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Sovereign Patrols
China
Haijian 15 patrols waters around the Diaoyu Islands on September 14. Two Chinese surveillance ship fleets arrived there for a patrol and law enforcement mission. It was the first time for Chinese surveillance ships to patrol these waters. The Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea has been a Chinese territory since the 14th century. Ignoring China's protests, Japan's Yoshihiko Noda administration insisted on "purchasing" some of the islands from their "owner" in September. It provokes China to take a series of countermeasures, including the law enforcement and patrol activities aimed at demonstrating China's jurisdiction over the Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islets.
Internet Film Sparks Riots
Africa
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, on September 14, condemned a film which has sparked protests across the Muslim world as an "aggression" on Islam that distracts from the real problems of the Middle East. He also called to protect "our guests and their homes and places of work." A controversial film on the Internet produced in the United States that portrays the Muslim Prophet Mohammed as a fraud and womanizer has triggered violent demonstrations in some Middle East and North African countries. In Libya, U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three embassy staff were killed during protests on September 11. Egypt's Prosecutor General Abdel-Maguid Mahmoud has recently referred seven U.S.-based Egyptian Copts and one American to criminal court over this anti-Muslim U.S.-made film.
New Mining Law
Zambia
Zambia, Africa's top copper producer, has said its revised law governing mining is expected to be ready next year to help attract more foreign investors and provide more incentives to local investors. Minister of Mines Yamfwa Mukanga said the 2008 Mines and Minerals Development Act, which is currently under review, will look at best ways of empowering local people to benefit immensely from the natural mineral resources.
Potato Import
Algeria
Algeria is considering to import potatoes in face of a possible market shortage, Agriculture Minister Rachid Benaissa said recently. Benaissa said that the delay of potato planting in July, mostly due to the lack of labor and the wave of heat that hits the country, is likely to cause a shortage of potato supplies. The Algerian Government is planning to strike down speculation by "possibly resorting to importing potatoes," the minister said, adding, "the imported quantities will be limited and subject to quality control." Imports should not exceed 2 percent of the annual production estimated at 4 million tons, he added.
Homegrown Smartphone
Africa
Verone Mankou, 25, the designer of the first African touch screen, unveiled another first in September. His latest smartphone design has a 3.5-inch touch screen, 512-MB memory and a 650-Mhz processor. Besides its GPS, the smartphone has 5-megapixel camera. The design of the smartphone took Mankou nearly a year with an investment of about $120,000. The device, assembled in China, will be sold under the brand name VMK in October in France, Cote d'Ivoire and the Republic of Congo.
Miners' Strike Ends
South Africa
The six-week-long strike at the Lonmin Marikana Platinum Mine in South Africa has ended as miners accepted a hefty pay rise offer on September 18. Thirty-four strikers died during a conflict between police officers and miners on August 16.
South Africa is home to 80 percent of all known reserves of platinum and is a major gold producer. The unrest this year has cost the mining industry 4.5 billion rand ($548 million) in lost output, said South African President Jacob Zuma on September 17.
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