Israel
A recent report by an Israeli non-governmental organization says 5,000 Palestinian children in East Jerusalem will not be able to attend classes this year because there are not enough classrooms.
The Arab neighborhoods of East Jerusalem lack more than 1,000 classrooms needed to accommodate schoolchildren, according to the report issued by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) and Ir Amim, an Israeli nonprofit that promotes coexistence in the city.
Iran
Iranian MPs have approved the first woman minister in the 30-year history of the Islamic republic.
She was one of 18 nominations for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's new cabinet to be approved. Two other women were among three rejected nominees. The president's choice for defense minister, Ahmad Vahidi, who is wanted by Argentina over a deadly 1994 bombing of a Jewish centre, won strong backing. The vote follows months of wrangling after disputed elections in June.
Somalia
The aid agency Oxfam has decried the conditions in which hundreds of thousands of refugees from the conflict in Somalia are being forced to live.
It says the overcrowded and badly managed camps in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya are "barely fit for humans". Dadaab camp in north-eastern Kenya was meant to hold 90,000 refugees, but is now home to almost 300,000 people, and a further 8,000 arrive each month. Oxfam has called on Kenya's government to urgently allocate more land.
Indonesia
At least 46 people have died and thousands of people have been forced into emergency shelters after a powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Java Island, rescue officials say.
The magnitude 7 quake, which hit on Wednesday afternoon local time, caused widespread damage. With rescue and recovery efforts under way on Thursday, officials said the death toll was likely to rise further. Some coastal areas remained out of contact.
SA
A 22-year-old South African man who committed suicide after being refused identity documents he needed to start a job is being buried in KwaZulu-Natal.
Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma will address the mourners at Skhumbuzo Mhlongo's funeral. The minister broke down in tears before journalists earlier this week when she was telling them about the case. She is expected to announce the outcome of an investigation. She said she suspected an official expected a bribe.
Russia
A journalist has fled Russia after suggesting the Arctic Sea cargo ship that was apparently hijacked in July may have been carrying illegal weapons.
Mikhail Voitenko said he had been told to leave Moscow or face arrest. The editor of Sovfracht, an online maritime journal, fled on Wednesday, saying he may not be able to return as his life would be in danger. Eight men, mainly from Estonia, have been charged with hijacking and piracy over the case.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Hike in Tuition Outweighs MOE Mandate
Hike in Tuition Outweighs MOE Mandate
-Education Minister, Appears before Plenary Today
By Bill E. Diggs
After numerous appeals by parents to the Government of Liberia (GOL) for a reduction in the skyrocketing tuition fees in the country, the Minister of Education, Dr. Joseph D.Z. Korto, has disclosed that the Ministry of Education (MOE) had not been mandated to control tuition fees paid to private schools.
Recent numerous appeals of parents have raised eyebrows over the past weeks and Dr. Korto is expected to appear before the 52nd Legislature today to address issues concerning the hike in tuition fees in private schools.
However, in an interview with a team of reporters on Monday, August 24, 2009 at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion, Minister Korto disclosed that the issue of controlling hikes in tuition was beyond his Ministry’s statutory mandate.
He said that the Ministry of Education’s mandate was to oversee and supervise the curriculum and academic calendar, among other activities. Such mandate, he added, covers both public and private schools.
“But let me say this, the Ministry of Education, yet does not have the statutory mandate to regulate school fees that are being paid,” Min. Korto disclosed.
The Minister did not say who has the mandate to regulate school fees in the country, but acknowledged that Liberians live in a capitalistic society where private schools, which are part of the National School System, are not being administered by the Ministry.
“The different school systems determine what level of tuition fees they can charge,” he added.
He accentuated that the Government could prevail on private schools by bargaining with the schools on their skyrocketing fees for a possible reduction.
-Education Minister, Appears before Plenary Today
By Bill E. Diggs
After numerous appeals by parents to the Government of Liberia (GOL) for a reduction in the skyrocketing tuition fees in the country, the Minister of Education, Dr. Joseph D.Z. Korto, has disclosed that the Ministry of Education (MOE) had not been mandated to control tuition fees paid to private schools.
