The book is beautifully illustrated by Hogarth Brown, who said:

‘The story of the elephants is truly a universal one, which I believe any child or adult can relate to at any level.’

This inspirational book is meant to help young children with low self-esteem as they often do not recognise their talents. The book helps them by raising their awareness of different personality styles and talents, through fun and adventure with the Ethical Elephants. The book also emphasises the importance of team work by telling the reader that one person cannot be good at everything.

Catherine, whose academic background is in the Social Sciences and is finishing her training as a homeopath, explained:

‘Through identifying with one of the elephants, children will have a reference point to help them focus on and celebrate their unique strengths. It will also help them to understand the wonder of our differences and to recognise the unique, yet different strengths of the people in their lives.’

The book not only helps young children find their talents, it also supports the British charity Aspinall Foundation’s work with elephants. Every copy sold will help feed the elephants at Howletts and Port Lympne wild animal parks in Kent, UK. The Aspinall Foundation, which also has projects in Madagascar, will receive 5% of the net profits from the book.

Kelly Dunworth founder of Conch Press, the publisher of the book, said: ‘Every line of books that we produce is linked to a charity and I’m so glad that with Afindica – The Story of the Ethical Elephants we can support The Aspinall Foundation with the amazing work that they do for rehabilitation and conservation.’

The book is educational, colourful and full of adventures and is likely to make the reader, either young or old, to learn and discover qualities in themselves they did not know they possessed.

Published by: Conch Press

The book supports The Aspinall Foundations work with elephants. 5 per cent of the net profits from the book will be donated to the Foundation’s projects.

You can buy the book at http://www.afindica.com/

£15.00

A report published by Oxfam highlighted that more than twenty two thousand people have been evicted, some facing a violent upheaval and others having no form of compensation.

Members of the Aid Agency have requested to see the sites where violent eviction has taken place. One man has stated that he was forced to give his cattle to NFC staff, and in order to have them returned he had to make a payment. Since doing so he has received a full refund.

As well as this, Citizens in Mubende and Kibogo districts voiced their concerns over the harassment and intimidation they have faced from NFC staff.

The International Aid Agency has also received reports stating that members of the NFC have been questioning individuals that have spoken to the media about their evictions.

Oxfam’s Chief Executive Barbara Stocking said, ‘Many people in these communities are clearly feeling intimidated by the actions of NFC, which are totally at odds with the principles of an independent and transparent investigation. They have already lost their homes and land and many have been subjected to violent behaviour. They need a credible investigation not further pressure. NFC must show that they are serious about the allegations that have been made.’

Oxfam have requested for an independent chairperson and investigatory body to be in charge to avoid company workers undermining the process and to ensure that the affected citizens are protected. These allegations have left the NFC with no option; they need to run an independent investigation.

The campaign has received the endorsement of medical practioner and television agony aunt Dr Miriam Stoppard, comedian and author Arabella Weir, and soap opera actor John Michie, himself raised in Kenya.

Up to ten million people across the Horn of Africa have been affected by the secondary issue of a disastrous famine, with particular emergency zones in countries such as Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia. The famine, brought on by the drought, has meant that for an overwhelming number a steady food supply is in acute jeopardy.

Plan reports that after years of povery millions of children are now going hungry. The organisation’s disaster unit Officer Sarah Mace said:

‘Many families can’t find anything to eat or drink. The crisis has devastated livestock and created a shortage of supplies. Even when families can find food for sale, most can’t afford it.’

Earlier this month the Conservative party’s political broadcast was an appeal for donations. Whilst criticised for being a mere marketing stunt in a bid to appear more compassionate to voters, campaigns are clearly taking effect as the Disasters Emergency Committee announced £72million had been raised in donations for the region so far.

However this is still not enough to support all those affected, now and into the future which is why Plan are now seeking almost 500 sponsors;

‘Money donated to Plan through sponsorship funds projects for the benefit of entire communities, including schools and clinics, rather than individual children; Sponsorship doesn’t just help children and families when there is a crisis, but provides longer term opportunities for change’ Dr Stoppard said.

Funding is needed not just for emergency response aid, such as providing school meals, water trucking and therapeutic feeding for those with acute malnutrition; but for ensuring better irrigation, resistant crops and new wells to improve water supplies and equip communities to better prepare for future disasters.

