Africa News Headlines - Yahoo! News CA

CA-ENTERTAINMENT Summary

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 16:47:04 -0400

Faster than speeding bullet, 'Man of Steel' sets June record (Reuters) - "Man of Steel," the big-budget reboot of the Superman franchise, leaped over the apocalyptic buddy comedy "This is the End," collecting a muscular $113.1 million to lead the domestic box office with the year's second-largest debut weekend and the biggest June opening ever. "Man of Steel," starring British-born Henry Cavill in the first Superman movie released in seven years, carried a hefty budget of $225 million and took in a total of $125 million through Sunday including early screenings, according to BoxOffice.com. ...

Sudan, South Sudan to take steps to lower oil tension

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 14:27:47 -0400

CAIRO (Reuters) - Sudan and South Sudan are prepared to take steps, brokered by the African Union, to try to avert an oil crisis between them amid accusations from both sides that the other is supporting insurgencies in their territories. Sudan officially informed South Sudan on Tuesday that it would stop allowing its neighbor to export crude through its territory within two months unless Juba gave up support for insurgents operating across their shared border. ...

Losing fight vs. climate change, locales around the world find ways to live with it

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 09:19:36 -0400

BONN, Germany - From Bangkok to Miami, cities and coastal areas across the globe are already building or planning defences to protect millions of people and key infrastructure from more powerful storm surges and other effects of global warming.

CA-SPORTS Summary

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:47:38 -0400

Heat need rare win streak to keep NBA title hopes alive SAN ANTONIO (Reuters) - Stringing together a two-game win streak sounds routine for the reigning champion Miami Heat, but they have failed to do it for more than three weeks and must do so in the NBA Finals or risk losing their crown. A victory in Sunday's Game Five of the best-of-seven series would give the Heat their first winning streak since May 22. A loss would put them in an uncomfortable position of having to win two straight at home to repeat as champions. ...

CA-BUSINESS Summary

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 17:41:20 -0400

Web companies begin releasing surveillance information after U.S. deal SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Facebook and Microsoft have struck agreements with the U.S. government to release limited information about the number of surveillance requests they receive, a modest victory for the companies as they struggle with the fallout from disclosures about a secret government data-collection program. Facebook on Friday became the first to release aggregate numbers of requests, saying in a blog post that it received between 9,000 and 10,000 U.S. ...

Google unveils Internet beaming balloons launched into stratosphere

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:51:14 -0400

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand - Wrinkled and skinny at first, the translucent, jellyfish-shaped balloons that Google released this week from a frozen field in the heart of New Zealand's South Island hardened into shiny pumpkins as they rose into the blue winter skies above Lake Tekapo, passing the first big test of a lofty goal to get the entire planet online.

Why the World Cup cannot save Brazil's tourism industry

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 11:00:26 -0400

By Brad Haynes RECIFE, Brazil (Reuters) - For soccer fans flocking to Confederations Cup matches in Brazil's tropical northeast next week, getting tickets to the stadium should be simple - but two in three will not find accommodations in the host city Recife. Officials are sending visitors as far as 120 kilometers (75 miles) inland to spend the night, a detour on par with staying in Philadelphia for a New York Knicks game. ...

Nelson Mandela 'recovering well' in hospital, grandson says

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 08:37:24 -0400

Former South African president and anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela is recovering well from a lung infection which has kept him in a serious condition in hospital for a week, his grandson said on Saturday.

South Africa's Mandela 'recovering very well', grandson says

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:48:51 -0400

By Yvonne Bell QUNU, South Africa (Reuters) - Former South African president and anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela is recovering well from a lung infection which has kept him in a serious condition in hospital for a week, his grandson said on Saturday. The comment by Mandla Mandela was the latest indication that the health of his 94-year-old grandfather, South Africa's first black president, was showing signs of improvement. Mandela has been receiving visits from family members after he was rushed to hospital a week ago with a recurrence of lung problems. ...

Amplats workers end underground protest at South African mine

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 03:50:04 -0400

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Anglo American Platinum said on Saturday operations at its Thembelani mine in South Africa were back to normal after a "group of employees" on Friday prevented 2,400 workers from going above ground. "The situation at the mine is normal, people came above ground yesterday evening," Amplats spokeswoman Mpumi Sithole said. The industrial action followed the dismissal of four union shop stewards for "inappropriate behavior". (Reporting by Olivia Kumwenda; Editing by Janet Lawrence)

World Bank, U.N. join hands in conflict zones but face hurdles

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 01:10:34 -0400

By Anna Yukhananov (Reuters) - When the heads of the World Bank and the United Nations flew into the violence-wracked African city of Goma on a cloudy day last month, it was the first time the giants of international development had joined forces in the struggle to help the world's most fragile regions. World Bank President Jim Yong Kim and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon traveled to three countries in the Great Lakes region in East Africa to cement a new partnership, tying $1 billion in bank money to the U.N. peacekeeping efforts in the region. ...

