Attack on a Car with School Exam Papers

Today, 4 people were killed and multiple injured in an attack on a car carrying government officials They were transporting school examination papers in Kenya. The event occurred 68 miles from Mandera which is a border town of with Somalia. It is still unknown of who actually carry out with attack on the car, the Kenyan police have been giving different accounts of what actually happened.The Red Cross stated that the four that were killed in heavy machine-gun fire from a small car. In Kenya they suffer with insecurity and lots of incursions. This week already Kenya was shaken with a grenade attack in Nairobi the capital. Also a man pleaded guilty to being a part of the Islamic militant group Al-Shabaab Wednesday. This could possibly be in connection with the car incident says Kenyan Government officials. 

Metro System Finally Opens in Algeria's Capital

By: Alex Nunez

Twenty-eight years ago construction began on a metro system for Algiers, Algeria, and today it was finally opened. There was a ceremony where the President of Algeria, President Abdelaziz, used the brand new metro for the first time along with many eager residents. The metro runs on 6.5 km of track and has 10 stops that connect Algiers' Central Post Office with the suburb of Kouba. The building cost of the metro was about 1.2 billion USD. The cost of a single ride is $ 0.67, which most Algerians say is too high. Originally, construction began in the early 1980's but was halted when oil and gas demand collapsed and the Algeria economy went with it. Then in the 1990's the country descended into violence which further thwarted the completion of the construction of the metro. This was certainly an exciting Halloween treat for many of the residents of Algiers.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15532117

Death and Destruction? Stats show it's getting better.

Violence is everywhere. Drug wars in Mexico, war in the middle east, war in Africa, shootings in the USA, riots in Europe. Yet stats are showing this to be one of the most peaceful times in the history of mankind. This theory is the basis of three books, one of which is Harvard Psychologist Steven Pinker. He figures that, with evolution, we get smarter. With intelligence, violence declines. Over the centuries, the human race have developed a higher value on human life. Murder rates have fallen, racism has fallen, genocide has fallen, and discrimination has fallen, just as examples. Pinky says that even when you add terrorism, the world is far more peaceful."Terrorism doesn't account for many deaths. Sept. 11 was just off the scale. There was never a terrorist attack before or after that had as many deaths. What it does is generate fear," he said.

Despite it being a hard concept to understand, the numbers are still standing. Times now, although they don't seem like it, are the most peaceful in history

Paul Ford, News from Africa

Pa

Warning of a Terror Attack in Kenya?

Recently, the U.S. Embassy in Kenya have hinted that they have credible information of a terror attack, just a few days after the Nation announced it is sending troops to the country of Somalia to go against the Islamist militants. They state that the attack will most likely target more popular places that foreigners congregate in Kenya such as malls, night clubs, or libraries. Details have still not been release by the U.S. Embassy on who might carry out on such an attack. However, they are still taking precautions by limiting the U.S. government visits. They have been urging its citizens to consider to travel an alternative route than Kenya. This could be in connection with the recent alleged abductions of tourist and aid workers in Kenya, which has heighten the tensions of people. On September 11, bandits broke into cottage where Britons Judith and David Tebbutt were staying, David however, was shot dead and his wife was then grabbed and was taken away on a speedboat and reportedly taken to Somalia. Lastly, a French elderly woman who was in bad health died due to the fact that pirate kidnappers refuse to gave her medicine. Multiple things have been going on that has been in connection with Kenya in some way they need to be concerned.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/22/world/africa/kenya-us-warning/index.html

Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Changes Opinion on Gay Rights

By: Alex Nunez

Last year, Zimbabwe's Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, joined Zimbabwe's President in opposing gay rights. Now says that gay rights are human rights and that all Zimbabweans should respect them, including the conservative section of the population. Currently, homosexual acts are illegal in most African countries, including Zimbabwe because many people view is as un-Christian and un-African. The Prime Minister says that even though there is a strong feeling against homosexuality in Zimbabwe, he hopes to change that if he becomes president of the country. Both the President and Prime Minister have promised new political reform and there is even a draft of a new constitution being processed. The Prime Minister hopes that the new constitution will allow freedom of sexual orientation but there still might be doubts about the President's opinion. He once said that gays are "worse than pigs and dogs" and the Prime Minister once agreed with him. A possible reason for the Prime Minister's change of mind is that he would like Zimbabwe to be more like neighboring South Africa and have more of a liberal policy.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15431142

Vaccine reduces malaria in African children

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.

Kenyan Troops push Attacks into Somolia

A mix of Kenyan troops and tanks travel 80 Km into the country of Somalia, while Kenyan aircraft bomb suspected terrorist locations. This is believed to be the first move in a plan to destroy the Islamist insurgent group al Shabab. al Shabab spokesperson threatened to attack the Kenyan capitol if the attacks did not cease. Kenya claims the attack to be in self defense, due to the many kidnappings, including the kidnapping of several european tourists. al Shabab denied all accusations, and claimed that the Kenyan Government was coming up with an excuse to invade the country. Neither side is backing down, and this conflict could lead to a lot of blood unless resolved soon.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/kenyan-troops-press-assault-on-somalia-20111018-1ltrq.html

~Paul Ford, Your corresponder for news from the glorious continent of Africa