http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20330080
First I would just like to say, what an idiot. A man in South Africa swallowed 220 diamonds to try and smuggle them out of the country to Dubai. The diamonds that he ate hold a value of $2.3 million USD. South Africa is one of the world's largest diamond producers. Apparently this is becoming an increasingly popular method in the smuggling world because this is not the first time that this has happened this year.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Growing concerns over 'in the air' transmission of Ebola
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20341423
Recently, Ebola has reinfected people in Uganda, which had previously declared itself Ebola free. Canadian researchers have discovered that Ebola can be hosted in pigs, who can then spread it to other animals, such as monkeys, by just being in a close proximity to them. Scientists think that it spreads via aerosol droplets from the pigs lungs that can survive in the air for a brief amount of time, and may be reabsorbed by another animal, therefore spreading the disease.
Recently, Ebola has reinfected people in Uganda, which had previously declared itself Ebola free. Canadian researchers have discovered that Ebola can be hosted in pigs, who can then spread it to other animals, such as monkeys, by just being in a close proximity to them. Scientists think that it spreads via aerosol droplets from the pigs lungs that can survive in the air for a brief amount of time, and may be reabsorbed by another animal, therefore spreading the disease.
Monday, November 12, 2012
.Algeria Gains Crucial Help in Fight Against Al Qaeda
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/world/africa/algeria-gains-berber-help-in-pushing-out-al-qaeda.html?ref=africa
The inhabitants of Algeria's Kabylie Mountains have decided to become a part of the part of driving out the Al Qaeda presence in their country and are having a positive impact on riding the country of them. Kidnapping was a huge issue and spread a lot of terror and gave power to evil where it shouldnt have been; reducing this activity has given a lot of power back to the people of Algeria.
The inhabitants of Algeria's Kabylie Mountains have decided to become a part of the part of driving out the Al Qaeda presence in their country and are having a positive impact on riding the country of them. Kidnapping was a huge issue and spread a lot of terror and gave power to evil where it shouldnt have been; reducing this activity has given a lot of power back to the people of Algeria.
As Coal Boosts Mozambique, the Rural Poor Are Left Behind
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/11/world/africa/as-coal-boosts-mozambique-the-rural-poor-are-left-behind.html
The people of Mozambique were delighted when they found out that a huge coal mine was to be build in their country by a Brazilian company called Vale. They hoped that this development would bring their country out of a dark cloud filled with war and poverty, but they were wrong. Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in Africa due to being involved in a Civil War that has lasted 16 years, but they are considered on of the African "lion" countries because of their consistently rapid growth over the past few years. The problem is that the country is growing and becoming more wealthy, but the people are not. That is why this mining idea was so exciting because it was supposed to offer jobs and income for many people. But the housing was poorly build for those who were supposed to be seeing an improvement along with the building of this mine and therefore they had to return and continue relying on the income and jobs (farming) they had before. I try and keep an eye on the activities in Mozambique because in high school, I was their representative when I participated in Model UN. I know about the past struggles and activities that have transpired within that country and I am always optimistic that they will be able to continue growing and will qualify as a African "lion" country.
The people of Mozambique were delighted when they found out that a huge coal mine was to be build in their country by a Brazilian company called Vale. They hoped that this development would bring their country out of a dark cloud filled with war and poverty, but they were wrong. Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in Africa due to being involved in a Civil War that has lasted 16 years, but they are considered on of the African "lion" countries because of their consistently rapid growth over the past few years. The problem is that the country is growing and becoming more wealthy, but the people are not. That is why this mining idea was so exciting because it was supposed to offer jobs and income for many people. But the housing was poorly build for those who were supposed to be seeing an improvement along with the building of this mine and therefore they had to return and continue relying on the income and jobs (farming) they had before. I try and keep an eye on the activities in Mozambique because in high school, I was their representative when I participated in Model UN. I know about the past struggles and activities that have transpired within that country and I am always optimistic that they will be able to continue growing and will qualify as a African "lion" country.
