Muslims and Copitc Christians Clash Again in Egypt

On Sunday 55 people were sent to the hospital in Cairo, Egypt, as a result of feuding Muslims and Coptic Christians. Coptic Christians held a sit-in outside the state television station in protest of failed police protection of their churches. While the Coptic were protesting, Muslims initiated gun shots resulting instigating groups of young men from both sides in to a four hour rock and stick fight. Pope Shenouda III, spoke out against the Coptic protestors urging them to immediately discontinue their efforts because, “the protest is now no longer about expressing your opinion,” and that Egypt’s reputation and their own are at stake.

Ana Foster

Tens of Thousands March into Mexico City

Tens of thousands of Mexican citizens march peacefully through Mexico City on Sunday. Their message is directed to President Felipe Calderon and other politicians about failed government attempts to stop the drug gang activity. The group of 150,000 civilians is led by Catholic poet and journalist Javier Sicilia. To begin a crackdown on drug gangs the president has sent soldies to patrol the nothern and western parts of Mexico. Since this strategy has been in motion violence has increased along with the toll of innocent victims. However, due to corruption, fear, and inefficiency, the government has not fully reported on the killings. Mass graves were found in Tamaulipas, holding 183 bodies, which is believed to be people kidnapped off public buses. In Durango 168 bodies have been pulled from other mass graves. Citizens feel they are ignored victims caught between organized crime and governmental forces, soldies and police.

Ana Foster

Libyan Oil Buys Allies for Qaddafi

Like many pro-Qaddafi groups that have emerged in response to the Libya rebellion, Elhadj Maiga from Mali recruits young men to go and fight for Qaddafi. There is a lack of money for guns or transport for Maiga's group of only couple hundred men but they are encouraged to commit their loyalty to Qaddafi - "We're all ready to die for him" said Maiga. Apparently Qaddafi built a mosque in Bamako (where Maiga prays), set up a national network for television in the 80's, and he even is paying the Malian government $100 million. A reciprocity effect has occured as a result of Qaddafi's support in Mali. He continues to use billions of dollars from the Libya's oil reserves to "invest in governments, rebel groups, luxry hotels, Islamic organizations, rubber factories, rice paddies, diamond mines, supermarkets and the countless OiLibya gas stations" around sub-Saharan Africa fueling his vehicle of reciprocity effect. These efforts have won over the influence of the poorest region in the world, and in return they fight for him as "African mercenaries".

Ana Foster

Thailand and Cambodia Clash Again in Border Dispute

Friday began a long range artillery firing between Thailand and Cambodian troops, continuing to sunday. Only 10 people have been killed while thousands of residents on either side of the boarder were evacuated. Like children caught in a fight on the playground both countries accused the other for starting it. Two ancient Hindu temples located near Preah Vihear continues to be the focus of tension between both countries since 2008 when the U.N. acknowledged it as a World Heritage site of Cambodia. Obviously, Thailand also claims ownership of the area, stirring up dissension between. It is unclear how long the feud will last but the U.N. has stepped in to be the voice of reason calling an effective cease-fire so they could begin a peaceful resolution.

Ana Foster