I have been a fan of Yahoo Mail since the year 2000. I have never had problems with the service until recently. Yahoo has multiplied ads on its sites making it annoying and at times extremely difficult to simply check my email. On the main page there are more than 100 links that include eye catching ads, and news headlines that are well manipulated and rephrased in order to catch your attention. These headlines are used to ignite emotions like fear, surprise and curiosity in a person who is on that page to simply check his or her emails. Clicking on the news headlines will take you either to an article or a video that sometimes takes a long time to stream. The articles will have 2 or 3 banners on the sides advertising for services or products. In addition, these videos usually start with a commercial.
The welcoming page will also contain links to the horoscope, the weather and other useless additions for someone who simply wanted to read an email.  
I thought that the service might be different if I took another server. When I changed it to Yahoo.fr (France)  or Yahoo.co.za (South Africa),it was the same. At times the ad banner popped up and covered the "Mail" button, therefore forcing you to click on the "Close this Ad" button, or click on the ad accidentally or willingly, which in turn redirects you to the product's website; be it Nokia cellphones, a thermos, or an online movie rental.

Dear Yahoo executives, if  you are dealing with the fallen economy by forcing us to click on your ads; I assure you that you will lose many of us. Gmail and Hotmail are always waiting with open arms.

Also on Africa Matata

GRACE RWARAMBA: MICHAEL JACKSON'S WIFE FROM RWANDA?

poster10x (AT) yahoo.ca

Many Africans in the diaspora did not believe that Michael Jackson, the King of Pop died. For them, Michael Jackson represented an iconic figure who is immortal. Jackson, who is believed to have died at UCLA Medical Center after being  taken by paramedics from his Bel Air mansion. Many middle aged Africans  grew up while listening and watching the King of Pop.

"We are the World", the song composed by Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie aimed at aiding those in need from the African continent. Michael Jackson whom Congolese people affectionately call Mukalai Jean Kasongo visited African countries in the early 90s in a very publicised African tour.

Currently, radio stations like Top Congo FM in Kinshasa, Radio Free Africa in Dar'es'salaam are streaming songs of Michael Jackson while receiving calls from listeners who are talking about how they are already missing Michael Jackson in their lives.

By Jensen Smith

Sexual abuse is still a main concern in the Democratic republic of Congo especially around Uvira in the Kivu where militias and government forces are blamed for assaulting innocents victims, including babies.

The United Nations confirms today that 4 girls from the same family ages between 3 and 17 were raped by a gang of combatants. The 3 years old died afterward due to the injuries connected to the abuse.

"Uvira have been the center of horror" says Mushombe, a resident of Uvira who have lost count of how many times he had to run and hide in the mountains because of the Mai-Mai fighters, the Congo government forces, the Burundi army, Rwanda army, Palipehutus and the Banyamulenges. He adds that "every single girl lives in constant fear of being raped, if not killed every single day"

Evison Matafale a Malawi reggae musician died while in police custody in December 2001. His death caused an uproar in the Malawian music community and stir in the Government at the time. Poison is Sweet is a song from his second and last album entitled Kuyimba 1. In the song,the Malawian reggae musician asks: "Do you hate me because I'm talking about it/But this message is rewinding/ A dog will wag its tail when it is happy, a cat will do the same when it wants to kill/the poison is so sweet that's why it's killing many down./Be careful because over excitement can lead you astray" The well chosen lyrics were sung over a rythmic reggae musical arrangement. The piece sung entirely in English is one of the best to convey the message of the dangers of AIDS. In Malawi, according to UNAIDS, 15% of the population is infected with HIV/AIDS.

In his first album, Matafale sung Watsetseleka, a song with lyrics advising Malawian people to be careful and not rush into life's important decisions. To many critics, Evison Matafale is Malawi's greatest musician.

Though Evison Matafale died, his message is still rewinding in the minds of many Malawians.

Chimwemwe  Kamwendo