africa

U.S. Catholic clergy shortage eased by recruits from Africa

By Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu, Associated Press

The U.S. Roman Catholic church faces a clergy shortage. The number of priests has declined by 60 percent over the last 50 years.

In Africa, rescuing the languages that Western tech ignores

By Matt O'Brien, CHINEDU ASADU, Associated Press

Computers have become amazingly precise at translating spoken words to text messages and scouring huge troves of data for answers to complex questions – as long as you speak English or another of the world's dominant languages.

New ‘omicron’ variant prompts global travel restrictions

By Raf Casert, Associated Press

The discovery of a new coronavirus variant sent a chill through much of the world as nations raced to halt air travel, markets fell sharply and scientists held emergency meetings. But the risks of the variant remained largely unknown.

U.N. report: West Africa has highest numbers of child soldiers

By Sam Mednick, Associated Press

Trapped in conflicts, the children of West and Central Africa are the most recruited by armed groups in the world and also have the highest number of victims of sexual violence, says a report released Tuesday by the United Nations…

In Africa, Blinken sees limits of US influence abroad

By Matthew Lee, Associated Press

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken saw first-hand the limits of America's influence abroad as he traveled across Africa.

Blinken seeks to cool regional crises with stop in Kenya

By Matthew Lee, Associated Press

In a lengthy, private meeting with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and other top officials, Blinken hailed Kenya’s role in seeking to ease the conflict in Ethiopia and as an example of a vibrant, inclusive democracy.

Blinken travels to Africa to boost U.S. response to region

By Matthew Lee, Associated Press

The Biden administration's competition with China for influence hasn't gotten off to a great start in Africa. In August, the top U.S. diplomat planned a visit, only to postpone it because of the turmoil in Afghanistan that preoccupied Washington.

African Union seeks $12.5B from world to tackle climate adaptation

By Associated Press

In his remarks before a meeting of world leaders, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo noted that the global effort on climate change “can’t be won unless it is won in Africa.”…

World Health Organization recommends malaria vaccine be given to children across Africa

By Maria Cheng, Associated Press

WHO recommended Wednesday that the world's first malaria vaccine should be given to children across Africa, in a move officials hope will spur stalled efforts to curb the spread of the parasitic disease.

African country leaders urge U.N. members to increase access for COVID vaccines

By Pia Sarkar, Associated Press

Several African leaders urged U.N. member states on Thursday to support a proposal to temporarily waive certain intellectual property rights to allow more countries, particularly low- and middle-income countries, to produce COVID-19 vaccines.