Voters Head to the Polls in Malawi; Accused Albino Killers on Trial

ewiley — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:03:14 +0000

Voters Head to the Polls in Malawi
Millions of voters cast their ballots Tuesday in Malawi’s general election, reports the BBC. The nation is electing a president and a new parliament. While there are seven presidential candidates, most consider to two main contenders being current President Bingu Wa Mutharika and John Tembo leader of the Malawi Congress Party. With a large voter turnout (6 million votes cast at nearly 4,000 polls) many are expecting the results to be close. The results of the vote are expected by Thursday. Mutharika’s predecessor, Bakili Muluzi (who has already served two terms as president) recently threw his support behind Tembo after a court ruled he could not run for a third term, reports the news service. Because of a disagreement with Muluzi, his former supporter, Mutharika quit the United Democratic Front to form his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party in 2005.

Accused Albino Killers on Trial
Eleven people accused of killing 12 albinos are on trial in Burundi, reports the BBC. All of the defendants have denied murder charges and if they are found guilty, they face life in prison. In recent months, murders of albinos in East African nations have increased, with 50 people losing their lives, BBC reports. Albino body parts taken from Burundi are sold in nearby Tanzania, authorities say. Witchdoctors have claimed that potions that include albino body parts will bring clients success and good luck. While officials in Burundi are starting to crack down on the killings, more can be done says an organization fighting for albino rights.

WORLD: Pirates Hijack Tankers Near Somalia; Madonna Set to Adopt Another Malawian Child

ewiley — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:40:35 +0000

Pirates Hijack Tankers Near Somalia
In 24 hours, pirates were able to hijack two vessels off of Somalia’s coast, reports CNN. Both were chemical tankers owned by European nations, according to the European Union Maritime Security Center. One, a 23,000 ton M/V Bow-Asir owned by Norway, was hijacked 250 miles east of the city of Kismayo and southern Somalia Thursday morning. The other one captured was the 9,000-ton M/V Nipayia tanker, which is owned by Greece, and had 19 crew members on board. An alert has been issued by officials to all nearby vessels to be on alert of elevated pirate activity.

Madonna Set to Adopt Another Malawian Child

Singer Madonna will travel to Malawi this weekend to adopt a second child, officials from the African nation told the BBC. She reportedly already filed adoption papers and could have her case heard at the High Court by early next week. While Madonna’s reps are mum on the topic, the singer did hint to her intentions while answering questions from readers of a Malawian newspaper. “Many people – especially our Malawian friends – say that David should have a Malawian brother or sister,” she said. Read the rest.

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Voters Head to the Polls in Malawi; Accused Albino Killers on Trial

WORLD: Pirates Hijack Tankers Near Somalia; Madonna Set to Adopt Another Malawian Child