South Africa

Diamond diggers in South Africa's deserted mines break the law — and risk their lives

5:01am November 27, 2022

by Tommy Trenchard

Photos show the desperate search for scraps left by big diamond operators. But amid rampant poverty and unemployment, zama-zamas see no other way to provide for their families.

Coffins of 21 teenagers who died in a mysterious tragedy at a nightclub in the early hours of June 26 are lined up during their funeral held in Scenery Park, East London, South Africa, on July 6. The toxic chemical methanol has been identified as a possib

World News

A toxic chemical was found in the bodies of 21 teens who died in a South Africa tavern

3:44pm July 19, 2022

by The Associated Press

Methanol was found in all of their bodies and investigations are continuing to determine whether the levels of the toxic chemical were enough to have killed them last month.

Brazilian scientist Sotiris Missailidis heads research and development at his country's premier agency for vaccine development, the Bio-Manguinhos Fiocruz foundation. He's been a key advocate for shifting Brazil's strategy toward inventing its own vaccine

A dire moment in the pandemic ... was the chance he'd been waiting for

9:07pm July 18, 2022

by Nurith Aizenman

How Sotiris Missailidis, head of R&D in Brazil's vaccine agency, used the COVID crisis to push through a game-changing effort for middle-income countries to invent their own mRNA vaccine.

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People gather at the scene of an overnight bar shooting in Soweto, South Africa, on Sunday. At least 15 people were killed.

World News

A group of people opened fire at a bar in South Africa, killing 15

12:41pm July 10, 2022

by The Associated Press

A mass shooting at a tavern in Johannesburg's Soweto township has killed at least 15 people and left others in critical condition.

A pharmacist on the Phelophepa health-care train takes payment for a patient's prescription.

PHOTOS: South Africa's 'train of hope' is a godsend for millions. But new threats loom

8:04am July 09, 2022

by Tommy Trenchard

Dubbed the "train of hope," the Phelophepa has brought health care to millions of South Africans. But it's facing an unprecedented spree of theft and vandalism on the country's railways.

A coffin is prepared to be taken to a symbolic funeral in Scenery Park, East London South Africa, Wednesday, July 6, 2022.

World News

South Africa holds funeral for 21 teens who died in tavern

5:02am July 06, 2022

by The Associated Press

It's still not known what caused the deaths of the young people, aged between 13 and 17. Pathologists are studying the cause of death from blood samples.

World News

Police are investigating the deaths of at least 20 at a South African nightclub

7:55am June 26, 2022

by The Associated Press

It is unclear what led to the deaths of the young people, who were reportedly attending a party to celebrate the end of winter school exams.

A woman wears a face shield to protect against COVID-19 at a taxi stand in Soweto, South Africa, where an omicron variant is causing a COVID-19 surge.

If you've had omicron before, are you safe from infection by the new variants?

7:09pm May 04, 2022

by Michaeleen Doucleff

New versions of omicron are circulating in the United States and South Africa. Two new studies shed light on the potential for future surges — and the risk factor if you've already had omicron.

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South African actress Khanyi Mbau, one of the stars of Netflix's new original reality show set in Africa, Young, Famous & African.

Opinion: 5 Things I'd change about Netflix's 'Young, Famous & African'

4:52pm April 05, 2022

by Ifeanyi Nsofor

If Dr. Ifeanyi Nsofor could have a hand in creating another season of the reality show, he'd ditch the 'Real Housewives' drama and get the cast to talk about COVID vaccines.

A world map showing the percentage of people in each country that are fully vaccinated against covid-19.

Health & Safety

The goal: Vaccinate 70% of the world against COVID. Scientists are proposing a reboot

9:07pm March 14, 2022

by Nurith Aizenman

As the world enters the pandemic's 3rd year, some ask whether the 70% vaccination goal set by WHO and the Biden administration could in fact be detrimental. Also: See our map of global progress.

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