Africa

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Protests Fueled by Facebook Begin in Sudan, Too

In southern voting results, 99% want to split from north

(Newser) - Protesters inspired by the goings-on in Egypt and Tunisia took to the streets of Sudan today. Riot police beat demonstrators in Khartoum and in the western city of el-Obeid who called for the resignation of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, reports Reuters . It notes that a "Youth for Change" Facebook...

Malawi to Outlaw Farting
 Malawi to Outlaw Farting 
Jan 29, 2011 1:40 PM CST

Malawi to Outlaw Farting

'Local courts' law will also forbid impersonating a fortune teller

(Newser) - The government of Malawi is about to enact a law making it illegal to “foul the air” in public, the Daily Mail reports. Yes, farting will be one of many behaviors outlawed by new legislation that will set up “Local Courts” around the country. These courts will be...

Humans Left Africa Far Earlier Than We Thought

Stone tools defy genetic story

(Newser) - Stone tools discovered in the Arabian peninsula suggest modern humans may have left Africa 125,000 years ago—some 50,000 years earlier than previously believed. Genetic data points to humans departing Africa around 60,000 to 70,000 years ago, the BBC notes. But the genetic data is "...

Africa Rapidly Breaking in Two
 Africa Rapidly Breaking in Two 
Jan 21, 2011 9:55 AM CST

Africa Rapidly Breaking in Two

Quakes widen fissure at rarely-seen speed: scientists

(Newser) - Africa is gradually breaking apart—and in the past several months, the process has accelerated. Now, amid earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, it’s happening exceptionally quickly, reports Der Spiegel . Water is threatening to flood a fracture between Ethiopia and Mozambique, scientists say; while it will be millions of years before...

George Clooney Gets, Beats Malaria

He contracted it during a visit to Sudan

(Newser) - Lots of celebrities do philanthropy, but George Clooney's actually suffering in the line of do-goodery—the actor contracted malaria while on a recent trip to Sudan, People reports. However, he's fully cured after a 10-day convalescence, said a spokesman. Clooney was in Sudan ahead of its vote on southern independence....

South Africa Floods Kill 39
South Africa Floods Kill 39
Jan 17, 2011 9:25 AM CST

South Africa Floods Kill 39

Thousands of homes in neighboring Mozambique decimated

(Newser) - Floods in South Africa have left 39 dead or missing after downpours this weekend followed heavy rains that began last month. The army is on standby to lead evacuations and “all disaster management structures in the country have been put on high alert,” authorities said. Farming officials expressed...

KFC Looks to Conquer Africa With Fried Chicken
KFC Looks to Conquer Africa
With Fried Chicken
in case you missed it
Dec 12, 2010 11:26 AM CST

KFC Looks to Conquer Africa With Fried Chicken

Chain to open hundreds of restaurants in a dozen countries

(Newser) - Kentucky Fried Chicken wants to take over Africa. Like McDonald's and other fast-food giants, KFC parent company Yum Brands has been countering the slowdown in American spending with expansion overseas. Having populated China with KFC outlets, Yum now plans to double the number of stores in Africa to 1,200,...

Imperiled African Gorilla Population Surges 26%

Efforts to decrease poaching and disease have helped

(Newser) - Finally, some good news for an endangered species: The mountain gorilla population in central Africa has swelled since 2003. The Virunga Massif, made up of three national parks, had only 380 gorillas seven years ago and is now up to 480. "This is a spectacular upsurge," says a...

Ivory Coast in Chaos as 2 Claim Presidency

Incumbent president refuses to concede defeat

(Newser) - The two candidates in Ivory Coast's disputed presidential election took dueling oaths of office today after each claimed victory, renewing unrest in this country once split in two by civil war. Incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo defied calls from the US, France, and the UN to concede defeat, wrapping himself in...

Bush: AIDS Fight in Africa Is American Way
 Bush: 
 AIDS Fight 
 in Africa Is 
 American Way 


world aids day
Dec 1, 2010 10:46 AM CST

Bush: AIDS Fight in Africa Is American Way

We've taken big strides, but the fight's not over

(Newser) - When George W. Bush became president, “much of sub-Saharan Africa was on the verge of catastrophe” thanks to the HIV epidemic. So America took action, and now millions are on AIDS medication. The relief effort served US interests in helping to stabilize a region on the brink; but what’...