Recent numerous appeals of parents have raised eyebrows over the past weeks and Dr. Korto is expected to appear before the 52nd Legislature today to address issues concerning the hike in tuition fees in private schools.
However, in an interview with a team of reporters on Monday, August 24, 2009 at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion, Minister Korto disclosed that the issue of controlling hikes in tuition was beyond his Ministry’s statutory mandate.
He said that the Ministry of Education’s mandate was to oversee and supervise the curriculum and academic calendar, among other activities. Such mandate, he added, covers both public and private schools.
“But let me say this, the Ministry of Education, yet does not have the statutory mandate to regulate school fees that are being paid,” Min. Korto disclosed.
The Minister did not say who has the mandate to regulate school fees in the country, but acknowledged that Liberians live in a capitalistic society where private schools, which are part of the National School System, are not being administered by the Ministry.
“The different school systems determine what level of tuition fees they can charge,” he added.
He accentuated that the Government could prevail on private schools by bargaining with the schools on their skyrocketing fees for a possible reduction.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Liberia’s Professional Shoemaker has Falling
Liberia’s pioneer shoemaker and businessman, Matthew G. Kpeh, 56, on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at about 5:30am met his untimely death by heart failure at the St. Joseph catholic Hospital where he was admitted.
Mr. Kpeh was born on January 7, 1953 in Moweh district # 5, Rivercess County. In all his life time, Mr. Kpeh got many achievements as a businessman and a professional shoemaker despite his educational background.
In 1975 having graduated from the Liberia Opportunities Industrialization Centers (LOIC) Mr. Kpeh established the MKS shoemaking shop on McDonald Street under the Crown Hill cinema in Monrovia where he mended shoes for President Williams R. Tolbert.
During the 80’s Mr. Kpeh was the President of the Shoemaker Association of Liberia and by 1985, he was awarded a scholarship by the then President of Liberia, Samuel K doe, whom he made shoes for to go to Italy and study shoemaking.
He retuned to Liberia in 1986 and become a teacher of the Liberia Opportunities Industrialization Centers (LOIC) Shoemaking Department up to 1990 when war broke out at the countries border and he had to flee for his life.
He returned to Monrovia in 1992 and established the Come and See Bakery no McDonald streets where he began producing meat pie and other pastries until 2009 when he added cook food to his menu.
In 1995 Matthew G. Kpeh won the award businessman of the year. Also that same year became father of the year of the John Jackson Powell United Methodist Church on Warren Street.
Mr. Kpeh remained very committed to his native home Moweh district #5, Rivercess County and by 1998 he became chairmen of the Moweh Development Association up to January of 2009 when he resigned from the post.
During the general and presidential elections of 2005 Mr. Kpeh served as the campaign chairmen Moweh district for the Liberty Party, where he canvassed a huge some of votes for his party.
Mr. Kpeh was married with 11 children to Mrs. Durcas Nukah Kpeh, who predeceased Him in March of 2008 in a motor accident.
Mr. Kpeh was born on January 7, 1953 in Moweh district # 5, Rivercess County. In all his life time, Mr. Kpeh got many achievements as a businessman and a professional shoemaker despite his educational background.
In 1975 having graduated from the Liberia Opportunities Industrialization Centers (LOIC) Mr. Kpeh established the MKS shoemaking shop on McDonald Street under the Crown Hill cinema in Monrovia where he mended shoes for President Williams R. Tolbert.
During the 80’s Mr. Kpeh was the President of the Shoemaker Association of Liberia and by 1985, he was awarded a scholarship by the then President of Liberia, Samuel K doe, whom he made shoes for to go to Italy and study shoemaking.
He retuned to Liberia in 1986 and become a teacher of the Liberia Opportunities Industrialization Centers (LOIC) Shoemaking Department up to 1990 when war broke out at the countries border and he had to flee for his life.
He returned to Monrovia in 1992 and established the Come and See Bakery no McDonald streets where he began producing meat pie and other pastries until 2009 when he added cook food to his menu.
In 1995 Matthew G. Kpeh won the award businessman of the year. Also that same year became father of the year of the John Jackson Powell United Methodist Church on Warren Street.