‘We’re getting water to schools and the next stage will be to focus on longer term responses to minimise the impact of future disasters such as rebuilding wells, de-silting dams and rain water harvesting’ Mace said.

For more information on sponsoring a child with Plan call 0300 777 9777 or visit www.plan-uk.org

Where the average capex per tonne of annual iron ore in stalwart exporter Australia is currently ~USD175/t, in West Africa  it is notably 15-30% lower, at ~USD120-150/t.

China, reported to have been the world’s biggest Iron Ore producer in 2010, is already starting to bring Africa’s rich Iron reserves into production, and this outside investment is likely to chart both a decline in Iron Ore prices and secure the much sought after foreign investment many countries are seeking.

A Thai national, Chemlong Lemlongthai, was arrested after work by South African police. Lemlongthai, 43, the leader of a Thailand-based rhino poaching syndicate, is implicated in poaching activity which has seen dozens of rhino horns being traded, with dozens more scheduled to be traded in the coming months. While shocking to conservationists and concerned citizens alike, the statistics are rendered even more unpalatable by the details of the practices of these syndicates. Reports have not only suggested the use of further canned hunts and the use of prostitutes in facilitating these, but also, sadly, that there appear to be a number of officials and apparently legitimate actors involved.

Evidence has come to light that over a quarter of the more than 200 rhinos killed for their horns this year were killed after provincial conservation authorities granted permission for these ‘hunts’. A self-styled South African ‘wildlife trader’ by the name of Marnus Steyl has also been implicated in buying and trading rhinos and providing them to poachers by means of these illegal ‘hunts’. Sickeningly, some of the apparent prostitutes involved, also Thai nationals wanted to answer charges of human trafficking, have apparently been paid to fill out official paperwork. These relate to international agreements contained in the ‘Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species’ and to take part in elaborate schemes to appear as if they had been hunting the rhinos legitimately. According to a statement, a South African Parks Official would also be present as a ‘witness’ to the hunt, paid a kickback in order to further legitimise the activities underway.

Shockingly, the rhino carcasses had then been processed and sold off in meat products to unsuspecting customers at an unnamed butchery in Vryburg. By this time the horns had been smuggled out of the country and via Thailand, where they would be sold to buyers in the Asian traditional medicine markets. Despite paying around R65, 000 per horn (a price about which he complained he was paying too much), Lemtongthai is thought to have earned around R60 million in profits from his trade in rhino horns to date.

Lemtongthai and Vixay Keovang of Vietnam, thought to be even higher up in the syndicate, have been able to carry out their business through the trading company, Xaysavang Trading Export-Import Company, based in Laos and also thought to be involved in the illegal sale of ivory and of laboratory animals to Chinese laboratories. In a bitter indictment of the state of progress in conservation matters, this same company is thought to have been previously involved in the sale of lion bones and carcasses provided by South African breeders.

In the late July report by the Mail & Guardian, provincial authorities and the Department of Environmental Affairs had still not answered questions posed by journalists of the publication regarding the high proportion of illegal rhino hunts ‘sanctioned’ by these bodies. The national Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, or ‘Hawks’, reported that their strategy to date was focused on the Kruger National Park area, but that once this area and strategy was thought to be under control that they would make further investigations and continue the poaching-related work they had been doing in other provinces.

These investigations of course come after the widely-publicised arrest of hunter Dawie Groenewald last September. Groenewald, released after his arrest on a R1 million bail, prompting fears of his fleeing the country, is the leader of a poaching syndicate which operated out of the Limpopo Province. He is facing a number of charges, including the charge of being involved in organised criminal activities. Groenewald has been linked by some to Lemthongthai and his smuggling activities.

Widespread evidence of poaching has come to light in the international media recently, with United States-based art dealer Victor Gordon having recently been arrested on charges of smuggling over a ton of ivory and selling it through his outlets in Philadelphia and elsewhere. In Kenya, President Mwai Kibaki has also recently made a public demonstration of burning five tons of confiscated illegal ivory in a show of determination to battle criminal networks. Analysis performed in Kenya suggested that the ivory had come mainly from Kenya and Tanzania.

