Famine Declared in 3 New Parts of Somalia
The United Nations says famine has spread to three new parts of southern Somalia, including areas in the capital, Mogadishu.
A statement Wednesday said famine conditions are present in two districts of the Middle Shabelle region, the Afgoye corridor displaced persons settlement, and in the Mogadishu displaced persons community.
The statement says rates of acute malnutrition and mortality have passed famine thresholds in all three areas.
The U.N. declared Somalia's Bakool and Lower Shabelle regions to be famine zones last month.
Wednesday's statement says a humanitarian emergency persists across all of southern Somalia, and says “tens of thousands of excess deaths have already occurred.”
It says the current aid response is inadequate because of problems with funding, logistics and access. The U.N. predicts that famine will spread across the entire south in coming weeks and will persist until December.
Somalia is at the center of the worst drought to hit the Horn of Africa in 60 years. The United Nations says more than 12 million people in the region are in need of food aid.
Earlier Wednesday, the U.N. refugee agency said the number of Somali refugees in the Horn of Africa has climbed to more than 860,000, many of them forced out by the famine.
The agency says another 1.5 million Somalis are internally displaced, mostly in south-central Somalia.
On Tuesday, British relief agency Oxfam said governments and donors need to fulfill their pledges of aid more quickly.
International aid efforts have been hampered by the militant group al-Shabab, which controls much of southern and central Somalia.
The group, which is trying to overthrow the Somali government, has denied a famine is taking place and has tried to block aid workers from reaching starving Somalis.
Egypt's Mubarak Pleads 'Not Guilty' in Historic Trial
Egypt's deposed president, Hosni Mubarak, wheeled into a Cairo courtroom in a hospital bed, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he ordered the killing of some 850 revolutionary protesters who drove him from power in an 18-day February uprising. After Wednesday's dramatic session, the judge in the case adjourned the trial until August 15.
The 83-year-old former president, who also is charged with corruption, is the first Arab leader to face trial in person since the so-called "Arab Spring" of popular revolts swept across much of North Africa and the Middle East this year.
Mr. Mubarak's two sons, Alaa and Gamal - co-defendants in the case - stood next to their father inside the courtroom's large metal cage and spoke with him during the opening session. Both men denied separate corruption charges against them. Other defendants include Mr. Mubarak's former interior minister, Habib al-Adly, six senior police commanders and a prominent businessman ((Hussein Salem)), who is being tried in absentia. They are scheduled to appear before the court again Thursday.
Mr. Mubarak, al-Adly and the six policemen could be sentenced to death if convicted. The former president also is charged with abuse of power and squandering public wealth.
The trial took an unexpected turn when Mr. Mubarak's lawyers requested that the head of the military council now ruling Egypt, a former intelligence chief and 1,600 others testify. They argued that Egypt's army chief and head of state, Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, effectively "took control" of the country after January 28, when troops were deployed in the streets of Cairo.
News channels around the world broadcast the start of the historic trial. Tens of millions throughout the Arab world watched the spectacle on live television, including many Egyptians who saw their ruler of nearly 30 years clad in a prisoner's white robes and reclining on a gurney.
Crowds also gathered outside the courthouse to watch on a large television screen. At one point, supporters and opponents of Mr. Mubarak threw rocks at one another.
Egypt's judiciary moved the location of the trial to the Cairo Police Academy for security reasons.
The former president had been living under house arrest with his family at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, where aides say he has been in poor health since leaving office. At the close of Wednesday's session, the judge ordered that Mr. Mubarak stay at a local hospital in Cairo for the duration of the proceedings.
The trial came only after heavy pressure from activists on Egypt's ruling military council. Up to the last minute, many Egyptians had doubted Mr. Mubarak would actually appear in court, expecting health issues would be used as an excuse for him to stay away.
UN Rights Investigator Appeals for Iranian Access
A newly appointed U.N. special investigator has renewed calls for Iran to cooperate in a probe of alleged human rights abuses.
Special rapporteur Ahmed Shaheed appealed to Tehran on Wednesday to allow him to visit the country. In a statement, he said he hopes Iran views his U.N. mandate as legitimate and takes steps to comply with its international obligations.
