Germany's cabinet has approved its contribution to the eurozone and IMF bail-out of Greece.
The German parliament is set to pass the legislation later this week to allow its loan - worth $29.6bn over three years - to be paid.
There has been significant public opposition in Germany to assisting the debt-ridden Greek economy.
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Monday, May 3, 2010
State Hillary Clinton says Iran's nuclear ambitions are putting the world at risk
United State Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Iran's nuclear ambitions are putting the world at risk.
She told delegates at a nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty conference at the UN that Iran should be held to account.Mrs Clinton also said the US will disclose the number of weapons in its nuclear arsenal, a closely guarded secret for more than half a century.
Adding that the move was to improve transparency in the nuclear disarmament regime and encourage other nations to comply with it.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Lowest-cost mobile for vodafone
Mobile phone operator Vodafone has launched what it says is the "lowest-cost mobile phone on Earth".
The Vodafone 150, unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, will sell for "below $15" (£10) and is aimed at the developing world.
It will initially be launched in India, Turkey and eight African countries including Lesotho, Kenya and Ghana.
The UN predicts that mobile ownership will reach 5bn in 2010, with most growth in the developing world.
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) said that demand was being driven by people using their phones to access banking and mobile health services.
Clinton warns Iran
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Iran is "becoming a military dictatorship".
She says Iran's elite army corps, the Revolutionary Guard, had gained so much power they had effectively supplanted the government.
She was speaking to students at a Qatar university during a tour of the region.
In response, Iran rejected criticism from the West about its human rights record at a meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Michael Jackson's doctor denies charges
Michael Jackson's former doctor has denied a charge of involuntary manslaughter over the singer's death.
Dr Conrad Murray was bailed for $75,000 after pleading not guilty to "unlawfully, and without malice, killing Michael Joseph Jackson".His death was ruled as homicide, mainly caused by the anaesthetic Propofol.
Jackson died at his home on 25 June last year at the age of 50.
A judge must decide whether to proceed to trial while a conviction could bring a jail term up to four years.
Iran enriches uranium
Iranian state media says Iran has started the process of enriching uranium to 20% in defiance of the West.
Al-Alam state television reported that the process was begun at the Natanz plant in the presence of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors.The move came after Western powers stepped up pressure for international sanctions against Iran.
Iran currently enriches uranium to a level of 3.5% but requires 20% enriched uranium for its Tehran research reactor, which is meant to produce medical isotopes.
Experts say Africa malaria drugs are 'low-grade'
A study by US-based experts has suggested that Africans suffering from malaria may be getting sub-standard treatment.Researchers from the Pharmacopeia group found that between 26% and 44% of anti-malaria drugs in Uganda, Senegal and Madagascar were of poor quality.
The group, conducting the study for the World Health Organization, said low-grade drugs were being used in both public and private health practices.
Some 90% of malaria deaths in the world occur in Africa.
The group, conducting the study for the World Health Organization, said low-grade drugs were being used in both public and private health practices.
Some 90% of malaria deaths in the world occur in Africa.
Sri Lanka opposition mulls move
Opposition politicians in Sri Lanka have begun talks to decide on their course of action following the arrest of the defeated presidential candidate.
General Sarath Fonseka was arrested at his office in the capital, Colombo on Tuesday evening. The government said the general would be questioned and put on trial in a military court.
Gen Fonseka was defeated by incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa last month by six million votes to four million.
He rejected the results and vowed to challenge them in court.
France and Russia in deal
French defence officials say France has agreed to sell Russia an advanced warship and is considering a request from Moscow for three others.
Analysts say the deal, which would increase Russia's capacity to launch amphibious offensives, will alarm ex-Soviet states such as Georgia.French President Nicolas Sarkozy had approved the sale of one Mistral, but Moscow naval officials had then asked for a further three ships, said Jacques de Lajugie of the French arms agency DGA.
It remains unclear when or where the 23,000-tonne Mistral class warship will be built.
Migrants rescued by Somalis
126 people have been rescued by Somali fishermen from the Gulf of Aden after they were forced into the sea by human traffickers at a gunpoint.
They said their boat had developed engine trouble and drifted for days before the people smugglers forced them into the sea. Six people are missing.
The BBC's Peter Greste says the scale of this incident is rare.
But our correspondent says stories of human traffickers forcing migrants into the sea are not uncommon.
The coast guard from the semi-autonomous region of Somaliland spotted the first survivors floating in the water on Sunday.
They said the boat had originally set off from northern Somalia with 135 people on board, hoping for a better life in the Middle East or Europe.
Such migrant crossings normally head for Yemen.
Darfur rebel will not face ICC charges
The first Darfur war crimes suspect to face international judges has had the charges dropped against him .
Rebel leader Bahar Idriss Abu Garda, had been accused of planning the killing of 12 African Union peacekeepers in 2007. Last week, the International Criminal Court (ICC) said charges of genocide against Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir could be resubmitted.
But (ICC) judges ruled that there was not enough evidence to support a trial.
Mr Bashir is already wanted for war crimes.
