aljazeeraenglish's Content

101 East - Refugees on the run - 12 Nov 09 - Pt 1

aljazeeraenglish — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:45:25 -0800

Fleeing countries like Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, refugees are risking their lives on a new smugglers route through Asia in search of a better life.

Somaliland shelters war-displaced - 12 Nov 09

aljazeeraenglish — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:15:33 -0800

Thousands of people displaced by fighting in Somalia are ending up in the relatively peaceful neighbouring territory, Somaliland.Once part of Somalia, it is now a self-declared republic in the troubled Horn of Africa region, and has been seeking international recognition of its independence since 1991. Al Jazeera's Mohammed Adow, in Burao, the main city of Togdheer province, says the complicated nature of local politics is blocking relief efforts. Somaliland is a former British protectorate in north western Somalia.

In 1960, it gained its independence and united with what was then Italian Somaliland to form the Somalia republic. In 1991, it declared independence after Mohamed Siad Barre, the Somali military leader, was overthrown.
Tension over the Somaliland presidential election, which was due to have been held on September 27, has given rise to fears that the self-declared territory could become a failed state like its neighbor Somalia.The polls have been postponed indefinitely due to serious differences between the political parties since 2008. The complicated nature of local politics is blocking relief efforts in Burao. This uncertainty has led to increased concern about Somaliland in the international community, and a flare-up of political animosity within the territory. Recent violence, particularly in the capital Hargeysa, has shown that the crisis in Somaliland has changed from being political to one of security and stability.

Despite the unrest in September, Somaliland has a relatively stable democracy. It has a population of 3.5 million people, according to government estimates, and is a relatively stable democracy even though it has not been internationally recognized. This is partly because it has developed a unique hybrid system of government. The row over elections - largely seen as a test for this fledgling nation - threatens to divide it.

Native Americans face limit to healthcare access - 09 Nov 09

aljazeeraenglish — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:37:16 -0800

The native American community statistically suffers more medical problems that the rest of the US. Their infant mortality rate is 40 per cent higher, and they're twice as likely to die from diabetes.
Tom Ackerman traveled to one town in the state of South Dakota to see just how acute the problem is.

Russian policeman speaks out against corruption - 10 Nov 09

aljazeeraenglish — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:45:35 -0800

It's national police day in Russia, a holiday supposed to honor and celebrate the country's security forces. But one former member of the police won't be marking the occasion after he was sacked for making an internet video about corruption within the forces. In the video he talks of widespread corruption, and says it's impossible for Russian police officers to survive without taking bribes.

Climate change puts Peru Indians' farming life at risk - 8 Nov 09

aljazeeraenglish — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:29:42 -0800

In Peru, Quechua Indians work the land in the same way as the Incas did centuries ago.But climate change might force them to change their practices in the future. Experts say most of the glaciers which provide these communities with water will melt away by 2050 because of global warming.
Teresa Bo reports from the valleys around the city of Cuzco.

Zelaya supporters 'jailed for demonstrating' - 05 Oct 09

aljazeeraenglish — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:21:45 -0700

Hondurans loyal to the country's deposed president have faced severe restrictions on freedom of assembly, speech and movement since the country's de facto leaders imposed an emergency order which they said was aimed at preventing the political crisis in the country from deepening.
Two media stations loyal to Manuel Zelaya, the country's ousted leader, were shut down just hours after the decree was imposed last week. Police also moved to break-up pro-Zelaya demonstrations in Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital.
Scores of Zelaya supporters were arrested by security forces at the height of the crackdown, with many transferred to high-security
jails. Monica Villamizar visited the largest women's prison in Honduras to see how the inmates were faring.

Anger over Nigeria amnesty - 29 Sep 09

aljazeeraenglish — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:51:58 -0700

The Nigerian government has offered amnesty to fighters of the The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) group who have long been waging a rebellion in the country's main oil-producing region.
But as the amnesty deadline runs out on Sunday, the plan is increasingly coming under scrutiny.
Experts say the plan will not help in restoring calm in the region since it does not address key issues like unemployment and wealth sharing.
Even ordinary Nigerians are angry, complaining that the government is ignoring them while seeking to reward armed men who caused trouble.
Al Jazeera's Yvonne Ndege reports from inside the Niger Delta.

Unrest over Guinea killings - 30 Sept 09

aljazeeraenglish — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:26:35 -0700

Guinea's government has promised to investigate why troops from the presidential guard opened fire during a protest, says the death toll is much lower.
A human rights group says at least 157 people were killed at the opposition rally in the West African country on Monday. More than a thousand of others were reportedly injured.
Witnesses say soldiers raped women and stabbed protesters with knives.
Moussa Camara, the country's leader, was hailed as a hero when he took power in a military coup in December.
But as Al Jazeera's Hazem Sika reports, the people's attitude towards him has now changed.
Category: News & Politics

Philippines flood of woes - 29 Sep 09

aljazeeraenglish — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:45:56 -0700

The Philippines government says 240 people have died in severe flooding caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana.
The disaster has also left more than 450,000 people displaced.
But while flood waters recede, questions about the government's response to the crisis have begun to surface.
With homes still under water, many Filipinos remain homeless and despondent.
Al Jazeera's Wayne Hay reports.

Zelaya supporters 'mistreated' - 24 Sep 09

aljazeeraenglish — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:21:44 -0700

Clashes between security forces and supporters of ousted president Manuel Zelaya broke out following his return to the country on Monday.
Pressure is growing on the interim government to return Honduras' deposed leader to power.
Al Jazeera's Monica Villamizar reports from Tegucigalpa on allegations that the authorities are mistreating Zelaya's supporters.