Everything you need to know about Liberia: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
Liberia: Africa's Oldest Republic and Founded by Former Slaves
Liberia is Africa’s first republic and country created by freed slaves from America in 1822 that today constitute 5% of Liberia’s population but the majority of its ruling elite and intellectuals. The country witness more than two decades of civil strife that left over 2,50,000 people dead. In 2006 Sir Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became Liberia’s and Africa’s first woman President and promised to quickly resuscitate Liberia’s ailing economy. Charles Taylor, the country’s former President in exile in Nigeria was handed over to the ICCin Hague for war crimes during his reign that killed scores of people in Sierra Leone.
Liberia Facts:
Liberia experiences tropical climate with dry dust-laden Harmattan winds blowing during the months of November to March.
Culture and Cuisine of Liberia:
Liberia is composed of 16 different ethnic groups that can be differentiated into 5 groups: Mel, Kwa, Mande-Fu, Mande-Tan and the Repatriated consisting of Americo-Liberians, Congolese and Caribbean people. Liberians are well known for their textile arts and quilting skills. These quilts have been gifted to visiting heads of state to Liberia.
Rice forms the primary food of Liberia and is the centrepiece of all Liberian cuisines. Meat and fish are used more for garnishing and as a sauce rather than being the main ingredients. Fruits are consumed in plenty and mangoes, citrus, bananas are eaten throughout the day.
Liberia Economy:
Liberian Economy has been ruined by decades of civil strife and war due to which there are no pliable roads and electricity mains even in Monrovia, Liberia’s capital. Exports of iron ore and rubber were at one time the principal drivers of Liberian economy but later on various Liberian rulers exploited the regions diamond wealth for their personal benefit that resulted in Liberia becoming the regions top illegal diamond trading hub. Today the country is faced with over 85% unemployment rate, which is second only to Nauru.
Liberia Tourist Attractions:
With the coastal waters as the perfect backdrop Liberia offers many exciting places to visit for the indulgent tourist. Some of the popular Liberian tourist destinations include:
Lake Piso: Lake Piso is located just 75 miles from the capital city of Monrovia and served as a US Navy base during the second WW.
Providence Island: Located at the mouth of the Mesurado river it was the landing site of the freed slaves, Liberia’s founding fathers who came here in 1822.
Sapo National Park: Liberia’s first national park is home to many indigenous species like pygmy hippo, forest elephant, bongo antelope, leopard etc.
New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) In the current calendar year, ONGC remain unbeaten in their home matches at the Ambedkar Stadium. They have scalped United Sikkim FC, East Bengal, and Salgaocar and drawn with league leaders Churchill Brothers and Santosh Kashyap's team will try and extend the streak when they meet fancied Pune FC Sunday.
Kampala, April 9 (IANS) The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) sacked the coach of their national team, Bobby Williamson.
New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) 'Solar grandmothers' from as far as Africa and Latin America Friday marked International Women's Day with song and dance as they celebrated the Indian government's unique initiative that has helped light up their lives and homes and of many others.
Pune, Feb 16 (IANS) I-League side Pune FC signed up Liberia-born Australian striker Boima Jerry Karpeh replacing Japanese Daisuke Nishiguchi for the last stretch of the league.
London, Feb 1 (IANS) Children in Britain just want to be famous like footballers and pop stars and have no interest in becoming doctors and lawyers, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.
Washington, Jan 18 (IANS/RIA Novosti) As a young girl growing up in the Soviet Union, New York-based filmmaker Yelena Demikovsky was captivated by "The Circus", a 1936 Stalin-era musical about a white American circus performer and her illegitimate black son who find racial harmony and acceptance in the Soviet Union.
London, Jan 7 (IANS) In a novel approach to disseminate news, a Liberian newspaper is being produced on blackboards instead of publishing the news items in the traditional way.
Monrovia, Oct 24 (IANS) Discussions are underway between India and Liberia to construct a solar energy centre in the West African country, an official said Wednesday.