Mr. Kpeh remained very committed to his native home Moweh district #5, Rivercess County and by 1998 he became chairmen of the Moweh Development Association up to January of 2009 when he resigned from the post.
During the general and presidential elections of 2005 Mr. Kpeh served as the campaign chairmen Moweh district for the Liberty Party, where he canvassed a huge some of votes for his party.
Mr. Kpeh was married with 11 children to Mrs. Durcas Nukah Kpeh, who predeceased Him in March of 2008 in a motor accident.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Armed Robbers Raid Firestone
Police Dragnet Catches 15
During the early morning hours of Tuesday, August 12, 2009, the homes of some key Firestone administrative staff were robbed at gunpoint with at least one sustaining severe physical injury.
Speaking to the Daily Observer, LNP Chief Superintendent Susannah Blackie of the Roberts International Airport (RIA) police detachment said she received a call at about 1:30am that there was an armed robbery in progress in the Firestone concession area, so she called on the LNP Emergency Response Unit (ERU) to go there.
The homes that were victimized, according to Blackie, were those of Firestone public relations manager, Rufus Karmorh, who sustained an injury to the head and was taken to the Duside Hospital; and chief of administrative affairs, Mrs. Onu Abdallah Keshen.
Chief Supt. Blackie did not say whether there was an exchange of fire in the area, but said that the ERU responded with efficiency and rounded up 3 of the robbers on the scene. The 3 have since been moved to the Central Police Headquarters in Monrovia.
She added that several other alleged criminals were raided yesterday morning in addition to the few that were arrested that night.
Asked what could be done to avoid recurrence of the situation, Chief Supt. Blackie said that they needed logistics because that makes the work much easier.
She alluded that armed robbery in the concession area has been quiet for some time, but since more young men moved into the area of late, from Monrovia, armed robbery has returned to her control area.
“Those guys that were arrested, majority of them don’t live here, they live in Monrovia; but they come, you know, and their friends harbor them. Then, at night they go around damaging and taking people things away”, she said. But key sources within the concession area are saying that some of the alleged armed robbers are men who were down-sized from the Firestone security apparatus, the Plant Protection Department (PPD).
When contacted by this reporter to elaborate on the burglary at her home, Mrs. Keshen said that she was so stressed up and couldn’t make any comment until after an hour or so, but when further contact was pursued, security at Mrs. Abdallah home said that she was sleeping and didn’t wanted to be bothered.
However, according to information gathered earlier by this reporter, several armed men, some with machetes, knives and guns, entered the home of Mrs. Keshen and took away her jewelries, money and laptop, among others.
Mr. Karmorh, who was admitted at the Duside Hospital for the injury he sustained on his head, could not be contacted to explain what occurred in his home because medical officials said he was taking rest.
Meanwhile, Margibi county District number 3 Representative, Saah Gbollie, condemned the act of robbery in his district and has urged all residents of the plantation to cooperate with the police in cracking down on crime in the district.
During the early morning hours of Tuesday, August 12, 2009, the homes of some key Firestone administrative staff were robbed at gunpoint with at least one sustaining severe physical injury.
Speaking to the Daily Observer, LNP Chief Superintendent Susannah Blackie of the Roberts International Airport (RIA) police detachment said she received a call at about 1:30am that there was an armed robbery in progress in the Firestone concession area, so she called on the LNP Emergency Response Unit (ERU) to go there.
The homes that were victimized, according to Blackie, were those of Firestone public relations manager, Rufus Karmorh, who sustained an injury to the head and was taken to the Duside Hospital; and chief of administrative affairs, Mrs. Onu Abdallah Keshen.
Chief Supt. Blackie did not say whether there was an exchange of fire in the area, but said that the ERU responded with efficiency and rounded up 3 of the robbers on the scene. The 3 have since been moved to the Central Police Headquarters in Monrovia.
She added that several other alleged criminals were raided yesterday morning in addition to the few that were arrested that night.
Asked what could be done to avoid recurrence of the situation, Chief Supt. Blackie said that they needed logistics because that makes the work much easier.
