The News Review:

- Islamic Schools Trick African Boys Into Begging
- FACTBX-Food price anger sparks protests
- bserver calls Zimbabwe vote recount ‘flawed’ state media…
- UN chief says anti-poverty efforts are lagging in Africa

Islamic Schools Trick African Boys Into Begging
FXNews – Apr 21, 2008
Like a pup he lay curled against the cold pressed between dozens of other children sleeping head-to-toe on the concrete floor. His T-shirt was damp with the dew that seeped through the thin walls. The older boys had yanked away the square of cloth he used to protect himself from the draft… 2 million Colis in the world today children trafficked to work for the benefit of others. Those who lure them into servitude make $15 billion annually according to the International Labor rganization. It’s big business in Senegal. In the capital of Dakar alone at least 7600 child beggars work the streets according to a study released in February by the IL the United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Bank. The children collect an average of 300 African francs a day just 72 cents reaping their keepers $2 million a year. Most of the boys — 90 percent the study found — are sent out to beg under the cover of Islam placing the problem at the complicated intersection of greed and tradition. For among the cruelest facts of Coli’s life is that he was not stolen from his family.

FACTBX-Food price anger sparks protests
Reuters AlertNet – Apr 21, 2008
* MZAMBIQUE — At least six people were killed in Mozambique in protests that erupted in February over high fuel prices and living costs. The government agreed to cut the price of diesel fuel for minibus taxis. * SENEGAL — Riots erupted in Senegal’s capital last November over rising prices and unemployment. President Abdoulaye Wade announced an ambitious crop expansion plan this month to make Senegal self-sufficient in staples. * SUTH AFRICA — Thousands of members of South Africa’s powerful labour federation marched through Johannesburg this month to protest against higher food and electricity prices. * HAITI — Protests in Haiti over high prices for rice brought down the government. At least six people were killed in two weeks of riots and demonstrations in the poorest country in the Americas.

bserver calls Zimbabwe vote recount ‘flawed’ state media…
International Herald Tribune – Apr 21, 2008
” “It is clear that the process of recounting the contested wards from the recent elections is fatally flawed” she said. “f particular concern was the evidence of ballot box tampering that I witnessed personally which points to a concerted effort to rig the election results in order to bring about a Mugabe 'victory. '” __ Associated Press writers Clare Nullis in Cape Town South Africa and Todd Pitman in Dakar Senegal contributed to this report.

UN chief says anti-poverty efforts are lagging in Africa
FXNews – Apr 21, 2008
Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said that though many nations are falling behind in Africa there has been progress in some that can serve as an example. “Senegal is making great strides toward meeting the water target. Niger Togo and Zambia have made impressive progress in malaria control through the free distribution of bed nets” Ban said… Niger Togo and Zambia have made impressive progress in malaria control through the free distribution of bed nets” Ban said. He also commended Ghana Kenya Tanzania and Uganda for increasing primary school enrollment. “These success stories need to be replicated and scaled-up across Africa with effective support from the international community” Ban said. Sub-Saharan Africa is “most at risk” for not meeting poverty goals by 2015 he said. “Here not a single country is on track.