Kathmandu, Aug 25 (IANS) Nepal is set to introduce a new visa regime in an attempt to discourage foreign criminals from using Nepal as a transit point to sneak into a third country and also as a haven for refugees, an official said.
Oslo, Aug 22 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik is planning to write an autobiography, in which he would talk about at least two Norwegian organisations to which he belonged.
London, July 30(ANI): One of Britain's topmost civil liberties campaigners Shami Chakrabarti has said she feared her involvement in London Olympics opening ceremony as a flag bearer due to her lack of personal sacrifice.
Addis Ababa, July 23 (IANS) It's a dream come true for African women, says Litha Musyimi-Ogana, the African Union's chief pointsperson on gender issues as she hails the election of the first female head of the AU Commission, saying more women in positions of power will spur the continent's resurgence.
Addis Ababa, July 15 (IANS) Africa exalted the spirit of women power and empowerment as Liberia's President Ellen Johnoson Sirleaf, the first female elected head of state in the continent, Saturday asked the international community to support the quest for food security in the 54-nation region.
Addis Ababa, July 14 (IANS) Africa Saturday toasted the spirit of women power and empowerment as Liberia's President Ellen Johnoson Sirleaf, the first female elected head of state in the continent, exhorted the international community to support the quest for food security in the 54-nation region.
New Delhi, July 5 (IANS) An Indian business delegation of over 100 members, led by Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, will visit Ghana next week to explore business opportunities between the two countries.
Cape Town, June 20 (IANS) The Interpol seized nearly two tonnes of elephant ivory in an operation involving 14 African countries, including South Africa, it was announced here Tuesday.
Washington, June 13 (ANI): Since 1990, annual maternal deaths have declined by almost one half and the deaths of young children have declined from 12 million to 7.6 million in 2010, according to a new report.
Kampala (Uganda), June 9 (IANS) Senegal's head coach Joseph Koto is confident his team will pick three points against Uganda Saturday when the two teams clash in a 2014 World Cup qualifier at Namboole Stadium on the outskirts of the Ugandan capital Kampala.
Monrovia, May 31 (IANS) Liberia will take on Senegal in the first leg of a 2014 FIFA football World Cup qualifier June 2.
The Hague, May 30 (IANS) Liberia's ex-president Charles Taylor was sentenced to 50 years in jail by a UN-backed war crimes court Wednesday for aiding and abetting rebels in Sierra Leone during the 1991-2002 civil war.
New York, May 27 (IANS) Three Indians who were killed during UN peacekeeping operations will be among over 100 security personnel to be honoured at a ceremony at the UN Headquarters here.
Moscow, May 24 (IANS) A former Russian pilot, who is serving 20 years in prison in the US for attempted drug trafficking, has complained of racial and religious discrimination against him.
UNITED NATIONS, Apr 28 (Xinhua-ANI): The members of the UN Security Council said in a press statement released here Friday that they welcome the verdict issued against former Liberian leader Charles Taylor, which deemed that he is guilty of several violations of international law.
Liberia, Apr 27(ANI): Former Liberian president Charles Taylor has been found guilty of arming Sierra Leone rebels, who paid him in "blood diamonds".
London, Sept 25(ANI): Chelsea footballer Didier Drogba, who had lost his family members in Ivory Coast civil war, has vowed to foster world peace and involve himself in the post-conflict resolution.
London, Sept 16 (ANI): The number of children under five who die each year has dropped from 12 million in 1990, to 7.6 million last year, the United Nations (UN) has said.
New Delhi, Sep.9 (ANI): A 120-member-strong peacekeeping contingent from India was sent to West Africa's troubled Liberia from New Delhi on Friday.