Touring Ireland rugby team depleted but still favoured to beat Canada

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:48:10 -0400

TORONTO - It speak volumes about the chasm between Tier 1 and 2 rugby nations that an Ireland team shorn of its stars is a 10-point favourite to beat Canada on Saturday.

Alberta health minister wants quick end to $3.2M bonus pay dispute

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:32:29 -0400

EDMONTON - Alberta Health Minister Fred Horne says he wants a quick end to a dispute over $3.2 million in bonus payments to 99 health executives.

Brit's Picks: Top things to do in Sask. this weekend

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:03:56 -0400

Arts reporter Britainy Robinson makes her picks for your weekend's entertainment.

Harper and Hollande scoff at deadline for trade talks

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:50:53 -0400

If there was any urgency to Stephen Harper's trade talks with French President François Hollande, he wasn't acknowledging it at the two leaders' joint press conference on Friday.

Uganda says EU envoy apologized for criticizing Museveni

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:13:01 -0400

By Elias Biryabarema KAMPALA (Reuters) - Uganda said on Friday that the European Union's envoy had apologized for criticizing President Yoweri Museveni's handling of corruption, adding to friction with the West. Western donors withdrew almost all direct budget support to the east African nation after allegations that $13 million had been stolen by officials in the prime minister's office. ...

Mandela's health improving but condition still "serious"

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:48:07 -0400

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Former South African President and anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela continues to recover from a lung infection but his condition remains serious, the South African government said on Thursday. President Jacob Zuma visited Madiba, the clan name by which 94-year-old Mandela is popularly known, in the Pretoria hospital to which he was admitted in a "serious but stable" condition on Saturday, a statement said. "We continue to appeal to people to keep Madiba in their prayers and wish him a speedy recovery," Zuma said. ...

Terror report says al-Qaida, homegrown extremism are key threats to Canada

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:42:39 -0400

TORONTO - Al-Qaida remains Canada's biggest terrorist threat even though the group has weakened in recent years, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said Thursday.

South Africa president: Mandela's health improving, but condition remains serious

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:36:04 -0400

JOHANNESBURG - Nelson Mandela's health is improving but the 94-year-old beloved anti-apartheid hero remains in serious condition, South Africa's president said Thursday.

U of S hosts world's biggest indigenous studies conference

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:17:18 -0400

850 delegates from places like New Zealand, Australia, Africa and Taiwan will present their research at the U of S on a wide variety of indegenious issues.

Oscar Pistorius left off South Africa's Paralympic team as expected

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:22:35 -0400

JOHANNESBURG - As expected, Oscar Pistorius was left off South Africa's team Thursday for the Paralympic athletics world championships next month in France.

While speed of cheetahs is amazing, scientists in awe of their acceleration, power, agility

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:50:25 -0400

WASHINGTON - Everyone knows cheetahs are blazingly fast. Now new research illustrates how their acceleration and nimble zigzagging leave other animals in the dust and scientists in awe.

CA-NEWS Summary

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:36:22 -0400

More Americans see man who leaked NSA secrets as 'patriot' than traitor: Poll WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Roughly one in three Americans say the former security contractor who leaked details of top-secret U.S. surveillance activity is a patriot and should not be prosecuted, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday. Some 23 percent of those surveyed said former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden is a traitor while 31 percent said he is a patriot. Another 46 percent said they did not know. ...

Cooper Tire CEO says $2.2B deal won't result in US plant closings, management in Ohio to stay

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 18:20:40 -0400

TOLEDO, Ohio - A tire maker whose main market is in India is buying Ohio's Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. for $2.2 billion and making a commitment to maintain the company's three U.S. manufacturing plants and retain its management operation in Ohio, Cooper's chief executive said Wednesday.

Nelson Mandela 'responding better to treatment,' South Africa's president says

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:54:45 -0400

JOHANNESBURG - Former President Nelson Mandela began responding better to treatment Wednesday morning for a recurring lung infection following "a difficult last few days," South Africa's president said.

Disabilities can be overcome, Kilimanjaro climber says

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:45:39 -0400

A man who climbed Africa's tallest mountain delivered a down-to-earth message in St. John's Wednesday about overcoming disabilities.

