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International community must help Darfur become self-sufficient 8211 UN official

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:15:43 -0400

22 May 2013 150 The United Nations humanitarian chief today stressed the international community must do more to ensure the people of Sudan's Darfur region can better provide for themselves. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos, who is currently on a four-day visit to Darfur, said she was disappointed that after 10 years of humanitarian operations, the region is ...

Obama Speech Attempts to Fulfill Pledges For More Transparency

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:15:03 -0400

WHITE HOUSE The Obama administration on Wednesday formally acknowledged the killing of four Americans in drone strikes. This came on the eve of a speech by President Barack Obama about the legal principles supporting use of drones against terrorist suspects, and about detention policies. The use of drone warfare and targeted killings, including of Americans helping al-Qaida or ...

World motorsport chief to visit Botswana

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:50:01 -0400

The president of the world motorsport governing body, Federation Internationale de I' Automobile (FIA), Jean Todt is scheduled to visit Botswana in August, Botswana Motorsport Association (BMSA) has confirmed. BMSA secretary general Joseph Khengere said Tuesday they had been in consultations with the FIA since affiliating to them earlier this year and the president will pay a visit to Botswana, ...

Uganda signs new national football coach

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:50:01 -0400

Serbia-born Sredojevic Milutin has been confirmed as the new coach of Uganda's national football team. He signed a two-year contract Tuesday and will start his work with an away friendly game to Libya June 1, reports Xinhua. The Federation of Uganda Football Association, the country's football governing body, unveiled the coach at its headquarters in the capital here. The appointment follows ...

Indian vice president visit to Ethiopia

Wed, 22 May 2013 06:50:02 -0400

Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari will visit Ethiopia to attend the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Organisation of African Unity/African Union (AU) on May 25. The visit is indicative of the systemic improvement of trade and political relations between India and Africa, an official of the Ethiopian foreign ministry said. "India has been a great support in Africa's development and it would ...

Questions raised over valuation dropping Guptas property price in S. Africa

Wed, 22 May 2013 01:50:03 -0400

An objection has been lodged over an error on the 2013 property valuation of a property owned by the well-connected Indian family in Johannesburg. Spokesperson Kgamanyane Maphologela said the City objected to valuations on four out of 14 properties belonging to the Gupta family. According to news 24, Maphologela was responding to a report in the Saturday Star that one of the properties' value ...

Revision of Mental Illness Guide Stirs Debate

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:18:40 -0400

A long-anticipated revision of an official diagnostic guide to mental illness, known as the DSM-5, was released this week. While the new manual is being welcomed by some doctors as reflecting advancements in the understanding and diagnosis of mental disorders, critics say its definitions of psychiatric conditions are based too much on symptoms and too little on the biological causes of mental ...

US Lawmakers Pledge to Back Israel Against Iran

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:18:39 -0400

The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved a resolution affirming America's firm opposition to Iran's nuclear ambitions, and pledging full support for Israel in the event of an Israeli military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities. The chance to slam Iran’s government and speak up for Israel brought a rare moment of complete bipartisan unity to the Senate. Republican ...

Ghana raises benchmark rate to 16

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:13:32 -0400

The Bank of Ghana unexpectedly raised its benchmark interest rate by one percentage point to stabilize a weakening currency as inflation reached a three-year high, Bloomberg News ...

Electricity World Bank to assist Nigeria generate 2000MW

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:13:31 -0400

The World Bank has said it will help Nigeria to generate additional 2,000 megawatts of electricity in the next two years through support to independent power ...

Aviation policy 20 private jets leave Nigeria

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:13:30 -0400

About 20 private jets registered abroad but flying in Nigeria may have left the country barely one month after the Federal Government unveiled a new policy barring foreign-owned aircraft from staying in the country beyond 15 days, aviation industry sources have ...

UN relief chief urges bridges between humanitarian development work in Darfur

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:03:45 -0400

UN relief chief on Wednesday expressed disappointment that Sudan's Darfur region is still not self-reliant, calling for stronger bridges between humanitarian and development ...

EU dissatisfied at delays returning frozen assets to north African countries

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:58:16 -0400

The EU froze billions of euro in assets from former Libyan, Tunisian and Egyptian regimes during the uprisings but now says confusion over ownership and judicial procedure has delayed their ...

