How to Improve Reading Fluency

Reading fluently takes regular practice. As you practice, follow the suggestions below to get the most from your effort.

Steps:

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   Read for main ideas first rather than try to understand every word. Try to answer the basic question: Who is involved? What is the problem or situation? Where does the action take place? When did this happen? Why did it happen? How can this be resolved? Don't worry about details at first. Comprehension will improve naturally as your skills increase with time.
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2. 
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   If you believe a word is important, try to guess the meaning of the word by relating it with other words. For example, if you read "The dog growled angrily but he didn't bite", you could easily guess that "growl" is a verb but it is not a good action because it goes with the adverb "angrily". The dog "didn't bite", so you might guess that it just made a sound. Although you may not know if "growl" is the same as "bark", you know that it's close. As you are first learning to read fluently, that is enough.
3. 
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   Use your knowledge of word parts (See link below) to analyze new words that you meet.
4. 
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   Try to improve your reading speed by following the tips below.
5.  Tips:
   • Practice reading every day. When you're done practicing, practice some more. Then, practice some more! If you choose texts that you enjoy, this will be easier than it seems. Good luck!
   • Look at text as word groups, not as individual words. For example, "The young man stopped at the door before entering" is nine words but when you read in groups, you might look at the sentence in three groups: "The young man" then "stopped at the door" then "before entering".
   • Move your eyes steadily across the page as you read. Researchers have watched the eyes of readers and found that good readers consistently move their eyes forward while slower readers often stop and move backwards to check understanding. As you practice always moving forward, your brain will learn to quickly grasp the meaning of text.
   • Avoid using your "inner voice" to sound out the words you read. Voicing each word is actually a good exercise to help students learn to speak English, but it only slows you down when reading.
6.  Source: wikihow.com

Fighting kicks off in Qoryoley’s outskirts

The Somali National Army and Al-Shabaab militants were reported to have engaged in heavy combat today on the outskirts of Qoryoley, of the Lower Shabelle region.

The fight was provoked by Al-Shabaab after they attacked a police station belonging to government troops on Qoryoley’s outskirts.

We were unable to establish contact with Somali government officials in Qoryoley but losses and casualties were reported according to locals.

The Somali National Army backed by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) have begun their military offensives to eliminate Al-Shabaab from the country as announced earlier this month.

Somalia: UAE Pledges Continued Support for Puntland Marine Forces

Puntland president meets the UAE Ambassador

Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and UAE Ambassador to Somalia Mohamed Al Osmani met to discuss on the bilateral relations between both sides.

The meeting took place in Puntland marine Forces base in the port town of Bosaso.

Ambassador Mohamed Al Osmani who arrived in Bosaso on Wednesday, underlined that his government will continue supporting the Puntland’s new leadership progress.

A Source from the Puntland President Office confirmed that both sides agreed the UAE to also continue supporting Puntland Marine police forces that was formed in 2010.

The UAE has funded the training program of the Puntland Maritime Police forces ever since which was conducted by Saracen International and South Africa-linked private military operator Sterling Corporate Services.

Puntland has managed to eradicate Pirate from its coasts, as a massive fall down came to the attacks and hijackings the sea gangs have been carrying out in the past years.

The semi-autonomous region is stepping up to tackle Somali militants who are expected to flee from Southern Somalia and seek for safe havens in Galgala mountain rages after coming under large offensives from the African Union and Somali troops

Source: Horseed media

Peter Greste case: australian pm Tony Abbott urges Egyptian president to free Australian journalist

PHOTO: Peter Greste has been charged with spreading false news and supporting the Muslim Brotherhood.(AFP: Khaled Desouki)

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has personally intervened on behalf of detained Australian journalist Peter Greste.

The award-winning Al Jazeera reporter was arrested in a Cairo hotel along with colleagues Mohamed Adel Fahmy and Baher Mohamed on December 29.

The men have been accused of broadcasting "misleading" news about the political situation in Egypt and supporting the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood of deposed president Mohamed Morsi.

Greste and his Al Jazeera colleagues have denied the charges, which the media outlet has labelled absurd.

The ABC understands Mr Abbott spoke directly to interim Egyptian president Adly Mansour last night and asked for Greste to be released.

It is understood Mr Abbott said Greste was only doing his job as a journalist and had no intention of damaging Egypt's interests.

The ABC understands Mr Mansour noted he has written to Greste's parents promising the journalist would be subject to a fair and just legal process.

It is understood the president assured Mr Abbott that Greste would receive all necessary legal assistance, and said he hoped the case would be resolved as soon as possible.

Deputy opposition leader Tanya Plibersek has commended the Prime Minister's action, and says Labor stands ready to assist in any way it can to secure Greste's release.

"Being a journalist is not a crime. A free press is critically important. Journalists shouldn’t be put on trial or locked up for doing their job," she said in a statement.

"At this terribly difficult time, our thoughts remain with Peter, his parents, family, and friends.

"I commend the significant efforts of the Australian diplomats who are working so hard on this matter."

Greste's parents welcome Abbott's intervention

Greste's parents, Lois and Juris, were informed of Mr Abbott's conversation by DFAT.

Speaking in Brisbane, the couple would not be drawn on whether they thought the Prime Minister should have intervened earlier.

"Whilst its been a long time I'm pleased that it has now come and Mr Abbott has been able to make that telephone call," Ms Greste said.

Mr Greste added: "As we have had to cope with it, we have come to realise that the timing ... is important and we respect other people's judgement on the timing."