She alluded that armed robbery in the concession area has been quiet for some time, but since more young men moved into the area of late, from Monrovia, armed robbery has returned to her control area.
“Those guys that were arrested, majority of them don’t live here, they live in Monrovia; but they come, you know, and their friends harbor them. Then, at night they go around damaging and taking people things away”, she said. But key sources within the concession area are saying that some of the alleged armed robbers are men who were down-sized from the Firestone security apparatus, the Plant Protection Department (PPD).
When contacted by this reporter to elaborate on the burglary at her home, Mrs. Keshen said that she was so stressed up and couldn’t make any comment until after an hour or so, but when further contact was pursued, security at Mrs. Abdallah home said that she was sleeping and didn’t wanted to be bothered.
However, according to information gathered earlier by this reporter, several armed men, some with machetes, knives and guns, entered the home of Mrs. Keshen and took away her jewelries, money and laptop, among others.
Mr. Karmorh, who was admitted at the Duside Hospital for the injury he sustained on his head, could not be contacted to explain what occurred in his home because medical officials said he was taking rest.
Meanwhile, Margibi county District number 3 Representative, Saah Gbollie, condemned the act of robbery in his district and has urged all residents of the plantation to cooperate with the police in cracking down on crime in the district.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Masonic Craft Identifies With The Needed
-Vows Quarterly Donations
The Charity Committee of the Order of Eastern Star of the General Grand Chapter of the Masonic Craft on Saturday, August 8, 2009 donated consorted food and non-food items valued over US$2,000 to three needed related orphananage homes in Monrovia.
The Anthonette Tubman Cheshire Orphanage Home (ATCOH), on 10th Street Sinkor, Cheeseman, amongst the three beneficiaries, received five bags of rice, a cartoon of fish and chicken and Mango Candle.
Other items included a cartoon of bathing soap, clora and toileteries.
The Director of ATCOH, Ms. Famatta Collins thanked Worthy Sister and Brother Irene L.M. McIntosh and Anthony W. Deline, General Grand Worthy Matron and Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star for the donations, as well as the Charity Committee, headed by Worthy Sister Ophelia Hoff-Saytumah for the kind gesture.
“The Anthonette Tubman Cheshire Orphanage Home, a resident of 14 multi-disability, between the ages of 1-49 is grateful for the donation and we hope this will not be the last,” Ms. Collins smiled.
The head of maternity of the Liberian-Japanese Friendship Maternity Center- the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, Dr. Wilhemina Jallah, receiving the two bags of rice and two cartoons of children used clothes and consorted items, extended her thanks and appreciation on behalf of management and promised to use the items for the intended purpose.
“We can assure you that these items will be used for the children and as you promised us, we hope to see you again,” Dr. Jallah averred.
The head of the Americans for Africans Adoption Incorporated (AFFA), Ms. Oretha J. Wesee, located in Paynesville, told journalists that the donation is the first in six years.
Ms. Wesee asserted that the home is housing 27 abandoned children, two of whom are multi-disable, between the ages of 5 months to 11 years, and is a recognized institution established in 2002.
“We give God the glory to the Eastern Star of the General Grand Chapter for such timely donations and we want to tell you that they will use for the intended purpose,” Ms. Wesee avowded.
Worthy Sister Ophelia Hoff-Saytumah told journalists that the donation is way of identifying with the needed in the country and is the first donation since her appointment in March-2009, and vowed to have a quarterly donation to the needed institutions.
“The items were donated by Worthy Sister Irene l.M. McIntosh, Past Matron, Ruth Chapter Number 8 and General Grand Worthy Matron, Order of the Eastern Star and Worthy Brother Anthony W. Deline, Past Patron, Adah Chapter number Four and General Grand Worthy Patron, Order of the Eastern Star,” Worthy Sister Saytumah, Honorary Past Matron, Queen Esther Chapter Number One, stated.
Other members of the Charity Committee are Worthy Sister Esther Page, Past Matron, Dorcas Chapter Number 3 and Worthy Brother H. Augustus Roberts, Jr, Distric Deputy General Patron of Grand Bassa County and Past Patron of Ruth Chapter Number Eight.