China-Africa Towards More Sustainable Health Care

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:56:16 -0400

Credit: ChimpLearnGood/ flickr By Paul Kadetz In 1941, Mao Zedongcalledfor a "practice of revolutionary humanitarianism". 14 years later in Bandung, Indonesia, China’s Premier Zhou Enlai met with other Asian leaders to chart a distinctly anti-colonial approach to humanitarianism and diplomacy on the African continent. From its first health aid to Algeria in 1964, China has ...

Will Kenyas new president respect international court

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:37:07 -0400

At his inauguration on April 9, Kenya's new president, Uhuru Kenyatta, promised to uphold "international obligations". This was most likely a reference to the International Criminal Court. Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto, are to stand trial before the ICC for crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the country's election-related violence in 2007 and 2008. ...

British PM London Killing Appears to be Terrorism

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:09:16 -0400

British Prime Minister David Cameron says the daylight killing of a man on a south London street near an army barracks appears to be a terrorist ...

Militants Turn Nigeria into Christian Killing Field

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:54:43 -0400

Last year more Christians were killed in Nigeria than any other country. The onslaught of bombings gave Nigeria the sad distinction of being the nation with the highest Christian death toll. More than 900 Christians reportedly were killed in Nigeria in 2012, all victims of the Boko Haram group and other Islamic militants. "They are so radical they don't even spare Muslims. If Muslims ...

IHT Special In Morocco TV Is Part of Power Game

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:42:13 -0400

Morocco 's Islamist-led government in April last year to make television reform one of its top priorities has turned the country's media industry into a pawn in an escalating power tussle between the governing Justice and Development Party and the Royal ...

US Officially Acknowledges Drone Strike Killings

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:00:27 -0400

The U.S. Justice Department has formally acknowledged that the United States has killed four American citizens in drone strikes in Yemen and Pakistan since ...

Italian Judge Orders Criminal Trial for Costa Concordia Captain

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:00:27 -0400

An Italian judge has ordered the captain of the capsized cruise ship Costa Concordia to stand trial for the deaths of 32 passengers. Captain Francesco Schettino has been charged with manslaughter, causing a shipwreck, and abandoning ship before all the passengers were safe. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The Costa Concordia struck rocks and capsized off the coast of ...

Free Market Reforms Needed to Fix Venezuelas Socialist Economic Problems

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:00:26 -0400

In Venezuela, the laws of supply and demand are undermining the socialist revolution started by the late President Hugo Chavez. Since Chavez’s hand-picked successor Nicolas Maduro won the Venezuelan presidential election in April - by a margin of less than 2 percent - high inflation and a shortage of staple goods are now leading many on both sides of this politically-divided country to ...

Calls Grow For An End to Sexual Assaults in US Military

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:00:26 -0400

THE PENTAGON -- A recent Pentagon report says the number of sexual assaults among people in the military continues to grow. The estimated number of incidents, ranging from groping to rape, increased by 37 percent last year. Both men and women were victims. This is prompting them, and activists, to push for deep changes in the US military. More women are on active military duty than ever ...

HRT Expects to Start Drilling Second Namibia Well in Two Weeks

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:55:24 -0400

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian oil startup HRT Participacoes em Petroleo SA expects to start drilling on its second well offshore Namibia in two weeks, Chief Executive Milton Franke said Wednesday. "The Murombe prospect is only 15 kilometers from Wingat," Mr. Franke said during a conference call with analysts. The drilling rig will be moved to Murombe shortly, the executive added. ...

Tunisia feminist arrested for defacing mosque

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:29:25 -0400

A young woman was arrested in Tunisia on May 19 after she spray-painted the name of a feminist group on the wall of a mosque. Amina Tyler was jailed when she wrote "Femen" on the exterior of a mosque in the town of Kairouan. Femen is an international group whose members have drawn attention by appearing topless in public; Tyler was fully ...

Africa Obama Visit to Reinforce Deep Ties - Rep. Karen Bass

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:23:50 -0400

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa released the following statement after the White House announced President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will travel to Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania next month: "President Obama’s travel to sub-Saharan Africa presents an opportunity to reinforce our deep ...