The U.N. Human Rights Council voted in March to create the special investigator position for Iran amid reports of the arrests and imprisonment of hundreds of political dissidents. Human rights groups have also raised concerns about what they call an alarming rate of executions in Iran.
In June, Iran rejected the appointment of a special rapporteur, calling it an “illegal measure.”
The government also said it would not allow the U.N. special representative to enter the country.
Independent Review of the Regulation of Electricity Services
Following a number of views expressed by consumers, electricity providers and other stakeholders concerning the cost, organisation and continuity of the power supply in TCI,
the Turks and Caicos Islands Government has decided that now is as good a time as any good to consider the scope for improving the effectiveness of the regulatory
framework.
To this end, the TCIG engaged the services of Oxera, an internationally recognised consultancy with expertise in power and resource regulation, who has worked on similar
matters with island communities elsewhere in the world. They will undertake the review during August and September.
Two specialists from Oxera are visiting the TCI initially this week and will meet with stakeholders including TCIG ministries, power providers and consumer groups on Grand
Turk and Providenciales.
There will be further opportunities for more detailed submissions and discussions with the specialists later in August, when comments from the public, consumers and other interested parties on all islands will be sought.
The District Commissioners will be important focal points for gathering the views from the communities they serve. Details of the opportunities for oral and written representations from the public and other stakeholders
will be publicised during the course of this month (August).
A team of health professionals from the Ministry of Health and Human
Services recently represented the Turk and Caicos Islands at the First Annual Caribbean Region Tri-angu-lating on Health Equity Conference, July 21-22, 2011, at the Caribe Hilton Hotel, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The two day conference July 21-22, was hosted by Morehouse School of Medicine, with sponsorship from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Office of Minority Health, and showcased best-practice, real-world, and
positive-outcome health equity models from the Caribbean region and communities, representing the Caribbean Diaspora in the United States.
The purpose of the Conference was to build collaborations around the theme of “Triangulating on Health Equity”, identifying and disseminating models which integrate multi-dimensional interventions focused on social
determinants, public/community health, and primary care.
The TCI contingent was among approximately 75 participants, including community leaders, scholars, and practitioners, in attendance, who presented examples of best-practice models.
Director of Health Services and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Rufus Ewing, and Health Planner, Dr. Jamillah Berry, discussed the TCI Model for Health Care Renewal including successes, challenges and lessons learned,
as well as future plans to strengthen health regulation, primary care and health promotion initiatives. Dr. Terese Maitland, Chief of the National Epidemiology and Research Unit, along with
Health Educator Ms. Imterniza McCartney, presented on the TCI Multi-disciplinary Model for Cholera Preparedness Surveillance carried out in collaboration with international agencies PAHO and DFID and regional
agencies (e.g., CAREC) to support the development and implementation of health promotion, prevention, detection, treatment and control measures.
Additional persons in attendance at the “Triangulating on Health Equity” included Nutritionist Mrs. Lakeisha Gardiner-Wilson, Health Research Officer Ms. Shenika Handfield, and
Mr. Romell Phillips, Morehouse School of Medicine Master of Public Health Intern from South Caicos.
911 Manager will be saying bon voyage to the TCI
Ms. Juliette Gooding, the face of the country’s 911 emergency programme, will be saying bon voyage to the people of the TCI and a country she has come to regard as home for the past three years.
Ms. Juliette Gooding stepped down as programme manager July 31, having devoted the past three years to ensuring a well functioning 911 system is in place.
The Barbadian expert in 911 systems, coming off assignment in the Cayman Islands, had her work cut out for her in a country that had few street names, fewer street signs and numbers, and not much of a communications
system.
With sparse government funding, the fledgling system benefitted in a big way from community support, especially from businesses that donated enough money to help finally bring the system online in February 2010.
Now the fully staffed 911 Call Center on Providenciales handles as many as 13,000 calls each month on its communications system.
“I’m really quite pleased about that. We can share information with fire, police and ambulance at the same time, so that is working very well,” Ms. Gooding is quoted as saying.
Work is still in progress on the programme on Grand Turk, where the communication system is not complete, but she said street naming and numbering is getting close.
“In another couple of months, you should see the residents having their numbers and street signage,” Gooding said.