Poaching is thus a problem of endemic proportion in sub-Saharan Africa, and the recent alarming exposure of officials in facilitating this criminal activity in the South African context is cause for concern. Although the Hawks have been quite effective in their investigations into the problem, an official position from the higher branches of government should be taken to crack down on and end illegal poaching in South Africa. Along with determined allies elsewhere facing the same problem, such as in Kenya, cooperation should be undertaken to share information and expertise in order to quell poaching activities. It is often said that you can tell a lot about a country by how it treats its most vulnerable, and certainly South Africa’s wildlife is among its most precious and yet exposed and vulnerable assets at the moment. In the U.S., ivory trader Victor Gordon faces up to 20 years if convicted, the threat of a similar sentence for offenders in South Africa and neighbouring countries would certainly make potential poachers think twice.

Readers – if you are concerned about the problem of rhino poaching in South Africa and elsewhere, why not join the group HELP our RHINO NOW! (H O R N) on Facebook – the group is a great source for information on developments relating to the above-mentioned and many other cases, and is a great place for networking with like-minded people. Online social networking such as this can play a vital role in the organising of social interests and in the democratic process, and is something New Africa Analysis is keen to encourage and practice.

According to a company announcement today, SISG would invest the said amount in return for a 25% shareholding in AML’s flagship Tonkolili project and would also purchase iron ore under an off-take arrangement, guaranteeing long-term orders for production in Tonkolili.

Commenting on the announcement, Frank Timis, Executive Chairman of AML said: ‘We are pleased to welcome SISG, one of the world’s largest steel producers, as a strategic investor in the Tonkolili project. This partnership confirms the potential for Sierra Leone to become one of the world’s major iron ore producing nations thereby creating lasting benefits for its people.’

AML is still embroiled in controversy over its rights to develop the Tonkolili iron ore project, north of the West African resource rich nation. Stakeholders are concerned, amongst other things, over the extent of the lease handed out to AML and will seek variations in the agreement shortly in the interest of the country. Tonkolili has a Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) compliant resource deposit of 12.8 billion tonnes. The project, which currently has a 60 plus year mine-life, is being developed in three phases.

According to AML, in real terms the Chinese investor, currently the world’s ninth largest steel group, would purchase two million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of Phase I production, an incremental 8Mtpa after Phase II is commissioned and 10 Mtpa during Phase III, with discounts in each phase ranging from zero to 15%.

Mr Zou Zhongchen, Chairman of SISG said: ‘SISG is delighted to confirm this long term partnership with AML and to endorse a relationship with Sierra Leone which provides our steel mills with a sustainable long term supply of iron ore.’

AML guarantees that the project subsidiaries will sell 10 million tons of iron ore, and reach an annual production rate of 12 million tons, during 2012.

This is Africa’s worse drought in more than 60 years with the food crisis affecting more than 12 million people across Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, international NGOs have reported.

In Somalia there are an estimated 2.8 million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The country which has endured 20 years of conflict is also seeing some 3,000 people flee each day for nearby countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya which are struggling to manage.

In Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia families rely heavily on livestock for survival and in some parts of the area more than 50 percent of their herds have already died while the remainder are either sick or dangerously underweight. The price of animals has fallen by half while the cost of cereals has risen. These rising food prices have meant many families have been left unable to afford at least one proper meal, even in the cities and larger towns.

‘This is the worst food crisis of the 21st Century and we are seriously concerned that large numbers of lives could soon be lost,’ said Jane Cocking, Oxfam’s Humanitarian Director. ‘Two successive poor rains, entrenched poverty and lack of investment in affected areas have pushed 12 million people into a fight for survival. People have already lost virtually everything and the crisis is only going to get worse over the coming months – we need funds to help us reach people with life-saving food and water.’

On Wednesday British aid agencies pledged to help the 12 million at risk of starving to death after aid operations were haltered by the security conditions in Somalia.

Last week the radical Islamic group lifted its ban on foreign aid because of the harsh drought. Assistance from international organisations had been controlled in Somalia because of the on-going conflict between the government forces and Islamic insurgent groups such as al –Shabab, which is thought to have links to al-Qaeda.

Latest donations figures from the UK public to the Disasters Emergencies Committee which is made up of fourteen UK aid agencies to help people suffering from severe food shortages across Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and South Sudan has reached a total of £13 million.

Chief Executive of the Disasters Emergency Committee Brendan Gormley said: ‘The more money we raise the more lives we can save in the short term, and the more help we can give people to rebuild their lives in the long term. It’s vital that people keep giving.’