EU to levy 4.7 percent duty on jet fuel imports from Mideast

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:48:16 -0400

By Ron Bousso LONDON (Reuters) - The European Union will impose a 4.7 percent duty on jet fuel imports from the Middle East starting next year, officials said on Wednesday, in a move that could significantly increase costs for the EU's embattled airlines. Last month, EU officials said jet fuel imports could dodge the new tariff thanks to a waiver known as airworthiness certificates or EASA Form 1 certificates. After reviewing the system, however, the officials concluded that jet fuel cannot benefit from the waiver, which applies mostly to airplane parts. ...

Harper announces new transparency rules for energy, mining

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:24:12 -0400

Canada is adopting a G8 initiative that would require companies to disclose any payments they make to foreign governments, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces in London at a meeting with oil, gas and mining executives.

USOC keeping eye on 2020 Olympic bid race ahead of possible 2024 candidacy

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 05:21:43 -0400

The U.S. Olympic Committee is observing the bidding for the 2020 Games, hoping to learn something from Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo as they try to land the Olympics.

Analysis: Emerging market crunch may cause Fed to think twice

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 01:53:42 -0400

By Mike Dolan LONDON (Reuters) - If currency turbulence in emerging markets escalates into full-scale investor flight, the Federal Reserve may have a fresh headache in deciding when to slow its dollar printing policy. Given all the obvious influences on Fed policy - domestic inflation, jobless youths, long-term unemployment, stuttering credit creation or banking stability - gyrations on markets from Turkey to South Africa or South Korea may seem tangential. But an enmeshing of the United States and the economies of the developing world since the turn of the century means the link between U.S. ...

1,200 Canadians bought berry mix linked to hep A outbreak

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 20:21:38 -0400

Officials with the Public Health Agency of Canada estimate that about 1,200 Canadians, mostly in British Columbia and Alberta, bought a blend of frozen berries linked to a hepatitis A outbreak that has hit eight U.S. states.

Defence official: Shooting breaks out near paramilitary base in Niger; gunmen not known

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 19:43:34 -0400

NIAMEY, Niger - Shooting erupted late Tuesday near a college for Niger's paramilitary police in a suburb of the capital, the minister of defence said. Nearby residents who were contacted by telephone said they were hunkered down, and a battle appeared to be in progress.

Manual left behind in Mali suggests al-Qaida training to use feared surface-to-air missile

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:53:40 -0400

TIMBUKTU, Mali - The photocopies of the manual lay in heaps on the floor, in stacks that scaled one wall, like Xeroxed, stapled handouts for a class.

Mandela's daughters visit father on 4th day in South Africa hospital; doctors do all they can

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:18:02 -0400

JOHANNESBURG - Doctors are doing all they can to improve Nelson Mandela's health as the 94-year-old icon spent a fourth day in the hospital for a recurring lung infection, South Africa's president said Tuesday, as two of Mandela's daughters visited their father.

Harper lands in London ahead of G8, scheduled to meet Queen, British PM

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:26:42 -0400

LONDON - Prime Minister Stephen Harper will meet oil, gas and mining executives Wednesday in London, where he may announce Canada is adopting a G8 initiative that would require companies to disclose any payments they make to foreign governments.

South Africans wish Nelson Mandela well, but also, delicately, talk about possibility of death

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:03:41 -0400

JOHANNESBURG - The desk is spotless and books neatly line the shelves in Nelson Mandela's office at a Johannesburg-based foundation that carries his name, but the former South African president and anti-apartheid leader hasn't worked there for years.

Chevron Corp. says it will auction off rights to 2 Nigeria oil blocks as others companies sell

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 13:58:33 -0400

LAGOS, Nigeria - Chevron Corp. said Tuesday it wants to auction off the rights it has to two offshore oil fields near Nigeria's coast, the latest foreign oil company moving to divest from the country as regulatory uncertainty looms in the nation.

Prize-winning novel The Book of Negroes to become TV miniseries

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:05:35 -0400

Production will begin on a long-awaited screen adaptation of Lawrence Hill's acclaimed novel The Book of Negroes this fall, with the eventual TV miniseries to air on CBC and the American network BET.

CBC teams up with BET to adapt 'The Book of Negroes' as TV miniseries

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:59:44 -0400

TORONTO - The CBC is teaming up with the U.S. network BET to produce a miniseries based on the acclaimed novel "The Book of Negroes."

South African foundation says Nelson Mandela suffering 'ravages of time' in hospital

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 17:48:44 -0400

JOHANNESBURG - Nelson Mandela was in serious but stable condition in a Pretoria hospital for the third day Monday with a recurring lung infection, and a foundation led by retired archbishop Desmond Tutu described the 94-year-old anti-apartheid hero as an "extraordinary gift" to South Africa.