African Press International (API)

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THE CHIEF EDITOR’S LOUNGE

AVAILABLE HERE FOR YOU: Link - VIDEOCAST: News and General Topics

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US President, Barack Obama’s Fate – A State of the Nation Situation in search for clarity on his patriotic standing:

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www.africanpress.me/ Elizabeth Mbaire Koikai __

< Elizabeth M. Koikai reporting from Oslo, Norway 

The issue of Nigerian prostitutes in the streets of Oslo and other major cities has been intensely covered by both national and international media. As one reads various articles about this pressing issue, it is hard not to notice a trend.

Prostitution in Scandinavian countries is largely identified with african women, to the degree that african women feel harassed and stigmatised as prostitutes.

A few years after Norway banned the purchase of sex many ordinary african women still feel that the law has not improved the perceptions of women of colour in Norway. Before the implementation of the law it was almost impossible to walk down the Karl Johan Street in Oslo without getting proposals from willing sex-buyers.

Many ordinary african women welcomed the law hoping that it would make life easier for them and that they would walk in the city with a sense of pride. 

Despite a decrease in the number of sex workers in the city of Oslo many people argue that it has contributed to prostitution moving indoors, for example in pubs, restaurants and nightclubs. This has in turn created stigmatization and discrimination of African women.

The law that was introduced back in 2009 has resulted to regular african women to be met with even more malicious control when they want to get into pubs, restaurant or nightclub.

As managers and security guards try to protect their establishments against suspicions of sheltering prostitution, they openly refuse african women entry. Many women especially those married to norwegian men feel discriminated and stigmatised. The law has made things worse for couples when they appear together in public areas.

 “You people are not allowed in here” is a common phrase usually directed to african women by bouncers at nightclubs in Oslo.

Such establishments are required by the police to check identification. If one lacks a personal number which is equivalent to a social security number, they are refused entry to a pub or nightclub. But many anti-racist organizations argue that bouncers and bartenders  generally pass judgement and discriminate african women.

“An african woman in Oslo has come to be synonymous with prostitution. Many are exposed to harassment at nightclubs, hotels and even from police officers”, states a human rights activist in Oslo.

 A country like Norway that promotes human and gender rights should take action against this discriminatory practice that is evolving.

Related articles:

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It is time for the world to recognize Somaliland diplomatically: The country’s independence celebrated yesterday on the 18th of May 2012

By Kip-korir.

 www.africanpress.me/ A Somaliland patriot celebrating his country's independence in Oslo Norway, 18th. May 2012www.africanpress.me/ A Somaliland patriot celebrating his country’s independence in Oslo Norway, 18th. May 2012.

 Many Somaliland citizens living in Norway celebrated their country’s independence yesterday in many parts of Norway.

The larger group of somaliland people living in Oslo, the capital of Norway celebrated in dance waving their flag gratefully showing appreciation that their country has had peace for many years since breaking away from the then central government in Mogadishu which was led by Siad Barre who was ousted by a united group of warlords.

Somaliland has, however, struggled to be internationally recognised, something that is still lacking.It is strange to see that the international community – countries in Africa and the West are not opening up to a country that has shown respect for her people and managed to keep peace for this long.

Somaliland must be recognised internationally and the people of that country be accorded the respect it deserves by all peace-loving nations of the world.

www.africanpress.me/ A Somaliland patriot celebrating his country's independence in Oslo Norway, 18th. May 2012

www.africanpress.me/ A Somaliland patriot celebrating his country’s independence in Oslo Norway, 18th. May 2012

African leaders should lead the way in officially recognizing Somaliland as an independent nation, to be followed by Europe, and America.

The country’s official  language is Somali. English and Arabic is also considered official languages. Arabic and English are the other official languages. The main religion practised is Islam – Sunni.

The serving President of the Republic is His Excellency Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud, with H.E Abdirihman Abdillahi Ismail as the vice president, elected on July 2010 for a five-year term.

The government of Somaliland regards itself as the successor state to the British Somaliland protectorate, which was independent on June 26, 1960 as the State of Somaliland,before uniting with the Trust Territory of Somalia (the former Italian Somaliland) on July 1, 1960 to form the Somali Republic.

Somaliland is bordered by Ethiopia in the south and west, Djibouti in the northwest, the Gulf of Aden in the north, and the autonomous Puntland region of Somalia to the east.  The country has a coastal line which extends 460 miles along the Red Sea.

www.africanpress.me/ The flag of Somaliland

www.africanpress.me/ The flag of Somaliland

In 1988, the Siad Barre regime committed massacres against the people of Somaliland, which were among the events that led to the Somali Civil War. The war left the economic and military infrastructure severely damaged. After the collapse of the central government in 1991, the local government, led by the Somali National Movement (SNM), declared independence from the rest of Somalia on May 18 of the same year.

Since then, the territory has been governed by an administration that seeks self-determination as the Republic of Somaliland. The local government maintains informal ties with some foreign governments, who have sent delegations to Hargeisa. Ethiopia also maintains a trade office in the region. However, Somaliland’s self-proclaimed independence remains unrecognised by any country or international organisation

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When Rain becomes a curse: People are dying in large numbers in Kenya due to floods

www.africanpress.me/ Grace Adhiambo.