Ghana has proved a star performer with its cocoa market helping agricultural growth. The country has showed sustained progress for more than two decades and is also on track to halve rates of poverty and malnutrition by 2015. Along with Uganda, Ghana is now beginning to face challenges more common in developed countries. These include environmental degradation, ageing populations and non– communicable disease.

In many countries progress has been achieved through governance reforms that have strengthening local institutions. This has shown a more effective revenue collection and management of public finances.

ODI director Alison Evans said: ‘The world’s perception of Africa needs to change and we hope this report will show a continent making great strides towards a brighter future.’

A sustained government commitment and increased spending has helped Ethiopia to significantly improve its access to education. With primary school enrolment rates rising by more than 13 million since 2005, this has also been helped by the removal of school fees.

Effective international partnerships have shown to help with development, as better communication of knowledge and technology is shared. From this stronger international trading relations and diplomatic interventions was reported.

Mohammed-Anwar Sadat Adam from Oxfam adds: ‘The future for many African countries can only be brighter, if international development institutions and multi-laterals promote and develop genuine partnership with Africa beyond aid to include trade relations and other forms of interventions that can support nationally owned policies and programmes.’

According to a newly published research project Malawi’s recent progress in providing economic stability and decreasing inflation rates suggest a promising future for the country. Malawi along with Benin and Burkina Faso has produced impressive results and continued sustainability is all that is needed for future development.

Sadat Adam says: ‘It is time; Africa is seen and considered as an equal partner in the development of the world.’

Meanwhile, the growing middle class in Asia and Africa and limited supply over time with both supply and demand shocks recently coming from Libya and Japan respectively is a ‘narrative in the market that there will be market tightness’ according to Robin West, Chairman and CEO of PFC Energy.

Vladimir Rusinov, head of Oil & Gas Corporate Finance at Renaissance Capital, said: ‘We agreed oil prices should not exceed $100 per barrel.’ He added: ‘so where should prices be?’

‘Ninety dollars,’ said Robin West, Chairman and CEO of PFC Energy, ‘the global economy can support it and it allows for investment in all types of technology.’ Rilwanu Lukman, former Secretary General of OPEC said ‘it’s a moving target, but for the time being $80 – $100 is reasonable for both producers and consumers,’ according to fundamentals. Sounds like price fixing.

The report, ‘Climate Change, Water and Food Security’ by the Food and Agriculture Organization, warned that temperatures could increase by an estimated 4 degrees Celsius by 2080 and lead to a major decrease in water availability and create more regular droughts. Consequently, water supplies in key producing areas could become significantly reduced.

Farmers in Sub Saharan Africa are likely to become highly affected by decreased water availability as they do not have the means to develop techniques that could help them manage their water resources.

Assistant Director General for Natural Resources Alexander Mueller, warned: ‘Both the livelihoods of rural communities as well as the food security of city populations are at risk.’

The findings of the report are essential as the United Nations Climate Talks are taking place in Bonn from the 6th to the 17th of June. NGOs are now campaigning for climate deals to ensure that the world’s population will have enough food.

Oxfam’s international climate adviser, Tim Gore, said ‘This is a comprehensive report with frightening conclusions. Climate change is already making life harder for poor farmers and, left unchecked, will devastate our future food supply.’

He added: ‘The negotiators sitting in the climate change talks in Bonn right now should take notice. We need less talk and more action if a warming world is to feed itself.”

The UN report found that farmers can use less water and improve irrigation by planting earlier or later than they usually do. Crops and production could get better by shifting to soil moisture conservation practices. Also, by planting deep-rooted crops, farmers would be able to use available soil moisture.

However, modest farmers in developing countries, who already produce crops below their own potential, will struggle to adopt such strategies because do not have access to such funding, the report stated.

Mueller said: ‘The rural poor, who are the most vulnerable, are likely to be disproportionately affected.’

Farmers on the African continent are already being hit hard by climate change. The rising temperatures will cause crop yields to fall, the NGO Oxfam warned. There are also concerns that changes in seasons will make it difficult for farmers to understand when to sow, cultivate, and harvest.

As agriculture is causing almost a third of greenhouse gas emissions, Oxfam’s campaign Grow stated that ‘It’s time to help poor communities adapt to the changes that are already happening, by agreeing exactly where the money promised at the 2009 Copenhagen UN climate summit will come from. It’s time to invest in small-scale farming in developing countries and in green, clean energy.’