Last Wednesday, people representing 175 countries reached a historic agreement to tackle the problems of plastic. The deal will lead to a treaty that could help clean up plastic pollution around the world, and even put limits on new plastic in the future.
Published in “Africa”
Every year, as many as 50,000 elephants in Africa are killed illegally for their ivory tusks. Now scientists have improved DNA methods that allow them to match up tusks, and help track down criminal gangs that are selling the ivory.
Cyclone Batsirai plowed into Madagascar on Saturday, with strong winds and heavy rains. The cyclone left a trail of destruction, and brought serious new problems to Madagascar, which is still struggling after being pounded by Tropical Storm Ana two weeks ago.
Over the last month, Africa's best national soccer (football) teams have met in the continent's biggest tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations. On Sunday, Senegal won the contest for the first time, defeating Egypt 4-2 on penalties.
Members of the military have taken over Burkina Faso in a coup, removing the elected president, Roch Kaboré. Many people in Burkina Faso support the coup. Mr. Kaboré became less popular because he wasn't able to stop attacks on the country by violent Islamic groups.
Uganda opened its schools yesterday for the first time in nearly two years. It's the longest school shutdown of any country in the world. Though students, teachers, and parents are excited for school to begin again, many students won't be returning.
Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok stepped down on Sunday, as the country's military continued its harsh crackdown on protesters. Large numbers of protesters have been gathering in the streets since the military took control of the country in a coup in late October.
Adama Barrow has been re-elected as president of Gambia. Though two other candidates say they'll challenge the results, people watching the voting say the election was fair. It was the country's first election without long-time dictator Yahya Jammeh.
Last Saturday, 30 white rhinos were loaded into an airplane in South Africa and flown to their new home in Rwanda. The organizers of the move hope the rhinos will be able to settle in the new area, and that their numbers will grow.