The pros and cons of 'sharenting' | Life and style | The Guardian

The pros and cons of 'sharenting' | Life and style | The Guardian

Are sharents – parents who blog, tweet and post pictures about all aspects of their children's lives – doing their children harm by crossing the boundaries between public and private life? 

They have been dubbed "sharents" – the mums and dads who blog, tweet and post pictures from their children's lives – often simultaneously. Mostly aged 35 and upwards, they were early adopters of social media who quickly became comfortable sharing their thoughts with strangers. Now, as they enter parenthood, it seems natural to take everyone along with them, every step of the way.

But how will this parental sharing affect children as they grow up?

The curious case of Africa’s Progress and the missing Millennium Development Goals – By Susana Edjang | African Arguments

The curious case of Africa’s Progress and the missing Millennium Development Goals – By Susana Edjang | African Arguments

The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that have driven the global development agenda, since September 2000, when Kofi Annan, then Secretary-General of the United Nations, and 191 member states surprised the world by unanimously agreeing and making, the Millennium Declaration.
The Millennium Declaration was both a surprising and encouraging outcome for global progress.  Not long before the Millennium Declaration was signed, just the previous year, 1999, world leaders failed to launch “the Millennium Round” of trade negotiations during the Word Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial meeting in Seattle.  High, middle- and low-income countries could not find it in themselves to agree a global trade agenda that would benefit citizens in rich and poorer countries. In contrast, the MDGs were aspirational and unanimously adopted.  They presented a vision of the world very difficult to disagree with; a world with less hunger; with education for all, without unnecessary deaths of women and children from diseases and misfortunes that could easily be prevented.   Despite this rosy picture, however, the MDGs faced criticism from the start.  They were criticised for being too driven by a pro-aid agenda favoured by the “Triad” — the United States, Europe and Japan — that with support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) had pushed through the Millennium Declaration.  Through aid disbursed to achieve the MDGs, these donor groups were said to increase their influence over national policies in aid recipient countries.

Out of Africa - hope - StumbleUpon

Out of Africa - hope - StumbleUpon

Not since the countries of Africa tossed out their colonial masters several decades ago has there been this much optimism and excitement about the continent's prospects. While China's economic expansion has slowed, and while Europe and the United States try to dig themselves out of recession, Africa has not only weathered an up-and-down global economy - it has been booming.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/comment/out-of-africa--hope-20130519-2juho.html#ixzz2TuC0i57t

National Geographic Photo Contest 2011 - In Focus - StumbleUpon

National Geographic Photo Contest 2011 - In Focus - StumbleUpon

IRIN Africa | Understanding the causes of violent extremism in West Africa | Mali | Nigeria | Governance | Security

IRIN Africa | Understanding the causes of violent extremism in West Africa | Mali | Nigeria | Governance | Security

DAKAR, 10 May 2013 (IRIN) - Academics and government, military and civil society representatives gathered for a conference in the Senegalese capital this week to assess the interplay between development and violent extremism in West Africa, with some participants suggesting that underdevelopment, marginalization and weak governance create a breeding ground for militancy.

While local factors in West African and Sahel countries have contributed to extremist violence, the rise of global jihad in the wake of the US-led "war on terror" since 9/11 has also played a part in spreading radical militancy in the region...

Children of 10 are 'saving for university' | Money | The Guardian

Children of 10 are 'saving for university' | Money | The Guardian

Children as young as 10 are already saving up for key milestones in their lives such as university, buying their first home or starting a business, a report has found.
The tough economy has produced a generation of financially savvy children, many of whom are more switched on to savings than their parents were at the same age, according to the findings from investment provider Scottish Widows.

With university tuition fees and finding the money for a house deposit still some years away, 11% of children said they had already begun saving towards the cost of college, university or buying a home.
A further 6% said they were saving up for a car – while an entrepreneurial 2% were putting money aside to start their own business.

However, toys, games and gadgets remain children's saving priorities, with 48% of youngsters saving up for this purpose...

Africa is riskiest place to be born; 1 million babies die on day of birth globally: new report - The Washington Post

Africa is riskiest place to be born; 1 million babies die on day of birth globally: new report - The Washington Post

NAIROBI, Kenya — More than 1 million babies die the day they are born every year, and the 14 countries with the highest rates of first-day deaths are all in Africa, according to a new report released Tuesday.
Somalia, Congo, Mali, Sierra Leone and Central African Republic are the five countries with the highest rates of such deaths, according to the report “Surviving the First Day” from the aid group Save the Children.