New Delhi, July 30 (ANI): Sardar Upjit Singh Sachdeva, the present Honorary Consul General of India in Liberia, has been conferred with the Knight Grand Commander, Liberia's highest award during the 164th Indepence Day celebrations in northern city of Voinjama, Lofa County, around 400 kilometers from Liberia's national capital Monrovia.
New Delhi, July 19 (ANI): India and the United States on Tuesday said that they intend to expamd strategic consultations to ensure global stability and prosperity.
London, June 16 (ANI): Nelson Mandela charity boss Jeremy Ractliffe, who accepted alleged 'blood diamonds' from Naomi Campbell, has denied supermodel's claim that she did not knew that the diamonds came from Charles Taylor, the Liberian warlord.
New Delhi, Apr 12 (ANI): The Enforcement Directorate is to attach properties worth Rs 130 crore allegedly belonging to former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda and his aides.
Tripoli, Mar 16(ANI): Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi tapped his country's vast oil reserves to sprinkle billions of dollars around sub-Saharan Africa to buy allies for his regime.
New Delhi, Mar. 15 (ANI): The Israel Navy on Tuesday confirmed that its fighters had intercepted a cargo vessel "Victoria" loaded with various weaponry.
Monrovia (Liberia), Mar. 1 (ANI): The Liberian Foreign Ministry has said there is no record of Upjit Singh Sachdeva, India's Honorary Consul General in Liberia, of seeking or being granted political asylum by its government.
United Nations, Feb 25 (ANI): To effectively maintain international peace and security, China will perform its duty as the rotating president of the UN Security Council in March in a fair, neutral way.
Washington, Feb.15 (ANI): Seven people including two Americans have been charged by the United States for conspiring to aid the Taliban, ccording to US officials, two Americans, identified as Alwar Pouryan and Oded Orbach were arrested in Romania for conspiring to sell missiles to protect Taliban-run heroin laboratories in Afghanistan.
Monrovia, Feb 12 (ANI): Former Liberian President Charles Taylor might have hidden as much as 400 million dollars of his wealth from prosecutors, the whistle blowing website Wikileaks have revealed.
Nevada (US), Nov 26 (ANI): In a remarkable interfaith gesture, Nevada (USA) celebrated its 25th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Service on November 24 evening at Trinity Episcopal Church in Reno with various religions/denominations coming together to pray.
Nevada (US), Nov 22 (ANI): Sending early Thanksgiving greetings to fellow Americans, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed has urged them to "make a positive difference in the lives of people around you" as an expression of gratitude.
London, Aug 14 (ANI): Naomi Campbell was apparently 'excited' to meet Charles Taylor, former Liberian leader, and had promised to visit his country.
New York, Aug 6 (ANI): Naomi Campbell wants to get war crimes tribunal 'to get over with' and get on with her life.
London, Aug 6 (ANI): British supermodel Naomi Campbell, while testifying at the war crimes trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, said that that she gave alleged 'blood diamonds' to the head of Nelson Mandela's children's charity.
London, Aug 5 (ANI): British supermodel Naomi Campbell, while testifying at the war crimes trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, said that she received 'dirty rocks.'
London, Aug 04 (ANI): Supermodel Naomi Campbell has been granted special protection when she testifies at a UN war crimes tribunal over claims that she was given a blood diamond by Liberia's ex president Charles Taylor.
Melbourne, August 02 (ANI): British supermodel Naomi Campbell has requested for strict measures to maintain privacy at The Hague, in the Netherlands, where she will testify at a war crimes trial over allegations that she had accepted a 'blood diamond'.
Washington, July 31 (ANI): In a study focusing on a region of Liberia, researchers found that the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) remains high nearly two decades after the principal conflict there and five years after war in Liberia ended entirely.
New Delhi, July 26 (ANI): An Indian delegation led by Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Vivek Katju participated in the Executive Council Session of the 15th Summit of the African Union held in Kampala, Uganda.
Rawalpindi, July 25(ANI): United Nations' cargo vessel "MV Aegean Glory", which was earlier detained by Indian authorities at the Kolkata port, has reached Karachi dockyard.
