• Good news for Africa's elephant population
• Small-scale farmers in Africa will be the beneficiaries of huge humanitarian prize
• New French fund with 87.5 million euros targets African solar development

• From trauma to tranquility: Gaining inner peace and resilience
• Dr David Leffler: An Unthwartable Counter-terrorism Defense
• Africa: Founding member of Alliance of Women Scientists and Scholars recognized as Next Einstein Forum Fellow

• Extreme drought in southern Africa leaves millions hungry
• UN: Many African children at risk from lack of clean water
• Outbreaks from animals in Africa surge by 60 percent in last decade

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Positive Trends
Short Summaries of Top Stories

Good news for Africa's elephant population
14 January 2024 - New research provides the good news that Africa's elephant population has stabilized and has actually been gradually growing over the last 25 years. The scientists found that overall, populations had grown by 0.16 percent a year for the past quarter of a century. ''Conservation has halted the decline of elephants in southern Africa over the last 25 years,'' said Professor Stuart Pimm, of Duke University in the US, who was part of the team. (more)

Small-scale farmers in Africa will be the beneficiaries of huge humanitarian prize
17 September 2023 - One Acre Fund, through a suite of services across nine African countries, is working to help small and subsistence farmers grow more food, make more money, and reinvest in their communities. This year's Hilton Humanitarian Prize, one of the largest humanitarian awards in the world, has been awarded to OAF for its work with smallholder farmers. (more)

New French fund with 87.5 million euros targets African solar development
25 February 2023 - A new investment fund with 87.5 million euros ($92.63 million) will finance solar power production across Africa, with a focus on West and Central Africa, French fund manager RGREEN INVEST and investment adviser ECHOSYS INVEST said on Friday [24 February]. (more)

Africa bets on solar mini grids to fix electricity access gap
24 November 2022 - Solar-powered mini-grids could be the key to connecting 265 million people across Africa to electricity by 2030. Twenty-one low-income countries have been earmarked as beneficiaries of the Africa Minigrids Programme. (more)

Growing African mangrove forests aim to combat climate woes
6 May 2022 - In a bid to protect coastal communities from climate change and encourage investment, African nations are increasingly turning to mangrove restoration projects, with Mozambique becoming the latest addition to the growing list of countries with large scale mangrove initiatives. Mozambique follows efforts across the continent -- including in Kenya, Madagascar, Gambia, and Senegal -- and is touted as the world's largest coastal or marine ecosystem carbon storage project. (more)

Women entrepreneurs join Africa's fintech boom
7 March 2022 - From digital payments, loans and insurance to share trading and cryptocurrency, Oluwatosin Olaseinde is among a growing number of female entrepreneurs in nations such as South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt taking a lead in Africa's fintech revolution. Since pioneering mobile money services in the late 2000s, Africa has become a hotbed for fintech -- financial technology -- innovation with an explosion of startups vying to tap the region's unbanked millions. But while the sector is very much a 'boys' club', research shows Africa's fintech sector fares better than other regions when it comes to women at the top. (more)

In Africa, rescuing the languages that Western tech ignores
23 December 2021 - Computers have become amazingly precise at translating spoken words to text messages and scouring huge troves of information for answers to complex questions. At least, that is, so long as you speak English or another of the world's dominant languages. But try talking to your phone in Yoruba, Igbo, or any number of widely spoken African languages and you'll find glitches that can hinder access to information, trade, personal communications, customer service, and other benefits of the global tech economy. Vukosi Marivate, chief of data science at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, is part of a coalition of African researchers who have been trying to change that. (more)

Organic farmers find fertile ground in North Africa
7 November 2021 - Proudly displaying her freshly picked pomegranates, Tunisian farmer Sarah Shili says going organic is 'the future of farming' -- and as demand surges in North Africa and beyond, the sector is blooming. Despite the challenges, the [organic farming] sector has surged in Tunisia since the turn of the millennium. In 2001, just 16,000 hectares were dedicated to organic farming -- a figure that has multiplied 20-fold over two decades. (more)

