L.A. Times - Africa

U.S. youths recruited to fight in Somali militia, authorities say

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Young Somali Americans, many in Minneapolis, were lured to fight with an Al Qaeda-affiliated group, court documents allege. Eight suspects alleged to be part of that network face criminal charges.

Federal authorities unsealed criminal charges Monday against eight suspects alleged to be part of a U.S. recruiting network that sent young men to fight in Somalia -- one of the largest militant operations uncovered in this country since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Madagascar's political turmoil takes toll on forests

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

With the African island nation left paralyzed and lawless after a coup, loggers have been clearing forests, putting many rare species of lemurs and other animals at further risk.

She was the spy who was undone by a furry little creature with huge, hypnotic eyes.

Venezuela's Chavez has praise for 'bad guys'

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

'Carlos the Jackal' was a revolutionary, says Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. He also has kind words for Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

President Hugo Chavez is praising Ilich Ramirez Sanchez -- a.k.a. "Carlos the Jackal," the imprisoned Venezuelan once notorious for a series of Cold War-era bombings, assassinations and hostage dramas -- saying he was a "revolutionary fighter" and not a terrorist.

Vladimir Kramnik regains top form

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Position No. 6082: White to play and win. From the game Yun Fan-Rusudan Goletiani, U.S. Women's Championship, St. Louis 2009.

Children starve in parched southern Madagascar

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

As temperatures rise, drought, crop failure and deforestation have combined to create a crisis of malnutrition.

Foreigners have come to Anjandobo village, a cluster of wooden huts on the desolate red dust of southern Madagascar. They're vaza -- outsiders.

Egypt recalls envoy from Algeria over soccer violence

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The move follows attacks on Egyptian fans after Algeria's victory in a World Cup qualifying match in Sudan.

Egypt has recalled its ambassador to Algeria after Egyptian soccer fans were attacked by their Algerian counterparts following the two countries' playoff match in Sudan in the 2010 World Cup qualifications, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced Thursday.

U.S. vessel Maersk Alabama repels pirates in 2nd attack

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Private security guards thwart the would-be hijackers off Somalia. In April, pirates boarded the cargo ship and then held American captain Richard Phillips hostage in a lifeboat for five days.

Guards aboard the Maersk Alabama cargo ship used guns and a sound blaster Wednesday to repel the second pirate attack in seven months on the U.S. vessel at a time when ships are increasingly hiring armed security teams to thwart hijackings.

Zambian newspaper editor acquitted of circulating pornography

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Chansa Kabwela of the Post sent Zambian government officials photos of a woman giving birth on a street during a hospital strike. A judge finds there is no evidence that they were obscene.

A Zambian editor charged with distributing pornography for sending photographs of a woman forced to give birth on a street during a hospital strike to officials has been acquitted by a court in Lusaka, the capital.

Operatic trills rise from Botswana bush

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The tiny south African nation's first opera, written by the author of the 'No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' series, is a version of 'Macbeth,' with baboons. It's a rare opportunity for a local soprano.

The villages of Botswana are full of music. Gospel music. Choral music. The singsong repetitive music of rote classroom learning.

Tuesday's Highlights

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

SANTA'S ANIMAL HELPERS: Santa gets amnesia following an accident on his sleigh in the animated holiday special "Merry Madagascar" at 8 p.m. on NBC.

SERIES NCIS: The team's investigation into a lieutenant's death is connected to a citywide blackout in this new episode (8 p.m. CBS).