London, July 23 (ANI): British supermodel Naomi Campbell will testify in the ongoing war crimes trials against former president of Liberia, Charles Taylor in August (10).
London, July 18 (ANI): Naomi Campbell's testimony can prove crucial in the trial of Charles Taylor, the former President of Liberia, who is said to have gifted the British supermodel a rough-cut diamond after a 1997 dinner, say prosecutors.
London, July 10 (ANI): Naomi Campbell will be attending Charles Taylor's war crimes trial to give evidence about "blood diamond," which she allegedly received from Liberia's former president.
Islamabad, July 2 (ANI): The United Nations (UN) has blamed the captain of the Pakistan-bound ship carrying decommissioned weaponry from a UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia responsible for the circumstances leading to its detention by India last month.
Washington, July 02 (ANI): British supermodel Naomi Campbell could be jailed for up to 7 years if she refuses to give evidence in an ongoing trial of ex-President of Liberia, Charles Taylor.
London, July 01 (ANI): British model Naomi Campbell is to be summoned for giving evidence in Charles Taylor's war crimes trial, it has emerged.
Islamabad, June 28 (ANI): Pakistan has objected to India seizing a Karachi bound ship which purportedly carried huge cache of arms and ammunition, saying the sea carrier was on duty of the UN Peacekeeping forces.
Kolkata, June 27(ANI): The dubious Pakistan-bound ship, MV Aegean Glory, was on Sunday brought to Kolkata port by the Coast Guard and the Calcutta Port Trust authorities.
Kolkata, June 27 (ANI): A Karachi-bound ship, which was intercepted on the Hooghly with UN peacekeeping mission arms and ammunition, is all set to sail for the Kolkata port amid tight security on Sunday for thorough investigation.
Washington, Apr.2 (ANI): The United States is reportedly planning to discontinue its policy of nationality based security checks of America bound travellers and would now select passengers for special scrutiny at airports on possible matches to intelligence information, including physical descriptions or a particular travel pattern.
London, Mar 5 (ANI): A UN programme on HIV/Aids has warned that HIV is fast becoming the leading cause of death and disease among women of reproductive age worldwide.
New Delhi, Feb 9(ANI): The Union Government has arranged to bring Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi back to India by a special aircraft with the required medical support on board and is expected to reach Chennai on Wednesday midnight from Abidjan, Ivory Cost.
New Delhi, Feb 8 (ANI): The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Monday flagged of its fourth women contingent to Liberia for a United Nations Peace Keeping assignment.
Melbourne, Jan 15 (ANI): Charles Taylor, former president of Liberia, gave a "blood diamond" to charm supermodel Naomi Campbell, according to war crimes prosecutors.
Ranchi, Dec 9 (ANI): Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda and his Kamalesh Singh, accused in the multi crore mine scam, were admitted to hospital here on Wednesday after courts direction for the same.
Ranchi, Nov 3 (ANI): Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda today ducked IT interrogation by getting himself admitted to Ranchi Apollo Hospital in pretext of acute stomach pain.
Ranchi, Nov. 1 (ANI): Income Tax department on Sunday reportedly claimed that it has found evidence of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda's link to "unaccounted" money transactions amounting to Rs 400 crore.
Ranchi, Nov. 1 (ANI): Income tax officials on Sunday continued raids at the addresses linked with former Jharkhand chief ministers Madhu Koda and Shibu Soren.
New Delhi, Oct. 31 (ANI): Income tax officials conducted nationwide raids on Saturday at various addresses linked with former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda and his associates.
New Delhi, Oct.20 (ANI): Social activist Kailash Satyarthi of the Bachpan Bachao Andolan will be presented the coveted 2009 Defender of Democracy Award by the Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) on Tuesday evening (Oct.20).
