South Africa

I bet you can't guess what this man is painting with. The "world's only penile artist" participated in the Sexpo in Cape Town, South Africa, the world's largest health, sexuality, and lifestyle expo.

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Oprah's attempt to clean house at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy School For Girls after a 2007 scandal didn't save her from another round of shocking headlines coming out of South Africa. This time, the scandal doesn't involve an employee of the school, but rather students engaging in lesbian liaisons.

Seven students from Oprah's all-girls school in South Africa have been suspended for inappropriate behavior toward other students. One student was suspended for preying on another, while the others are in trouble for consensually touching each other intimately. I bet they didn't figure the whole world would find out.

Do you think Oprah should take some of the blame in the media for the latest scandal, or do the suspensions prove that the school enforces its code of conduct?

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• Organizers of a peace conference in South Africa have canceled the event after the government denied a visa to the Dalai Lama. — New York Times
• Treasury secretary Timothy Geithner is asking Congress today for unprecedented power to seize non-banking financial companies. — AP
• The recent volcano eruption in Alaska has made a case for the volcano monitoring funding included in Obama's stimulus package and criticized by many. — Washington Post
• The crew aboard the Discovery space shuttle has been expecting a call from President Obama before they return home. — AP
• China has blocked YouTube, reportedly because it included video of soldiers beating monks and other Tibetans. — BBC News

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Afro-pop legend Miriam Makeba, also known as "Mama Africa," died on Sunday at the age of 76 in the south of Italy, following a concert appearance. This powerhouse songstress's long and varied life included marriage to Black Panther Stokely Carmichael, exile from her home country of South Africa, a starring role in the film Sarafina!, about the 1976 Soweto youth uprisings, and an appearance in the 2002 documentary Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony.

Over her lifetime Makeba made dozens of records and was responsible for bringing the issue of apartheid to the forefront in Western countries, though she always identified herself first as a singer, not as a political activist. In a condolence message, former South African president Nelson Mandela said "It was fitting that her last moments were spent on a stage, enriching the hearts and lives of others . . . "

To see how Makeba's stage presence and definitive look can translate to your home (as well as aid African women and charities), read more

• Congress May Add Stimulus:
  Congress is likely to raise the cost of the $700 billion rescue deal by adding more economic stimulus for taxpayers, according to Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee Barney Frank. The cost of the current plan could reach $1 trillion. Senate Banking Chairman Chris Dodd urged caution this morning and praised Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson as "the right man."



• South Africa's Mbeki Resigns:
  South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki resigned yesterday after his political party demanded that he step down. He gave a brief speech saying, “I would like to say that gloom and despondency have never defeated adversity. Trying times need courage and resilience.” Mbeki has been temporarily replaced by Kgalema Motlanthe.




• Militants Kidnap 155 in Afghanistan:
  Three buses carrying Afghan laborers were stopped by militants and all 155 people on board were kidnapped. No one has yet claimed responsibility and the Interior Ministry spokesman says, "What demand might they have from the government? They are poor and innocent laborers who are traveling far distances for work." Though kidnappings and ransoms are routine in Afghanistan, this instance is the first time militants have attempted to abduct and hold such a large group.

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• New Offensive in Iraq:
  Iraqi forces with support from American troops just launched a new major operation against insurgents in the Iraqi province of Diyala, one of the last pockets of al-Qaeda militants in the country. The commander of the Iraqi ground forces says the operation's goal is ''to clear al-Qaeda in Diyala. We have a list of wanted persons that the troops will arrest during the operations.'' The offensive comes after deadly attacks in Baghdad and Kirkuk.



• Fire Consumes UK Landmark:
  The historic seaside pier, the Grand at Weston-super-Mare, was consumed by fire yesterday. Stretching a quarter of a mile into the water, the two-story wooden structure was reduced to ash in a couple of hours. The fire broke out in a kitchen on the pier, though no one was hurt. A spokesman for the pier, Nigel Heath, says, “it is a tragedy. It epitomized the English seaside resort.”



• Oprah School Abuse Trial Begins:
  The trial of the former matron at Oprah Winfrey's school in South Africa has begun with the defendant pleading not guilty. The six alleged victims will testify in private, amid reports that they're "very scared". The defendant, 28, was arrested at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy near Johannesburg last year. The $40 million school opened in 2007.

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South Africa's aggressive affirmative action policy, which requires companies to give preferential hiring treatment to the country's 90 percent black population, colored community, Indians, and women has garnered both success and criticism.

South Africans growing up in destitute conditions perpetuated by apartheid have found financial security and professional fulfillment through increased opportunities. Some companies recruit the marginalized groups in high school and give them extra academic assistance and help through university.

Unfortunately affirmative action, along with instability, has caused 20 percent of the South Africa's white population to leave the country. And when not paired with training, a lack of necessary skills possessed by those receiving preferential hiring practices bothers both supporters and opponents of affirmative action. To find out how, read more

Even though prostitution obviously goes well with soccer, religious groups and government opposition parties disagree with South Africa's plan to legalize sex-for-sale before the 2010 World Cup.

The Durban municipal government wants to legalize the red light district, and make access to "services" safe and easy. Those in favor argue that Germany opened popular adult entertainment centers for World Cup 2006. Some resisted that decision too, including the Vatican who lamented the fact that that women "cost less than ticket to a soccer game."

South African religious groups say the current plan goes against the word of God, and many worry about a greater transmission of AIDS. Opposition parties worry that once it's legal, it will remain so after the World Cup. That point makes a lot of sense — if the government approves it one day, how can they say it's a dangerous crime the next?

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• South Africa Sets Up Camps: South Africa is about to create seven refugee camps around the country for foreign migrant workers who have fled a recent wave of anti-immigrant violence. Taking the pressure off of the increasingly unsanitary conditions currently housing the workers at temporary shelters put up around state buildings, the new camps will take up to 70,000 people. Respected international aid agencies have advised the government not to set up camps as they say South Africa does not have the expertise necessary to run them. Fifty-six people have been killed and more than 650 injured in the attacks.



• Olmert Called to Step Down: Israel’s defense minister Ehud Barak called today for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to step down pending the outcome of a high-profile corruption investigation in which Olmert is tied. Barak said, “The prime minister must disconnect himself from the daily running of the government.” Yesterday a Long Island businessman at the center of the corruption case testified that he gave about envelopes of cash totaling about $150,000, to Olmert over the course of 13 years. He said the money was for campaign funding and personal expenses. Olmert has denied any wrongdoing and has promised to step down if found guilty.
• Nepal To Become Republic: The newly-elected Nepalese assembly is to meet in Kathmandu to abolish the monarchy but its key vote has been postponed by a boming in the capital that injured two people while the new cabinet was being sworn in. Thousands of people have gathered on the streets near the assembly in support of "republic day". Ending 240 years of royal rule, supporters are ecstatic. One said, "This is the people's victory. With today's declaration of a republic we have achieved what we fought for."