Shooting of Malala Yousufzai

Pakistan official: Boys involved in Malala attack

            Malala Yousufzai is a fifteen year old Pakistani girl internationally known for campaigning for girls’ education. She started campaigning when she was eleven years old. Throughout Pakistan, the Taliban has been trying to remove girls from the classroom. Malala herself experienced struggles in being allowed to attend school in Swat. In January 2009, the Taliban issued an order that no school should educate girls. This resulted in Malala’s campaign.

             On October 9, 2012, Malala’s school van was hijacked. They forced the other girls on the van to identify Malala. Then, they shot Malala in the head and the neck. Two other girls were also shot. Malala was transferred to a hospital in Birmingham, England where she was placed on a ventilator. She has been making progress, but doctor’s state a lot of long, hard work lies ahead. The shooting of Malala Yousufzai has enraged many citizens of Pakistan resulting in various rallies. Many are shocked that the Taliban would allow an attack on a teenage girl.

              I found this article on the CNN website under World News. There were various articles on Malala, but honestly, I had no idea who she was. Curious about all the publicity on this young girl, I decided to read one of the articles on her. It is very interesting and inspiring to see how great an impact a fifteen year old can make. It’s even more intriguing to see how this fifteen year old girl posed such a threat to the Taliban. This event is important because it shows the seriousness and danger of the Taliban. It also initiated additional fury of Pakistani citizens with the Taliban. Close monitoring should be kept on the distention existing and building within Pakistan. 

Al Qaeda Threat

Al Qaeda Leader Calls for Kidnapping of Westerners

         While reading the CNN website under World News, I came across a very disturbing article. Once again, my topic is focused on al Qaeda. As many are aware, al Qaeda has been the cause of much turmoil in the United States, and according to this article, it appears that we still have reason to fear them. 

Ayman al-Zawahiri is the current leader of al Qaeda. He was the second leader under Osama bin Laden, but following bin Laden’s death in 2011, al-Zawahiri took over bin Laden’s position. The event referred to in this article was the posting of a two part, two hour video that al-Zawahiri put on jihadist websites. In the video, al-Zawahiri instructs muslims to kidnap westerners. Al Qaeda currently has possession of Warren Weinstein, an American that was abducted from his home in Pakistan. Al-Zawahiri’s reasoning is to use these prisoners as a bargaining chip to free Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman from US custody. Abdel-Rahman is responsible for the World Trade Center bombing. 

Al-Zawahiri is one of the FBI’s most wanted terrorists. It is unknown where he is hiding or where this video took place, but it is suspected that he resides in Pakistan near the Afghanistan border. I chose this event because it is important for Americans to be aware of possible threats, especially when traveling. Al Qaeda has plagued America with fear for over a decade, and Americans need to stay updated and informed on these global issues. Additionally, al Qaeda is affecting more than the United States. They have been forcing Mali to follow the strict Sharia law, and in the video, al-Zawahiri wants the Sharia law to be instituted in Egypt as well. 

Sex Labor

Sex Worker: I Sleep with 5 Men a Day Just to Eat

            Today, I am addressing challenges faced in Swaziland, Africa and how citizens cope with these challenges. All information was obtained from an article on the CNN website that was listed under World News. I chose my topic in order to increase awareness on the hardships faced by citizens of other countries around the world. It is important to have awareness so that interventions can be implemented. 

            In Swaziland, the economy is poor, and jobs are very limited. Citizens are losing their jobs and unable to find new places to work. Youth unemployment rates are over fifty percent. As a result, many people in this country are unable to provide the basic needs they must have such as food and housing. Due to job shortages, people are going to every extreme possible in order to make ends meet. In particular, prostitution has become a mainstream option for women.

           This article consists of an interview with a woman who is a prostitute. She states that she does not want to be a prostitute but instead, felt forced into that lifestyle due to her inability to find a job. She admits to sleeping with 20 men in two weeks and sometimes 5 to 6 men in one day in order feed herself. As a result, she has contracted HIV. 

           HIV/AIDS is a major global health concern and has high prevalence in Swaziland due to high rates of prostitution. The poor economy in Swaziland contributes to the domino effect due to lack of jobs resulting in prostitution resulting in the HIV/AIDS endemic. Swaziland has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS infection worldwide. In fact, 1 in 4 people are infected. A way that the people of Swaziland can be helped is through establishing jobs and preventing/treating HIV/AIDS. Awareness should be made on HIV/AIDS and condom use should be encouraged. Additionally, availability of anti-retrovirals and other treatment regimens for these infections are crucial to preserve those affected in Swaziland.

Malnutrition in Mali

World Food Day: Crisis in Mali

      As two-thirds of Mali is currently controlled by al Qaeda Islamic militants, the country is also enduring widespread chaos and instability. Of particular importance, Mali is suffering from severe food shortages and malnutrition, especially in children. Three droughts have occurred in the past decade contributing to food shortages. Internal conflicts have only exacerbated the concern. Malians are fleeing north is search of food and safety, and those who remain are displaced. Information was obtained from the CNN website under World News.

           I chose this event because world hunger is a major global health concern. It is important to fight world hunger and advocate for children affected by malnutrition. CNN gave an example of a 16 month old girl who currently weighs just over nine pounds. Due to a weakened immune system, she also suffers from pneumonia and anemia. She was found by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and transported to a local IRC health clinic. Without help from the clinic, it was determined that this little girl would have died. Instead, the IRC instructed her mother on feeding her nutritionally fortified peanut paste. The IRC continues to travel throughout Mali in order to identify malnourished children and inform villages about health clinics.

           Villages report that food supplies ran out months ago. Farmers reveal empty huts that usually stores grains, and the next harvest isn’t until January or February. Malians are already expressing concern over the hard months they know lie ahead. International efforts have been hindered by the national political chaos. However, the IRC continues to deliver necessary aid to the displaced. They are also restoring water access by priming wells and water points. Water purification kits are being distributed and hygiene campaigns are being promoted. Even still, contaminated water is prevalent leading to diseases such as cholera. The rapid humanitarian crisis needs immediate relief. 

Instability in Mali

A ticking time bomb: What's behind the instability in Mali

                      Today, I am writing to inform you on the instability that is currently occurring in Mali, Africa. Information was obtained from the CNN website under World News. The country of Mali gained independence from France in 1960. In 1992, a democracy was established, and a president was elected. Mali became the model of democracy for other countries throughout Africa. However, in March 2012, there was an uprising of Islamic militants that has been plaguing the country with instability ever since.  

            I chose this event because it is an ongoing war that is not only affecting Mali, but West Africa as a whole. Additionally, there is international concern that al Qaeda, a terrorist organization, will establish a haven in Mali during the chaos. This could be detrimental as Mali is a landlocked country and is hard to access. In the meantime, the Islamic militants are enforcing their strict interpretation of the sharia law on the local citizens. This has lead to human rights concerns in Mali.

           Mali citizens’ human rights are currently being abused by the Islamic militants. The strict sharia law is being imposed on people who practice a relaxed form of Islam. Music, smoking, drinking and watching sports on television have been banned. Historic tombs and shrines have been destroyed. Extreme punishments are being implemented on mother’s who had children out of wedlock and those who are in relationships outside of marriage. Public executions, amputations and flogging are now commonplace. In July, a couple was stoned to death for allegedly having an affair. 

          Human rights and suppression of the al Qaeda terrorist group are international concerns. Many believe military intervention is needed immediately. On October 12, 2012, the United Nations (U.N.) had a meeting that was to begin plans for international military intervention. On October 19, the U.N. announced that the world body is ready for military planners and security advisors.