“Even though Provo has essentially been complete as far as having street names and a numbers, you don’t see all the signs we would like to see up,” Gooding said. Completing that task will take community support
and government enforcement.
Businesses and residences that fail to properly display their official addresses can face fines. To get your official house number and learn more about 911, visit www.911tci.com or call 946-5255.
Now that her job in the TCI is completed, Ms. Gooding plans to return to Cayman and relax for awhile before moving on to her next assignment.
Ms. Gooding is expected to be in the islands until the 10th of August.
Tiger Woods happy with decision to sack Steve Williams
Former world number one Tiger Woods returns to competitive golf on Thursday insisting he has no regrets about sacking caddie Steve Williams.
Woods, who last played in May, is in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational field.
He ended a 12-year partnership with Williams last month, prompting an angry response from the New Zealander.
"I felt it was time for a change," said Woods, now world number 28. "He is a hell of a guy and has helped my career but I think I've helped his as well."
Williams was dismissed after Woods was reportedly upset by the caddie choosing to work for Australian Adam Scott without seeking his employer's permission.
Woods revealed that he informed the Kiwi of his decision in the clubhouse at last month's AT&T National tournament in Washington, which the 14-time major winner attended to promote his charity foundation.
A furious Williams later said he had "wasted two years" but Woods told a news conference: "That's what he says and what he feels. I felt it was time for a change. Stevie and I have had an amazing run - Stevie's an amazing caddie.
"We had a nice conversation," he said. "It was a tough conversation, but we said what we needed to face-to-face and man-to-man."
The new man on the bag for Woods at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio will be childhood friend Bryon Bell, who also caddied for him in the 1999 Buick Invitational.
"Bryon and I go way back," said Woods, who confirmed Bell's appointment was just an "interim" measure, adding "we are very comfortable on the course".
Woods, who won the most recent of his majors in 2008 and has not won any tournament since November 2009, was last seen in competitive action at the Players Championship.
He aggravated knee and Achilles injuries sustained at the Masters in April on the first tee and withdrew after nine holes, having limped through the outward half in a six-over-par 42.
The 35-year-old American had won seven times in nine appearances at the Firestone course and was second and fourth on the other two occasions, but last year finished joint 78th out of 80 on 18-over-par as details of his much-fabled divorce were being finalised.
"The docs gave me the clearance, so here I am. I started practising a couple of weeks ago, which was nice, and I was close to playing last week, but again the doctors advised me that maybe I should take another week," said Woods
"I started pushing it pretty hard and I feel good now. Some of the things I'm working with [coach] Sean [Foley] are starting to make sense. I can see what he's trying to get me to do."
In the first two rounds at Ohio Woods will play alongside Open champion Darren Clarke, who moved from 111th to 30th in the world rankings following his victory at Sandwich.
FIFA eyes on the Caribbean
FIFA recently gave all the 25 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) members 48 hours to state what happened at a meeting where it was alleged that some kind of a infraction took place in Trinidad and Tobago on May 10th.
Coming out of the ethics committee investigations it would appear that there was compelling evidence that some kind of money traction actually took place.
So serious this evidence could be that it is the first time in the history of football that FIFA has come out and taken such a strong position on the Caribbean football countries.
Football in the Caribbean is quite a unknown and is not a power house like other federations in the world.
However with both Jack Warner and Mohamed Bin Hammam falling from grace it would appear that FIFA is not at all contended and intends to get to the bottom of this matter.
Barbados stated early that they were not involved but then weeks later they stated that they were not going to assist with the investigations that were taking place in the Barbados.
Soon after FIFA sent out correspondence to all those involved, requesting an immediate reply, the Barbados Football Association has done an about turn and has said they are not guilty of any charges.
This position by the BFA is rather interesting as a turn around would be viewed by many as suspicious in nature.
Is this is the BFA final position or are we in store for more?
Five countries we have been told up to this date have returned their financial packages reportedly worth some US$40 000 each.
The English media for a very long time have printed pictures involving some cash transactions for the whole world to see.
It is amazing that since all these going ons, that two other high ranking CFU officials have come out and have called for an audit of Concacaf’s finances
One wonders why it has taken three Caribbean Football officials being suspended for such statements to be made in public.
For years allegations of corruption’s, match fixing, bribery and under hand dealings have been branded about but everytime these issues are brushed under the carpet.
