Author: WHES

China spreads aid in Africa, with some catches (corruption, secrecy and long term indebtedness of the borrowing country)

WINDHOEK, Namibia — It is not every day that global leaders set foot in this southern African nation of gravel roads, towering sand dunes and a mere two million people. So when President Hu Jintao of China touched down here in February 2007 with a 130-person delegation in tow, it clearly was not just a courtesy call.

Eager South African students in poor areas suffer from poor teaching, perhaps a legacy of apartheid

KHAYELITSHA, South Africa — Seniors here at Kwamfundo high school sang freedom songs and protested outside the staff room last year because their accounting teacher chronically failed to show up for class. With looming national examinations that would determine whether they were bound for a university or joblessness, they demanded a replacement.

Child mortality rate declines globally

MPATA, Malawi — The number of children dying before their fifth birthdays each year has fallen below nine million for the first time on record, a significant milestone in the global effort to improve children’s chances of survival, particularly in the developing world, according to data that Unicef will release on Thursday.

Gabon protestors clash with security forces after poll result shows Ali Ben Bongo won presidency with 42 percent of the vote. Critics claim election fraud carried out to ensure that Bongo would succeed his father as president.

Opposition activists have clashed with security forces in Gabon after election results confirmed Ali Ben Bongo as president with 42% of the vote.

South African government embraces study very critical of its health policy

JOHANNESBURG — Leading South African scientists challenged the governing party on Monday to break with its deeply flawed record on AIDS and public health, spurring the country’s new health minister to say that he and his party shared their diagnosis of systemic problems and were determined to repair them.