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November 23, 2008 3:50:44 CST

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orphan

orphan news stories

10 Stories

 Congo Orphan 
 Faces Lawless World 

War-torn nation struggles to cope with parentless children

Associated Press Associated Press Nov 16, 08 7:33 PM CST
(Newser) - An infant discovered in a corpse-ridden house may portend a new problem in Congo's humanitarian crisis, the AP reports. Eliya, found crying with a bullet wound, is one of 250,000 people displaced since fighting reignited in August. “Caring for orphans, that’s something new for us,” said a nurse at the hospital caring for Eliya. “It will be difficult, maybe impossible, to find anyone to take him." More »

More about:  Congo • militia • orphan

Breastfeeding Officer Sparks Debate in China

'Police mum' promoted for helping orphaned babies in quake

Reuters Reuters Jun 22, 08 5:44 PM CDT
(Newser) - A policewoman has sparked debate in Beijing after breastfeeding nine orphaned babies during last month's earthquake, Reuters reports. Officials have promoted Jiang Xiaojuan, 30, calling her "hero and model police officer," but others argue that merit, not deeds, should lead to promotion. Xiaojuan left her baby at home to help with disaster relief and earned the press nickname "police mum." More »

More about:  China • China earthquake • Sichuan province • breast feeding • orphan • promotion • policewomen

 4K Orphaned in China Quake 

Adoption requests pouring in from across country

Associated Press Associated Press May 22, 08 1:26 PM CDT
(Newser) - The earthquake that killed more than 51,000 Chinese when it ripped through Sichuan province on May 12 also left more than 4,000 children parentless, a Chinese official said today—and the actual number could be yet higher because many remain missing. The Chinese people are rushing to adopt those orphans, another official said. “Every day my ministry receives hundreds of calls.” More »

More about:  China • China earthquake • adoption • orphan

Madonna's Gardener Directs Her AIDS Film

He caught her eye making 'amazing'
home movies

People People Apr 26, 08 7:52 PM CDT
(Newser) - Madonna tapped a director whose work she knew well for her new documentary about AIDS orphans in Malawi, People reports. Nathan Rissman "was my gardener. He was my carpenter," she said. And his home videos of her kids "were amazing." More »

More about:  film • Madonna • HIV/AIDS • documentary • orphan • Malawi • David Banda

Reports of Horror at UK Orphanage Extend to 2007

Cops warn suspects not to threaten victims

Guardian (UK) Guardian (UK) Mar 3, 08 11:15 CST
(Newser) - British police are investigating charges that assaults at a notorious children's home occurred as recently as late last year, the Guardian reports. The revelation is the latest twist in an unraveling tale of sexual and physical abuse at the government-run home on the island of Jersey. Detectives said at least one suspect has threatened a victim, and they warned others not to follow suit. More »

Fighting Scars Smallest Kenyans

Kids witness parents' death in ethnic clashes

BBC BBC Feb 3, 08 3:43 PM CST
(Newser) - The violence in Kenya is separating droves of children from their parents—sometimes forever, the BBC reports. One Nairobi orphanage is currently hosting 60 displaced children; some wait for their parents to find them, but most know their mothers and fathers are already dead. "It's been a traumatizing experience for them," says one Red Cross activist. More »

More about:  children • Kenya • ethnic violence • orphan • orphanage

Chad 'Kidnappers' in France

Aid workers will serve out Chadian sentences in homeland

Reuters Reuters Dec 28, 07 4:55 PM CST
(Newser) - Six charity workers convicted of kidnapping children in Chad arrived today in their native France, where they are expected to serve out 8-year sentences, Reuters reports. The six, employees of humanitarian group Zoe’s Ark, will meet with a prosecutor to decide their prison placement. By serving their sentences in France, they swapped a Chadian court’s sentence of hard labor for jail time. More »

More about:  France • Darfur • adoption • Chad • orphan • Zoe's Ark

Soldier Saves Disabled Iraqi Youngster

Unlikely journey takes orphan from Baghdad
to Wisconsin

Associated Press Associated Press Dec 23, 07 10:00 PM CST
(Newser) - Ala Eddeen was destined for a miserable, perhaps short life. Born with cerebral palsy, the 9-year-old orphan was on his way to an institution where at best "he would stare at a blank wall for the rest of his life," says Scott Southworth, a US military officer who managed against all odds—Iraqi law prohibits foreigners from adopting Iraqi children—to adopt and bring Ala home to Wisconsin. More »

More about:  Iraq • orphan

 7 Freed in Chad Kidnap Case

Reporters, flight staff released after Sarko jets in to mediate

Associated Press Associated Press Nov 4, 07 8:23 CST
(Newser) - Three French journalists and four Spanish flight attendants have been released in a bizarre alleged kidnapping case in Chad shortly after French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived to mediate. Still detained are members of French charity organization Zoe's Ark that attempted to airlift to France 103 African children they claimed were orphans. "It's over; they're free," said an attorney for the seven released. More »

More about:  Nicolas Sarkozy • Chad • orphan

Nazi 'Mascot' Tells His Story

Jewish boy became
SS plaything, kept
secret until 1997

BBC BBC Aug 21, 07 11:33 CDT
(Newser) - A new book details the secret history of a Jewish boy who became a mascot for the Nazi SS. After fleeing a Belarus village on the day his family was massacred, the 5-year-old was rescued by a Nazi soldier who gave him a new name—Alex Kurzem— and identity as a Russian orphan, the BBC reports. He then became an entertainer for soldiers, and was advertised as “the Reich’s youngest Nazi.” More »

More about:  Nazi • World War II • Jews • Holocaust • orphan • Belarus • mascot

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