Social Issue News

9:50 AM EST
2/10/2012 Drought response slowed by election feverWhile it is clear that Senegal was one of the eight Sahelian countries to be hit by poor rains in 2011, unlike most of its neighbours, the government has not yet declared that parts of certain regions are suffering drought conditions. This low-profile approach is slowing down donor and aid agencies' preparations and responses to help pastoralists and farmers get through the lean season.

Source:IRIN Topics:Social Issue, People, Children, Disaster And Accident, Drought, Politics, Election

10:47 AM EST
2/9/2012 "Gold mining beats school any day"At a waterlogged gold mine in western Kenya's Migori District,--year-old Jacob*, one of 15,000 children toiling in the region's pits, scours the water for glistering flakes, a job he says beats going to school on an empty stomach.

Source:IRIN Topics:Social Issue, People, Children, Economy, Business And Finance, Metal And Mineral, Mining, Education, School

9:02 AM EST
2/9/2012 Washington state poised to enact same-sex marriage lawWashington state is poised to legalize same-sex marriage following passage of legislation in the state House, a victory for rights advocates who early this week celebrated a court ruling striking down California's ban on gay marriage.

Source:AHN Topics:Crime, Law And Justice, Laws, Politics, Government, Social Issue, Minority Group, Gays And Lesbians

8:04 AM EST
2/9/2012 The tribulations of being an Ethiopian JewAn estimated 125,000 Ethiopian Jews live in Israel, but while they are supposed to be full citizens with equal rights, their community has continued to face widespread discrimination and socio-economic difficulties, according to its leaders.

Source:IRIN Topics:Unrest, Conflicts And War, Civil Unrest, Social Conflict, Religion And Belief, Judaism, Social Issue, Minority Group, National Or Ethnic Minority

7:40 AM EST
2/9/2012 Indigenous groups - stateless and sickThe health of millions of indigenous people across Asia is at risk, experts say, as lack of recognition of their legal status hinders data collection, making their medical problems invisible in most national health surveys.

Source:IRIN Topics:Politics, Government, National Government, Social Issue, Minority Group, National Or Ethnic Minority

3:01 PM EST
2/8/2012 Super Bowl XLVI leftovers to feed Indy's hungryThousands of pounds of leftover food from Sunday's 46th Super Bowl is being donated to help feed the hungry in host city of Indianapolis.

Source:AHN Topics:Arts, Culture And Entertainment, Television, Sports, American Football, National Football League, Social Issue, Poverty

2:37 PM EST
2/7/2012 Appeals court strikes down California same-sex marriage banA federal appeals court has struck down Proposition 8 that banned gay marriage in California.

Source:AHN Topics:Crime, Law And Justice, Laws, Civil, Social Issue, Minority Group, Gays And Lesbians

12:18 PM EST
2/7/2012 Komen official resigns in wake of Planned Parenthood flapThe vice president of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation stepped down Tuesday following controversy over funding Planned Parenthood projects to detect breast cancer, the foundation said. Karen Handel was reportedly instrumental in the foundation’s decision not to renew its funding of some of Planned Parenthood’s breast cancer screenings.

Source:AHN Topics:Economy, Business And Finance, Company Information, Corporate Officer, Social Issue, Abortion, Charity

12:11 PM EST
2/7/2012 U.S. to help re-integration of ex-Maoist fightersNepal will receive $2 million in direct help from the United States to help ex-Maoist fighters re-integrate into the nation's armed forces. Nepal began discharging the former combatants on Friday from cantonments in which they have lived since the peace accord that ended a 10-year civil war was signed in 2001.

Source:AHN Topics:Politics, Defense, Armed Forces, Social Issue, Reconstruction, Diplomacy, International Relations

11:13 AM EST
2/7/2012 Tackling underage sex work in Nyanza's gold minesInside a smoky makeshift kiosk, Julie (not her real name), 16, can hardly cope with the demand from her clients for a cup of tea and a snack - the men are parched from their work as gold miners in the western Kenyan district of Nyatike. The money Julie makes from the kiosk is not sufficient, so she supplements it by having sex with the miners in exchange for money; it also buys their loyalty.

Source:IRIN Topics:Health, Disease, AIDS, Social Issue, Prostitution