Africa

News Brief: Niger Firefight, Trump Has Lunch With GOP Senators

5:10am October 24, 2017

Many questions remain about the ambush in Niger that led to the deaths of four American soldiers. President Trump heads to the Capitol to sell his agenda during lunch with Republican senators.

Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks to reporters about the Niger operation during a briefing at the Pentagon on Monday.

A Timeline — And Questions — About The Niger Firefight That Killed U.S. Troops

7:27pm October 23, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

Amid growing political fallout, the Department of Defense has put forward a timeline for the deadly confrontation with militants in Niger that killed four U.S. soldiers.

World News

Questions Swirl: What Was The U.S. Military Doing In Niger?

8:14am October 23, 2017

Rachel Martin talks to NPR's Tom Bowman about the operation and what went wrong, and to Ridal Lyammouri, who has worked and lived in that area of Africa doing analysis for U.S. agencies in the region.

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World News

Somali Community Takes Stock Of Truck Bombing That Killed Hundreds

6:43am October 23, 2017

by Eyder Peralta

It's been a little more than a week since a truck bomb exploded in the middle of Somalia's capital Mogadishu, killing more than 350 people. Some hope the attack will unite Somalis.

Kenya's Presidential Election Rerun Further Fuels Political Crisis

6:59pm October 22, 2017

by Eyder Peralta

The rerun elections are scheduled for Thursday. But there's one big problem: Kenya's opposition leader is calling for a boycott, and the elections chief says he can't guarantee a fair election.

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How Widows Find Their Path To Healing In Zimbabwe

7:03am October 22, 2017

Sheryl Sandberg's best-seller, Option B, has perspectives on finding resilience and joy after adversity. In other countries there are different obstacles — and different ways to cope.

Officer Killed In Niger Attack Laid To Rest In South Florida

5:56pm October 21, 2017

by Lakshmi Singh

WLRN's Caitie Switalski reports from the funeral of Sgt. La David T. Johnson. He was the U.S. Army officer who was one of four U.S. troop members killed in Niger earlier this month.

World News

Why The Somalia Attack Is Being Compared To Sept. 11

5:55pm October 21, 2017

It's been a week since a massive truck bomb blew up the center of Mogadishu in Somalia. The blast that killed more than 350 is being compared to Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S.

The Nivea ad features Omowunmi Akinnifesi, a beauty pageant winner in Nigeria, promoting a lotion that promises "visibly fairer skin."

Health & Safety

Nivea Ad For 'Visibly Fairer Skin' Sparks Controversy In West Africa

7:55pm October 20, 2017

by Mazi Emeka Nwankwo

The billboard and TV spot shows a Nigerian beauty pageant winner using a product called Natural Fairness Body Lotion. Critics are describing the ad as "colorist" and tone-deaf.

The U.S. Military In Africa: A Discreet Presence In Many Places

4:47pm October 20, 2017

by Greg Myre

The military has some 20 missions across the continent. Most are not combat operations. But the deaths of four soldiers in Niger illustrate the dangers as U.S. troops venture into the field.