has set Monday and Tuesday to have the opportunity to listen to 10 more civil rights lawyers. "The judge will then decide on a day to announce the final verdict," said Adel Saeed. The whole court however, is leaning towards giving Hosni the death penalty. There has been speculation saying that the judge really can't sentence death because there is no hard evidence showing that Hosni actually order the attack on the protestors.  We will see how the prosecution continues through the week.


http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/09/world/africa/egypt-mubarak/index.html

Court Clerks on Strike in Mawali

By: Alex Nunez

In Mawali, court clerks are on strike for an indeffinite time, leaving Mawali's courts at a standstill. The reason for this is that the clerks were promised higher wages six years ago but never recived them. At this time no one in the judicial system is working, and if they are then they are working on the clerks' demands for a pay raise. No one is workng because clerks play a significant role in the way that they assign the courtrooms and retrive the case files that are needed. The clerks currently earn about $100 a month and they say that the government failed to pay a 40% pay raise in 2006 and again in 2009 but for 50%. The clerks have vowed that they will continue to go on strike until their demands are met. Mawali is one of the poorest countries in the world with 75% of it's citizens living on less than $1 a day.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16473833

Uganda Finally Enforces Littering Laws

By Alex Nunez Palacios

A littering law finally being enforced, 10 years after it was first put in place in the city of Kampala, Uganda. New Year's Day was the first day that the law was first enforced. Before the law was enforced there were clogged drains and trash scattered along the roads, but now the roads are cleaner than ever. The cause of this is that there has been about 40 people arrested and most of them had to clean the roads, streams, and drains as community service. Some residents believe it was about time that something was done to clean up the city. However others think that there should have been more warning to the sudden change and that citizens should been told more often what laws are enfoced these days. Sadly it is said that the streets will not be completely clean for long as previous attepts to enforce laws similar to this one have failed.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16433091

Nigerian Bombing

Recently, there was a terrible event in Nigeria. Two bombs went off Wednesday in a northeastern Nigerian city Maiduguri. It injured many civilians of the city. However there is still no indication of how many people actually were killed or injured. It was reported that no military personnel or security agent personnel targeted. In a report the agent said that the area the bomb went off in was very populated at the time. Many officers worry that the causality count could be in the hundreds. It has been reported that in a few days it will be reported how many people were injured.

Suicide Attacks On Christmas Day

There was a suicide bomber that attacked on Christmas day in Nigeria in front of a church full of people. The people attended the church to go to mass since it was Christmas. The blast killed 27 people at the church. Reports say that five bombs went off that fatal day. Three of the five bombs hit the church killing people instantly. They say a militant by the name of Boko Haram set off the bombs. There are fears that he might be trying to ignite a sectarian civil war. The president says that this could have been avoided but there has been a lack of high profile arrests. Nigeria wants to enforce a strict Muslim faith rule. Meaning all civilians have to be Muslim. There are also fears that this might spark a fight between religions. 

Top Travel Magazines name South African Airways as one of the top in the Country

Two prestigious travel magazines named South African Airways one of the best in the country. Business Traveler magazine rewarded SAA with the "Best Airline to Africa" and the "Best Business Class in Africa" awards. Global Traveler named SAA as the Best Airline in Africa" and Best sparkling wine in Business Class"

SAA's planes sport (For premium Business Class) Skytrax™5-star comfort-rated, flat bed seats, gourmet international cuisine, movies on demand, and a "Cellar in the Sky" stocked with South Africa's best beverages. 

"We are honored to have earned these awards from two magazines that represent the discerning business traveler. These important travelers serve as a validation of our efforts to continually enhance and improve our service offering," said Todd Neuman, executive vice president, North America, for South African Airways. "We look forward to showcasing more of South Africa's cultural treasures, including its best wines and culinary offerings, to our customers throughout the globe," added Neuman. "We will also continue to strive to earn ever more awards in our effort to maintain our standing as Africa's most awarded airline."

Your News Informant For Staying Informed on African News, Paul Ford

Source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/01/04/prweb9077642.DTL