Kenyatta, Ruto and the ICC: major diplomatic earthquake in the offing – By Richard Dowden | African Arguments

Kenyatta, Ruto and the ICC: major diplomatic earthquake in the offing – By Richard Dowden | African Arguments

Everyone is so relieved that the Kenyan election this year did not result in a repeat of ethnic violence after the 2007 election, that we seem to have forgotten that both President Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice President William Ruto have been summoned to appear at the International Criminal Court in The Hague charged with crimes against humanity.

This week Kenyatta was invited to London to attend the conference on Somalia, Kenya’s troublesome northern neighbour. Everyone else charged with crimes against humanity by the ICC has been arrested on sight and locked up to await trial.  But instead of slipping on the handcuffs this week, Mr Cameron grasped Mr Kenyatta warmly by the hand and welcomed him to London. He argues that Mr Kenyatta is cooperating with the court. That remains to be seen. Kenyatta must report to the ICC in The Hague on July 9^th, Ruto on May 28^th...

Children who walk to school ‘are ahead of the rest’

Children who walk to school ‘are ahead of the rest’ - Family News & Advice | Parenting, Marriage & Kids | The Irish Tim - Tue, Apr 30, 2013

Post Celtic tiger, walking to school might seem a nice alternative to being dropped at the gates daily in a gleaming 4x4. But apart from the obvious physical benefit of a bit of basic exercise, is there another advantage to making our children exercise their bodies? Apparently so. It also helps them exercise their brains.

 

A recent Dutch study of 20,000 children aged 5-19 proved that those who cycled or walked to school performed better on tests demanding concentration, the effects of which lasted up to four hours after they began the school day.

 

The study showed that the impact of early morning exercise was greater than the effect of diet – including a good breakfast. But more than the short-term impact of improved concentration, the research showed that the cumulative effect of walking or cycling to school was the equivalent to someone half a year further on in their studies...

Pambazuka - A lethal cocktail for Africa

Pambazuka - A lethal cocktail for Africa

The World Bank’s working definition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is 'Private organizations that pursue activities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services or undertake community development.' But many people now ask whether the NGOs that work in Africa are progressively engaged in activities that are developmentally sustainable. And, by the way, how democratic and accountable are the NGOs?

AP Twitter feed hacked; no attack at White House

AP Twitter feed hacked; no attack at White House

BBC News - UK Peace Index highlights rate of fall in violent crime

BBC News - UK Peace Index highlights rate of fall in violent crime

For its inaugural index, the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), which defined peace as "the absence of violence or fear of violence", used Home Office data on crime, such as public disorder offences and weapons crime, and police officer numbers.

It found the violent crime rate was down by about one quarter - from 1,255 per 100,000 people in 2003, to 933 in 2012. This was a more rapid fall than the average decrease across western Europe for that period - although not more rapid than all other European countries, as was stated in earlier reports on the BBC News website.

These reductions came despite a 6% drop in the number of police officers per 100,000 people, it said...

Mali’s Precarious Democracy and the Causes of Conflict | United States Institute of Peace

Mali’s Precarious Democracy and the Causes of Conflict | United States Institute of Peace

This report seeks to explain the fragile nature of Malian democracy before the 2012 coup and the origins of the current crisis. Widespread corruption, resurgent violence in the north, and a growing illicit trade implicated state officials as the principal causes of state collapse.

MDGs: The most successful global anti-poverty push in history -UN resident coordinator - Daily Observer

MDGs: The most successful global anti-poverty push in history -UN resident coordinator - Daily Observer

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that are set for attainment in two years, have so far been the most successful anti-poverty push in history, as governments, international organisations and civil society groups around the world  struggle to cut extreme poverty in the world by half, the United Nations resident coordinator has remarked.

Babagana Ahmadu made these remarks recently at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi where stakeholders and development partners under the aegis of The Gambia government through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) gathered to officially launch the Post-2015 National Consultations Development Agenda.