The Charity Committee of the Order of Eastern Star of the General Grand Chapter of the Masonic Craft on Saturday, August 8, 2009 donated consorted food and non-food items valued over US$2,000 to three needed related orphananage homes in Monrovia.
The Anthonette Tubman Cheshire Orphanage Home (ATCOH), on 10th Street Sinkor, Cheeseman, amongst the three beneficiaries, received five bags of rice, a cartoon of fish and chicken and Mango Candle.
Other items included a cartoon of bathing soap, clora and toileteries.
The Director of ATCOH, Ms. Famatta Collins thanked Worthy Sister and Brother Irene L.M. McIntosh and Anthony W. Deline, General Grand Worthy Matron and Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star for the donations, as well as the Charity Committee, headed by Worthy Sister Ophelia Hoff-Saytumah for the kind gesture.
“The Anthonette Tubman Cheshire Orphanage Home, a resident of 14 multi-disability, between the ages of 1-49 is grateful for the donation and we hope this will not be the last,” Ms. Collins smiled.
The head of maternity of the Liberian-Japanese Friendship Maternity Center- the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, Dr. Wilhemina Jallah, receiving the two bags of rice and two cartoons of children used clothes and consorted items, extended her thanks and appreciation on behalf of management and promised to use the items for the intended purpose.
“We can assure you that these items will be used for the children and as you promised us, we hope to see you again,” Dr. Jallah averred.
The head of the Americans for Africans Adoption Incorporated (AFFA), Ms. Oretha J. Wesee, located in Paynesville, told journalists that the donation is the first in six years.
Ms. Wesee asserted that the home is housing 27 abandoned children, two of whom are multi-disable, between the ages of 5 months to 11 years, and is a recognized institution established in 2002.
“We give God the glory to the Eastern Star of the General Grand Chapter for such timely donations and we want to tell you that they will use for the intended purpose,” Ms. Wesee avowded.
Worthy Sister Ophelia Hoff-Saytumah told journalists that the donation is way of identifying with the needed in the country and is the first donation since her appointment in March-2009, and vowed to have a quarterly donation to the needed institutions.
“The items were donated by Worthy Sister Irene l.M. McIntosh, Past Matron, Ruth Chapter Number 8 and General Grand Worthy Matron, Order of the Eastern Star and Worthy Brother Anthony W. Deline, Past Patron, Adah Chapter number Four and General Grand Worthy Patron, Order of the Eastern Star,” Worthy Sister Saytumah, Honorary Past Matron, Queen Esther Chapter Number One, stated.
Other members of the Charity Committee are Worthy Sister Esther Page, Past Matron, Dorcas Chapter Number 3 and Worthy Brother H. Augustus Roberts, Jr, Distric Deputy General Patron of Grand Bassa County and Past Patron of Ruth Chapter Number Eight.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Traditional Culture Returns
.png)
The RLJ Kendeja resort and Villas has launched a weekly Liberian cultural night which tends to promote cultural activities in as well as attract tourist to the country.
The Launching ceremony brought together people from all walks of life in Liberia to witness a glamorous performance of the Bassa, Vai, Kpelle and Dan traditional dance groups as well as the preparation of some Liberian traditional dishes.
The former Liberian Cultural centre was so lighted that it signifies that the commitment of the RLJ Kendeja Resort and Villas towards Liberian culture and economy and especially to support the local Kendeja community is not just a hollow phrase, but is really being put into action.
The General Manager Ronald praised the performers who colored the occasion with their swift bodies stating that the Liberian Culture was appreciated and has the potential to attract guests if it is presented and promoted the right way.
“I think this is the way forward, not only for Kendeja but for the tourism sector in general. We will increase this kind of activities and launch a monthly changing Contemporary Liberian Art Exhibition on the 22nd of July with works from the artist David Wollobah,” Ronald added.
He further averred that at this moment they are also developing a range of special Kendeja products, postcards and arts and crafts in collaboration with the Kendeja community and craftsman, which can be sold in their shop to support the concept of traditional night and the Kendeja Community as well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)