Salem-News.com Africa articles Page 55

Pirate Update: Ariana Crew Abandoned Again

A female sailor is beaten by her ship's engineer so severely that she loses her unborn child; it is the MV ARIANA's tragic story of poverty, piracy, unexpected heroes, and a captive crew turning on themselves.

(NAIROBI, Kenya) - One of the most inhumane and cruel Somali piracy stories of 2009 involve the tragic happenings on MV ARIANA, the Greek/British-owned, Malta-flagged and Ukrainian-crewed cargo vessel held in Somalia for six months until a ransom between USD 2.8 million and USD 3.5 million was paid for the release of the 37,955 gross tonnage bulk carrier.

Holiday Déjà Vu

Should we think about genocide during a time of joy and celebration?

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - It was my task to write something about the holidays and relate the meaning and experience of the holidays to the lives of our friends in the refugee camps. As I stare at the blank Word Doc, instead of the spirit of Christmas coming over me, what I get is this overwhelming feeling of déjà vu!

Report Finds `Alarming` Rise in Global Hunger

Financial crisis and gender inequality worsen malnutrition.

(NEW YORK) - Underscoring the warning issued by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Program that hunger is worsening around the world, the 2009 Global Hunger Index (GHI) records “alarming” levels of hunger and malnutrition in 29 countries.

Today Darfur

One girl, age 13 was gang raped by 7 men of the pro government militias – she later died as a result of the trauma, her parents could not get her to El Fasher for medical treatment.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - According to rebel groups in North Darfur, the Sudan Armed Forces have bombed and attacked the Jebel Mo area, northwest of Meilit in North Darfur. The spokesman of the faction of SLM-Abdelshafi said that planes flew over the area and were hitting targets in the Mo village. The attack was followed by a ground offensive by militias, explained Ahmed Fadul Abdallah of SLM-Abdelshafi – Radio Dabanga

Those who have reached El Fasher are speaking out, the Janjaweed and GoS (Government of Sudan) are brutally attacking and killing anyone caught between the villages and IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps.

Darfur, Are We Listening?

Please answer the voice of the displaced Darfuri, “I hear you; I will help you see justice!”

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Six years later, human atrocities; maiming, killing, rape, looting, 80+ percent of villages burned and destroyed and hundreds of thousands displaced both within and outside of Darfur.

We are spending millions on aid, numerous resources and time. A country that allows its own men, women, children, teachers, doctors to be exterminated in such a fashion will not stand against atrocities in other countries. If we choose to ignore this and walk away, than we are saying this is allowed, this is OK. Hitler watched the world forgot about the Armenians, he concluded they can and will forget about the Jews.

Itafari Foundation; Inspiring the Children of Rwanda (SLIDESHOW)

They want kids to realize their own empowerment to rebuild better lives.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Itafari Foundation is holding a VIRTUAL fundraiser on September 25-27 to raise money for the school we’re building; Kigali Secondary Parents School. For $75 you can buy a BRICK (itafari!) with your name or the name of a loved one on it which will be placed in the school in Rwanda.

Education is the key to ending poverty and hate; it also guides you through a world filled with choices. You can choose to make an extraordinary difference in the world and choose to make a lifelong difference in the life of a child - for $75. It can start slowly with something as simple as a brick.

Tackling Piracy at Sea Conference Set for Early December

The Tackling Piracy at Sea Conference happens at the Westbury Hotel, London, UK, 2nd and 3rd December 2009.

(LONDON) - Following on the successful event that took place in March 2009, organizers will again host the conference, Tackling Piracy at Sea, in London.

The group Ecoterra says that since international naval forces have been patrolling the Gulf of Aden, it has been hoped that piracy in the region will be curbed or cease altogether. "However, the problem has not gone away and indeed there is evidence that piracy attacks are increasing in other global regions," Ecoterra said in a statement.

Remembering 9/11

Sitting here with my husband we began to talk about where we were on 9/11...here is my story.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - I was in a small town called El Centro. We had gone there to work in an elementary school teaching young students to read.

Many of these children lived in terrible conditions, filthy with lice, parents who were abusive and neglectful. These parents were typically more concerned about their meth cooking than their children, often looking at them as their monthly pay check.

Kids for Kids Offers Help for Darfur & Sudan

Kids for Kids was founded in 2001, and is currently aiding over 250,000 people in 51 villages.

(CORVALLIS, Ore.) - Patricia Parker, MBE, Founder and CEO of Kids for Kids, will be visiting the Mid-Willamette Valley September 13-17, 2009.

Kids for Kids is an international organization, based in the United Kingdom, which helps villages in Darfur, Sudan, become viable and sustainable. Ms. Parker is well-known throughout the international community that has connections with Darfur, and has received many commendations and awards in the U.K.

Efforts Underway to Free Two Pirate-Held Planes in Somalia

"Puntland 'seizes Kenya-bound planes that transported pirate suspects'" - garoweonline

(PUNTLAND, Somalia) - Authorities in Somalia's Puntland State government have seized two Kenya-bound airplanes that allegedly transported pirate suspects to Puntland without the local government's knowledge, government sources tell Garowe Online.

The two airplanes were seized by Puntland security forces on Sunday after landing at the airport in Galkayo, the provincial capital of Mudug region.