Madagascar Swears in Young President
 Andry Rojoelina, a 34-year-old former opposition leader and DJ, was sworn in as president of Madagascar this weekend. The inauguration was held at a soccer stadium in the nation’s capital, Antananarivo, and was broadcast on national television, reports CNN. Until last week the nation had been undergoing political upheaval for months. Earlier this year citizens hit the streets in several deadly protests over the nation’s rising food prices, and what they saw as dictator type tendencies from ousted President Marc Ravalomanana. Under mounting pressure, Ravalomanana was forced to step down last week and gave power to the nation’s military. The military then handed power over to Rojoelina and he was confirmed by the country’s high court, reports the news service. But the Southern African Development Community along with U.S. officials are rejecting the government’s legitimacy due to Ravalomanana’s forced resignation. The United States will even temporarily stop sending non-humanitarian aid to the nation. While he has his share of fans, about 4,000 to 6,000 critics of Rojoelina (former mayor of Antananarivo) protested his inauguration at the Place de la Democratie in Antananarivo carrying signs that read, “We do not want a hooligan government.” They also call attention to the fact that the 34-year-old is too young; the nation’s constitution says that 40 is the minimum age for the presidency. 

 
Massive Crowds Converge in Angola for Pope
At his last stop Africa, Pope Benedict XVI gave an outdoor Mass in Angola in front of hundreds of thousands, his largest crowd on the continent yet, reports the BBC. In his speech, the Pope spoke out against the “destructive power of civil strife” on the continent and asked Africans to reach out to believers of witchcraft and spirits and bring them to church. “When God’s word … is neglected, and when God’s law is ridiculed, despised, laughed at, the result can only be destruction and injustice,” the Pope said, speaking about the civil upheaval across the continent. Catholics make up 55 percent of Angola’s population. Sunday’s Mass saw scorching temperatures and several in the crowd suffered from heat stroke. The Pope’s Saturday appearance, however, turned deadly when two women died in a crush of people trying to get into the stadium. At Sunday’s mass the Pope conveyed his sympathy over the losses. “I express my solidarity to their families and friends and my deep sorrow because this happened while they were coming to see me,” he said. The Mass marked the last day of the Pope’s week-long visit on the continent, which also included a stop in Cameroon.

Madagascar Leader Forced to Resign
In the face of pressure from the opposition Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana announced he will resign and give leadership over to the nation’s military, reports the BBC. The 34-year-old opposition leader and former disc jockey, Andry Rojoelina, will most likely take over the presidency. He has actually already set up shop in the presidential offices, which were taken over Monday by pro-opposition troops. According to the nation’s constitution, a candidate has to be at least 40 to be considered for the presidency. Shortly after taking over the offices Tuesday, Rojoelina announced there will be both a new constitution and new elections within the next two years in front of thousands of cheering supporters. Neighboring nations, however, don’t like the way the transfer was handled at all. “We don’t think anybody has the right to unseat an elected government by force,” Botswana’s Foreign Minister Phando Skelemani told the BBC. The atmosphere following the takeover was one of relief, reports the news service, as it had been feared that Ravalomanana would initiate a bloody showdown with troops to hold on to the presidency. Since Ravalomanana’s reelection in 2006, Madagascar has seen more foreign investment; but Rojoelina accuses the president of misusing the public’s money. Most of the population, 70 percent, live on less than $1 a day, reports the BBC.  Ravalomanana supporters, however, say Rojoelina just wants to start trouble and doesn’t really have any solutions to the nation’s problems.

Haitian City Suffering Water Shortage
Months after the Caribbean nation’s devastating hurricane season, Gonaives, Haiti is suffering from a lack of drinking water. The city was under 2.6 million tons of mud after last year’s back-to-back storms that also damaged the city’s drinking water network, reports the BBC. Those without clean water to drink have to depend on United Nations of NGO tankers, or have to take the risk of drinking dirty water. In particular, the city of Gonaives’ widespread deforestation has left it open to natural disasters and interruptions in the city’s water cycle, the news service reports.

Lyfe Jennings allegedly threatened woman. Star performer Chester “Lyfe” Jennings is free on $50,000 bond after an incident allegedly involving a gun, chase and car wreck. Jennings, who served 10 years in prison for arson before launching his music career, is accused of kicking in a door in Georgia, firing a pistol in the street and fleeing Smyrna, Ga. cops before he crashed his vehicle. Jennings was on a rampage in search of his children’s mother, police say. He faces trespass and weapons charges, a count of eluding police and a driving under the influence. Jennings’ mentor Yolanda “LaLa” Brown was murdered a year ago this week in a case that’s still unsolved.

Actress longs for role as Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes.

A star of the – for some reason – popular “High School Musical” franchise has dreams of portraying an actual musical performer on screen. Monique Coleman says she’d love to take on the role of the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in a film about Lopes’ old group TLC. Lopes died at age 30 after a 2002 car crash in Honduras. As part of the R&B trio for which she rapped and co-wrote, the entertainer helped sell 22 million records. Lopes also made news for her devastating arson to the mansion of one-time boyfriend and NFL star Andre Rison.

Will.i.am writes Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa tracks. Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am is the voice of Moto Moto as well as the writer of four original tracks in the forthcoming Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. The animated film opens nationwide Nov. 7. The soundtrack, will.i.am’s first musical movie contribution, is set for release three days before the movie. The performer is best known for his Grammy-winning work with one of the world’s biggest pop groups.