President Says "Mexico Must Change"

Nieto has come under fire for his slow reaction to the
disappearance of 43 college students

       Mexico's leader, President Enrique Pena Nieto, has proposed a series of reforms Thursday that he hopes will combat the widespread crime and corruption that are facing his country.  For example, In September, a group of students boarded buses bound for the nearby city of Iguala.  They have not been heard from since.  Also on Thursday, authorities announced the discovery of 11 partially burned bodies of young adults found in southwestern Mexico, just an hour's drive from where the students attended classes.  While there is yet to be any official connection between the bodies and the students of a small college devoted to training students to become teachers in impoverished areas of the country, authorities are near certain.  Many authorities believe that the students were captured by the Iguala police, turned over to a gang then decapitated and executed in Cocula, approximately 14 miles away.  

       While Mexico's leader has been under fire for his relatively slow reaction to the crisis, I think that he is on the right track.  The likely convicts of the crime are called the Abarca, and since the discovery at least 75 people have been arrested for known connections with the group.  Though the incident sparked protests and unrest around the country, President Nieto managed to keep his country calm in this time of internal crisis.  Part of Nieto's action plan to combat crime and corruption in Mexico exists in the form of more than a dozen proposed reforms.  These would include a constitutional change that would give the state control over localized police and would set up a nationwide emergency number, something that is present in all modernized and developed countries. I think that Nieto is on the right track, though many will accuse him of being slow to react, I think that he is just being cautious, which is essential.  

 William Deo

Adapted from: 
http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/27/world/americas/mexico-guerrero-bodies/index.html?hpt=wo_c1

The 30 Cent Kit That Could End Malaria

The biotechnologist turned entrepreneur is the one responsible
for the breakthrough. 

        It only takes a mosquito bit and you may be infected.  There were 627 000 deaths in 2012, 90% of them coming from sub-Saharan Africa.  Ashley Uys is the South African biotechnologist who is hoping to bring that number down to zero. The self-testing kit can be used to diagnose the disease in less that 30 minutes.  From the number of dots observed in the tube, you can then detect what type of malaria you have. This is especially important so doctors know which treatment to give you and then they can also see if the treatment is working.  They cost roughly 30 cents each and are easily accessible to the public.  All you must do is prick your finger, run the test and wait for the results.  

        In the midst of this year's Ebola virus outbreak, many have forgotten about the malaria disease.  Malaria, as mentioned above, killed 627 000 people in 2012.  Contrastingly, Ebola to date has killed 5459.  Many have forgotten about the population still suffering from malaria and have shifted gears to search for the cure for Ebola.  Uys is only 30 years old, a native of South Africa he was driven to develop something that would help the people whom he grew up with in his childhood.  I think we need more people like Uys, those whom take things that were unnecessarily bad or painful from their past and look to develop a way to make it easier or less painful.

 William Deo

Adapted from:
http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/13/world/africa/the-kit-that-could-end-malaria/index.html?hpt=wo_bn7

ISIS Establishes Crucial Ally

Thousands of families have been relocated to eliminate
 cover for any potential tunnels between Egypt and Gaza.

       It appears that ISIS has a new residency in Egypt according to a message posted Sunday.  The group is a Sinai-based militant group Ansar Beit al-Maqdis (ABM).  If true, this would be the newest and most dangerous chapter in the book of the deadlies group in Egypt.  The group has killed hundreds of Egyptian police officers and soldiers, though the size of the group is still under suspicion, it is estimated that there are 700-1000 members.  Numerous checkpoints have been established in northern Sinai to prevent the movement of weapons and fighters.  A shoot-on-sight curfew goes into effect between Arish, the largest city in Sinai and Rafah, the border crossing with Gaza.

       What is even more interesting about this group is a little known detail of history.  Approximately two years ago, just previous to the overthrow of President Morsy, the group had been associated with al Qaeda.  If you go back in read my first blog it outlines more in general the silent on going war between ISIS and al Qaeda.  However, the group had previously proclaimed their allegiance to al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.  In the circles of these extremist groups, this is one of the biggest faults that you could make.  However, later ABM refused any allegiance to al Qaeda.  I think that this could have a terrible impact on the Egyptian country itself.  As the country heavily relies on the tourism industry, it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract vacationers to their country.  Previously ABM was only targeting government officials, however now fears turn to civilians, foreigners and tourists.  The U.S. State Department will meet later this week to address and outline any precautions that will be necessary.

 William Deo

Adapted from:
http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/11/world/isis-egypt/index.html?iref=allsearch

Transition Plan Implemented in Burkina Faso

Compaore announcing his intention to amend the constitution

       Burkina Faso, the West African nation, has agreed that the country's political transition should last a full year, which will then be followed by elections in November 2015.  The military has been in charge of the country ever since President Blaise Compaore was stormed out of office last week.  Yet there have been no discussions of who will head the transitional government, however the African Union (AU) has given Lt Col Isaac Zida two weeks to hand over power to a civilian or the country will face sanctions.  The AU sanctions could include suspension of AU membership for the country and a travel ban on military officials.  

       I believe that it was only a matter of time before something like this happened.  Luckily for the previous government, it had taken 27 years for it to happen.  Mr Compaore seized power in a coup in 1987 and went on to win four questionable elections since.  Ultimately the protests were triggered when citizens heard that Mr Compaore was planning on amending the constitution in place in order to run for office once again.  This time, the people had enough willpower to not allow this to fall through as it has in previous years.  Compaore is currently staying in Cote D'Ivoire with leader Alassane Ouattara.  With regards to sanctions, I think that the AU is doing the right thing because the country should not stay in a state of military command for an entire year.  However, it is imperative that the military find someone fit for leading the country for the next year.  

 William Deo

Adapted from: 
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29928059

Yazidi Women, Enslaved by ISIS

Kidnappings take place on near daily basis

       Jana, a typical 19 year old girl in her final year of high school, had dreams of becoming a doctor.  That all changed on August morning.  The Jihadis stormed houses of members of her Yazidi religious minorities and demanded them to convert to Islam.  They were stripped of jewelry, money and cellphones.  Women then separated from men.  All the men older than 10 years of age were taken away and shot.  The women were separated, young and old, then bussed to the city of Mosul.  A man of ISIS periodically came up to the group and chose a few girls to take home.  ISIS kidnapped more than 2,500 Yazidi women.  Currently there are over 4,600 missing Yazidi women today.  Kurdish forces were once receiving 70 messages from hostages a day, today they receive none.  The authorities have rescued around 100 Yazidi women including Jana, who were systematically raped.  Needless to say she is deeply traumatized as her mother and two younger brothers are still being held by ISIS.  

       Thousands of women still remain hostage today and this is one of the things ISIS attracts youth with.  ISIS recruits young people with the offers and promises of cash and wives.  ISIS does also fully justify their processes as is done according to Islamic law.  However I do not think that this is the real Islamic Law.  Islam is a religion of equality and progression.  Both genders equal, and respect to all people of other faiths and beliefs.  Progression in that human society cannot regress and go back to what it was hundreds of years ago.  I think that they are not following the rules of Islam.  However, this is how they attract the troubled young men and women who come to fight for their cause, and I don't think that they have any intention on changing this practice.  ISIS is separating, traumatizing and killing families that are causing no harm or resistance to their fight.  If families are ever recovered it is nearly always at the expense of one or two members.  This is incredibly sad, it is horrible to see how seemingly ISIS has gone back hundreds of years in time in their mindsets and horrendous actions.  

 William Deo

Adapted from: 
http://us.cnn.com/2014/10/30/world/meast/isis-female-slaves/index.html?hpt=wo_c2