Topic: Senegal

A Senegalese beggar unmasked

From the legion of Dakar’s street children emerged the unexpected face of Kara – generous, loyal, and a gentleman.

Toronto Film Festival: Talent, comedy, crotchety directors

Our critic dives into the pool of 312 movies and finds what's fresh.

Cerebral maybe, but Scrabble's a sport in Senegal

The country produces top contestants in the Francophone World Championships, taking place in the country this week

New irrigation project a boon for Senegalese farmers

Villagers plan to use the project – developed by the Israeli embassy in partnership with local and international nongovernmental organizations – to drastically increase their local production.

African Union calls for unity government in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's opposition rejects calls for a unity government, however, citing perceived bias of mediator, South African President Thabo Mbeki.

CD reviews: African rhythms for the head and feet

Orchestra Baobab, back together after 20 years; Toumani Diabate's new solo kora offering; the 'best of' Tabu Ley Rochereau; and more.

West Africa's music enchants the West

Bluesy, trancelike melodies pull in wider audiences in the US and Europe, as the music's exotic rhythms move mainstream.

Roots of Asia's rice crisis

Tight supplies reflect population boom and neglect of farming.

Africans' newest form of dissent: blogs

From Congo to Chad, dissidents are taking their grievances online. But are some rebels going too far?

USA

'The Visitor' outstays its welcome

A widower's humdrum existence is shaken up when he discovers illegal immigrants squatting in his New York apartment.

Rise in food prices sparks unrest

Sub-Saharan Africa has been particularly hard hit by the rising global food costs.

Ex-slave works to free others from West African tradition

Boubacar Messaoude is Mauritania's leading antislavery activist

African forces invade rebel Comoros

A victory in the disintegrating Indian Ocean archipelago could affirm the African Union's international legitimacy.

World

If Chad coup succeeds, Darfur crisis could deepen

Rebels stormed Chad's capital, delaying arrival of EU troops to help refugees.

The Monitor's View: The global grain bubble

As prices soar, riots rise. But it's not for lack of crops. The cause? A rush to biofuel and grain-fed meat.