Chess coaches in Africa are building the next generation of grandmasters
3 November 2021 - Chess master Tunde Onakoya helps Nigerian kids turn chess moves into scholarships. The 26-year-old's posts about the living conditions and talents of the kids often go viral on social media, gaining the attention of donors, well-wishers, and recently, the governor of Lagos state. Onakoya and his team aren't the only ones that have been making chess moves on the continent. There are 46 countries in Africa with strong chess communities, according to the African Chess Federation. Since 2014, the continent has produced six new grandmasters -- the highest possible title in the game -- in Algeria, South Africa, and Egypt. (more)

African Parks secures $100M for conservation in Africa
16 September 2021 - African Parks, a South Africa-based conservation group that manages 19 protected areas covering 14.7 million hectares in several African countries, has secured a $100M commitment from the Rob and Melani Walton Foundation. The grant, which will be allocated over the next five years, will be split between a $75 million endowment, that will fund organizational needs into perpetuity, and near-term support for parks under African Parks' management, according to a statement put out by the NGO. (more)

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Success of Maharishi's Programmes
Short Summaries of Top Stories

From trauma to tranquility: Gaining inner peace and resilience
25 June 2017 - In African Warrior Magazine, David Shapiro, president of African PTSD Relief, and Krista Noble write about Julienne, who had lived a comfortable life with her family in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her world fell apart after soldiers stormed their home, and as a war refugee she suffered from severe post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 'I thought I could not go on living,' she says. Then Julienne had the opportunity to learn Transcendental Meditation (TM) through African PTSD Relief. Within 30 days she noticed a profound change. 'Now I can sleep again,' she says. TM 'uplifts me. I am happy to meditate. After I hear of a problem, in my next meditation, right away I feel myself relax and calm down. With TM, things are better. It helped me tremendously.' (more)

Dr David Leffler: An Unthwartable Counter-terrorism Defense
20 October 2016 - Invincible Defense Technology (IDT) is an advanced human resource-based military technology which produces a powerful peace-creating influence, neutralizing the buildup of stress in the national collective consciousness that fuels terrorism, war and crime. Scientific research has documented this effect created by groups practising Transcendental Meditation and its advanced techniques. When large assemblies of civilian IDT experts gathered during the years 1983 to 1985, terrorism-related casualties decreased 72 per cent, international conflict decreased 32 per cent, and overall violence was reduced in nations without intrusion by other governments. The current article featuring IDT's evidence-based military application appears in such publications as: African Prime News, African Herald Express, and Ghana Star; The Daily Guardian, Philippines; Vietnam's Asia Defense News; and Hirportal, Hungary. (more)

Africa: Founding member of Alliance of Women Scientists and Scholars recognized as Next Einstein Forum Fellow
12 March 2016 - Dr Amanda Weltman has been recognized by the Next Einstein Forum (NEF), Africa's global forum for science, as one of 15 distinguished African scientists selected for this year's inaugural class of NEF Fellows. Known as 'trailblazers' representing the continent's rising class of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) talent, the Fellows were 'rigorously selected for their groundbreaking contributions to science'. In celebration of International Women's Day, the six women NEF Fellows were featured during the first NEF Global Gathering, last week in Dakar, Senegal. Dr Weltman, whose field is Theoretical Physics, holds the South African Research Chair in Physical Cosmology, University of Cape Town. A founding member of the Alliance of Women Scientists and Scholars for a Better World, she has addressed and inspired all of its annual congresses in Holland and Switzerland. (more)