Canadian commander charged with murders
Police says the commander of Canada's largest air force base has been charged with the murder of two women and the sexual assault of two others.
Col Russell Williams, 46, appeared in court a day after his arrest. One woman was found dead in her house in November and the other was reported missing 11 days ago.
He was appointed commander of Base Trenton in Ontario - Canada's busiest air force hub - in July.
Det Insp Chris Nicholas, of Ontario Provincial Police, said Col Williams was arrested on Sunday.
He was held in custody and will appear again by video on 18 February.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Four Nigerians jailed
The Accra Fast Track High Court yesterday sentenced four Nigerians to a total of 360 years for robbery.
The heavily armed Emmanuel Emeka, 38; Samuel Tanko, 28; Promise Emeka, 27; and Efanye Osuchukwu, 33,on February 25, 2006 forcibly entered the residence of an Accra-based legal practitioner, inflicted deep machete wounds on her and her brother and robbed them of valuable items.
The convicts, who had terrorized more than 50 households at West Legon, Haatso, Kwabenya and Agbogba; all suburbs of Accra in Ghana, were picked up by the police force from their hideout.
Citing authorities to buttress the courts’ decision, the trial judge, Justice Charles Quist, held that the prosecution had proved guilt of the four convicts beyond reasonable doubt.
He added that robbery was a menace to society and for that reason the court would impose harsh sentences on the convicts to serve as a deterrent.
The court held that the three prosecution wit¬nesses had been consistent in their evidence and there had been abundant proof that the four committed the offence at the residence of the com-plainant on February 25, 2006.
It said the convicts woefully failed in their bid to defend themselves and rather ended up admit-ting the offence during cross-examination from the prosecution.
The four had, during cross-examination from a State Attorney, Mr Paul Assibi Abariga, stated that they usually buried the weapons they used for their robberies on a farm at Kwabenya and later picked them up anytime they had an operation to embark upon.
The heavily armed Emmanuel Emeka, 38; Samuel Tanko, 28; Promise Emeka, 27; and Efanye Osuchukwu, 33,on February 25, 2006 forcibly entered the residence of an Accra-based legal practitioner, inflicted deep machete wounds on her and her brother and robbed them of valuable items.
The convicts, who had terrorized more than 50 households at West Legon, Haatso, Kwabenya and Agbogba; all suburbs of Accra in Ghana, were picked up by the police force from their hideout.
Citing authorities to buttress the courts’ decision, the trial judge, Justice Charles Quist, held that the prosecution had proved guilt of the four convicts beyond reasonable doubt.
He added that robbery was a menace to society and for that reason the court would impose harsh sentences on the convicts to serve as a deterrent.
The court held that the three prosecution wit¬nesses had been consistent in their evidence and there had been abundant proof that the four committed the offence at the residence of the com-plainant on February 25, 2006.
It said the convicts woefully failed in their bid to defend themselves and rather ended up admit-ting the offence during cross-examination from the prosecution.
The four had, during cross-examination from a State Attorney, Mr Paul Assibi Abariga, stated that they usually buried the weapons they used for their robberies on a farm at Kwabenya and later picked them up anytime they had an operation to embark upon.
The Black Stars of Ghana return home
The Black Stars of Ghana returned home to a tumultuous welcome Monday evening from Angola where they won silver at the 27th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.
According to Food and Agric Minister, Kwesi Awhoi, who led a delegation of government officials to welcome the team back said the team is to meet President John Evans Mills over lunch at the Castle, Osu, today, tuesday.;.
Among the players who arrived in the country was Skipper Richard Kingson, who on behalf of his colleagues, expressed gratitude to the government and people for the enormous show of support for the team.
Adding that though they desired to win the cup for Ghana, God designed otherwise, promising also that come June when the World Cup kicks off in South Africa, the Black Stars will give of their best and make the nation proud.
The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Mr Kwesi Nyantekyi, was grateful to the government for paying the team’s bonuses promptly, saying it provided the timely catalyst to push the team on.
He also believes the Black Stars have a bright future given the ages of the players and what they did, describing the tournament as one of the opportunities to prepare adequately for the World Cup. He added that most of the young players who were offered a chance to play in the tournament justified their inclusion into the Black Stars and they will be the team to watch at the World Cup.
According to Food and Agric Minister, Kwesi Awhoi, who led a delegation of government officials to welcome the team back said the team is to meet President John Evans Mills over lunch at the Castle, Osu, today, tuesday.;.
Among the players who arrived in the country was Skipper Richard Kingson, who on behalf of his colleagues, expressed gratitude to the government and people for the enormous show of support for the team.
Adding that though they desired to win the cup for Ghana, God designed otherwise, promising also that come June when the World Cup kicks off in South Africa, the Black Stars will give of their best and make the nation proud.
The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Mr Kwesi Nyantekyi, was grateful to the government for paying the team’s bonuses promptly, saying it provided the timely catalyst to push the team on.
He also believes the Black Stars have a bright future given the ages of the players and what they did, describing the tournament as one of the opportunities to prepare adequately for the World Cup. He added that most of the young players who were offered a chance to play in the tournament justified their inclusion into the Black Stars and they will be the team to watch at the World Cup.
