Unusually heavy snow fell over large sections of eastern South Africa on Monday and Tuesday, stranding motorists, closing roads and stopping trains. Most areas reported three to five centimeters but heavier amounts were reported in higher elevations. Reuters news agency reports that in some areas, the snowfall reached 60 centimeters. A National Weather Service forecaster […]
Delays Hold Up UN Food Airlift to Horn of Africa
Posted July 26th, 2011 at 11:50 am (UTC-5)
The U.N. World Food Program says an airlift of food to the drought-stricken Horn of Africa has been postponed until at least Wednesday. The airlift was due to begin Tuesday, but a WFP communications officer tells VOA that the flights have been held up by logistical problems in Kenya. The WFP said Monday that planes […]
Italian Tanker Hijacked Off West Africa
Posted July 24th, 2011 at 10:30 am (UTC-5)
Pirates in the Gulf of Guinea have hijacked an Italian fuel tanker with 23 crew members on board. The Italian news agency ANSA reports that three pirates seized control of the RBD Anema e Core on Sunday. It says the ship was carrying a cargo of diesel fuel and that the ship’s crew consists of […]
ANC Youth Leader Accused of Having ‘Secret Fund’
Posted July 24th, 2011 at 9:45 am (UTC-5)
A South African newspaper says the ruling party’s youth leader has a “secret fund” he is using to finance a lavish lifestyle. The City Press says Julius Malema is the sole trustee and main beneficiary of the “Ratanang Family Trust,” created in 2008 after Malema became head of the ANC Youth League. Malema is known […]
What is a famine?
Posted July 20th, 2011 at 10:10 am (UTC-5)
Definition of Famine: The word famine is a term that is not used lightly by humanitarian organizations. The United Nations describes a crisis as a famine only when the following conditions are met: – Malnutrition rates exceed 30 percent – More than two people per 10,000 people are dying each day – Severe lack of […]
UN Declares Famine in Two Somalia Regions
Posted July 20th, 2011 at 7:00 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations has declared a famine in two areas of southern Somalia, amid the worst drought to hit the country in more than 50 years. Speaking in Nairobi, U.N. spokesman Mark Bowden said famine exists in the Bakool and Lower Shabelle regions. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released a statement expressing deep concern […]
UN Declares Famine, US To Supply Additional Aid
Posted July 20th, 2011 at 4:15 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations has declared a famine in two areas of southern Somalia, amid the worst drought to hit the country in more than 50 years. Speaking in Nairobi, U.N. spokesman Mark Bowden said famine exists in the Nakool and Lower Shabelle regions. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released a statement expressing deep concern […]
Somali President Declares Famine
Posted July 19th, 2011 at 4:10 pm (UTC-5)
Somalia’s president has declared a famine in his drought-stricken country and called for more international help to deal with the crisis. While touring a displaced-persons camp in the capital, Mogadishu, on Tuesday, President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said food has become so scarce that there is “in fact a famine” in his country. The president […]
Somali President Declares Famine
Posted July 19th, 2011 at 2:00 pm (UTC-5)
Somalia’s president has declared a famine in his drought-stricken country and called for more international help to deal with the crisis. While touring a displaced-persons camp in the capital, Mogadishu on Tuesday, President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said food has become so scarce that there is “in fact a famine” in his country. The president […]
Somali President Declares Famine
Posted July 19th, 2011 at 10:55 am (UTC-5)
Somalia’s president has declared a famine in his drought-stricken country and called for more international help to deal with the crisis. While touring a displaced-persons camp in the capital, Mogadishu on Tuesday, President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said food has become so scarce that there is “in fact a famine” in his country. The president […]
