Author: Lucy Feickert
Haiti. The United States Embassy in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince,reported that the rate of those affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Haiti has decreased over the past decade, according to figures from Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health. The country’s infection rate dropped 10 percent to the current 3.67 percent, with more people getting tested and using preventative measures. The decrease in HIV and AIDS cases is due to a significant influx of foreign aid to the country, making treatment and prevention more widely available. The Embassy’s announcement was made Sunday in honor of World AIDS Day.
The Washington Post
South Africa. In the midst of 16 days of activism against rape and violence against women in South Africa led by President Jacob Zuma, news surfaced of the abduction and rape of a 6-week-old baby girl. The baby’s 24-year-old uncle was arrested following the attack after being threatened by the residents of the town. Provincial police chief Arno Lamoer said that child rape is a prevalent issue in South Africa, with numerous cases reported involving very young children. According to Health Department officials, the baby had extensive surgery following the attack and remains in critical but stable condition.
The Los Angeles Times
Latvia. Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis announced his resignation following the collapse of a supermarket roof that led to the deaths of more than 50 people in the capital city of Riga. The collapse was likely the result of government corruption and bribes to inspectors. Latvian President Andris Berzins can either reject Dombrovskis’s resignation or accept it and nominate another for the position. Dombrovskis has been the prime minister since 2009, having already been reappointed twice. As an economist, he is credited with saving the country from going bankrupt.
National Public Radio
New Delhi. Magazine editor Tarun Tejpal was arrested for the sexual assault of a young employee, which he denies. Tejpal had previously written apologies to the young woman, hoping to avoid criminal charges. The unidentified young woman reported the incident, which occurred in a hotel elevator at a conference, to the magazine’s managing editor, Shoma Chaudhury. She ordered Tejpal to step down for six months. Many were outraged by Chaudhury’s handling of the case, forcing her to leave the magazine. Now in custody, Tejpal awaits news of his case and the charges against him.
The New York Times
United States. Fast-food workers are planning to strike across the country on Thursday, hoping to put pressure on chain restaurants to raise wages to $15 per hour. The strike is backed by organizations Fast Food Forward and Fight for 15, along with the Service Employees International Union, which demands that workers be allowed to unionize without fear of retaliation from employers. The National Restaurant Association opposes the strike, claiming that the demanded wage increases would decrease the number of jobs available and prompt the automation of tasks. Thursday’s planned strikes follow momentum building actions such as last November’s 200-strong daylong strike in New York.
Aljazeera America
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