South Sudan is one year old today.

Jane-Ann McKenna, Head of Office, Médecins Sans Frontières Ireland, who is in South Sudan, writes:

The baby in the photo above is Abdullah (name changed). He was born prematurely at the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) tent hospital here in Jamam refugee camp. His mum is one of over 100,000 refugees who fled conflict across the border in Sudan and had to walk for weeks, sometimes months, to reach what they hoped would be sanctuary in South Sudan.

Unfortunately, this newborn nation – which is celebrating its first birthday today – doesn’t have any emergency response capacity to help thousands of displaced people who urgently need food, shelter, and clean water.

The start of rainy season hasn’t helped matters. Last week we woke to find that the refugee camp had become a swamp, with latrines over flowing and tents washed away. MSF is providing medical care but despite our best efforts, the mortality rate is almost double the emergency threshold, with eight or nine children dying every day, mainly from diarrhoea. We’re appealing for help.

Jane-Ann McKenna, Head of Office, Médecins Sans Frontières Ireland, c/o Jamam refugee camp, Upper Nile State, South Sudan.

MSF.ie Appeal for Sudan here

(Pic by Shannon Jensen)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l02Uym4PG6c

Jordanian MP Mohammed Shawabka discussing his country’s policy toward Syria on Friday with political activist Mansour Sayf al-Din Murad.

“You’re a Mossad agent,” says Sayf al-Din Murad.

“You’re a mafia thief,” retorts Shawabka.

Good times.

Mohammed Shawabka, Jordan MP, In Trouble For Pulling Gun In TV Debate (Jamal Halaby, Huffington Post)

Kelley Cousins at Dublin Zoo writes:

“in a particularly large unveiling ceremony at the Kaziranga Forest Trail, Dublin Zoo welcomed one of the most highly anticipated arrivals in many years – Upali an Asian bull elephant. Upali arrived from Chester Zoo at midnight on Thursday July 5.

Upali is now the largest animal at Dublin Zoo. He is 17 years old, measures 3 metres tall and weighs over 6,000kgs, equivalent to the weight of ten Friesian cows.

Upali’s arrival is a momentous development for both the Zoo and the international breeding programme as he joins three breeding females – sisters Bernhardine and Yasmin, and Yasmin’s calf Anak.

It is expected that the elephants will mate soon and double the size of the Dublin Zoo herd over the coming years.”

(Patrick Bolger)

Three weeks ago she was found covered in cement, blind in one eye and painfully bewildered.

And today?

From Dublin SPCA:

Just a little update on Faith the kitten that came in covered in cement and fly strike [fly eggs had hatched underneath an infected eye]. Faith is now with one of our fantastic foster people Dave (above) and is doing really well.

 

DSPCA

Denis Desmond of MCD

Justice Minister Alan Shatter said the Garda Commissioner is to meet with the promoters of Saturday night’s concert where nine people were stabbed. Mr Shatter said what happened at the concert in the Phoenix Park was “very unusual”. He said the Garda Commissioner was looking into the events that occurred. “I think there are issues for the promoter of this event to clarify,” he said.

 

Garda Chief To Meet Concert Promoter MCD – Justice Minister ( Luke Byrne and Fionnan Sheahan, Irish Independent)

(Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland)

John writes:

19-year-old girl missing since the SHM [Swedish House Mafia] gig after missing her bus to Cork. More details on this Facebook page here.

 

Update:

Aoife is described as being 5’5”, of medium build, and has brown shoulder length hair.  When last seen she was wearing red leggings, purple and black wellington boots, a white t-shirt and a faded denim jacket. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact Cobh Garda Station on 021-4908530.

 

UPDATE 2: She’s been found…

@gigibongi

“We didn’t see anything but have asked for all the info and are respectful of the promoter’s need to wait and give us all the clear facts. When we know more we will liaise with the Festival promoter directly on what we can do to help but for now we have to respect their request to us that we remain quiet and respectful of their event safety processes. The festival itself was amazing and we had no idea this had happened and neither did the other numerous artists who played. Once we know all the facts we will deal with it in the best way we can.” Swedish House Mafia

Statement From Swedish House Mafia (Hot Press)

Earlier: Lost Weekend

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