All Praise the Lowly Sweet Potato
 All Praise the 
 Lowly Sweet Potato 
nicholas kristof
Nov 25, 2010 11:55 AM CST

All Praise the Lowly Sweet Potato

High-tech version could save countless lives in Africa: Nicholas Kristof

(Newser) - As you take a seat at the table tonight and give thanks for the bounty, give a special nod to the pecan- and sugar-encrusted sweet potatoes sitting before you. In a "happy column about hunger," Nicholas Kristof declares the Thanksgiving staple a true hero. Writing for the New ...

Chocolate May Be 'Like Caviar' In Near Future
Chocolate May Be 'Like Caviar' In Near Future
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Nov 13, 2010 11:31 AM CST

Chocolate May Be 'Like Caviar' In Near Future

Shortage predicted as cocoa farmers switch to biofuel crops

(Newser) - Enjoy that Halloween candy while it lasts, kids, because in the not-so-distant future, no one’s going to be giving away chocolate. With a growing number of farmers abandoning their cocoa crops in West Africa, the world may just plain run out of affordable chocolate within 20 years, industry experts...

Don't Blow It, World: Sudan Has Chance at Peace

Op-ed: Other nations must keep up pressure ahead of referendum

(Newser) - For Sudan, this might be as optimistic as it gets: Two experts have returned from a two-week visit and concluded that war and violence "are not inevitable" following January's referendum on southern independence. "But only if the international community sets clear lines of acceptable behavior as the two...

Swaziland Tries to Protect Albinos From Witch Doctors

Police set up national registry in wake of girl's murder

(Newser) - Swaziland police will keep a registry of every albino in the country to help protect them from witch doctors who wish to use their body parts for rituals, the Christian Science Monitor reports. The move comes after the killing of an 11-year-old albino girl , which many fear is the first...

Obama Is Failing Sudan
 Obama Is 
 Failing Sudan 
Nick Kristof
Aug 29, 2010 7:08 AM CDT

Obama Is Failing Sudan

Even Bush was better, Kristof writes

(Newser) - When is comes to Sudan , Barack Obama has been worse than even George W Bush, argues Nicholas Kristof in the New York Times , who despite his many failings, managed to secure the 2005 deal that ended Sudan's 20-year civil war. Obama's "incoherent, contradictory and apparently failing Sudan policy" is...

Oil Tanker Explodes, Kills 204 in Congo

Many victims were indoors watching World Cup match

(Newser) - At least 204 people were killed in Congo when a tanker truck transporting oil flipped over and exploded overnight in the east of the country, a Red Cross official said today. The truck was carrying fuel from neighboring Tanzania when it overturned at high speed late yesterday in the village...

'Blood Diamonds' Are Back
 'Blood Diamonds' Are Back 
Jun 19, 2010 9:55 AM CDT

'Blood Diamonds' Are Back

This time, the problem isn't rebels, it's corrupt governments

(Newser) - The diamond industry says 99% of its gems for sale these days are "conflict-free," meaning it has wiped out the so-called "blood diamond" trade. A visit to Angola by Michael Allen of the Wall Street Journal knocks a big hole in that claim. "A violent economy...

Out of Jail, Gay Malawi Couple Breaks Up

One dates a woman, says he wants 'to live a normal life'

(Newser) - Despite the eventual pardon , Malawi’s anti-gay laws “worked” on one half of the gay couple who was recently jailed : Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga separated, and Monjeza is now seeing a woman. “I have had enough,” he says. “I was forced into the whole drama...

New Game Lets You 'Hurl Berl' Into the Air

It's harder than it looks

(Newser) - From his dalliances with women to his "tan" Obama jokes , Silvio Berlusconi has done a lot of things that might make you want to throw him far, far away. But Bono (yep, that Bono) is most angry at Italy's poor record on delivering pledged aid to Africa—and he...

Warlord Moves to Block Campbell Testimony

Taylor accused of giving model 'blood diamond'

(Newser) - Supermodels aren't often called as witnesses at war crimes tribunals, and Liberian strongman Charles Taylor's lawyers want to keep it that way. They're seeking to block Naomi Campbell from being subpoenaed to appear at Taylor's trial to testify about a "blood diamond" she allegedly received from the warlord at...

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