Fracking Hell? South Africa’s Gas Dilemma

Published on Feb 20, 2013
Caught between the promise of prosperity that natural gas extraction in the Karoo Basin might bring and concerns about environmental and health impacts, citizen resistance to fracking is growing in the Republic of South Africa. Earth Focus correspondent Jeff Barbee reports.

Smartphones come to Ugandan farmers’ aid

Technology helps subsistence farmers solve issues with livestock diseases and keep track of market prices.

Published on Feb 16, 2013
Africa has the world’s fastest growing mobile phone market in the world.

Morocco’s naming criteria a hurdle for parents

Published on Feb 15, 2013
In Morocco, increasing numbers of parents are refusing to register their children’s names with the state under the pretext it it woudn’t be aproved. Civil servants used to insist on names approved by the interior ministry in 1996, though while that system was scrapped in 2002, ethnic Berber names are still a problem.

MEGAPOST: German-Jewish Heritage Around the Globe

Jewish Artists – The Influence of Exiles | Arts 21

Uploaded on Nov 13, 2011
It’s well known that many Jewish scientists and artists fled Nazi Germany. Less well known is their cultural influence in the countries that took them in. A major study by the Moses Mendelssohn Center in Potsdam focuses on just that. We spoke with the Center’s Director, Julius H. Schoeps.

MEGAPOST: Timbuktu History Damaged by Militants – archaeology, culture

France’s Hollande visits library housing torched manuscripts in Timbuktu

Kenyan news outlet grapples with the word “gubernatorial”

‘Gubernatorial’: A mouthful and complicated word

Published on Jan 27, 2013

http://www.ntv.co.ke

Gubernatorial has become synonymous with the prime time news in Kenya, newspaper headlines to name but a few. But just what is this humongous word gubernatorial? NTV’s Pamela Asigi explores its origin and why giant media houses are grappling with its use.

Kenyan survey finds 1 in 3 females abused before age 18

Published on Nov 28, 2012 by NTVKenya
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development on Wednesday released grim statistics on Violence against children in Kenya. The statistics indicate that violence against children is a growing vice that is hindering growth and development in the country.

Growing Up in a Still-Wounded South Africa

Published on Nov 28, 2012 by TheNewYorkTimes
The filmmaker Nadine Cloete explores childhood in a part of South Africa plagued by gang culture and violence.

Teenagers in Nigeria create a urine-powered generator

Published on Nov 23, 2012 by itnnews
A group of students have developed the generator to counter Nigeria’s chronic electricity problems. Report by Ashley Fudge.

Nigeria seeks to curb child sorcery claims

Published on Nov 1, 2012 by AlJazeeraEnglish
The Nigerian state of Akwa Ibom has introduced a law that makes it illegal to accuse children of withcraft and sorcery. The state has spent significant amounts of money to aid the hundreds of Nigerian children that had been branded withches in Akwa Ibom for years. But some say churches in the impoverished state where unemployment is rampant, must also be reigned in. Some activists cite the churches as the source of the belief that children are sorcerers or witches. Al Jazeera’s Yvonne Ndege reports from Uyo.

Report Decries Treatment of Mentally Ill in Ghana

Published on Oct 16, 2012 by VOAvideo
In Ghana, mental illness is widely thought to be a spiritual matter — and so-called “prayer camps” fill the vacuum left by inadequate psychiatric health facilities. But an international human rights organization, Human Rights Watch, alleges the camps are unfit to deal with patients and are guilty of abuses. Nick Loomis has more from Accra.

No More ‘Hard Time’ for Cape Town Prison Babies

Published on Oct 16, 2012 by VOAvideo
With one of the world’s highest crime rates, South Africa often jails women prisoners who are pregnant. Their babies grow up behind bars, a traumatic experience for innocent children. As Emilie IOB reports for VOA News from Cape Town, there is now a new prison unit that’s designed to allow the babies a more normal environment.

Outdated Drugs Slow Nigerian Malaria Treatment

Published on Oct 25, 2012 by VOAvideo
A large percentage of people killed by malaria each year are in Nigeria, and the disease is the country’s number one killer of small children. Health officials say modern life-saving drugs are available but the widespread use of out-dated drugs on a resistant strain of malaria continues to cost lives. Heather Murdock has more for VOA from Sokoto and Zamfara States in Nigeria.

Reality TV Show Helps Farmers Improve Livelihoods

Published on Oct 26, 2012 by VOAvideo
Inspired by the popularity of American and British home makeover shows, a television producer in Kenya has created a farming reality show that is helping farmers in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania do a better job. The program now has more than seven million viewers. Jill Craig has more for VOA from Nairobi

Nigeria’s Glittery Poison

Published on Oct 17, 2012 by VOAvideo
The village of Bagega, Nigeria, is the epicenter of Nigeria’s gold rush and what activists say is the worst outbreak of lead poisoning in recent history. The government has promised a life-saving cleanup, but small children continue to play in toxic dirt and activists say time is running out. Heather Murdock has more for VOA from Bagega.