News…
Ex-Oprah school matron pleads not guilty in South Africa on Tuesday, July 29, 2008. Virginia Mokgobo, 27, arrested in November and out on bail, is facing charges relating to common assault, harassment and soliciting a minor to perform indecent acts and verbal abuse.
Pillay confirmed as human rights chief
The UN General Assembly unanimously confirmed the nomination of South African judge Navanethem Pillay as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Chinese teacher heads for re-education over earthquake efforts
A Chinese teacher has been sentenced to one year in a labor re-education camp for taking photos of schools that collapsed in May’s devastating earthquake, Human Rights in China said Wednesday. Liu Shaokun was charged with “inciting a disturbance” after posting his photographs on the Internet.
Ambitious family planning goals
Madagascar, has doubled in the last 25 years, reaching 19.6 million in 2007, according to the UN, and is expected to hit 43.5 million by 2050. In some parts of the country 70% of 16-year-old girls have already given birth to their first child. The Madagascar Action Plan (MAP), has set two ambitious goals: reducing the average size of the Malagasy family and comprehensively meeting the demand for contraceptives and family planning, by making contraceptives more widely available, providing educational programs and reducing unwanted teenage pregnancies.
More education equals less teen pregnancy and HIV
Keeping Kenyan girls in school and ensuring they have access to HIV and sex education has a dramatic effect on lowering future levels of HIV, according to experts.
Women, non-Lebanese children get raw deal
Thousands of children in Lebanon are denied full access to education, healthcare and residency because they do not have Lebanese citizenship. Lebanese women cannot pass on their nationality to their children and in the event of separation, it is the father who gains automatic custody, according to Lebanese nationality law.