Topic: South Africa

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College rankings: Which countries have the best education systems?

A new higher education ranking focuses on evaluating quality by countries as a whole, rather than specific academic institutions. Here are some of the findings:
Briefing
Gay marriage laws around the globe

There is no national gay marriage legislation in the pipeline in the US, however, numerous countries around the globe already recognize same-sex marriage or the right to civil unions. Here’s the breakdown by region.
Censored: 5 plays and novels banned around the globe

Censorship of the arts has a long history, from ancient Greece to present-day Thailand. Here is a list of five plays and novels banned, for a variety of reasons, in regions across the globe.
Myanmar's about-face: 5 recent reforms

Since 1962, Myanmar's dictatorship has jailed the opposition, beat up monks, denied aid to disaster victims, and run scorched-earth campaigns against ethnic minorities. That may be changing, however. Here are five key changes the regime has made in just a matter of months.
Technology 2012: Four tech trends to watch

Technological innovations lay at the heart of many of last year's biggest stories -- from citizen-recorded videos that fanned the flames of the Arab Spring to the social-media organized Occupy movement. So what new technologies – and unexpected uses of them – will change social habits and relationships this year? Here are four 2012 technology trends that are sure to play a role:

All Content

Rich-poor divide bogs down UN climate talks

Developing nations say the industrialized world - responsible for most of the emissions historically - should bear the brunt of the emissions cuts while developed nations want to make sure that fast-growing economies like China and India don't get off too easy.
Change Agent
Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village helps young Rwandans heal

A visit from Rwandan students gives their American peers a chance to learn about the Rwandan genocide and the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, which cares for orphaned and other affected youths.
Israel: South Africa's desire to label West Bank goods is 'racist'

When South Africa requested imports from Israeli settlements be labeled 'made in the occupied West Bank,' Israel's Foreign Ministry said the move 'bears clear racist characteristics.'
South Africa braces for verdict on murder of far right leader

Afrikaners plan to protest as court delivers verdict tomorrow on two black men accused of murdering white supremacist Eugene Terreblanche. Is this the end of the Rainbow Nation?
Change Agent
'Repair Cafes' reject a 'toss it out' culture

At Dutch 'Repair Cafes' folks come together to fix – or learn how to fix – their own broken stuff.
College rankings: Which countries have the best education systems?

A new higher education ranking focuses on evaluating quality by countries as a whole, rather than specific academic institutions. Here are some of the findings:
EU airstrike on Somali pirates echoes US drone strategy

An airstrike on Somali pirate logistics by EU helicopters puts EU members on footing similar to that of the US, which has used drones and special forces to target Islamist militant group Al Shabab.
Under African Skies: movie review

When Paul Simon played, apartheid as his backdrop.
Briefing
Gay marriage laws around the globe

There is no national gay marriage legislation in the pipeline in the US, however, numerous countries around the globe already recognize same-sex marriage or the right to civil unions. Here’s the breakdown by region.
Tax evasion: Is IRS tough? Try Brazil's 'Lion.'

Tax evasion is relentlessly sought out by Brazil's tax agents, known as 'The Lion.' Brazil is counting on the crackdown on tax evasion to fund ambitious government spending.
Modern Parenthood
Working mom, stay-at-home mom: A debate that belittles motherhood

Our American weirdness about the working mom vs. stay-at-home mom debate, comes as much from our strange relationship with work as it does with our ambiguous, nostalgic-but-perhaps-belittling approach to motherhood.
Change Agent
World Bank unit, MasterCard Foundation boost small loans in Africa

They'll spend $37.4 million over five years to provide microfinancing, which helps people lift themselves out of poverty by starting or expanding small businesses, sending children to school, or improving farms.
Were pliable heads an adaptation to walking upright?

New research relates hominin brain growth to walking on two feet.
Difference Maker
They opened their home – and hearts – to South Africa's abandoned babies

Christo and Lanie de Klerk have founded the Baby Moses sanctuary for abandoned babies in South Africa.
Hillary Clinton to drill India on Iranian oil

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is on a three-day visit to India. At the top of the agenda is the country's imports of Iranian oil despite US sanctions.
Bishop Tutu urges peace in upcoming Lesotho elections

Political violence has flared ahead of May 26 Lesotho elections, but Archbishop Desmond Tutu urges candidates to keep the peace and respect election results.
Cover Story
Is Myanmar about to rejoin the world?

One of the three most closed and isolated countries in the world is opening up. The long-repressed Burmese say it's unbelievable - but they want to believe in a new Myanmar.
The New Economy
Nutella settles lawsuit. You can get $20.

Nutella settles lawsuit over false advertising claims. Because the maker of Nutella settles lawsuit, it agrees to set up a $3 million settlement fund to repay customers up to $4 a jar.
New coal giant Mozambique faces rising public anger

Mozambique is one of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies, but its Department of Mineral Resources in Tete province still only has 15 employees, reflecting its struggle to manage resources properly.
Chapter & Verse
Jade de Jong: South Africa's answer to 'The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency'

South African author Jassy Mackenzie has created private investigator Jade de Jong – the grittier, South African version of Botswana's Precious Ramotswe.
Sudan threatens to unseat South Sudan government amidst clashes

Omar al-Bashir said he would "liberate" the people of South Sudan if fighting over oil revenues continue.
Syrian army shells Homs as government pushes back on UN monitors

Reports out of the Syrian city of Homs have government forces firing mortars into an opposition neighborhood. Meanwhile, Syria has challenged the UN over its truce monitoring mission.
Africa Monitor
No coup here: Malawi successfully transfers power

Malawi avoided a crisis after the death of Mutharika, through the peaceful transition of power to former vice president, and Mutharika critic, Joyce Banda, writes a guest blogger.
Modern Parenthood
Ann Romney working mom debate obscures value of child care (+video)

Somebody needs to take care of the kids, and the Ann Romney working mom debate is evidence that child care is mostly invisible in economic and political discussion – until someone misspeaks.
Bubba Watson: Only the third lefty to win the Masters (+video)

Bubba Watson won his first Masters, and first major title, in a playoff Sunday against Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open winner. Bubba Watson is a self-taught golfer.