Monthly Archives: September 2010

Nigeria, trafficking

Thousands of Nigerian women ‘found in Mali slave camps’

BBC

Nigerian girls are being forced to work as prostitutes in Mali “slave camps”, say officials in Nigeria.  The girls, many of them under age, have often been promised jobs in Europe but ended up in brothels, said the government’s anti-trafficking agency.  The brothels are run by older Nigerian women who prevent them from leaving and take all their earnings.  The agency said it was working with Malian police to free the girls and help them return to Nigeria. Continue reading Thousands of Nigerian women ‘found in Mali slave camps’ →

Congo

Implications in the U.S of the U.S. law against conflicts of minerals in the DRC

AFJN

Translated from French to English by AFJN
Source: Conférence Episcopale Nationale  du Congo ( Congolese National Bishops’ Conference)

Dear Brothers and Sisters

My name is Jennifer Poidatz, I am in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a Representative of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) . CRS has been working in DRC since 1961. Our programs focus on humanitarian assistance and development and are implemented in partnership with many diocesan and governmental structures throughout the country. Continue reading Implications in the U.S of the U.S. law against conflicts of minerals in the DRC →

Brazil

Brazil election front-runner Rousseff holds final rally

BBC

The favourite to be Brazil’s next president, Dilma Rousseff, has held her last campaign rally ahead of Sunday’s election.   Flanked by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Ms Rousseff told supporters gathered at Sao Paulo’s sambadrome that she represented continuity.  Ms Rousseff has seen her lead in the polls shrink slightly in recent days.  But she could still be on course to win outright in the first round and become Brazil’s first female leader.  As rain poured down, Ms Rousseff, 62, told the crowd that she aimed to honour President Lula’s legacy and continue his work. Continue reading Brazil election front-runner Rousseff holds final rally →

Nigeria

Ransom demand after gunmen seize Nigeria schoolchildren

BBC

Gunman have seized 15 children who were on their way to their international school in the south-eastern Nigerian state of Abia, say police.   “The abductors have contacted [the owner of the private school] and asked for 20 million naira [$130,000; £81,500],” police spokesman Geofrey Ogbonna told AFP news agency.  The nationalities of the children – who are thought to be under 10 years old – have not been confirmed. Continue reading Ransom demand after gunmen seize Nigeria schoolchildren →

USA

The U.S. Record on Financing for Development in 2009

US State Department

Fact Sheet

Bureau of Economic, Energy & Business Affairs

Washington, DC

September 24, 2010

“As for America…our commitment must be measured by more than just the dollars we spend. I’ve pledged substantial increases in our foreign assistance…but the true sign of success is not whether we are a source of perpetual aid that helps people scrape by – it’s whether we are partners in building the capacity for transformational change.” – President Barack Obama, Remarks to the Ghanaian Parliament, July 11, 2009

“Development…is a strategic, economic, and moral imperative – as central to advancing American interests as solving global problems as diplomacy and defense.” – Secretary Hillary Clinton, Remarks to the Center for Global Development, January 6, 2010 Continue reading The U.S. Record on Financing for Development in 2009 →

Africa, Economic Justice, Trade

China Summons Past to Advance Into Africa

By Antoaneta Becker
LONDON, Sep 27, 2010 (IPS) – Irked by accusations that it is the new coloniser of Africa, China is looking to use soft power and historical evidence of its ancient links to the continent to justify its economic embrace of Africa.

Chinese archaeologists have been sent to hunt for a long-lost shipwreck off the Kenya coast to support claims that China beat white explorers in discovering Africa. Meanwhile Beijing is preparing to fund more research on the continent to aid its companies and banks’ quest for expansion there. Continue reading China Summons Past to Advance Into Africa →

Brazil, Climate Change, Environment

Warming´s unavoidable consequences

José Pedro Martins
Less deforestation is countered by high greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate change scientists in Brazil are scrambling to map out how higher temperatures may be causing irreversable damage to the country´s biomes.

Government policies have aimed to combat deforestation, and while somewhat successful in slowing the trend, particularly in the Amazon Rainforest, known as the “world´s lungs” since it absorbs vast quantities of greenhouse gases, the efforts may be too late as temperatures continue to climb. Continue reading Warming´s unavoidable consequences →

Peace, USA

What’s Happening To Our Veterans

Tikkun Daily

Contrary to popular belief, our soldiers are currently fighting three wars – two in the Middle East and one at home. With politicians and pundits endlessly evoking the “war on terror” and security concerns, it is the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces that back up all the tough talk and rhetoric. However, when these brave souls return from combat, our society is not adequately prepared for their arrival. The regrettable treatment of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan is shameful. Continue reading What’s Happening To Our Veterans →