Topic: South Africa

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Global News Blog New Zealand becomes first country in Asia-Pacific to legalize same-sex marriage

The change in New Zealand's law could pressure neighbors such as Australia to consider revising their laws.
Global News Blog Britain bids farewell to Thatcher's funeral, debates her controversial legacy

Even former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's funeral was the subject of hot debate. The conservative powerhouse was loved and reviled by Britons.
49 cellphones confiscated for shooting Oscar Pistorius pictures

49 cellphones were confiscated from South African police officers who had taken pictures of the famed Olympic athlete. Of the 49, four were 'official' phones and the rest were private cellphones.
Boston Marathon winners: An Ethiopian and a Kenyan

Boston Marathon: Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa was the 2013 winner of the men's marathon. Kenyan Rita Jeptoo won the women's race. Americans finished fourth in both the men's and women's marathon.
Africa Monitor Africa's economic boom: Five countries to watch

South Africa, Nigeria, Angola, Ghana, and Ethiopia all have economies that are growing at a brisk pace. But their future depends on how they invest that money, writes Matthew Hawkins.
Difference Maker Claudio Miranda's music is taming a once-violent Brazilian neighborhood

Raised in one of the world's most dangerous neighborhoods in São Paulo, Brazil, he now helps youths reimagine themselves creatively through music, video production, art, performances, and education.
Fast-growing dinosaurs kicked inside eggs, say scientists

Researchers used new ancient fossil finds to learn about dinosaurs' early development. The evidence suggests dinosaurs wiggled inside their eggs and grew faster than any birds or mammals living today.
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.
Global News Blog At #Thatcher, no halfhearted tweets on Iron Lady's legacy

The global reaction to former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's death displayed the depth of her impact – like it or not.
On the mend: Nelson Mandela released from hospital

According to statements by the office of President Jacob Zuma, former South African President Nelson Mandela was discharged from a hospital on Saturday, where he had been treated for pneumonia.
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.
Roger Ebert dies, leaves legacy as groundbreaking movie critic (+video)

Roger Ebert dies: He started as the film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times in 1967. Roger Ebert won a Pulitzer Prize for criticism, the first movie reviewer to do so.
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.
Father of the Rainbow Nation: How well do you know Nelson Mandela?

Revolutionary and reconciler, Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his opposition to apartheid in South Africa before becoming the country's first black president.How well do you know this towering global statesman?
The Monitor's View Australia's example in healing the sexually abused

A special panel begins work taking testimony from Australians sexually abused as children in institutions, such as churches and police stations. Allowing victims to speak will be a first step toward personal healing and national reform.
At a West Bank seder, Jews commemorate a modern quest for freedom

For Jews living in the West Bank, a Passover seder is an opportunity to discuss how one of history's most famous liberation stories can apply to freedom struggles today.
Angelina Jolie funds Afghan girls' schools with new jewelry line

Angelina Jolie opens a school for 200-300 girls in Afghanistan, in an area outside Kabul that has a high refugee population. This is the second girls' school Jolie is funding, and she says she plans to fund more with proceeds from her new jewelry line.
Phil Ramone dies, leaving 14-Grammy legacy with biggest stars

Phil Ramone dies: A Grammy-award winning engineer and producer, Phil Ramone worked with some of the biggest names in the music business, including Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney, Aretha Franklin, and Ray Charles.
'Fairy circles' mysery solved? Tiny creators discovered.

'Fairy circles' dot deserts in southern Africa, but the mystery behind their origin may have been solved.
Spring training: 10 inspiring books about running

Spring is in the air. Lace up, put your shorts on, and pound some pavement!
Cardinal: pedophilia not a crime says cardinal, followed by swift apology

Cardinal says pedophilia not a crime but an illness. South Africa Cardinal Wilfred Fox Napier apologized for the 'botched' interview. The cardinal now says pedophilia is "a heinous crime."
African Catholics see hope in choice of non-European pope

Catholics praised the selection of Pope Francis, saying that his roots in the Southern Hemisphere could mean more attention to issues of poverty and underdevelopment.
Global News Blog Papal conclave through the Twitter looking glass (+video)

As the Papal conclave gets underway in Rome, the Twittersphere is lighting up with final farewells from some of the 115 cardinals, as well as comedians.
Opinion Why America isn't the only country that wants guns for self-defense

The appeal of guns for personal protection is hardly unique to America. Consider gun ownership in South Africa, Britain, India, and Mexico. All these societies are dealing with inequality exacerbated by economic austerity and eroding public services, which breeds fear about insecurity.
Global News Blog Two prominent Saudi human rights activists receive 10 years in jail

Mohammed Fahd al-Qahtani and Abdullah Hamad were sentenced to at least 10 years in jail Saturday for sedition and providing foreign media with false information.