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The Gambia: *”A taxi driver, Ebou Sey, who was charged with the rape of a nine year old school girl on her way to school was Monday sentenced to life imprisonment by Principal Magistrate Moses Richards of the Bundung Magistrates Court in the Kanifing Municipality just outside Banjul.

The driver, who had pleaded guilty to the offence, told the court that he came across the girl on her way to school and acted “unwisely” by secluding her in thick long grasses where he had carnal knowledge with her.

To his plea of mercy, the magistrate condemned rape as a very serious crime calling for a mandatory sentence on anyone found guilty of the offence.

Saying that it also exposes victims to sexually transmitted diseases, he sentenced the taxi driver, Ebou Sey to a life term in jail for the offence, which is contrary to section 122 of the Criminal Code.”* -

(Source>APA)

Published by Korir, African Press in Norway, apn, africanpress@chello.no, tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525

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(Nigeria) The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas has expressed disappointment at the further killing of unarmed civilians that occurred in Guinea during the weekend following demonstrations over the appointment of a new Prime Minister by President Lansana Conte.

In a statement issued by the ECOWAS Commission on Tuesday, Dr. Chambas condemned the killings and called on the government of Guinea to faithfully implement the agreement reached recently with the trade unions in order to avoid further deterioration of the social and political situation.

He reminded the government of Guinea of its duty to protect its citizens and guarantee their security.

He reiterated his earlier call on all stakeholders, particularly the political parties, the government, the civil society, the trade unions, among others, to employ dialogue to resolve their differences.

Dr. Chambas reiterated ECOWAS’ concern over the situation in Guinea and the institution’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of the conflict in the country.”*

(Source>APA)

Published by Korir, African Press in Norway, apn, africanpress@chello.no, tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525.

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*”For the fourth year in a row, the United Nations has ranked Norway as having the highest standard of living in the world. Sweden, Australia and Canada are next in line, while the United States is further down the scale.

Norway, also known for its scenic beauty, is once again being hailed as the world’s best country in which to live. PHOTO: INGAR STORFJELL

The annual ranking is based largely on average levels of education and income, combined with expected length of lifetime.

The report measured standards of living in 177 countries around the world. Other Nordic countries also ranked high, with Iceland in 7th place, Finland 13th and Denmark 17th.

Norway’s gross national product per person amounted to USD 36,600, beaten only by Luxembourg. Its men and women are expected to live to an age of 78.9 years and Norway is one of 19 countries in the world with no measurable rates of illiteracy.

Researchers for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) also weighed countries’ degrees of cultural freedom in their analysis. They called cultural freedom a “basic human right,” and awarded high scores in this year’s UN Human Development Report to countries that accept immigrant cultures in addition to their own.

Norway’s cultural diversity has blossomed in recent years, and public policies are aimed at integrating various ethnic groups and promoting tolerance.

Norway also was lauded for its high literacy rate in addition to educational levels and material wealth. Norwegians themselves generally point to their country’s scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, clean water and fresh air.

The United States landed in eighth place on the list, while France, for example, was 16th.

The worst countries in which to live are all in Africa, according to the UN report. All 23 nations at the bottom of the list were African, with war-torn Sierra Leone in last place.

By Nina Berglund

*”/”*Lifted and published by African Press in Norway, apn, africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525. source.aftenpostenENG

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A new study indicates that the vast majority of Oslo residents are proud of their city and love living in it. Another study, though, suggests that 60 percent are afraid to go downtown on weekends.

Line Duesund Svendsen and her daughter Karoline enjoy their home in Oslo’s Årvoll district, and the sledding hill just outside. PHOTO: JAN TOMAS ESPEDAL The idyllic scene above constrasts sharply with nighttime violence like this in Oslo’s city center. PHOTO: Magnus Knutsen Bjørke

The lifestyle study was done by the research group FAFO. In it, reports newspaper Aften, nine of 10 Oslo residents questioned said they thrive in Oslo, have good neighbours and good friends in the city, and that their children can enjoy safe places to play.

A higher percentage of immigrants to Oslo also reported they were happy to live in the Norwegian capital, compared to earlier studies.

FAFO’s last study of Oslo lifestyles, in 1994, raised concerns that Oslo was becoming a divided city, with conditions on the inner east side deteriorating. FAFO’s researchers still think the city is divided to some degree, with lower standards of living in the east and higher in the west.

Violent drunks
Another study, meanwhile, suggests that a majority of Oslo residents are alarmed by public drunkenness, especially among youth on the weekends. Six of 10 questioned said they’re afraid to go downtown on weekends, when the partying is at its worst.

The study was conducted by research firm MMI for the state health and social welfare ministry, reports newspaper Dagsasvisen.

“When so many are afraid to move around the city, it’s up to the police to assure their safety,” said Arne Johannessen of the main police officers’ union. He blames the high concentration of nightclubs and bars downtown, and urges that the number of liquor licenses be reduced.”*

By Nina Berglund

*”/”*Lifted and published by African Press in Norway, apn, africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525. source.aftenpostenENG

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*”Norwegian authorities are proposing a new law that would punish senders of spam, or electronic junk mail, with fines and up to three years in prison. More than 90 percent of all e-mail sent worldwide is junk mail that no one asked to get. The costs of dealing with the massive amounts of so-called “spam” are huge, not least because of the time spent sifting through it all at work and home.

A Norwegian commission studying computer crime (Datakrimutvalget) has proposed a new law forbidding mass distribution of unsolicited e-mail. Violating the law would lead to stiff fines and a one-year prison term, or as many as three years if the mass distribution is determined to be especially large or offensive.