Greste's brother saw the Al Jazeera journalist on Tuesday and Lois and Juris say he is doing well.

"We have high hopes but modest expectations. To be more specific, we don't expect to be greeting Peter next week," Mr Greste said.

They say Mr Mansour has written them a personal letter.

"His words were he will do whatever he can to see a speedy resolution, but with the understanding that the court process has to take its course," Mr Greste said.

The case, in which 17 others are also charged, has sparked an international outcry and fuelled fears of a crackdown on the press by Egypt's military-installed authorities.

Greste's trial resumes next Monday. If found guilty, he could face seven years in prison.

 Source: ABC  news

The 9 Convicted Somali pirates transferred back to home

sentenced somali piracy

A group of 9 Somali Pirates have been repatriated back to Puntland, to serve out the remainder of their sentences in Garowe Prison, the state’s capital.

Puntland Officials received the Convicted Somali pirates on Thursday after a plane carrying them which departed from Seychelles landed in Garowe airport.

The nine men were sentenced in between 7 to 24 years by Seychelles courts, after charged with Piracy cases.

Speaking to Journalists, Puntland Custodian corps Chief Ali Nur said that the men will be treated well as they finish their sentences.

The programme to repatriate the Somali pirates in Seychelles prison was made possible by extensive diplomatic efforts among the Seychelles government and Puntland authorities.

Over Twenty-five prisoners have already been repatriated back to Puntland to serve the remainder of their sentences.

Abdi omar bile

Somalia and Kenya discuss on the Refugees situation

Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed met on Thursday Kenyan Foreign minister Amina Mohamed to discuss on the Kenya’s recent decision towards the Somali refugees staying in urban areas, ordering them to get back to their camps.

Both leaders had a meeting on the sidelines of IGAD summit on Drought Resilience which was held in the Uganda capital, Kampala.

The Kenyan government said the decision was reached due to the ‘’emergency security challenges’’ that the East African nation faced after various attacks carried across the country.

Some of the attacks have been claimed by the Somali Islamist group al-Shabab, including the deadly attack on the Westgate mall last year.

In a Press release from the Somali Premier Office, among other  issues discussed also was related to ‘’ mutual concern’’.

‘’The Somali and Kenyan governments will maintain its work towards implementing the tripartite agreement on voluntary repatriation of refugees.” The Somali Prime minister was quoted.

Human rights activists criticized the recent decision, which is contrary to the Freedom of movement for refugees. They called for Kenyan authorities to withdraw the directive.

Last year, Kenya, Somalia and the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) reached a tripartite agreement which will see more than 500,000 Somali refugees in Kenyan camps be given a chance to return home. The process is expected to take over the next coming two years.

Kenya’s security has been worsening since its troops entered Somali soil in 2011, after the Kenyan government announced that it had faced threats from the al-Qaeda linked group.

Source: Horseed Media

European Union Ambassadors met with the President of Puntland, Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali to discuss key issues related to political, security and development cooperation, and to participate in a special session on maritime security

On Wednesday 26 March 2014, European Union Ambassadors met with the President of Puntland, Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, and his Cabinet on board the French EU Naval Force flagship, FS Siroco, to discuss key issues related to political, security and development cooperation, and to participate in a special session on maritime security.

The event builds on two previous meetings held last year at sea with Somali Federal authorities off the coast of Mogadishu and aims to further foster the partnership between Somalia, the European Union and its member states.

The Puntland authorities met with EU Ambassadors from France, UK, Spain, Netherlands, Italy and Denmark. The EU Special Envoy to Somalia, Michele Cervone d’Urso, the EU Naval Force Deputy Operation Commander, Rear Admiral Bartolomé Bauza, the Mission Commander of the EU Training Mission to Somalia, Brig. General Mingiardi and Head of Mission of EU Capacity Building Mission (EUCAP) Nestor, Etienne de Poncins also attended the event. The visit at sea was seen as a unique opportunity for the European Union family to present its comprehensive approach to the Horn of Africa. In particular, it was discussed how the different EU instruments can support Puntland’s role in the development of the comprehensive Somali Maritime and Resources Strategy as included in the New Deal Compact.

Speaking about the event at sea, President Abdiweli stated “We welcome this renewed cooperation with the European Union to improve maritime security in Puntland. Maritime cooperation, coordinated with other national and international stakeholders, will have an important effect on the events on land, on security at sea and on the development of our coastal areas”.

EU Special Envoy to Somalia, Michele Cervone d’Urso said: “Puntland’s role in Somalia’s path towards peace and stability is crucial. Crucial for Somalia’s development, but also crucial for Somalia’s security which includes maritime security. Together with the EU Naval Force’s ‘Atalanta’ mission and the EU Capacity Building ‘Nestor’ mission, the EU and other international partners will continue to engage with the Somalis to increase their capabilities to fight piracy and other illegal activities at sea and to reinforce maritime security. This will allow them to have safer seas and thus enable them to benefit from their maritime resources.”

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) also launched on board the EU flagship, a new project called the Fishermen Identification Database System, which will provide Puntland’s fishermen with an individual ID card. By registering its own fishermen, the Puntland authorities will be able to identify who fishes in its waters and to collect essential data to ensure an effective fisheries management and sustainable use of resources. Moreover, it will help to differentiate fishermen from possible piracy suspects. This USD 400.000 project, is financed by the Trust Fund to Support the Initiatives of States to Counter Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. Trust Fund donors include EU Member States Germany, the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and Belgium.