New Delhi, Sept 22 (ANI): Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor met Congress President Sonia Gandhi here today and is reported to have discussed his "cattle class" comment on the social network site Twitter.
Monrovia (Liberia), Sep.18 (ANI): India and Liberia issued a Joint Statement on Friday under which both countries have agreed to take their bilateral relations to the next level.
New Delhi, Sep.18 (ANI): The Congress party on Friday said it would take appropriate action against Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor for his "cattle class" comments through the medium of Twitter at the appropriate time.
Washington, September 6 (ANI): Three Brown University economists have come up with a unique way for measuring economic growth in developing countries-using images of night time lights as seen from outer space.
Monrovia (Liberia), Sep.4 (ANI): One of the six Pakistanis, who was trying to enter Liberia on 'fake' US passports but was arrested, swallowed his mobile phone sim- card while being apprehended.
London, July 1 (ANI): A clinical trial is being launched in three African countries of a drug that could eliminate onchocerciasis, or river blindness, one of the leading infectious causes of blindness across Africa.
London, May 31 (IANS) India is hoping that two Indian sailors will be allowed to leave South Korea 'very quickly' after being held in the southeast Asian country for over 18 months for an oil spillage that they did not cause.
New Delhi, May 28 (IANS) Four UN peacekeepers from India will be honoured posthumously Friday at a function to mark the International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers at the New York headquarters of the organisation.
Beijing, Apr.16 (ANI): China has called up its first black athlete to play a key role in China's push for gold at the London Olympics in 2012.
Washington, Feb 21 (ANI): A new study has found that more than 80 percent of the world's major armed conflicts from 1950-2000 occurred in regions identified as the most biologically diverse and threatened places on Earth.
Dhaka, Jan 3 (IANS) Indian fugitive Anup Chetia, who completed his jail term in Bangladesh in 2004, is awaiting the Dhaka High Court's verdict on his plea for political asylum, a media report said Saturday.
Conakry (Guinea), Dec 25 (DPA) The leader of a military coup attempt in Guinea has declared himself president after a triumphant parade through the streets of the capital here.
Monrovia (Liberia), Dec 3 (DPA) The Liberian government has put the final number of prisoners who escaped in a mass jail break earlier this week at 200.
New York, Nov 26 (DPA) More than five million people have signed a petition to support the UN campaign to end violence against women, a programme spearheaded by Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman, the UN has said.
London, Nov 15 (IANS) Senior Indian officials expect progress by November end in efforts to secure the release of two Indian seamen that New Delhi says are being unjustly detained in South Korea.
New Delhi, Nov 3 (IANS) India Monday called for greater trade co-operation with African diamond producing nations - Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Congo - to name a few.
New Delhi, Oct 30 (IANS) Representatives of 74 countries will brainstorm over four days from Nov 3 on issues related to trade in 'conflict diamonds' that are mined and used by rebel groups to finance wars.
Washington, Oct 23 (IANS) Archaeologists have dug up what is believed to be one of the earliest US examples of African spirit practises.
More than 300 senior representatives of seafarers and shipowners, along with governments, are to meet here between 15 and 26 September
New Delhi, Sept 9 (ANI): Israel's Chief of Army Staff, Major General Avi Mizrahi, met the three service chiefs -- General Deepak Malhotra, Admiral Sureesh Mehta and Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major on Tuesday, and will be visiting the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) this evening.
New Delhi, Sept 9 (ANI): Israel's Chief of Army Staff, Major General Avi Mizrahi, met the three service chiefs -- General Deepak Malhotra, Admiral Sureesh Mehta and Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major on Tuesday, and will be visiting the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) this evening.
Johannesburg, Aug 17 (ANI): South African President Thabo Mbeki called for an immediate settlement between Zimbabwe's political rivals to find a way to end the country's political crisis.
Washington, July 26 (ANI): US President George W Bush has acknowledged that Pakistan has made a democratic progress.
Working against the expectation of Musharraf, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, PML (N), the two deserving
