Chinua Achebe is revered across continents as a founder of the modern African novel in English, reports Maya Jaggi in London.
He used to be one of the stars in your classroom, an energetic and hard worker who always achieved top marks. But suddenly his performance slumped; he is aloof, arrives late at school, visits the toilet endlessly, is untidy and rebellious. You sense there is a problem, but you just cannot put your finger on it. "Dig deeper," urged Captain Jan Combrinck, "as these are some of the tell-tale signs of drug abuse."
Joseph Kony’s violent career as leader of the guerrilla Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda has won him the dubious distinction of being the first person ever to be indicted by the International Criminal Court. Now Kony appears to be expanding across southern Sudan, drawing both Khartoum and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army government into his chaotic pursuits.
Getting tested for HIV is about as enticing as sleeping with a new partner for the first time with a condom that the government distributed. It’s a rough ride. Even if you were faithful to your ex-partners and celibate in between. Even if you only had sex using condoms or went to reliable clinics for blood tests or don’t think you ever shot up, although you can’t really remember.
The offices of Zimbabwe’s Voice of the People radio station have been destroyed by a fire bomb, its reporters have been beaten and jailed, its broadcasts jammed and now its directors face government charges that could see them jailed. Yet all involved in this plucky shortwave station remain committed to continuing their broadcasts of independent reports into Zimbabwe.
Guy Delva’s family do not like travelling in the same car as him. They worry that one of the many enemies that Haiti’s high-profile reporter has made in the course of a 20-year career may choose the moment to exact a violent revenge against a man who receives regular death threats. In countries such as Haiti, Colombia and the Philippines, journalists face threats and violence on a daily basis
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The United States military said on Tuesday it had killed the ”right-hand man” of slain al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, describing him as someone who could have succeeded the Jordanian-born militant. Iraqi Mansur Suleiman al-Mashhadani was killed on Friday by US forces, said Major General William Caldwell, spokesperson of US-led coalition forces.
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Germany recorded a third straight win to finish top of World Cup Group A with their Polish connection of Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski gunning down a weakened Ecuador 3-0 on Tuesday. Both teams had already qualified for the last 16 of the competition but Germany go into the second round with wind in their sails.
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Two goals from defender Bartosz Bosacki — his first for his country — gave Poland a comeback 2-1 victory over Costa Rica in their nothing-at-stake Group A encounter on Tuesday. With Germany and Ecuador having already qualified for the last 16, the teams were playing for the futures of their under-fire coaches and to avoid last spot in the group.