Iraqi Police Gunmen Kill at Least 12 in Baghdad Brothel

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:51:47 -0400

Civilians gather at the scene of a car bomb attack in Kamaliyah neighborhood, a predominantly Shiite area of eastern Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, May 20, ...

Opposition Groups Call for Swaziland Election Boycott

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:51:47 -0400

King of Swaziland Mswati III (Front) and one of his 13 wives disembark from a plane after arriving at Katunayake International airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 13, 2012. ...

Transitional Justice Elusive in Arab Spring Nations

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:51:47 -0400

Egyptian riot police take up positions outside the building where former president Hosni Mubarak is being tried in connection with the killing of Arab Spring ...

UN expanding mine action work in Mali

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:50:07 -0400

UNMAS Mali is training and working with local Malian military and police to clear landmines and unexploded ordinance in the northern part of the country. Photo: UNMAS/Marc ...

South African Government Contribution to Fully Fund World Champ Swim Team

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:48:11 -0400

By Neville Smith, ZwemZaJOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 22. SPORT Minister Fikile Mbalula has announced has announced that his department will offer financial assistance to the cash strapped national swimming federation Swimming South Africa.The R2,7million sponsorship will help the national team's campaign at the forthcoming FINA World Swimming Championships that will take place in ...

Kenya Isiolo airport terminus construction starts

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:48:06 -0400

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) says the construction, which is the second phase of the modernisation process, will take the airport to international standards. The first phase of the Isiolo International Airport was the construction of 1.4 kilometres runway that was completed last year. During the commissioning of the airport, retired President Kibaki said upgrading Isiolo airstrip to an ...

Kenya Set up sexual violence recovery centres in every county TJRC recommends

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:48:05 -0400

sexual violence were not able to obtain the crucial medical attention (commonly known as PEP -- Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). PEP is required to be administered within 72 hours after the violation to prevent HIV/Aids and sexually transmitted infections as well as unwanted pregnancies. According ...

Kenya Kiplagat team wants autonomous committee to implement report

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:48:04 -0400

report on Tuesday, observers say the harder part of the task has just begun: implementing the findings and recommendations therein to redress widespread human rights violations spanning nearly five ...

Kenya TJRC reports asks President Uhuru to make apology on torture

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:48:03 -0400

In it's finding, the Commission stated that each of the three successive political regimes of the late President Jomo Kenyatta, retired presidents Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki failed to stop the practice. The report recommends that President Uhuru Kenyatta offers a public apology to all victims ...

U.S. Non-Intervention In Syria Could Mirror Outcome In Congo

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:44:49 -0400

This week, we're exploring how lessons learned from U.S. intervention and non-intervention in foreign conflicts can inform policy decisions toward Syria today. Robert Siegel talks with Chester Crocker, formerly assistant secretary of state for African affairs in the Reagan administration, about how the U.S. has dealt with the decades-long conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has ...

Tunisia Salafist spokesman released on bail

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:37:57 -0400

Ansar al-Sharia spokesman Seifeddine Rais, detained in the Tunisian city of Kairouan at the weekend as police enforced a government ban on its annual congress, was released on bail on Wednesday, ...

EU approves sending border security advisers to Libya

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:20:52 -0400

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union governments approved a mission on Wednesday to help Libya improve its border security in response to concerns that Islamist militants and weapons move freely across the North African country's ...

Foreign Students in Oklahoma Confront Tornado Threat

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:41:30 -0400

WASHINGTON -- For many Americans in the nation’s center, tornadoes are a frightening fact of life. But for foreign students, usually from countries where tornadoes never occur, twisters can be an even scarier experience. Such was the case this past Monday when a tornado devastated the U.S. town of Moore, Oklahoma, killing at least 24 people and leaving thousands homeless. "It was ...

Syrian Opposition Ponders Peace Meeting

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:41:30 -0400

ISTANBUL -- Syria's opposition coalition is to convene in Istanbul Thursday to decide whether to participate in talks next month on resolving the Syrian conflict that are being organized by Washington and Moscow. But the opposition has reservations about the role of the Syrian government in the planned talks. The Syrian National Coalition is due to meet over three days in Istanbul. The ...