The commission claims the law wouldn’t violate “freedom of expression” clauses in existing law, and would allow mass distribution of e-mail to receivers who have agreed to accept it. It would also be allowed to send out invitations to large private companies.

The law would also apply to e-mail sent from outside Norway, and the authorities realize it would be hard to enforce. “We often don’t know who’s sending the spam,” Svein Willassen, a member of the commission, told consumer news web site Forbruker.no.

“We don’t have any illusions that such a law will stop spam… but if one of the world’s biggest spammers comes to Norway, he could be arrested here.”*

By Anders Hagen and Nina Berglund

*”/”*Lifted and published by African Press in Norway,apn, africanpress@chello.no, tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525 sourc.aftenpostenENG

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Norway received the Mozambican President on Monday on a three day official visit to the country.

The president discussed development issues in his country with Norwegian leaders.

The climax of the visit took place Monday between 4 to 5 pm when the president and his entourage met with the Norwegian Primier Jens Stoltenberg.

Security was tight around the Prime Minister’s office when the two leaders held the talks in a cordial atmostphere.

The Mozambican President took over power in February 2005 through a democratic process. The political parties – Frelimo and Renamo are the giants in the politics of Mozambique.

The country got its indepedence from Portugal in 1975. Samora Machel became the country’s first president. He died in a plane crash in 1986. The visiting leader is the third president since the country got her independence. Armando Guebuza, comes from Frelimo party. 

Renamo is the main opposition party in the country. During the presidential elections in December 2004, Renamo complained of irregularities but the international monitors supported the outcome of the elections.

Mr Guebuza, is a rich businessman. He is elected on a platform of economic reforms that was started by his predecessor. During the presidential campaign, he promised to fight corruption and eradicate poverty. He also promised to work hard in order to get rid of bureaucracy within the civil serice.

He played a big role in the fight for independence and when he was the minister for interior, he expelled Portuguese citizens from the country.

The prodecessor Joaquim Chissano, took over the presidency in 1986 after Samora Machel’s tragic accident.

Mozambique was marxistic and Mr Chissano ensured that the country moved away from Marxism to become a multi-party.

By Korir,

African Press in Norway, apn, africanpress@chello.no, tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525

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Commentary by Mohammed Ali

He is reacting to our earlier story published on this site. Check the story bellow the folowing comment.

Mohammed has touched on the thorny issue that Kenya and Somalia has never managed to solve to the satisfaction of all parties.

Mohamed Ali  Says:
February 13th, 2007 at 12:54 pm e

Well does it realy matter where the person is orignaly from ?
Does Kenya only belong to black people, well I find that practicaly rubbish, i.e take for instance the NFD province in Kenya of which is a Somali inhabited area?

Are those not Kenyans? Well, I believe that this racist tendencies will not take you anywhere, my dear African friends wake up and live in the 21st century.

Otherwise surrender back the North Eastern Province back to Somalia. I think that Rasna is much of a Kenyan as anyone else.

 By Mohamed Ali

 

Related story:

• Well, what about her superiority complexes! is she African or an Indian living in Africa?

Published by African Press in Norway, apn, africanpress@chello.no, +47 932 99 739, or +47 6300 2525

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Dear Fellow Kenyans, looking back at all those years we migrated abroad from our motherland do you really think its worth it? Would you advice or encourage your relatives to migrate abroad?

Are they better of in Kenya or are we  better of here? If I were asked this question by a relative who works in Nairobi, and earns a minimum wage, I would advice him to stay in Kenya, but if I was asked by a relative who lives in shags and takes care of the cattle, I would advice him to fly abroad.

I think there is potential in Nairobi than shags… I asked some young relatives in Shags some years ago on camera, what they would like to be when they grow up… I got many different answers that really made me shade tears…a conductor, a house boy, a painter, a bus driver, a watchman and so on.

Can you imagine you having these professions in Africa? These professions are just good abroad since they are the only ones we are active in.

Can we change our professions abroad? Yes..I think in order to encourage our kids abroad we need to do something about the kind of works we do, I mean we cannot wash the dishes, mope offices or restaurants and expect our kids to do the same.

Lets give them a good example..go to school at any age and achieve a profession that would make them proud of Daddy, and Mummy..strike from working these shady jobs and concentrate on something better.

Well, I know some of us say, as lomg as am getting paid I don’t care..but learn to care..in order for you to achieve your goal.

Life Abroad..what life are we talking about..taking the tube to work…taking the uncongested busses to work…and back home the same manner without a smile or a greeting?

Trying to go to clubs on Fridays and Saturdays and be embarrassed at the entrance…my friend went out with the wife to MAYBE.. he was familiar to the bouncers, can you imagine they told him to go in but they stopped the wife since she was not familiar to them…is this what we were chasing abroad? Shady life…

Life back home…walking from Mathare to industrial area on foot chanting and laughing… riding in a congested matatu or buses with
jokes all over…asking salt or sugar from your neighbour…chasing a thief…shouting mwizi mwizi….watching neighbours fighting…going out to clubs and having real fun until 06.00 am without anyone questioning you…nyama choma every Sato…we meet at coffee house after work….are we not missing all this…this is what I consider life…I would rather be poor and happy than be rich… not even rich because we are not but comfortable and unhappy…….what do you think?

Open for debate…>>>>?

By Clay Onyango, Sweden

Published by African Press in Norway, apn, africanpress@chello.no, +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525