Topic: Africa

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French embassy bombing hits embassy and innocent neighbors

The French embassy bombing this morning in Tripoli, Libya, started fires in the embassy itself and several nearby buildings, including homes outside the French compound. Two embassy guards were wounded in the bombing, as was a Libyan girl eating breakfast.
Earth's cooling came to sudden halt in 1900, study shows

An international study used tree rings and pollen to build the first record of global climate change, continent by continent, over 2,000 years.
Pink full moon Thursday: Who gets to see it?

April's full moon is traditionally called the 'pink moon,' a reference to pink phlox, one of the earliest flowers of spring. This week's 'pink moon' might actually appear pinkish in Europe, Africa, or Asia, where spectators will see a partial lunar eclipse.
Africa Monitor Can Africa keep its economic boom from going bust?

Several African economies are among the fastest growing in the world, but to transform cash into social prosperity will require more attentive involvement from the state, writes Lee-Roy Chetty.
In South Africa, lack of white judicial appointments raises eyebrows

A leaked internal document charges that qualified white candidates are being overlooked for judgeships, sparking new debate about race and transformation in South Africa.
Difference Maker Paul Giniès turned a failing African university into a world-class problem-solver

Today 2iE is recognized as a 'center of excellence' producing top-notch home-grown African engineers ready to address the continent's problems.
Immigration reform 101: How does Senate plan address four big questions?

After months of closed-door negotiations, the Senate’s bipartisan “Gang of Eight” offered a legislative summary of its proposal for comprehensive immigration reform. Here is how the Senate gang handled the four hottest immigration flashpoints.
Giant snail invasion forces Floridians to walk for their lives

The African giant land snail, a notorious invasive species, is attempting to establish itself in Florida, say officials.
Energy Voices Why peak oil demand is already a major problem

Oil demand has to do with how much oil we can afford, Tverberg writes, and many of the developed nations are not able to outbid the developing nations when it comes to the world’s limited oil supply.
Modern Parenthood Uganda's 17-year-old chess prodigy travels across the board to Norfolk, Va.

Phiona Mutesi came from a home in Uganda without any running water and electricity, let alone chess resources. But that changed when a chess program planted itself in the community. Now Phiona is in the US, spreading her story and playing chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov.
Africa Monitor Madonna loses VIP status in Malawi

Madonna adopted two children from Malawi and promised to build a school. But she got the cold shoulder on a visit last week – as well as a blistering tirade from a government spokesman.
Africa Monitor The social (studies) network: Africa's cellular education revolution

Africa is the fastest-growing market for cellphones in the world, and they're increasingly being used to power the continent's educational breakthroughs.
Focus In Mali, a war ends but instability lingers

The French drove out Islamist rebels in northern Mali. But can France and its African allies translate those victories into regional stability and peace?
Two things you need to know about Halle Berry: She's pregnant and charitable

Halle Berry announced her second pregnancy and an ambitious charitable venture with Michael Kors. Halle Berry said she wants to talk to mothers in the developing world about prenatal care and child nutrition while she's pregnant.
Avon layoffs eliminate 400 jobs, shut down Ireland operations

Avon layoffs will include more than 400 jobs cuts worldwide, just three months after the 1,500 layoffs in December, when Avon pulled out of Vietnam and South Korea.
Africa Monitor Why doesn't predicting African famines prevent them?

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network can tip off countries and aid groups about food insecurity in a region, but without the institutions to manage crisis, that does little good.
Global Viewpoint Gordon Brown: Girls' empowerment movement is a global game-changer

Girls, not adults, are forming a liberation movement – demanding their rights, especially to education. They've organized child-marriage-free zones, demonstrations to support Malala Yousafzai, petitions against child labor, and a growing movement exposing child trafficking.
Energy Voices Is the future of oil in Tunisia?

Oil industry veteran John Nelson talks to OilPrice.com about the developing interest in Tunisia's energy resources. New bid rounds and forced relinquishments have created an opportunity for new companies to take interest in Tunisia's oil resources.
Energy Voices Why is the Mafia investing in renewable energy?

The renewable energy industry is apparently becoming a favorite playground for the underworld, Alic writes. Lucrative government subsidies for the construction of wind farms and a fairly lax regulatory system have made renewable energy attractive to the Mafia.
For some farmers, a return to animal power

A nonprofit based in Michigan teaches animal-powered farming at home and abroad. Draft power, or animal traction, is a method smaller farmers still use because draft animals cost less than tractors and require no fuel.
Desmond Tutu wins Templeton Prize for 'affirming life's spiritual dimension'

Tutu, the first black man to lead South Africa's Anglican church, also headed the post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He is a 'living model of the benefits of religion,' the Templeton Foundation said.
Terrorism & Security Hunt for Kony becomes a casualty of Central African Republic overthrow (+video)

The country's membership in the African Union has been suspended, putting a freeze on the AU's military effort there to catch notorious warlord Joseph Kony.
Sudan's Bashir starts freeing prisoners, polishing up legacy

Sudan’s president Omar Al Bashir is wanted for genocide and war crimes by the International Criminal Court, but as he steps down in 2015 he would like to have a different image.
Global News Blog French in Mali face Islamist insurgency of unknown strength

Insurgent raids into Timbuktu and Gao in supposedly secured northern cities put a question mark over France's aspirations to wrap up its military intervention in Mali soon.
In Easter message Pope Francis calls for peace

Pope Francis emphasized his concern for the poor and suffering, and delivered a plea for peace in the Middle East and on the Korean peninsula during his first Easter Sunday Mass.