< Grace Adhiambo reporting from Kakamega, Kenya

How funny can this world be? Sometime back there was drought in most parts of the country. People died as a result of lack of water and food.

Pastrolists from Turkana and other parts of Kenya had to walk for long distance in search of water and food for their animals. We cannot help but hear that people are being carried away by water as a result of the heavy rain.

Kenya Red Cross Society says that at least 50 people have died from floods since March. Transport in most parts of the country has been paralysed due to flooding. 

A few days ago three people lost their lives when their vehicle was swept away around Ngong. The trio was driving past the Kwekwe river bridge in Nkoroi. According to the area residents the seasonal river had burst its banks giving room for water to flow on top of the bridge that had no rails.Innocent Kenyans are loosing their lives daily and seemingly nothing can be done. In Imenti central district, Meru county, a body of a man who drowned in river Kwetu, Gaitu location was recovered.

www.africanpress.me/ Floods in Kenya

The river does not have a bridge so residents have to step on stones to enable them cross the river. The man was carried by water as he was stepping on the stones. The residents of Kariobangi South, Nairobi are at a greater risk of contracting cholera because the area is now covered in sewerage water. The flood mixed with sewage water exposing the residents to diseases like cholera.

When the rains started their were celebrations everywhere as Kenyans had been eagerly waiting for the rains. The floods recently swept away more than 300 acres of paddy rice in Mwea Irrigation Scheme. This occurred after the river Murubara burst its banks sweeping away the rice. READ MORE..

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The rape epidemic of Norwegian women.

www.africanpress.me/ Elizabeth Mbaire Koikai __

www.africanpress.me/ Elizabeth Mbaire Koikai __

 

<Elizabeth M. Koikai reporting from Norway

Last Saturday a norwegian woman in her 30’s told police that she was raped by two men in a pirate taxi in Trondheim. The victim explained that she was picked up by a pirate taxi and that the two men in the car raped her, thereafter dropped her off and drove away. The woman approached a random resident and asked for help.

 The victim described the men as about 170 centimeters tall, in their 30’s and of foreign origin. The woman was allegedly raped repeatedly, and the police regard the assault as very serious.

Norway is suffering from a wave of rapes that are largely being perpetrated by immigrants against norwegian women. READ MORE

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My journalistic experience in Norway was a chance of a lifetime!

  • By Patience Nyange, Nairobi – Kenya www.africanpress.me/ Patience Nyange - a Kenyan journalist
  • www.africanpress.me/ Patience Nyange – a Kenyan journalist

When I got a mail from African Press International asking me to write about my stay in Norway, I went blank. This is because I tend to imagine I have so much to write about concerning my 16 months stay in Norway, the land of the Vikings.

I went to Norway as an exchange participant under a journalistic program funded by Fredskorpset Norway, FK. I was selected to represent Association of Media Women in Kenya, AMWIK where I have been a member for the last 4 years. In Norway, I worked for two organizations, Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, NRK, where I did English features for Jungeltelegraphen, a weekly show broadcasted on NRKs P2. I worked with the show hosts, Sigbjorn Nedlad and Arne Berg, my two great colleagues, who came to Kenya, just two month after my return home. “You know we miss you so much and your absence is highly felt in our office” said Sigbjorn. I totally believe him. NRK Kristiansand is very special to me. I miss it and Sigbjorn remains the greatest boss I have ever had this far.READ MORE

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Kenya: Varsity girls fear a protruding stomach due to pregnany than HIV/AIDS

www.africanpress.me/ Grace Adhiambo.

< Grace Adhiambo reporting from Kakamega-Kenya

‘I can’t stand the embarrassment. People will be looking at me and making faces or even laugh out loudly. I don’t think I can take that,’  says Lavenda Atieno, a disaster management student at Masinde Muliro University.

This clearly indicates that most campus girls fear pregnancy than contracting any sexually transmitted disease or Aids.Why should they think that pregnancy should be a big deal as compared to contracting the deadly disease. Research shows that 80% of girls in various Universities opt for ways of preventing pregnancies.
Mercy Omondi, a 2nd year English Literature student at Masinde Muliro University said that majority of her friends are scared of getting pregnant.’ They claim that pregnancy cannot be hidden as the belly will protrude after a few months while it will not be indicated on their foreheads that they are ailing,’she says.READ MORE

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Norway: Right-wing extremist Terrorist Anders Behring Breivik pleads not guilty

 

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  VIDEOS TO WATCH:

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JOKES CORNER:

Jokes corner: Iam glad im Kenyan, lakini…. writes Njoroge

A joke on the Luo Community 

Reality: Being supportive of one another at all times

(Wisdom – changing our ways in life)

In Germany they first came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me – and by that time no one was left to speak up.{Martin Niemöller}

Read the above, change your attitude and be supportive  to others at all times – be guided by wisdom so that you do not end up being alone with no one speaking for you when your time comes.

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Modern Music from Africa: Listening to music relaxes one’s mind. Language sometimes does not matter, but the tunes. Most of the music here is sang in Kiswahili language, a language widely used in many countries in the African continent. Click the link and enjoy. The music will start automatically within 60 seconds. If the music does not start automatically in about 60 seconds, then download the program “Microsoft Silverlight for free” and that will do the magic. LINK: http://tmtv.eightzerodigital.com/player.php#

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