Afghanistans Helmand Province Sees Fresh Clashes Conflicting Claims

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:41:29 -0400

Fighting between Taliban militants and Afghan government forces has erupted in a highly-volatile corner of Helmand province. Afghan officials claimed victory Wednesday in southern Helmand province, saying they turned back a series of attacks by Taliban militants in Sangin. A spokesman for the provincial governor estimated the number of attackers at close to 1,000, including Arabs and Chechens ...

Kenya Grief as two brothers shot dead amid security pledge

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:38:02 -0400

Kakamega County with the latest incident being in Butere where two brothers were shot dead by unknown assailants and no arrests have been made. Last Friday, two boda boda operators were shot by terror gang of about 20 in two separate incidents at Mfutu and Lunyu villages in Lugari constituency and several houses of suspected criminals burnt in retaliation. The script appears similar but tempo ...

Kenya Smooth ride for motorists ahead as Southern by-pass works begin

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:38:01 -0400

The road to be constructed at Sh17 million under Kenya National Highway Authority (Kenha) will be used by heavy trucks from Mombasa transporting goods to Malaba and other regions. The vehicles will be diverted to the by-pass in a move to help ease traffic ...

Kenya Mutulas case against City Hall finalised

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:37:59 -0400

Weldon Korir Wednesday ruled an enforcement notice issued by City Council to Mutula on May 24, 2007 directing him to pull down the boundary wall was ...

Kenya Team cites wrangles poor funding as some of the obstacles it faced

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:37:58 -0400

Kenya: Internal wrangling, lack of political will, court cases and finally a report that indicts some within its ranks sum up the controversial tenure of ...

Kenya TJRC wants findings on past probes released

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:37:57 -0400

These include report on the probe on 1992 raid on Bishop Gitari's house in Kirinyaga, probe into the conduct of the Artur Brothers and their associates (Kiruki Report) and the findings by a committee on harassment and/or discrimination of the Muslim community in the application of the law (Sharawe Report). It also wants the resettlement of Kenyan refugees in Uganda and fast-tracking of the ...

Kenya Huge task in implementing report

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:37:56 -0400

The detailed report has made bold recommendations including prosecution of high-flying Government officials and politicians, reparation of victims of historical injustices as well as recovery of illegally acquired land. The 2000-page report adversely implicated the past three regimes for presiding over numerous gross violations of human rights including political assassination, massacre, ...

Kenya Roads agency stands firm over weighbridge rules

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:37:55 -0400

Mariakani weighbridge on Tuesday. The truck drivers blocked Nairobi-Mombasa Road with their vehicles protesting enforcement of the new loading regulations. They were later allowed to pass without their vehicles being weighed. This was a reprieve to thousands of road users who had stuck at the station. The truck drivers had caused a huge traffic jam at the weighbridge protesting the move to charge ...

Kenya Petitioner put in a corner over child out of wedlock

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:37:54 -0400

Siaya, Kenya : A petitioner challenging the election of Siaya Governor got more than he bargained for when his personal details were exposed at a Kisumu ...

Kenya County sets the pace with Sh100m forensic lab

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:37:53 -0400

Collaborate with DPP He said he would work closely with the DPP in setting up the forensic unit and an investigations centre to boost security. He said his county government would strive to boost security to attract more investors. He urged the national Government to make Machakos a pilot county on security and prosecution matters. Poor and slow crime investigations have led to many prosecutions ...

Kenya How victims recounted ordeals during commissions public hearings

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:37:52 -0400

In its report submitted to President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday, the commision details harrowing accounts of gross human rights violation, with women and children being the main targets of heinous crimes such as rape. The commission collected over 40,000 statements from Kenyans, each narrating their own ordeals. The commission documented that although some of the crimes suffered by the victims were ...

Kenya Mt Elgon leaders dismiss links to militia group

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:37:51 -0400

militia as it is claimed they were involved in financing, planning and instigation of the violence witnessed in the area. Serut said there was no way he could be linked to the SLDF group as he was the major victim of the acts of brutality by the group and he suffered the brunt of it all. "How do I come in? When in fact I was the victim? I lost over five close relatives, including my two ...

Kenya Those adversely named got chance to reply says TJRC

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:37:50 -0400

Invitations were sent out to persons who had been mentioned requiring them to not only record their statements and submit memoranda, but also to respond to the allegations made against them. "Many of the adversely mentioned persons opted to respond to allegations of their involvements to violations as opposed to recording statements and submitting memorandum when the statement taking ...

