As world leaders gather in Madrid, Spain, for one of the largest global conferences on the environment, a new report from the U.S.-based Save the Children Fund warns that real world impacts of climate change are threatening tens of millions of people in East and Southern Africa with what it terms “climate shock.” Floods, landslides,…

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia While many deep-pocketed philanthropists and celebrities will write checks to support worthy causes, Tennis megastar Serena Williams routinely goes the extra mile. In a recently released video, Williams donned a pair of jeans, workboats, a hardhat and went to work on Salt Marsh Elementary School in…

A new study warns that a third of tropical African plants are on the path to extinction, with much of western Africa standing to lose more than 40 percent of plant diversity. Ethiopia, and parts of Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are the hardest hit regions, the researchers found. Species at risk…

Some of the 80 ethnic groups that form the nation of Ethiopia are demanding greater autonomy and are voting with their feet for self-government. This month, the Sidama people voted overwhelmingly to become self-governing, casting 98.5 percent of the votes backing the change. The Sidama – who number about 3 million – represent close to…

The stench of fish rot is wafting over Namibia. It’s taken down two Namibian ministers and leaves an Icelandic fisheries minister in the hot seat. “A coterie of well-heeled vampires is sucking our fishing sector dry!” protested the local Namibian newspaper as news of the corrupt trading of valuable fishing quotas came to light. Corruption…

It’s not a piece of cake these days for leaders of African countries plotting to rewrite their constitutions and give themselves another decade or two in power, frustrating efforts by citizen groups to give other leaders a chance to rule. That’s the endgame facing Guinean President Alpha Conde who is poised to approve a new…

Unions representing more than half of South African Airways (SAA) workforce called a strike last week after the airline refused to meet wage and job security demands. The unions, representing more than 3,000 workers, walked out on Nov. 15 after the state-owned airline rejected their demand for 8% raises, offering 5.9% instead. The airline is…

Often, the only images of prisons in Africa that we know are the miserable places where faces press against barred windows, with inmates huddled together looking out desperately for someone to help. The African Prisons Project, started in Uganda 10 years ago and now offered in Kenya, would like to change that. They offer a…

Few countries are standing up to Myanmar, formerly Burma, for its mistreatment of the Muslim community known as Rohingya. This week, the smallest nation in Africa came to the defense of the persecuted minority, filing a lawsuit that charges Myanmar with genocide. Cast out of Myanmar, where they claim citizenship, the Rohingya Muslims found temporary…

Human rights defenders around the world are asking if Nigeria has been captured by a rogue body of intelligence operatives who overrule judicial orders and have kept activists locked behind bars for such “crimes” as freedom of speech. This week, Nigerians marked the anniversary of the death of environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight colleagues…