South Africa police hunt Pretoria Art Museum thieves
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20298915
The artwork stolen is worth about $2 million USD. The robbers disguised themselves as visitors and then drew pistols and robbed the museum. They stole more than they could fit in their van so they had to leave behind some of the art they stole. No arrests have been made and there are no suspects. This is not a typical story you hear coming out of Africa, but South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world and it is now evident that no possession of quality is off limits.
Above is one of the stolen paintings. It was painted in 1931 by Irma Stern and it is called Fishing Boats
The artwork stolen is worth about $2 million USD. The robbers disguised themselves as visitors and then drew pistols and robbed the museum. They stole more than they could fit in their van so they had to leave behind some of the art they stole. No arrests have been made and there are no suspects. This is not a typical story you hear coming out of Africa, but South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world and it is now evident that no possession of quality is off limits.
Above is one of the stolen paintings. It was painted in 1931 by Irma Stern and it is called Fishing Boats
Kenya police attack in Samburu: More bodies found
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20294747
These attacks were the result of a long standing feud between the Samburu and Turkana communities in Kenya; these two hearding communities often steal cattle from one another and fight over their tribes rights to grazing lands and water points. The attackers who ambushed police were carrying "sophisticated" weapons like machine guns. Three of the attackers were killed, and the final body count was 42 but there is a possibility there are more. This is the largest attack on Kenyan police ever documented.
These attacks were the result of a long standing feud between the Samburu and Turkana communities in Kenya; these two hearding communities often steal cattle from one another and fight over their tribes rights to grazing lands and water points. The attackers who ambushed police were carrying "sophisticated" weapons like machine guns. Three of the attackers were killed, and the final body count was 42 but there is a possibility there are more. This is the largest attack on Kenyan police ever documented.
Egypt 'baby trafficking ring' broken up in Cairo
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20289909
Nurses, doctors and hospital workers have been arrested in Cairo for participating in a three year-old baby trafficking ring. These babies were sold at a price of around $570 USD. Because abortions are only permissible in Egypt if the mothers health is at risk, women would come forward and look for an option for getting rid of babies that were the product of an unwanted pregnancy. In the age, it is always surprising to hear about something this barbaric taking place in our country, but what surprised me the most was that the price of a baby was only around $570. I do not understand how this price fits a life but I was very surprised to read it was so low.
Nurses, doctors and hospital workers have been arrested in Cairo for participating in a three year-old baby trafficking ring. These babies were sold at a price of around $570 USD. Because abortions are only permissible in Egypt if the mothers health is at risk, women would come forward and look for an option for getting rid of babies that were the product of an unwanted pregnancy. In the age, it is always surprising to hear about something this barbaric taking place in our country, but what surprised me the most was that the price of a baby was only around $570. I do not understand how this price fits a life but I was very surprised to read it was so low.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Tunisia "police rape" condemned
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19763641
Tunisia's minister for women is drawing attention to an occurrence in which a woman was raped by two police officers, and then charged with indecency along with her fiance. Hmida, the lawyer of the victim, is arguing that the governing Islamist Ennahda party should be responsible for making acts like this illegal. If found guilty of the charge, they could serve up to six month in prison; human rights organizations are working to get the charges dropped.
Tunisia's minister for women is drawing attention to an occurrence in which a woman was raped by two police officers, and then charged with indecency along with her fiance. Hmida, the lawyer of the victim, is arguing that the governing Islamist Ennahda party should be responsible for making acts like this illegal. If found guilty of the charge, they could serve up to six month in prison; human rights organizations are working to get the charges dropped.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Mali agrees to host anti-Islamist Ecowas force
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19699590
The purpose of this is to hopefully weaken the control radical Islamists have in north Mali, which was captured in April. This action is not favored by neighboring countries, such as Algeria, but the action has already been approved to be put into action. Sharia law is already present in most of the Northern Mali cities, so the potential for this movement to create a war is present.
The purpose of this is to hopefully weaken the control radical Islamists have in north Mali, which was captured in April. This action is not favored by neighboring countries, such as Algeria, but the action has already been approved to be put into action. Sharia law is already present in most of the Northern Mali cities, so the potential for this movement to create a war is present.
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