This scenario has rocked FIFA and one wonders if their image will every be reshaped to the contentment of its member countries. (CG)
NBA talks appear to be going nowhere
NBA talks have started again and are apparently going nowhere.
A downcast Commissioner David Stern said "nothing" gave him reason for encouragement after an over two hours meeting yesterday between owners and players, the first to include leadership from both sides since the lockout began exactly a month ago.
"I don't feel optimistic about the players' willingness to engage in a serious way," Stern said.
Stern added nothing had changed since the last meeting on June 30, hours before the old collective bargaining agreement expired, and said he doesn't feel players are bargaining in good faith.
Doubtful
Players argue that although owners insist they are committed to making a deal, their proposals say otherwise.
Neither side offered a new proposal yesterday, exactly three months before the November 1 scheduled opening of the regular season that seems more in doubt than ever.
Stern and Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver were joined by San Antonio owner Peter Holt, who heads the labour relations committee, and Board of Governors chairman and Minnesota owner Glen Taylor represented ownership.
Players' association executive director Billy Hunter, and president Derek Fisher and vice-president Theo Ratliff, both of the Lakers, attended along with union attorneys.
"It's a tough position to be in," Fisher said. "I think Peter, Glen Taylor, Commissioner Stern, Adam Silver are articulating certain things in the room, expressing their desire to get a deal done, but where their proposal lies makes it hard to believe that.
"So we're continuing to try to work around what's been said and really focus on the deal on the table, and right now we're still a very, very long way from getting a deal done."
Fisher said the sides would try to meet at least two or three more times in August. Stern said there is always reason to have meetings, yet made it clear owners feel not enough is happening during them.
"Right now we haven't seen any movement," he said, adding "there's still a very wide gap between us."
England too good for India
England routed India by 319 runs in the second Test at Trent Bridge yesterday to take a 2-0 lead in the four-Test series, a margin that will give the hosts the No. 1 ranking in the world if maintained.
India collapsed to 158 all out with more than a day left in the match for their heaviest ever runs defeat against England, who won the first Test by 196 runs at Lord's last week.
Tim Bresnan capped a superb all round display with figures of 5-48 after having earlier scored 90 to help set the visitors a record victory target of 478.
James Anderson took 3-51, including the prize wicket of India's top scorer Sachin Tendulkar, who made 56, from 86 balls with eight fours. Stuart Broad claimed 2-30.
"There have been some outstanding contributions in the last two test matches,'' England captain Andrew Strauss said. "It was a fantastic turnaround and I'm very proud of what we've done this week.''
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni acknowledged his batsmen had underperformed.
"It's important to score runs,'' he said. "We have not really scored fast or scored consistently so that's also a bit of a concern.
"There were quite a few things that were bothering us. Missing one of your key fast bowlers, when you're playing with four bowlers, it becomes difficult to manoeuvre things,'' he added, referring to Zaheer Khan's hamstring injury at Lord's.
Earlier, India bowled England out for 544 in the morning session, with Ian Bell hitting 159. The hosts made rapid progress after starting on 441-6, 374 runs ahead.
Bresnan hit 17 fours from 118 balls before he was caught by Rahul Dravid off Praveen Kumar, while Matt Prior was caught behind off Kumar for 73, from 60 balls with 10 fours.
Broad chipped in with 44 after earlier contributions of 70 from Eoin Morgan and 63 by Kevin Pietersen. Kumar was India's best bowler with 4-124.
Edged
Having added 417 runs on Sunday's third day - the most England have scored in a single day since making 437 against Pakistan at this venue in 1954 - the hosts continued to score freely, adding 103 runs in 90 minutes.
Bresnan reached his 50, from 68 balls, with the third delivery from the day, a false shot to Sreesanth that he edged for four.
Prior fell to the 10th ball of the day but Broad maintained England's momentum with a rapid 44 from 32 balls that included two sixes off successive balls from Suresh Raina over midwicket, until he was run out by a direct hit from the substitute fielder WP Saha.
Bresnan was caught by Rahul Dravid in the gully off the next ball from Kumar, before Ishant Sharma ended the innings when he had Graeme Swann caught by a substitute fielder for 3.