Topic: Zimbabwe

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

Where is Qaddafi now?

Libyan strongman Muammar Qaddafi has made plenty of pronouncements since rebels overran Tripoli last weekend – but no one has seen him. His absence from the cameras has prompted a guessing game about his whereabouts. Below are some of the possibilities being circulated by Libya watchers:
Vancouver riot and 5 other melees in sports history

Here are five notable riots linked to sporting events through history.
In Pictures: Mormons in politics
In Pictures: Royal wedding preparations
Royal wedding: Who Prince William and Kate Middleton invited

Prince William and Kate Middleton have invited 1,900 people to join them when they tie the knot Friday at Westminster Abbey. Here's a look at some notables on the list, from Grammy-winners to representatives criticized by the international community for violating human rights.

All Content

Will a new constitution make Zimbabwe more democratic?

A draft constitution, released this week, proposes term limits for presidents, as well as a commission to study past crimes against humanity.
Russian media: True, we're 'not free' - but we're not Zimbabwe.

Russian media experts and journalists say Freedom House's annual press freedom survey doesn't acknowledge the rise of independent media outlets and social media, which are broadening the landscape.
Backchannels
In Malaysia, a May Day pay raise, but no victory for democratic reformers

The protesters of the Malaysia's Bersih democracy reform movement appear to have pushed Malaysia into announcing its first ever minimum wage. Electoral reform is something else again.
Change Agent
African farmers grow trees as a natural crop fertilizer

In Africa, planting trees along with corn in soil that is low in nitrogen can substantially increase corn production without expensive fertilizers. In a decade, the number of small farmers using Fertilizer Tree Systems has ballooned from a few hundred to more than 250,000.
A lesson on leadership from Africa

The guilty verdict against Charles Taylor, former president of Liberia, is more than a victory for justice. It is a lesson for Africans and other about no holding up 'great leaders' as saviors. Great ideas are better than great people.
Stefan Karlsson
Would electronic money end recessions?

The latest advocate of abolishing paper money is writer Matthew Yglesias, who argues that a monetary system with only electronic money and payments would end recessions.  
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.
Africa Monitor
South Africa's report card on democracy gets worse

South Africa ranks fifth for governance in Africa, but its scores have consistently declined over the past five years, with diminished press freedoms and rule of law, writes guest blogger Karl Beck.
Zimbabwe activists sentenced for watching Arab Spring video

Found guilty for conspiracy to commit violence, six Zimbabwe activists are given fines and community service. Opposition members see beginning of crackdown ahead of elections.
Keep Calm
Liberia's President Sirleaf defends country's anti-gay laws

Liberian president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf defends Liberia's anti-gay laws, underlining persistence of colonial laws and 'traditional values.'
Why Iran wants to beef up Zimbabwe’s military

Iran has guns and expertise. Zimbabwe has uranium and diamonds. Both are international pariahs. It's a heaven-made match in a world of crushing international sanctions.
The Circle Bastiat
Will nationalizing mines make South African poverty worse?

South Africa has a 20 percent unemployment rate and rampant poverty, which will only get worse if the government begins interfering in mining operations.
Africa Monitor
Solar power: the fix for Africa's frustration with the grid?

As solar power becomes more affordable and efficient, it could spread in Africa, much in the way cell phones took over without widespread infrastructure, writes guest blogger Alex Thurston.
Keep Calm
Good Reads: lighter, messier African conflicts, and burning Qurans

How the post-cold-war era has given birth to smaller, messier conflicts; and how the Quran burning incident in Afghanistan could have been much worse. Seriously.
Nancy Drew and the case of a secret identity

This time, it was quite serious – how to appeal to boys? A quick-thinking mother comes to the rescue.
Global News Blog
Sacha Baron Cohen banned? No, but 'General Aladeen' is. Woe be unto Dictators.

Sacha Baron Cohen has been asked by The Academy not to dress as 'General Aladeen' at the Oscars. The world is becoming a very unfriendly place for dictators, even fictional ones. 
Change Agent
ICNL promotes freedom of assembly around the world

The ICNL(International Center for Not-for-Profit Law) received $1 million from the MacArthur Foundation to advance its mission of creating a legal framework for the right of assembly and association in countries around the world.
Will 2012 be the Year of the African Despot, again?

Senegal's Wade plans to run for president, despite a constitutional ban. Zimbabwe's Mugabe is banning NGOs ahead of presidential polls in 2013.
Change Agent
Solar power: cheap electricity for world’s poor

More than a billion people worldwide lack access to electricity. The best way to bring it to them is to provide ever-cheaper, clean, locally produced solar power that can replace dirty and dangerous kerosene.
Africa Monitor
Democracy in sub-Saharan Africa: once rising, now stumbles

Democratic setbacks in sub-Saharan Africa have outpaced once promising gains, says guest blogger Vukasin Petrovic from Freedom House.
A banker's punishment: Sir Fred Goodwin is now just Fred

Fred Goodwin, the former head of the Royal Bank of Scotland, was stripped of his knighthood for his role in the bank's 2008 crisis. But it's not clear hefty bonuses will get similar treatment.
Africa Monitor
Will Congo re-do its flawed elections?

Other options include recounting ballots, nullifying the elections, forming a coalition government, or simply doing nothing. 
Afro-pop bands hop continents

In U.S., African musicians find more opportunity and audiences.
How Rick Santorum and America can be 'exceptional': Avoid empire

Rick Santorum suggests national health care sank the British Empire and sees America as the rightful heir to British global domination. But empires are largely based on racism and exploitation. To be 'exceptional' America must resist the idea it knows what’s best for everyone else.
Africa Monitor
Oh snap! Bungee jumper plunges into Zambezi River at Victoria Falls

The Australian survived, but tourists who assume that extreme venues in Africa are safe may be fooling themselves.