Kenya Commission petitions Uhuru over TSC

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:37:49 -0400

Commission on Administrative Justice has petitioned President Uhuru Kenyatta to move swiftly and avert a looming crisis at the Teacher's Service Commission ...

Nigeria In Olive Branch To Boko Haram Frees Their Women Obama Skips Kenya On Africa Trip Museveni At Center Of Media Crisis African Union Locks Out Activist Groups

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:22:12 -0400

By Global Information Network (GIN) May 21 (GIN) – Fulfilling a demand by the insurgent Boko Haram rebel organization, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has agreed to release from jail some suspects and all women "held in connection with terrorist activity." The decision was aimed at enhancing peace efforts in Nigeria, according to the defense ministry. Talk of an amnesty ...

South Africa President Jacob Zuma implicated in Gupta wedding scandal

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:15:36 -0400

Johannesburg: A South African government report released on Wednesday implicated President Jacob Zuma in a scandal over a plane chartered by rich friends of his which landed at a military base without proper permission.The presidency and Zuma's ruling African National Congress (ANC) have denied demanding landing permission for the flight carrying nearly 200 guests for a wedding.But a ...

Guinea approves BHP Global Alumina stake sale in refinery project

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:41:23 -0400

CONAKRY | Wed May 22, 2013 3:41pm EDT CONAKRY May 22 (Reuters) - The government of Guinea said on Wednesday it has given approval to BHP Billiton and Global Alumina to sell their stake in a bauxite and alumina project to Dubai Aluminium Co (Dubal) and Mubadala Development Co. BHP paid $140 million in 2007 for a 33.3 percent stake in the Guinea Alumina Corp (GAC), which planned to develop ...

European Leaders Take Steps in Cracking Down on Tax Fraud

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:31:08 -0400

PARIS -- The European Union has announced a series of measures to crack down on tax avoidance and fraud, including the automatic exchange of bank information to catch cheats. European Union President Herman Van Rompuy hailed as "unprecedented" a series of measures against tax evasion agreed to Wednesday by the bloc's 27 leaders during a brief summit in Brussels. Among them: ...

Cameron Indications Suggest London Killing was Terror-related

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:31:07 -0400

British forensic officers attend the scene of an apparent attack which has left one man confirmed dead and two people wounded near Woolwich barracks in London, May, 22, ...

IRS Official Refuses to Testify to Congress About Scandal

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:31:07 -0400

The official at the center of the storm over the U.S. tax collection agency's targeting of conservative Tea Party groups, Lois Lerner, has refused to testify before a tense congressional hearing on Capitol Hill where Democratic and Republican lawmakers expressed their anger and frustration. Word came Tuesday the Internal Revenue Service official everyone wanted to hear from the most, Lois ...

Hezbollah Fighters Pose New Threat In Syria

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:31:07 -0400

WASHINGTON -- The civil war in Syria is taking a new, and possibly ominous turn, in the battle for Qusair, a small but strategic town near the frontier with Lebanon. For the first time, the mainly Sunni Muslim rebels seeking to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have been fighting Syrian troops backed by a large contingent of battle-hardened guerrillas from Hezbollah, the militant Lebanese ...

Future Astronauts Could Print Food

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:31:06 -0400

Astronauts on future missions to Mars may be able to dial up a pizza via a 3D printer. NASA announced it awarded a $125,000 grant to Systems & Materials Research Corporation’s Anjan Contractor, who has already designed the printer. The head of the printer will be fed with a combination of nutrients, water, oils and flavors, which can be sprayed, layer by layer to create three ...

Security Council Adopting Resolution 2103 Extends Mandate of United Nations Presence in Guinea-Bissau by One Year

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:29:44 -0400

Acting on the recommendation of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) for one year, deciding also to readjust its presence so it could help the West African nation restore constitutional order following the 2012 military coup and hold elections by the end of ...

Security Council extends UN political mission in Guinea-Bissau

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:29:42 -0400

the mandate of the United Nations political mission in Guinea-Bissau to assist in finding solutions to the political and economic crisis being exacerbated by additional challenges posed by transnational crime, in particular drug trafficking and money laundering. The 15-member council voted unanimously to extend through 31 May 2014 the work of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in ...

