Tag Archives: Africa
South Sudan, Sudan Sign “Non-Aggression” Pact
Sudan and South Sudan have signed a “non-aggression” pact over their disputed border following talks in Addis Ababa, where the African Union is leading negotiations. The deal was signed by Thomas Douth, the head of South Sudan’s intelligence bureau, and Mohammed … Continue reading
Proposed South African Law Makes Unauthorized Weather Forecasts Illegal
A proposed South African law would make a weather forecast about severe weather or air pollution not authorized by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) subject to five years in prison and a $630,000.00 fine. The law would affect TV … Continue reading
Filed under Sick Sad World, World
Nigeria Imposes Curfew in Response to Attacks that Kill Scores
Nigeria imposed a twenty-four-hour curfew today in the city of Kano after assailants killed scores of people in a hail of gunfire and bombings of eight government sites. At least 156 people were killed. Fifty people were injured in the … Continue reading
Filed under Crime and Punishment, Sick Sad World, World
Aid Delay Cost Thousands of Lives
Thousands of people, mostly children, have died because the international community did not respond to warnings of an impending famine in East Africa. Photo Courtesy of CNN A food shortage was predicted in August 2010, but donors did not respond … Continue reading
Filed under Health, Sick Sad World, World
South African Students Vying for University Admission Trample Woman
They lined up before dawn, driving from the deep countryside with blankets and sandwiches, to wait for the gates to open. They hoped for a shot at a spot at one of South Africa’s public universities, and with it a … Continue reading
Filed under Education, Sick Sad World, World
Charles Taylor Verdict May be Coming in January
The Special Court for Sierra Leone says it is yet to set a date for the handling down of its verdict in the Charles Taylor’s trial, though it said it could be next month, January 2012. Mr. Taylor is facing … Continue reading
Filed under Crime and Punishment, International Justice, World
Looking for the Perfect Holiday Gift?
Choosing the perfect holiday gift is one of life’s greater challenges, modestly more difficult than earning a Ph.D. in astrophysics. So it is time for my annual gift guide. Major humanitarian organizations offer alluring holiday gifts. Through the International Rescue … Continue reading
Filed under The Best Thing on the Net Today, World
Runoff Election Scheduled in Liberia Amid Corruption Claims
Next Tuesday, Liberia is scheduled to have a runoff election for the presidency. The candidates are the incumbent, Nobel Peace laureate Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the first female elected head of state in Africa, and Winston Tubman of the Congress for Democratic … Continue reading
Filed under World
Nicholas Kristof Calls for Birth Control for the World’s Women
The world’s population just raced past the seven billion mark, at according to the calculations of United Nations demographers. It took humans until the year 1804 to reach the first billion. It took another 123 years to reach two billion. … Continue reading