Institute for Excellence in Africa: Consciousness-Based solutions to critical problems
3 September 2015 - The Institute for Excellence in Africa was founded to identify and implement proven, prevention-oriented, forward-looking solutions to critical national, continental and global problems facing Africa. A key to change is the development of individual and collective consciousness so that it displays full creativity, intelligence and harmony. Without this fundamental awakening of human potential, the provision of mere economic assistance, infrastructure, and social systems will not be effective in solving the problems of poverty, sickness, conflict, and suffering found throughout Africa. The initiatives the Institute promotes include not just sustainable organic agriculture; natural prevention-oriented healthcare; balanced and fair economic development; and cultural integrity--but most importantly, Consciousness-Based Education to awaken the full potential of every individual. (more)

Africa: Voice of America TV reports on Transcendental Meditation and African PTSD Relief Now
7 May 2015 - Voice of America's 'Africa 54' TV show featured a live segment on the beneficial effects of the Transcendental Meditation technique in providing rapid relief from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among African refugees. Hosted by veteran health reporter Linord Moudou, the 7 May show included an explanation of post-traumatic stress disorder by eminent psychiatrist, researcher, and author Dr Norman Rosenthal, and an interview with David Shapiro, President of African PTSD Relief, about what Transcendental Meditation is, and a review of scientific research on TM and PTSD, including recent studies with African refugees. (more)

Voice of America hosts interview with African PTSD Relief
28 April 2015 - Voice of America 'Health Chat' featured news of the African PTSD Relief project on 28 April. Hosted by veteran reporter Linord Moudou, Health Chat is a live call-in programme that addresses health issues of interest to Africa. Congolese refugee Esperance Ndozi told her story of recovery from PTSD after learning Transcendental Meditation. Experts discussed recent research studies documenting the rapid and cost-effective approach offered by African PTSD Relief--teaching Transcendental Meditation to those suffering from PTSD. (more)

Will Transcendental Meditation become a standard treatment for posttraumatic stress?
2 January 2015 - In the conclusion of her recent article about the African PTSD Relief project, published in New Age Journal, Krista Noble considers the implications for current treatment of PTS (posttraumatic stress) in light of recent scientific research showing the effectiveness of Transcendental Meditation in rapidly reducing severe PTS among Congolese refugees. 'If the scientific community pays attention to ongoing research, they cannot help but seriously consider Transcendental Meditation as an intervention to address posttraumatic stress,' commented neuroscientist Dr Fred Travis, Director of the Center for Brain, Consciousness, and Cognition at Maharishi University of Management. (more)

Radio series on how Transcendental Meditation helps with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
23 November 2014 - In a special weekly series, 'Getting and Giving Relief from PTSD', Krystalya Marie of African radio A2Zen.fm, interviews scientists who are researching the effects of Transcendental Meditation on diverse groups suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. (more)

Consciousness-Based Education in African countries
12 October 2014 - The Album of Events page of Global Good News is currently featuring a two-part series of beautiful photos from African countries, illustrating the visits of international experts in Consciousness-Based Education. Dr Bevan Morris, President of Maharishi University of Management in the USA, headed the tour and travelled through ten countries over six weeks, in regions where Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's programmes for individual and societal health, Consciousness-Based Education, and world peace have been introduced during the last few years. (more)

'Preventing Future Boko Haram Attacks': Article on Invincible Defence Technology finds receptive audience in Africa and worldwide
11 June 2014 - An article titled 'Preventing Future Boko Haram Attacks', by Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Kulwant Singh and Dr. David Leffler, has appeared in an ever-increasing number of publications since it was first released last month. To date the article has been featured in nearly 100 locations worldwide--43 within Nigeria alone. The authors urge Nigerian leaders to immediately adopt the evidence-based approach of Invincible Defense Technology as an effective, scientifically validated means to reduce social stress, violence, and terrorism, and create lasting peace in their country. IDT requires creating a Prevention Wing of the military--a small portion of the armed forces of a country practising Transcendental Meditation and its advanced programmes, which published scientific research has shown to reduce crime and armed conflict and create social coherence. (more)

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Flops
Short Summaries of Top Stories

Extreme drought in southern Africa leaves millions hungry
31 March 2024 - A new drought has left millions facing hunger in southern Africa as they experience the effects of extreme weather that scientists say is becoming more frequent and more damaging. (more)

