[Development news] Apparent success with experimental malaria vaccine

Many news outlets reported on the apparent success of an experimental malaria vaccine that was administered to infants.

A clinical trial in Mozambique of 214 infants aged 10 to 18 weeks found the vaccine was safe and reduced new infections by 65 percent over a three-month period after treatment. Clinical illness was cut by 35 percent over six months.

A new vaccine could be commercially available in 2012, according to Reuters.

[Guinean news] Legislative elections to be postponed?

AngolaPress reports that the Guinean legislative elections may be postponed. Prime Minister Lansana Kouyaté told parliament that the date might need to be pushed back due to the slow pace of organizing the vote.

The elections are estimated to cost some 79 billion Guinean francs, or nearly US$19 million, with the government picking up a little less than a quarter of the tab.

[Guinean and development news] New rice seed increases output but faces obstacles

The New York Times had an article about an intriguing project called New Rices for Africa. The piece also touches on the rice seed distribution system in Guinea and other parts of West Africa.

The new seeds increased yields even without fertilizer and more than doubled them with it. From planting to harvest, they also took three months rather than the five or six required by traditional varieties, putting rice on the family table during the hungry season.

But to sustain increased yields, farmers need a reliable source of fresh seed. Productivity declines when the new seeds become degraded after mixing with local varieties in storage sheds and fields and on the floors of the farmers’ huts.

[Internet news] Guinéenews is 10 years old

Guinéenews recently celebrated its first decade. Guinéenews was founded 10 years ago by Boubacar Caba Bah, a Guinean living in Canada. It is widely regarded as the premier internet site for Guinean news and has many correspondents inside the country.

Friends of Guinea is an official partner of Guinéenews.

[Guinean news] Guinean chimps

The New York Times had a welcome lighter article related to Guinea. The piece explored research being done on the social habits of chimpanzes in Bossou, in the Lola prefecture of southeastern Guinea. This site has some more info.

[Guinean news] Cost of living protest in Conakry

Both the BBC World Service's Focus on Africa program and Guinéenews report that protests erupted today against high cost of living.

Around 8:00 this morning, young protesters marched through the streets of the Conakry neighborhood of Ratoma complaining about the ever increasing cost of basic goods. A few cars were reported damaged.

One young housewife protesting noted that a 50 kilo bag of rice now costs 160,000 Guinean francs (FG), or over US$39. The price has increased 60 percent since the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, she said.

"From one day to the next, they increase the price by 10,000 FG," she added.

[Guinean news] New 10,000 and 50,000 FG banknotes

Jeune Afrique reports that the Guinean central bank recently introduced 10,000 franc (FG) banknotes into circulation, presumably in response to skyrocketing inflation. The 10,000 FG note is worth about US$2.40.

The magazine reports the central bank is also planning to issue a 50,000 FG note.

[Guinean news] Guinea to bid for African soccer championships

Jeune Afrique is reporting that Guinea is bidding to host the 2016 African Nations Cup soccer tournament. The pan-African weekly also noted that construction of a 50,000 seat all-purpose stadium in Conakry began recently

[Peace Corps news] Connecting US and foreign students

Amy Clark of the World Wise Schools' program at Peace Corps headquarters passed along the following message:

If you are a teacher or know of an enthusiastic person in an educational organization, the Coverdell World Wise Schools program at the Peace Corps offers a unique opportunity to connect with a currently serving PCV. The Correspondence Match program is a vibrant two-year exchange of ideas, stories, pictures, and artifacts that helps U.S. students in the classroom learn about the people, geography, environment, and culture of the world from the direct experience of Volunteers living in other countries. Whatever the grade level, area of expertise, or geographic preference of the U.S. educator, there is a Peace Corps Volunteer who is ready to communicate with your students. To enroll, please visit www.peacecorps.gov/wws/correspond/

[Guinean news] Syli national qualifies for CAN 2008

The Guinean national soccer team, le Syli national, qualified for the 2008 African Nations Cup by thrashing Cape Verde 4-0 in Conakry. CAN 2008 will be held in Ghana during January and February of next year. The Guineans reached the quarterfinals of the 2006 edition of the tournament.