Worldfocus presents highlights from our Blogwatch section, as well as other web feature articles. This year saw many significant events -- ranging from great recession to the post-presidential election protests in Iran. Read our top 10 web articles from 2009, about Dubai, cartoon porn and Ogadeni militants.
Africa
Top 10 Worldfocus Blogwatch Features of 2009
The Top 10 Innovative Global Solutions of the Decade
The Worldfocus newsroom celebrates the end of the decade with a look at some of the smartest ideas worldwide. We produced an eclectic list of ten innovative solutions to social and political problems. View a slideshow of the winners -- from Bangladesh and Bhutan to Guyana and Rwanda.
Tracking the legality of same-sex marriage around the world
This week, two men in Argentina became the first homosexual married couple in Latin America. Although legal recognition of civil unions exist in various regions worldwide, there are only seven countries that permit the marriage of same-sex couples: the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Spain, Norway, Sweden and South Africa.
Somali pirates still hold hundreds hostage on the seas
This week, 25 sailors aboard a Chinese cargo ship were set free off the coast of Somalia after the pirates who seized them were reportedly paid a $4 million ransom. Daljit Dhaliwal interviews maritime writer Barry Parker, who says that there are still hundreds of people being held hostage by pirates.
Medical NGO selects ‘Top Ten Humanitarian Crises of 2009’
Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) just released its picks for the Top Ten Humanitarian Crises of 2009. MSF operates in 70 countries that host some of the world's most dire emergencies. The 12th annual list focuses on catastrophic circumstances where civilians are "attacked, bombed, and cut off from aid."
Evaluating the real results of two weeks in Copenhagen
Regardless of what the long-term implications of Copenhagen may be, the conference was different from others in the past. Perhaps most notable was how the nations of the developing world came together to make their case. Daljit Dhaliwal interviews Lane Greene, an international correspondent for The Economist who recently returned from Copenhagen.
Human rights group condemns UN eastern Congo mission
A new 183-page report by Human Rights Watch faults the U.N.'s largest and most expensive peacekeeping operation for supporting the Congolese Army's murderous tactics. The report calls for the embattled U.N. mission -- whose mandate is set to expire in two weeks -- to cease backing the Congolese military, which is accused of serious human rights violations.
Copenhagen climate change conference: what’s at stake?
Worldfocus producer Connie Kargbo interviews Columbia University's Scott Barrett on the UN Copenhagen Climate Change Conference. He explains what the United States -- and other nations both rich and poor-- might hope to accomplish.
Guinean military on prowl for suspected Camara shooter
The ruling junta in Guinea is continuing its manhunt for Lt. Aboubacar "Toumba" Diakite, who allegedly shot military ruler Moussa Camara in the head last week. During the past several days, security officials have rounded up at least 60 people suspected of involvement in the assassination attempt. Watch what three African news sources are saying about recent events.
South Africa celebrates infamous prison’s football past
South Africa's infamous Robben Island jail held more than 3,000 political prisoners during the apartheid era. Its most famous prisoner was Nelson Mandela. Surprisingly enough, the prison was also home to a football league. Al Jazeera English's Andy Richardson reports from Robben Island.
More from: Africa
- At home with Moroccan champions
- Moroccan hip-hop group fuses traditional music with rap
- Cape Town makes strides in combating tuberculosis
- Ethiopian marathon runner fueled by homeland
- Worldfocus Radio: Demographics of the Arab World
- Living in fear: a lesbian in Zimbabwe shares her story
- Worldfocus Radio: Rwanda as Regional Power
- Military coup wrests Niger's president from power
- Two decades after Mandela's release, economic rift lingers
- Nigeria violence may have claimed lives of innocent civilians