The Right Livelihood Award, widely known as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’ goes to five human rights activists this year. Among them is Aminatou Haidar of the Western Sahara. Ms. Haidar receives the Right Livelihood Award “for her steadfast nonviolent action, despite imprisonment and torture, in pursuit of justice and self-determination for the people of Western…

By Khalil Abdullah, Ethnic Media Services Gilberto Amaya’s career in international development has taken him across more than 30 countries as he implemented renewable energy systems, agribusiness projects, and poverty alleviation initiatives. He witnessed post-independence struggles of sovereign states whose names are rarely heard on U.S. nightly newscasts — Burkina Faso, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe. A…

On the occasion of World Aids Day, South African health minister Zweli Mkhize announced the roll-out of a new state-of-the-art antiretroviral drug which, he said, should drastically reduce the number of people living with HIV. The roll-out could start as soon as this month. A modified three-in-one pill was hailed as a ‘game-changer’, much needed…

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…