GENEVA (Reuters) - Nearly 12 million Africans deemed at highest risk from yellow fever will be vaccinated next week against the virus, which can cause explosive epidemics in cities, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday.

The World Health Organisation announced on Tuesday that the largest ever round of yellow fever vaccinations, for about 12 million people, would be launched in three West African countries next week.

Pop stars, politicians and a president are among those expected to attend the African Nations Cup draw being staged by tournament host Angola here on Friday.

African superstars Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o and Michael Essien will discover Friday who they face at the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola.

World Cup qualifiers Ghana and Ivory Coast will clash in the first round of the African Nations Cup after the draw here Friday placed them in Group B with Burkina Faso and Togo.

World Cup qualifiers Ghana and Ivory Coast will clash in the first round of the African Nations Cup after the draw here Friday placed them in Group B with Burkina Faso and Togo.

Ivory Coast coach Vahid Halilhodzic brimmed with confidence here Friday despite having to face fellow World Cup qualifiers Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso in the African Nations Cup 'Group of Death'.

West African regional bloc ECOWAS Friday banned the transfer of arms by the 15 member states except for legitimate defence, security and peacekeeping operations, a senior official said.

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Tunisia scored early and Nigeria late Sunday to ensure a thrilling 2010 World Cup Group B qualifying race in Africa will go down to the wire next month.

Tunisia scored early and Nigeria late Sunday to ensure a thrilling 2010 World Cup Group B qualifying race in Africa will go down to the wire next month.

The Live Earth environmental series return in April with a focus on water -- and with a surprise sponsor, the US-based Dow Chemical Company.

A few kilometers from Benin's conference centre where France's former president Jacques Chirac launched a global campaign against counterfeit drugs this week, hundreds of vendors make brisk business peddling all types of bogus pharmaceuticals.

Ali Bongo Ondimba, son of Gabon's late strongarm leader, was sworn in as president on Friday at a ceremony attended by other African leaders.

Ali Bongo Ondimba, son of Gabon's late strongarm leader, was sworn in as president on Friday at a ceremony attended by other African leaders.

Ali Bongo Ondimba, son of Gabon's late strongarm leader, was sworn in as president on Friday nearly two months after his hotly disputed election victory.

Ali Bongo Ondimba, son of Gabon's late strong-arm leader, was sworn in as president on Friday nearly two months after his hotly disputed election victory.

Ali Bongo Ondimba, son of Gabon's late strong-arm leader, was sworn in as president on Friday nearly two months after his hotly disputed election victory and immediately reappointed the incumbent prime minister.

Ali Bongo Ondimba, son of Gabon's late strong-arm leader, was sworn in as president on Friday nearly two months after his hotly disputed election victory and immediately reappointed the incumbent prime minister.

It has not rained much recently in the northern regions of Benin in west Africa, the soil is hard and cracking. But from it sprout small and precious white flowers of organic cotton.