Volume 91, Issue 6 | March 2, 2011
the
Charger Bulletin The official student newspaper of the University of New Haven since 1938.
www.ChargerBulletin.com
American Hostage Situation Off Oman Ends Tragically
By LIANA TEIXEIRA Staff Writer
–––––––––––––––––––––––––– Any hope for the safe return of four American hostages has been tragically lost. The Americans, whose yacht was hijacked in the Arabian Sea Friday night, were held captive by Somali pirates in the midst of their aroundthe-word sailing trip. Three days later, U.S. military personnel boarded the ship in an attempt to rescue the passengers, but unfortunately found that all four hostages had been shot and killed. Despite attempts to revive the victims, their wounds proved fatal. The two couples aboard the yacht were Seattle residents Phyllis Macay, 59, and Robert Riggle, 67, and the yacht’s owners, Jean and Scott Adam of Marina del Rey, California. At the time of the passengers’ deaths, the yacht, named Quest, was sailing just off the coast of Somalia, located on the Horn of Africa. Pirate gangs are not uncommon in this area, and they usually target large merchant ships and oil tankers for profit, reports Reuters.com. A second money-maker to pirates involves the capturing of foreigners to use as ransom, a method that brings
in tens of millions of dollars. The Quest was sailing through the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, a main shipping route and a gold mine for pirates. The U.S. embassy reported on Saturday that they believed the Quest had been hijacked 240 miles off the coast of Oman. Andrew Mwangura, an East African maritime expert, concluded that the yacht was then sailing
of which ended with the release of British couple Paul and Rachel Chandler in November after being held captive by pirates for 14 months. Unfortunately, the same mercy was not given to the Americans aboard the Quest. While boarding the Quest on Tuesday, the U.S. military captured 13 pirates and killed two others. Two other pirates were also found dead upon arrival;
BSU has made significant strides in bringing African–––––––––––––––––––––––––– American culture awareness during Black History Month. The Black Student Union They have held events such as club (BSU) at the University of “Who Wants to Be a Black HisNew Haven has been putting on tory Month Scholar?” where stunumerous events for students to dents participated in a replica of enjoy, be informed, and educated the “Who Wants to Be a MillionBy CORA ST. MARIE
contributing WRITER
about African-American culture during Black History Month. According to BSU’s Facebook page, the club was established in 1973 and was the first AN AP PHOTO student organization on the unitowards Somalia, an area with however, officials have not re- versity’s campus for students of leased any information on their color. Like many other Black its share of violence. Student Unions on college camThis flourish in Indian Ocean cause of death. On Tuesday night, the re- puses, during that time, UNH’s piracy has become more frequent since the overthrow of the mains of both couples were sent BSU was born out of the civil Somali dictator in 1991, says on their journey home on the rights movement. The club wantReuters.com. With such a large USS Enterprise. “We express ed to ensure equality and bring area to cover, controlling the our deepest condolences for awareness programs to campus. spread of piracy proves to be ex- the innocent lives callously lost A part of bringing change to the aboard the Quest,” said Gen. UNH campus, students started tremely difficult. The inability to contain such James N. Mattis, U.S. Central requesting African- American history courses, ways of incora costly problem has resulted in Command commander. porating culture awareness, and various hostage situations, one working closely with fraternities and sororities.
DON’T FORGET This newspaper is recyclable! Egypt Freezes Mubarak’s Assets The assets, which already have been frozen in Egypt, remain –––––––––––––––––––––––––– untouchable to Mubarak and his family which consists of his It took eighteen days of po- wife, two sons, and two daughlitical upheaval, social hysteria, ters-in-law. Furthermore, six ofand international unrest for Hos- ficials from the Mubarak regime, ni Mubarak to abdicate his pres- investigated for money launderidency of Egypt on Feb.11. For ing allegations, have also been By LIZ DE LA TORRE STAFF WRITER
AP Photo
Egypt, the reign of “La vache qui rit,” as civilians mockingly called him, is over. In fact, to reinforce this, the nation banded together to contact other nations such as Switzerland and France to freeze his assets overseas. In keeping with that, the U.S. and France have cautioned banks to be wary of transactions concerning Egyptian dignitaries associated with political affairs.
BSU: Learning From Their Past to Make a Future
short of rights to their financial assets. Inquiry into Mubarak’s wealth, which is estimated from one billion to $70 billion, followed after complaints by citizens and ruling parties that the Mubarak regime was corrupt. As maintained by insiders, business magnates and superior officers were given land contract priviSee MUBARAK page 5
aire?” television show, but are instead tested on their knowledge of black history. Another event was “Take it or Leave it,” which was also based on a game show television program where contestants are asked questions, and they must bet certain prizes on the answer choices they feel strongly about. The group based their trivia questions on black history and prominent figures. Students have also come together for community service including helping prepare meals for the homeless and the less fortunate at the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen in New Haven. There are many more events listed for the weeks in February
See LEARNING page 4
Text message your news tips and comments to The Charger Bulletin! 1 (270) UNH-NEWS
Memories of 1995 Haunt GOP as Shutdown Talk Grows By KIM REILLY STAFF WRITER
–––––––––––––––––––––––––– Remembering back to the 1995-1996 partial shutdown of the federal government, Republicans are more concerned now than ever. Even though this helped Bill Clinton recast his House Reps into partisans and overturned his decreasing riches, the government is curious to know if history will repeat itself, and whether or not these Republicans are the ones to take credit for the fall. With this fatal memory in mind, leaders of the Republican Party look to avoid all of this from happening again and are confident of what the end result may turn into, even if it means yielding the amount of spending cuts they might be willing to reject. Keeping the government’s shutdown in perspective, Senator Tom Coburn informs Fox News that “it’s good for political rhetoric to talk about a government shutdown. But I don’t know anybody that wants that to happen.” He tried to inform his audience of the Republicans’ circumstances, and how willing they are to not
have a shutdown from happening again. On the other hand, according to one Democratic leader, the Senate officials seem to be making more time for the Congress’ President’s Day recess
week, dreading over the proposal passed by the House earlier on that day. “We are prepared to negotiate right away,” Senator Chuck Schumer pronounces. Speaking to the news cast, he then talks about the workers
who handle social security benefits and are being warned of the possibility of taking on a leave of absence or being let go. Now, all of the Democratics and Republicans are making quick accusations of one another to be
AP Photo
roughly approaching the government to the edge until they finally snap. “So much is at stake if this great government shuts down,” See SHUTDOWN page 5