Fight against hunger ‘at heart of Irish foreign policy’, says Eamon Gilmore - World News | Latest International News Headlines | The Irish Times - Wed, Apr 17, 2013

Fight against hunger ‘at heart of Irish foreign policy’, says Eamon Gilmore - World News | Latest International News Headlines | The Irish Times - Wed, Apr 17, 2013

Ireland will push for a greater focus on the links between climate change, hunger and poor nutrition at international gatherings including the UN General Assembly and the forthcoming G8 summit in Fermanagh, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore said yesterday.

Mr Gilmore was speaking at the close of a conference, hosted by the Government and the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice, and organised with the World Food Programme (WFP) as part of Ireland’s EU presidency, which examined the overlap between climate change, hunger and under-nutrition and its impact on the world’s most vulnerable populations.

 

“Ireland will keep the fight against hunger at the heart of our foreign policy,” Mr Gilmore said, adding that the Government would advocate for a “single set of measurable goals” to be put in place after 2015, the deadline set when the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were first launched. Progress on achieving the MDGs has fallen far short of what was initially hoped for.

‘Africans agree shared values can best unite our continent’ - Daily Observer

‘Africans agree shared values can best unite our continent’ - Daily Observer

A human rights expert for the African Union Commission has said that shared values are the basic beliefs, ideals and principles that Africans agree can best unite their countries and continent.

Dr Sallah Hammadsiddique made these remarks on Wednesday during the deliberation of the representatives of the Department of Political Affairs of the AU and the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) on values that Africans share and must cherish.

The forum, which was held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi, was part of activities marking the 53rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights.

‘’We at the African Union are committed to bringing the concept of African shared values to the people of Africa, in ways that they can understand the concept,’’ Hammad explained

Ireland is 10th best country to be a child but poverty gap is widening

Ireland is 10th best country to be a child but poverty gap is widening

Unicef cited Ireland as the 10th best place in the world to be a child in a league table for child wellbeing in 29 industrialised countries.
Its report card found that, while Ireland has a relatively low child-poverty rate of 8.5pc, those who do fall below the breadline fall harder than in 25 other countries – giving Ireland one of the largest child- poverty gaps.
The data, calculated in 2010, will be launched at a meeting of international experts in Dublin who aim to end child poverty within the EU...

Globally, the Netherlands retained its position at number one, followed by Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The UK was 16th on the report card.

British Dairy Farmer Creates Pure Milk Vodka | TIME.com

British Dairy Farmer Creates Pure Milk Vodka | TIME.com

While U.K. retailers are rationing baby milk powder and breast milk is being turned into jewelry, it seems that milk in all forms is proving to be a hot commodity.  And now one British dairy farmer is using the white stuff to make vodka.
Jason Barber has created the world’s first pure milk vodka from a herd of 250 grass-grazed cows at his farm in West Dorset, England, according to the Daily Mail.


Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/04/12/british-dairy-farmer-creates-pure-milk-vodka/#ixzz2QEfNeSEo

Mrs Thatcher and Africa – By Richard Dowden | African Arguments

Mrs Thatcher and Africa – By Richard Dowden | African Arguments

Mrs Thatcher played a pivotal role in the ending of Apartheid in spite of herself. She once declared the African National Congress to be a “typical terrorist organisation… Anyone who thinks it is going to run the government in South Africa is living in cloud-cuckoo land”.
But she gave these “terrorists” diplomatic protection. In the mid 1980s the South African government blew up the ANC offices in London and tried to kidnap its members in London including Thabo Mbeki and Oliver Tambo. She was obliged to provide armed bodyguards for their most senior officials.
A close aide once told me that she opposed Apartheid more on the grounds that it was a sin against economic liberalism rather than a crime against humanity. She also was bitterly against sanctions of any sort – they were a crime against free trade. She even went on denouncing them after Britain and the rest of the Commonwealth had imposed a ban on sporting contacts and other marginal sanctions. She boasted that she alone had managed to fight off demands for stronger sanctions...

Cocaine trade 'kingpin' in New York for trial - Africa - Al Jazeera English

Cocaine trade 'kingpin' in New York for trial - Africa - Al Jazeera English

A former navy chief of the small west African nation of Guinea-Bissau who is suspected of being a kingpin in the international cocaine trade was brought to the US for trial on drug charges following his arrest at sea by federal agents, authorities have said.

A spokesman for the Manhattan federal prosecutor's office told AFP news agency on Friday that Jose Americo Bubo Na Tchuto was in custody in the city...