First Methadone Maitenance Program Opens in Tanzania

"With the help of the American government, the first methadone maintenance program in sub-Saharan Africa opened this month in a hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania."
Original Article

     Along with other reasons for the high rate of HIV and AIDS in Africa, here are a lot of people using serious drugs. "Tanzania now has an estimated 25,000 drug injectors, 40 percent of them infected with H.I.V., according to the Pangaea Global AIDS Foundation, a San Francisco-based group that is advising the Tanzanian government on the program." There is now a program opening in Tanzania that will hopefully help with this problem.

Tragedy Hits New Zealand

"Rescue workers spent a cold, rainy night pulling survivors from the wreckage caused by a powerful earthquake that struck Christchurch, New Zealand’s second largest city, early Tuesday afternoon, killing at least 75 people."

Original Article

     It was a busy work day when the 6.3 earthquake hit Christchurch. “ 'We’ve been pulling 20 or 30 people out of those buildings right throughout the night,' Superintendent Gibson said." Many people say that the reaction to the earthquake was as if the world was ending. "People said they watched the spire of the landmark ChristChurch Cathedral come crashing down during an aftershock. One witness called it 'the most frightening thing of my entire life,' and television video showed a person clinging to a window in the steeple."

Obama's Major Legal Policy Shift

"President Obama, in a major legal policy shift, has directed the Justice Department to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act — the 1996 law that bars federal recognition of same-sex marriages — against lawsuits challenging it as unconstitutional." 
Original Article

     Many people believe that ever since President Obama took office two years ago, the progress he has made has been very slow, but now people are seeing him make drastic changes. "Coming after the administration successfully pushed late last year for repeal of the military’s ban on gay men and lesbians serving openly, the change of policy on the marriage law could intensify the long-running political and ideological clash over same-sex marriage as the 2012 presidential campaign approaches."
       

Strikes in Egypt leave 365 Dead

"At least 365 people died in the 18 days of anti-government protests that pushed out longtime Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, the Health Ministry said Wednesday in the first official accounting of the death toll."
Original Article
     365 people have been killed due to the riots and protests in Egypt. According to Minister Ahmed Sameh Farid, this number is only civilians who were involved in the riots. It does not include police or any innocent bystanders. "While Mubarak is gone, frustration with the quality of life—from working conditions to environmental concerns—has kept demonstrators in the streets as the economy continues to falter."

What Could Happen to our Schools?

"Democratic lawmakers on Monday warned just how widespread budget cuts could be in California if the Legislature or voters do not extend temporary tax hikes to help close a $26.6 billion deficit."
Original Article

     If voter or the legislature vote to not raise taxes, many things will have to happen in able to lower the debt in California. A few of these things would be, "California would have to allow oil drilling to be expanded off the coast of Santa Barbara, end class-size reduction efforts in kindergarten through third grade, reduce wild land firefighting, and stop support for various public safety programs."

Americans Must Save to be able to Spend Later on

"The recession that just rocked the U.S. economy happened in part because Americans were borrowing and spending more than they could afford. Now, three years after the downturn began, American families are moving faster than many analysts had expected to put their finances in order by paying down debts and boosting their savings"
Original Article 

People are now saying that in order for Americans to get out of the hole they have dug themselves into with the amount of debt they have assumed, they must save much more before they are able to spend again. Statistics show that "Compared with the summer of 2008, when consumer debt peaked, there is now 7 percent less mortgage debt, 12 percent less in auto loans, and 15 percent less credit card debt outstanding, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Loan payments last year were at their lowest level in a decade." People are now setting aside around 5% of their disposable income and putting it into their savings. 

Amount of HIV Positive People in Zimbabwe Lowers

"Defying expectations in a region devastated by AIDS, rates of H.I.V. infection in Zimbabwe have fallen precipitously in the last decade." 
Original Article 

As of 2007, the amount of people who were HIV positive in Zimbabwe, Africa reduced 13 percent in 10 years. Scientists believe that one of the causes if this is because people saw people they know die from the disease. 

Guantanamo Bay Detainees May be Living in the Bay

"Berkeley officials are considering inviting Guantanamo Bay detainees to live in the city."
Original Article 

     Next week, the city council of Berkley, California will be voting on the invitation for some of the detainees at the United States naval base in Cuba who have been proven not guilty. '“This is one thing we can do to right some wrongs of our federal government,” said Wendy Kenin, chairwoman of the city’s Peace and Justice Commission.' They would be living with local families and non profit organizations would help them find places to work.