Headline Anchors:
Quemars Ahmed
Renee Callender
Africa
Suicide Bomber Kills Somali Ministers
On Thursday, a Somali suicide bomber disguised as a veiled woman blew himself up at a college graduation ceremony in Mogadishu. At least 15 people were killed, 3 of which included high ranking government officials. This attack marks the highest murder count of government officials, executed by insurgents, said Somali officials. Many Somalis fear the Islamic insurgents have infiltrated the governments’ security forces across the city, making Thursday’s catastrophe a little less surprising to the national population.
Shooting in the capital city of Conakry on Thursday resulted in the wounding of Guinea’s Junta military leader Moussa Dadis Camara. Press reports claim that Toumba Diakite, the captains close officer was responsible for his shooting. Guinea has been increasingly unsettled following a disastrous army massacre in late September of this year against demonstrators. September’s incident resulted in the death of at least 157 people.
South Africa Pens AIDS Policy
While South African leadership has been notorious for shying away from AIDS policy creation, current president Jacob Zuma declared Tuesday, in a national address, that drug therapy for HIV positive babies and pregnant women would commence earlier than expected. The proclamation was made on World Aids Day and the new policy is in line with treatment guidelines issued by the World Health Organization. The treatment of HIV positive babies is expected to help the country greatly, as it is one of four countries whose child mortality rate has worsened since the 1990s.
Middle East
Debt Crisis in Dubai Sees No End
NATO Assisting Afghan Troop Surge
On Tuesday President Barack Obama announced that he was approving a troop surge of at least 30,000 additional U.S. forces to Afghanistan. In an effort to combat a rising insurgency, led by the Taliban, and to support the government led by Hamid Karzai more troops are viewed as necessary. The NATO Secretary-General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, announced today that 7,000 troops from 25 NATO countries have been committed to assist in the U.S. surge. Further, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband challenged NATO allies to commit the “maximum possible,” hinting at increased international support for Obama’s goals within Afghanistan.
Retired FBI Agent, Robert Levinson, has been missing for 1,000 days after his trip to Iran. The White House and Secretary of State Clinton has called upon Iran to divulge any information about his whereabouts. While Levinson was working on a non-political mission, his ties to the government could put him in jeopardy of being held captive.
Israeli-Palestinian Prisoner Release Nearing Agreement
After the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shilat in November, Israel is nearing a compromise with Hamas to exchange hundreds of Palestinians for the Israeli soldier. The Palestinian Liberation Organization has stated that they would support such a trade, but many Israelis fear that releasing so many Palestinians, viewed as terrorists, would bring about a new wave of extremist violence. Further, leaders on both sides of the arrangement have been accused of stalling during negotiations, hampering further trade and peace agreements.
Asia
India Announces Plan to Slow Carbon Emissions
Chinese Protesters Seek Asylum in Cambodia
Members of the Uighurs, a Chinese ethnic group who participated in violent demonstrations against China in July, have fled to Cambodia where there requests for asylum may potentially be denied. The 22 Uighurs have been found trickling into Cambodia for over the past few weeks; seven are said to be wanted by the Chinese government for taking part in the demonstrations last summer. With a previous history in denying rights to refugees, Cambodia’s reaction to the Uighurs is an anticipated one.
The appeal trying to be made by Mrs. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the democracy movement, concerns the 18 month extension to her already 14 total year long house arrest. The appeal was already rejected by a lower court and the Supreme Court is now seizing control over the issue. If the appeal is a success, Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi may be able to participate in the elections that the military government has said will happen next year. The court date is set for December 21 at this time.
UN Encourages Philippines Massacre Investigation
UN human rights specialists are encouraging the Philippine government to investigate election-raised massacre which left 57 dead on November 23rd. The police have also recommended that murder charges be filed against 11 more suspects. Although he turned himself in, the main suspect, Andal Ampatuan Jr., denies the accusations made against him. Police are pressuring that charges be filed against other members of the Ampatuan clan, who holds significant power in the southern Philippines.
The Americas
New York State Lawmakers Vote Against Gay Marriage
Former Police Officer Sentenced to 27 Years for Drug Smuggling
A federal judge in New York sentenced former police officer Gilberto Salinas Doria to 27 years in prison on Wednesday. Doria helped to smuggle at least 200 tons of cocaine from Mexico to the United States from the notorious Juárez cartel. Doria was arrested in Mexico in 1998 but escaped and was later extradited to the United States in 2007.
In the anticipation of the Copenhagen climate change summit, Canada has faced great criticism in regards to their sub-par climate initiatives. Canada removed itself, without consequence, from the Kyoto protocol since its greenhouse gas emissions increased by 26% between 1990 and 2007, rather than being cut by the agreed upon 6%. Its oil fields in Alberta are considered to be a global warming disaster and the nation has been accused of “criminally negligent” pollution. George Monbiot of the London Guardian claims that Canada even surpasses the U.S. in its efforts to “sabotage a new climate change agreement” and has become a “thuggish petro-state.”
Honduran Congress Votes Down Zelaya's Reinstatement
Congress in Honduras has voted against the reinstatement of ousted President Manuel Zelaya. An overwhelming 111 out of 125 Congress members voted against allowing Zelaya to serve out the final two months of his term. Zelaya commented on the decision saying that it “ratifies the coup” and that Hondurans are now “living in illegality.” Mr. Zelaya also condemned the presidential elections held on Sunday, won by the Conservative Porfirio Lobo.
Anti-Chávez Protesters Make a Statement with Hunger Strike
Europe
U.S Student Awaiting Verdict in Italy
22 year old Amanda Knox, who is currently on trial for murder in Italy should receive her verdict this week. Knox and her former Italian boyfriend are accused of murdering Knox’s roommate, another student studying abroad in Italy. Meredith Kercher was brutally murdered and sexually assaulted at the two girls rented flat in November 2007. Knox has maintained her innocence throughout the whole trial and this week during the final days she told the court that she is “not an assassin.”
British prime minister Gordon Brown pledged to give Pakistan $83 million (50 million pounds) this week in the continued fight against terrorism. Pakistan is the believed hide out of Osama Bin Laden and other top Al Queda officials and the country has been criticized for not doing enough to track Bin Laden’s whereabouts. Brown has been a heavy criticizers. This pledge is linked to continued threats of terrorist attacks against Britain. Brown told the Pakistani Prime Minister: "This is your fight, but it is also Britain's fight," Brown also pledged an additional 500 troops to Afghanistan, following President Obama’s decision.
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