UN: Many African children at risk from lack of clean water
22 March 2023 - March 22 is the United Nation's World Water Day, marked annually since 1993 to raise awareness about the pressing need for billions of people around the world to have access to clean water and sanitation. According to the UN, 1 in 4 people -- 2 billion people worldwide -- lack safe drinking water and 1.4 million people die annually of diseases related to poor water, sanitation, and hygiene. (more)

Outbreaks from animals in Africa surge by 60 percent in last decade
17 July 2022 - The number of outbreaks of diseases that jumped from animals to humans in Africa has surged by more than 60 percent in the last decade, the World Health Organization said, a worrying sign the planet could face increased animal-borne diseases like monkeypox, Ebola, and coronavirus in the future. (more)

COVID-19 spike worsens Africa's severe poverty, hunger woes
24 December 2021 - Nearly two years into a global pandemic, a new spike in coronavirus cases driven by the omicron variant is once again shuttering businesses, halting travel, reviving fears of overwhelmed hospitals, and upending travel and holiday plans in countries around the world. But in Zimbabwe and other African nations, the virus's resurgence is threatening the very survival of millions of people who have already been driven to the edge by a pandemic that has devastated their economies. (more)

As Africa's glaciers melt, millions face drought and floods, UN says
20 October 2021 - Africa's fabled eastern glaciers will vanish in two decades, 118 million poor people face drought, floods, or extreme heat, and climate change could shrink the continent's economy by 3% by mid-century, the U.N. climate agency warned on Tuesday [19 Ocotober]. ...The report forecast that at current rates all three of Africa's tropical ice fields -- Tanzania's Kilimanjaro, Kenya's Mount Kenya, and Uganda's Rwenzoris, which are often identified as the location of the legendary Mountains of the Moon -- would be gone by the 2040s. (more)

Fast fashion spurs bleach-like pollution of Africa's rivers - report
17 August 2021 - Global fast fashion brands are helping drive pollution that has dyed African rivers blue or turned their waters as alkaline as bleach, according to a report published on Tuesday [17 August]. Water Witness International's (WWI) report featured the polluted rivers in Lesotho in southern Africa and Tanzania to highlight the risks posed as global brands increasingly source garments from contractors in Africa, attracted by cheap labour and tax incentives. (more)

African elephant recognized as two separate species - both endangered
25 March 2021 - The first ever 'red list' assessment of the African elephant as two separate species -- the forest elephant and savanna elephant -- has found that both are threatened with extinction, according to an updated review of the world's most at-risk plants and animals. (more)

East Africa fears second wave - of locust swarms
16 December 2020 - New swarms of desert locusts are threatening the livelihoods of millions of people in the Horn of Africa and Yemen despite a year of control efforts, the United Nations has warned. The UN says there have been good breeding conditions in eastern Ethiopia and Somalia, with Kenya also at risk. And breeding underway on both sides of the Red Sea poses a new threat to Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. This year had already seen the worst East Africa invasion in 70 years. (more)

Climate change poses growing threats to vulnerable Africa, U.N. says
26 October 2020 - Floods, droughts, hotter weather and a desert locust invasion -- the impacts of climate change are hitting Africa hard, and worse is ahead for the region's food supplies, economy, and health, the U.N. climate agency said on Monday [26 October]. Temperatures have been rising on the continent of 1.2 billion at a comparable rate to other regions, but Africa is exceptionally vulnerable to the shock, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). (more)

How crops are devoured - A close-up look at the locusts swarms devouring the world's crops
9 July 2020 - Huge swarms of desert locusts are wreaking havoc in parts of East Africa, Asia and the Middle East, threatening crops, livelihoods and food supplies. It is already the worst locust infestation in decades, but the forthcoming rainy season could see numbers increase a further 20-fold in some places if swarms are not tackled. What are locusts and why are there so many of them right now? (more)