Since September, a vampire scare has triggered mob violence in Malawi that has killed at least eight people accused of being blood suckers including two killings reported in the second city, Blantyre on Thursday (October 19). The vampire rumours appear to have originated in neighbouring Mozambique, although it was not clear what had sparked them. Belief in witchcraft is widespread in rural Malawi and authorities say they are struggling to convince the population that the vampire rumours are anything but true.
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Tag Archives: Geography of Africa
Congo controversially elected to U.N right council, despite abuse record
Critics of President Joseph Kabila’s government are challenging the election of the Democratic Republic of Congo to the 47-member Geneva-based council. The country – beset by renewed political and militia violence since Kabila refused to step down in December – won 151 votes. US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley said Congo’s election harmed the credibility of the body.
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Deadly gas explosion rocks Ghana’s capital
A natural gas station in Ghana’s capital Accra has exploded, causing several casualties, according to government officials. Grace Lee reports. Continue reading
Benghazi port reopens after three-year closure
BENGHAZI, LIBYA (Reuters) – Benghazi’s commercial port officially reopened on Sunday (October 1) after a three-year closure due to fighting between rival factions in the east Libyan city. Continue reading
Congolese gynaecologist Denis Mukwege in running for 2017 Nobel Peace Prize
SHOWS: STRASBOURG, FRANCE (EBS) – Congolese gynecologist Dr. Denis Mukwege is a contender for the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize, nominated for his work with rape victims in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Continue reading
Egyptian boy performs shocking ‘superhuman’ stunts
ASSIOUT, EGYPT (REUTERS) – A group of awe-struck spectators gathered in their small village in Egypt’s city of Assiout to witness a local child perform extraordinary stunts. Continue reading
BNP Paribas subject of full-scale Rwanda probe in France
PARIS, FRANCE, (REUTERS) – French judicial investigators have opened a full-scale inquiry into allegations of complicity in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, an official at the public prosecutor’s office said on Monday (September 25). Continue reading
Egyptian archaeologists discover 3,000-year-old tomb of goldsmith
Egyptian archaeologists have discovered a tomb of a prominent goldsmith who lived more than 3,000 years ago, unearthing statues, mummies and jewellery in the latest major find near the Nile city of Luxor. Continue reading
Rwanda’s tech entrepreneurs use technology to tackle reproductive health challenges amongst youth
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) develops an innovation accelerator programme that is supporting young entrepreneurs in addressing reproductive health challenges in Rwanda. ‘Tantine’- an app developed by twins Sylvie and Sylvain Uhirwa – both medical students at the University of Rwanda. The app opens up a channel of communication on sexual and reproductive health issues to Burundian refugees living in Mahama Refugee Camp in the south of the country.
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Survivors face uncertain future in wake of Sierra Leone’s mudslide
A little over two weeks after a mudslide and flooding killed at least 500 people in Regent, a town near Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, one survivor takes us through the moment when the disaster happened. The United Nations estimates that 3,000 people have lost their homes. Continue reading