Guinea UN official initiates consultations between Government opposition leaders

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:29:28 -0400

Print 22 May 2013 &#150 A United Nations envoy today convened a consultative meeting in the Guinean capital, Conakry, between the Prime Minister and opposition leaders, pressing ahead with UN efforts to assist the parties in resolving differences over preparations for stalled legislative elections and other contentious issues through peaceful means. Said Djinnit, the Special Representative ...

Nigeria statistics chief has almost figured out the economy

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:28:18 -0400

A woman and two children stand along the Jos-Maiduguri road in the city of Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria, May 19, 2013. Nigeria has more than 160 million people, 200 languages, 36 states and 774 local government areas. (AFOLABI ...

‘Boom Town Baby’ African stock markets soaring

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:28:12 -0400

The barrage of hourly tweets sent out by Aly-Khan Satchu - East Africa's version of CNBC's Mad Money host Jim Cramer - cheers on what Satchu says is a growing sentiment among investors: If you're not investing in Africa, you should be. Or as Satchu loudly proclaims on his Twitter feed or newspaper column: "IT'S BOOM TOWN ...

Kenya Duale defends Rutos Sh18.5m trip in Chamber

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:26:56 -0400

Duale said the money paid only catered for travel expenses for the President and 14 delegates including four MPs from the Senate and the National Assembly noting that they were guests of the countries they had ...

Opinion Obama is wise to skip Kenya in his Africa visit

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:26:45 -0400

Africa in June (of course in his luxury jet fuelled by US taxpayers). Instead, he will be visiting our neighbour Tanzania--never mind he has no blood brothers there. Phew, what a brother! But weep not Kenyans. Blame not Obama as choices have consequences. Who would want to visit ...

EU to Send Civilian Mission to Libya

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:24:53 -0400

Brussels, May 22 (Prensa Latina) The European Union (EU) approved today sending a civilian mission to Libya, which will begin to gradually deploy in June to support security on its borders, according to EU sources. Through a statement, the European Council reported that the EUBAM Libya mission will support the Libyan authorities in enhancing the security of the country's land, sea, and air ...

Africa Competes by the Palme dOr in Cannes

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:24:52 -0400

Paris, May 22 (Prensa Latina) African cinematography enters today in competition for the Palme d'Or at Cannes Festival through the filmmaker Mahamat-Saleh Haroun from the Republic of Chad, who projects his film "Grigris", in the French resort. Haroun tells the struggle of a young man for become reality his dream of being a dancer of a shows company, despite suffering from paralysis ...

Growing Peas and Greens to Maximise Water Usage

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:19:25 -0400

With water usage for agriculture surpassing sustainable levels, farmers must embrace crop varieties which require little irrigation. Credit: Miriam ...

Assurances over condition of Algeria leader fail to convince

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:14:50 -0400

ALGIERS, Algeria -- Official assurances about the improving health of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, hospitalized in France in April, have failed to convince many Algerians, as analysts warn that hiding such details is harder than it ...

A Chat With Nigerians Will You Die For Nigeria I No Go Die For Naija By Chalya Princess Miri-Gazh

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:09:58 -0400

Since time immemorial, people have been known to die for all kinds of causes – some religious, political, personal, emotional, social, economical etc. As far as I know, only Jesus died for the world and by the world, I mean for all the human beings in the world and not for the terrain. Martin Luther King died for his belief in his cause to stop racial discrimination against black Americans; ...

African-Americans feel neglected by financial firms

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:08:16 -0400

Half of African Americans say their financial situations have improved from a year ago, compared to 33% of the general population, according to a Prudential report released Tuesday. The survey polled 1,153 people who identified as African American or black and a general sampling of 471 ...

Fighting in Sudans Darfur region displaces 300000 U.N. aid chief

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:58:28 -0400

OUTSIDE EL FASHER, Sudan (Reuters) - About 300,000 people have fled their homes due to a surge in fighting in Sudan's Darfur region this year and are now living in terrible conditions and short of food, the United Nations aid chief said on ...

Striking Kenyan truckers block east Africas main trade route

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:58:27 -0400

Mombasa (Reuters) - Kenyan truckers blocked the only highway from the port city of Mombasa to the capital Nairobi on Wednesday, threatening to choke the main trade artery to east Africa unless officials reverted to the old way of weighing ...

