Top stories from the Development and Aid World News Service — DAWNS Digest.
34 Killed in Nigerian Market Raid
At least 34 people were killed when dozens attacked a cattle market in the northeast of Nigeria. “Emergency workers say the attackers used explosives in the attack on Wednesday night in the city of Potiskum. The attack was believed to be in reprisal for an incident earlier in the day, when a gang sought to rob the market but was fought off by traders who caught one of the attackers, police said…”A group of gunmen armed with around 20 explosives and assault rifles attacked the Potiskum cattle market,” Toyin Gbadegesin, a police spokesman, said. “They threw explosives and shot indiscriminately, setting fire to the market, killing lots of livestock and wounding many people, mostly cattle dealers.” Authorities expect the death toll to exceed 50 in the coming days. (Al Jazeera http://aje.me/IMtg1u)
CDC: Haiti’s Cholera String is Evolving
According to a new CDC study, the cholera strain in Haiti that has wrecked havoc for two years is changing. “The study released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that the bacterium is changing as survivors acquire at least some immunity to the original bug, which apparently was imported from Nepal. Cholera experts also say such a development is expected and has happened in cholera epidemics around the world…The CDC, the new study says, later confirmed that the isolates belonged to the Inaba serotype, the other major version of the cholera strain.” (WaPohttp://wapo.st/L0S6Au)
China: Chen Can Go Study in the USA
It looks like China has found a face-saving way out of its diplomatic row with the United States. (Oh, and USA saves some face, too). “China’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the dissident Chen Guangcheng can apply to study outside China in the same manner as other Chinese citizens, signaling a possible breakthrough in a diplomatic crisis that has deeply embarrassed the White House and threatens to sour relations with Beijing. In a two-sentence statement posted on the ministry’s Web site, a spokesman, Liu Weimin, stated that should Mr. Chen wish to study abroad, he “can apply through normal channels to the relevant departments in accordance with the law, just like any other Chinese citizen.” Speaking later at a press briefing, Mr. Liu said he was certain that “competent Chinese authorities will handle his application in accordance with the law.” The announcement came hours after Mr. Chen, in a four-point statement conveyed by telephone to a friend, insisted that he did not want to seek political asylum in the United States but that he had been invited to attend New York University and hoped “to go to the United States and rest for several months.” (NYT http://nyti.ms/J2Gh8b)