South Africa: Murder with Lions

Mark Scott-Crossley is a white farmer in South Africa who, along with one of his employees beat, Nelson Chisale and threw him inside a closed area of a local lion breeding center. Nelson Chisale was a black man and a former employee of Scott-Crossley; racial tensions are still present in South Africa. Scott-Crossley has been sentenced to life in prison, which is the highest punishment allowed in South Africa; the man who helped him has been sentenced to 15 years with 3 year suspension. Scott-Crossley and his accomplice plan to fight their sentences.

This news report was found through BBC News

Arctic Ice Melt- Global Warming?

Scientists have noticed that the ice in the arctic region has been melting at a quicker rate than in the past. Results show that the average arctic air temperature has increased 5.4 degrees over the past 50 years. Also, scientists fear that with ice melting and dark water increasing in surface area, less solar energy will be reflected by the white ice. This means temperatures will only continue to rise.

This news report was found through MSNBC

India: Three Year Old Runner

At age three and a half, Budhia Singh has daily runs for seven hours; he can run around 30 miles at a time. Singh's father passed away, and since his mom could not provide for all four of her children, she sold Singh for 800 rupees ($20). One day the judo coach, Biranchi Das, punished Singh for misbehavior; Das told him to run until he returned from working. Das got busy and returned after five hours to find that this young boy was still running. Paying the man who bought Singh from his mother, Das began training Singh and has hopes that one day he will make the Guinness Book of World Records.

This news report was found through BBC News

India

England: BPAS Refers Clinics for Late Abortions

In the UK, 24 weeks is the limit for performing legal abortions. However, it has been discovered that the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) refers women to other countries where they can have an abortion past 24 weeks. Around 100 women call each year wanting late abortions. Sir Liam Donaldson, the Chief Medical Officer said these women should first be seen by a counselor, and then it is legal to give this information to the women. Donaldson is in charge of this case and the BPAS must reply by October to his response for the organization to "tighten its procedures."

This news report was found through BBC NEWS

Ethiopia: Lions Force Ethiopians from their Homes

Due to deforestation, killer lions have run close to 1,000 Ethiopian farmers from their homes. Twenty people have already been killed by the lions; the lions are coming to the district of Soro in the south part of Ethiopia. The attacks from the lions occur in the daytime while the farmers are out working. Attacks have been reported in 14 villages and 750 domestic animals have been killed. Officials can only reason to kill these lions in order to protect the people living in this area.

This news report was found through BBC News

Rwanda: Trial for Leaders during Genocide

In 1994 genocide broke out in the small African country Rwanda. Over half a million people died in this genocide. Now, three men who were Rwandan Cabinet members during the country's genocide are on trial for the part they played in the murder of so many people. One leader has already been convicted and sentenced to life in prison. These three who are currently on trial are pleading not guilty of genocide and other crimes related to this mass murder.

This news report was found through MSNBC

More about the Genocide of Rwanda

"Hotel Rwanda"

Indonesia: Rainforest to Palm Oil Plantation

Indonesia is deciding whether or not to turn part of its rainforest into a plantation to farm palm oil. This part of the rainforest is in the region of Kalimantan, Borneo and is where over half of Indonesia's rivers begin. Also living in this land are some endangered animals and new species are still being discovered there.

Indonesia is a major producer of the world's palm oil, which is used in products such as margarine, candy, and baked goods. The Indonesian population has a high unemployment rate, and forming this new plantation would create many new jobs.

While measures would be taken to preserve the rainforest habitat, there is the possibility that this plantation would be worth the work. Through research it has been found that palm oil does not grow its best above 200 meters, and much of this region is from 1,000 to 2,000 meters high.

This news report was found through CNN News

The Heart of Borneo- World Wildlife Fund

South Africa: Typhoid Outbreak

Possibly due to contaminated water near Johannesburg, South Africa there has been an outbreak of typhoid fever. Two South Africans have already died from the disease, over 400 others have typhoid, and over 2,000 have diarrhoea. The outbreak is said to be contained, and people are identifying they have the sickness early on. Clean drinking water and the army have been brought in to help the problem. Chlorinating the contaminated water is another step already taken, but the people still have to wait a few days before using the water.

Typhoid is a bacterial disease and its symptoms include high fever, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation. This disease can be treated with antibiotics.

This news report was found through the New York Times

Venezuela: Chavez Gives Indigenous People Land Titles

Early August President Hugo Chavez gave land titles to six indigenous people groups in Venezuela. Now these six indigenous groups have rights to their original lands. This is a step to protect Indian groups in Venezuela who have suffered injustice through the years. Chavez stresses that through giving the land titles to these people, it does not mean less unity for Venezuela. According to Chavez, "Before all else comes national unity."

The land titles were given to around 4,000 people who belong to six indigenous groups. The land totals to 314,000 acres and is located in the eastern part of Venezuela, in the Anzoategui and Monagas states.

In Venezuela, there are around 300,000 people who belong to 28 indigenous groups. Chavez has hopes to give 15 more land titles to other indigenous groups by the end of this year.

This news report was found through ABC News

Home Beside the City Dump

Home Beside the City Dump
Originally uploaded by angelpolanco12.

These three pictures are to add to the story on Venezuela and the indigenous people gaining land titles. Maracaibo is in the western part of Venezuela, it was here I meet many Wahiro indians and even learned a phrase: Anashi Malegwau- it either means God Bless or God is good

Mi Amigo Mauricio

Mi Amigo Mauricio
Originally uploaded by angelpolanco12.

I met Mauricio while I was in Venezuela and the team I was with was able to work alongside him and his church much of the summer.

Chavez Billboard

Chavez Billboard
Originally uploaded by angelpolanco12.

While I was in Maracaibo, Venezuela this summer I saw this billboard through my bus window

Colombian Jet Hijacked, Lack of Government Aid Angered Man

A father and son hijacked a Colombian jet Monday, September 12 on a flight from Florencia, Colombia to Bogota, Colombia. The father was in a wheelchair and was angry that the Colombian government had not supplied him with money to help with his injury. These men had two grenades, and after hours of talking to government negotiators and a Roman Catholic priest the men surrendered. They had released people from the plane but it took five hours for the men to surrender.

This news report was found through MSNBC

Egypt Headed for Democracy?

For the first time, Egypt held a presidential race and the people were able to vote between two candidates. The Egyptian press openly discussed politics, and people are taking the opportunities to share their opinions and views about the government. Even though President Hosni Mubarak won another consecutive term, it is obvious to the Egyptians and people around the world, that this voting process is a step toward Democracy that cannot be easily taken back.

This news report was found through MSNBC

Test Post

I've discovered flickr photo site.

Looking for the running back

Looking for the running back
Originally uploaded by PhotojProf.

Class assignment to practice posting a pic into our blogs. Photographer Dave Black came to our university for a few days to work with photography students!

Austria: Cable Car Accident

On Sept. 6, 2005 in Soelden, Austria, nine people were killed in a cable car accident. A helicopter was flying over a ski resort, and dropped a tub on the cable car at the resort. This tub weighed close to 1,500 pounds; it was carrying concrete to be used for construction at the top of the cable car lift. The dead include six children and three adults.

This news report was found through MSNBC

The beginnings...

This blog is going to discuss news around the world; this news will not necessarily be impacting the United States. Since the U.S. news has a reputation for only covering what directly affects it, I will seek to find news that is important but that is not commonly found in the U.S. media. News in other nations is important, and it is beneficial to be aware of what is going on in the world. So let's see what's going on...