AP PHOTOS Nigeria mourns and prepares to bury writer Chinua Achebe at his familys rural home

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:56:39 -0400

Police officers stand guards under a giant poster of late author Chinua Achebe, as part of an event in Awka, Nigeria, Wednesday, May 22, 2013. People gathered Wednesday to celebrate the life of author Chinua Achebe, who died in March at the age of 82. His family plans to bury the literary icon Thursday in his home village of Ogidi. (AP Photo/Sunday ...

Venezuelas ties with Africa

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:43:00 -0400

At the third Summit Africa - South America (ASA)held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, 63 countries participated, including Venezuela, which was represented by the Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Elas Jaua. He read a letter written by President Hugo Chvez to the ASA members in Malaba. The Venezuelan President highlighted the ties between both ...

Sth African police website hacked

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:26:21 -0400

HACKERS have broken into the website of South Africa's police, downloading information that could leave whistleblowers vulnerable, police and a government data agency say. State Information Technology Agency (Sita), which hosts all of the government's websites, said that last week the hackers accessed information relating to crimes posted by some 15,000 whistleblowers and ...

International Watchdog Iran Expands Nuclear Activities

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:17:34 -0400

The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran has made a significant step toward building a reactor that Western experts say could provide a second path to possibly producing material for a nuclear ...

Thai Same-Sex Marriage Bill Not Without Controversy

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:17:33 -0400

BANGKOK, THAILAND -- As the debate on same-sex marriage continues in Western nations, including the United States, Thailand could become the first country in Asia to legalize gay marriage. Thailand is known for its liberal acceptance of sexuality, but the draft same-sex marriage law is not without controversy. This is a traditional Thai wedding, except there is no groom. There are two ...

Council of Europe Concerned About Russias Human-Rights Record

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:17:33 -0400

MOSCOW -- Thorbjorn Jagland, secretary general of the Council of Europe, has told President Vladimir Putin that the human rights body is concerned about Russia's law requiring non-governmental organizations to register as foreign agents. Jagland said Europe will watch how the Kremlin implements the law that went in effect last November, a measure requiring non-governmental organizations ...

Boko Haram’s Funding Remains Elusive

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:17:33 -0400

A poster advertising for the search of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau is pasted on a wall in Baga village on the outskirts of Maiduguri, in the north-eastern state of Borno, Nigeria, May 13, ...

Pope Urges Catholics in China to Stay Loyal to Vatican

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:17:33 -0400

During his weekly address Wednesday in St. Peter's Square, the pope called for prayers so Chinese Catholics can live their lives "in the service of their country and fellow citizens," in a way that is consistent with their faith. China's government does not have diplomatic relations with the Vatican. The two sides have regularly clashed over China's influence ...

Asian Water Summit Focuses on Security Disaster

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:17:32 -0400

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND -- Resource experts say many Asian countries face a potential water crisis unless they address mismanagement that could lead to severe shortages of clean water. Other states struggle to contain massive floods. The site of a just-concluded regional summit on the managing water supplies and disasters. There was no sign of a water shortage here in northern Thailand as ...

FBI says Florida Man Fatally Shot During Boston Bombings Investigation

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:17:32 -0400

An FBI statement said the shooting occurred early Wednesday in the city of Orlando as the FBI agent and other law enforcement officers were interviewing the man. A friend of the dead man identified him as Ibragim Todashev. He said Todashev had lived in the Boston area before moving to Florida several months ago and knew bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev because both were martial-arts fighters. ...

Qusair Fighting Drives More Syrians Into Lebanon

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:17:31 -0400

AARSAL, LEBANON -- The battle between Syrian government forces, supported by Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, and Syrian rebels in Qusair north of Damascus is sending waves of traumatized refugees into neighboring Lebanon. At a refugee camp in Aarsal, a small Lebanese town lying just across the mountains from Syria, most of the people who have arrived in recent days came from Qusair. They were ...

Polio cases found in Kenya and Somalia officials say

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:17:10 -0400

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The World Health Organization says the Horn of Africa is experiencing an outbreak of polio with cases confirmed in Kenya and Somalia.WHO said Wednesday that a 4-year-old girl near the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya and two of her contacts tested positive for polio, the first confirmed cases in Kenya since July 2011. A case in Somalia was confirmed earlier this month.In ...

