Disease Breeds in Thailand Among Historic Floods
According to CNN, after one of the worst floods in the country's history, Thailand now faces the threat of disease as flooded areas have now become breeding grounds for mosquitoes carrying diseases. Some diseases that are expected to have an effect on the population within the coming weeks are malaria, diarrhea and dengue fever. Officials say the water also contains sewage, garbage and dead animals, all culminating into the look of a filthy black color with a nasty smell. More than 370 have already died from the floodwaters. U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenny is quoted in the article saying, "About [two] million people are still affected by the flooding. The United States has pledged a total of $1.1 million in aid." UNICEF has provided 20,000 mosquito nets and pamphlets explain how to stay safe and healthy in flood ravaged areas. The Red Cross has also helped out by providing 130,000 relief kits as well as 120,000 packs of bottled waters to those who are without it. However, concerns have now drifted to food and drinking water for communities completely isolated by the flood waters.
Women Aid in Keeping Population in Check
According to CNN, a special article by Fred Pearce addresses the concern of the growing population amid concerns as to whether the world can sustain the impact of seven billion people. Pearce explains that we should not worry, however, for the women of the world are in fact helping to keep the population in check with lowering fertility rates. Pearce explains, "Women today are having half as many children as their mothers and grandmothers. The global average is now down to 2.5 children per woman, and it continues to fall." Much of Asia has now reduced fertility rates, with rules such as the one child policy in China and in other countries like Japan and Korea. In Iran, the women "have cut their fertility from eight to less than two in a generation." With the many young people in the streets fighting for political change, Pearce comments how the "Arab Spring are arguably far more politically active because they are not at home raising large families." He goes on to report that falling fertility rates are a result of wealthier countries as well women are more educated, and for the first time in a long time, it is acceptable for women to have smaller families.
Palestine Vote into UNESCO backed by 107 Countries
Out of 173 countries that participated in the voting of Palestine into the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) were for the move, 14 were opposed and 52 abstained altogether. As a result of the vote, Washington announced it was cutting off its funding to UNESCO, which provides a fifth of the organization's budget. According to the article, "A U.S. law passed in the 1990s allows Washington to cut funding to any UN [United Nations] body that admits Palestine as a full member." Next week, the UN will vote as to whether Palestine will receive full membership into the council or not. Israel was also another country opposed to the voting in of Palestine. Many Arab states were crucial in helping pass the vote as Palestinian leaders believe this is a broader step to gaining statehood and putting more pressure on Israel. Despite an emotional session and an intense opposition from the United States, Russia, Brazil, China, India and South Africa voted in favor of the membership. According to a foreign ministry statement, "The Palestinian move at UNESCO, as with similar such steps with other UN bodies, is tantamount to a rejection of the international community's efforts to advance the peace process."
Republican Candidate Herman Cain Accused of Past Sexual Mischief
According to MSNBC News, Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain admitted Monday of being accused of sexual harassment in the past when he was at the "helm of the National Restaurant Association in the 1990s." Cain denied ever participating in such activity, and criticized the story that reported the association "had reached settlements with two women who lodged sexual harassment claims against him as part of a ‘witch hunt' associated with his recent surge in the polls." According to Cain, who spoke to Fox News in an interview, the story turned out to be completely "baseless." Cain said the story says he apparently demonstrated sexually suggestive behavior toward two female employees. The employees then seemingly signed agreements with the restaurant that guaranteed them five figure financial payouts to "leave the association and barred them from discussing their departures." Cain reported he had never filed or settled any sexual harassment claims with the association, and if so, they were done without his knowledge.
Man Found Guilty in the Death of Richmond Nun After Car Wreck
Carlos Martinelly-Montano was convicted of six charges Monday, including a felony murder that stemmed from a 2010 drunken driving accident that killed a nun from the Richmond area and seriously injured two others. Montano, who is also an illegal immigrant from Bolivia in the process of being deported, faces up to 40 years for felony murder and a maximum of 30 years on the five other felony charges. He pleaded not guilty to the felony murder charge but pleaded guilty to the five other felony charges. According to the report, Sister Charlotte Lange "was seriously injured in the wreck, testified for 20 minutes, vividly recalling the moments before the accident and the minutes afterward before she lost consciousness." While testifying, the sisters described the permanent and extensive injuries they suffered along with the crash. The case also prompted Prince William County to file a suit against the U. S. Department of Homeland Security to acquire information about illegal immigrants "it had reported under a 2007 ordinance." An investigation is planned to research the "decision by the state to refuse federal work permit cards as proof of lawful residence" which Montano used to acquire a driver's license.