Fitch Sub-Saharan Africa Has Gradual Upgrade Potential

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:17:05 -0400

Wed May 22, 2013 2:17pm EDT Link to Fitch Ratings' Report: Sub-Saharan African Sovereigns: Higher Ratings Depend on Continued ReformsLONDON, May 22 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings says in a newly-published report that targeted reforms and policy initiatives could see Sub-Saharan Africa's (SSA) sub-investment grade ratings gradually upgraded, despite per capita income falling well short of ...

Chinese vice premier calls for stability in Zimbabwe

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:15:52 -0400

HARARE (AFP) - Chinese vice premier Wang Yang on Wednesday urged Zimbabwe to ensure peace and political stability ahead of elections this year, to safeguard economic growth."A peaceful and stable political environment is the prerequisite for economic development," Wang told journalists after meeting Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in Harare during a business visit to ...

Congo fighting persists as UN chief arrives

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:13:08 -0400

FILE -In this Nov. 29, 2012 file photo, Congolese government troops patrol near Minova in eastern Congo. Fighting between M23 rebels and the army continued for a second day Tuesday, May 21, 2013, near Congo's eastern provincial capital of Goma, in clashes that have so far killed 20 people, all of them either soldiers or rebels, officials said. Peace talks reached a dead end in recent weeks, ...

UN Secretary General Visits Africas Great Lakes Region

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:11:23 -0400

Kinshasa, May 22 (Presa Latina) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon began a 48-hour visit today to ...

Africa Outlines Strategy to Eradicate Hunger in 50 Years

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:11:23 -0400

Addis Ababa, May 22 (Prensa Latina) Africa must transform its agricultural sector through a combination of traditional and advanced methods if it is serious about eliminating hunger on the continent by 2063, an expert on the subject pointed out today. The alert was issued by the African Union (AU) commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Rhoda Tumusiime, as a guideline for the discussion ...

Kenya - Kenyan courts interpretation of citizens limits access to information

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:05:47 -0400

ARTICLE 19 welcomes a High Court decision that citizens have the right to access the information held by public and state owned corporations, but is highly concerned by the court's continued narrow interpretation of "citizens" that would prevent NGOs, media organisations, and informal associations from making requests."This ruling is important for its recognition of ...

Mugabe signs Zimbabwe constitution into law paving way for vote

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:04:58 -0400

President Robert Mugabe signed Zimbabwe's new constitution into law Wednesday, clearing the path to crucial elections later this year.The 89-year-old, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980, signed the document two months after it was overwhelmingly approved by Zimbabweans at a referendum."This is a happening of joy, great joy indeed," Mugabe said at the ...

Opposition in Burkina Faso vow to fight Senate law

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:51:04 -0400

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) -- Opposition parties walked out of a meeting in parliament this week in protest over the creation of a Senate. The opposition claims the Senate is a backhanded way for the ruling party to stay in power in the event of the death in office of President Blaise ...

UN Security Council OKs anti-drug smuggling unit in Guinea Bissau does not impose sanctions

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:43:56 -0400

The U.N. Security Council has unanimously approved an extension of its peace-building mission in Guinea-Bissau, and is asking the mission to help fight organized crime and drug trafficking in the west African nation that is a major cocaine transshipment centre to South America. The council voted Wednesday to also ask the U.N. Integrated Peace-building Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) to work ...

Nigeria Insurgents Fight With Libyan Weapons - Army

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:39:07 -0400

Abuja - The troops deployed to flush out Boko Haram insurgents from Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, yesterday, encountered intense resistance from sect members who were armed with sophisticated weapons from Libya. This came as the National Assembly, yesterday, endorsed the proclamation of a state of emergency in the three states by President Goodluck Jonathan. A senior military official told ...

Liberia Officials Declared False Assets

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:39:07 -0400

The Liberia Anti Corruption Commission or LACC has released the names of several government officials who lied about their wealth when they declared their assets. LACC Cllr. Francis Johnson Allison named National Port Authority or NPA Managing Director Matilda Parker, the Port of Buchanan Operations Manager Oretha Zeon, Ministry of Internal Affairs Comptroller Blayon Brown Sarlee and Charles ...

Kenya Dairy Sacco Eyes More Milk Markets