Monday, February 1, 2010
China warns Obama
China has warned the US president that it will harm ties between the two countries if he meets the Dalai Lama.
Chinese Communist Party official Zhu Weiqun said there would be "corresponding action" if the meeting went ahead. White House has indicated that Barack Obama intends to meet the head of Tibetans in exile.
Mr Zhu's comments follow talks between China and the Dalai Lama's representatives in China.
The talks yielded little progress, with both sides reiterating positions that were "sharply divided".
Malaysian opposition leader to face charges
The Malaysian opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, has appeared in court to face charges of sodomy for the second time in a decade.
Mr Anwar denounced the proceedings as the "machinations of a dirty, corrupt few" as he entered the courtroom in the capital, Kuala Lumpur.
He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Mr Anwar served six years after an earlier sodomy conviction, but led the opposition to election gains in 2008.
The gains represented a major challenge to Prime Minister Najib Razak, whose coalition has held power for more than 50 years.
Mr Anwar denounced the proceedings as the "machinations of a dirty, corrupt few" as he entered the courtroom in the capital, Kuala Lumpur.
He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Mr Anwar served six years after an earlier sodomy conviction, but led the opposition to election gains in 2008.
The gains represented a major challenge to Prime Minister Najib Razak, whose coalition has held power for more than 50 years.
Cardinal appeals to Ghanaians abroad
Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson, Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Coast, has appealed to educated Ghanaians living abroad to come home to contribute their quota toward socio-economic development of the country.
Cardinal Appiah Turkson, who is also the President of the Pontification Council for Justice and Peace Vatican in Rome, said highly skilled young professionals are heading toward developed countries, where quite a number were already working; creating what is popularly called the "brain drain." He was speaking on Monday at a ceremony organized by Taylor and Taylor Company Limited (TTCL) to commission an ultra modern building for the company in Accra.
TTCL is a private Ghanaian company which manufactures, refurbishes and supplies medical equipments to clients throughout the country. Cardinal Appiah Turkson observed that poor working conditions and the lack of opportunities for career advancement were factors that pushed many qualified Ghanaians to seek greener pastures abroad but he maintained that the Ghanaian could succeed with determination and proper planning in his own land.
He lauded the management of TTCL for their innovative ideas and business initiatives and encouraged other Ghanaians to imitate their example.
Cardinal Appiah Turkson alluded to the initiatives of exemplary educated and skilled Ghanaians in the country who had returned after pursuing higher education abroad and appealed to others to return home to pay back what was invested in them.
The new ultra-modern building is equipped with a conference room, storage facility, clinical laboratory, restaurant and bars and a lecture hall to train technicians and field engineers.
Cardinal Appiah Turkson, who is also the President of the Pontification Council for Justice and Peace Vatican in Rome, said highly skilled young professionals are heading toward developed countries, where quite a number were already working; creating what is popularly called the "brain drain." He was speaking on Monday at a ceremony organized by Taylor and Taylor Company Limited (TTCL) to commission an ultra modern building for the company in Accra.
TTCL is a private Ghanaian company which manufactures, refurbishes and supplies medical equipments to clients throughout the country. Cardinal Appiah Turkson observed that poor working conditions and the lack of opportunities for career advancement were factors that pushed many qualified Ghanaians to seek greener pastures abroad but he maintained that the Ghanaian could succeed with determination and proper planning in his own land.
He lauded the management of TTCL for their innovative ideas and business initiatives and encouraged other Ghanaians to imitate their example.
Cardinal Appiah Turkson alluded to the initiatives of exemplary educated and skilled Ghanaians in the country who had returned after pursuing higher education abroad and appealed to others to return home to pay back what was invested in them.
The new ultra-modern building is equipped with a conference room, storage facility, clinical laboratory, restaurant and bars and a lecture hall to train technicians and field engineers.
Gyan in Africa's best eleven
Asamoah Gyan, the leading scorer of Ghana Black Stars, is among the best eleven players selected by the Technical Committee of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) at the end of the 27th Edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.
Gyan, who scored three goals for Ghana in the competition and won the Orange Player of the Match Award after the final game against the Pharoahs of Egypt, is among the list of strikers selected by a committee made up of Hussein Abdel Moneim -Technical Director of CAF; Ben Kouffie and Anthony Baffoe from Ghana, Chief Onigbinde of Nigerian; Noser Fathy of Egypt and Maalouch Belhassan from Tunisia.
Gyan, who had a successful tourney, is the only Ghanaian in the Team dominated by Egyptians.
Gyan, who scored three goals for Ghana in the competition and won the Orange Player of the Match Award after the final game against the Pharoahs of Egypt, is among the list of strikers selected by a committee made up of Hussein Abdel Moneim -Technical Director of CAF; Ben Kouffie and Anthony Baffoe from Ghana, Chief Onigbinde of Nigerian; Noser Fathy of Egypt and Maalouch Belhassan from Tunisia.
Gyan, who had a successful tourney, is the only Ghanaian in the Team dominated by Egyptians.
Ban Ki-moon has begun a fresh round of talks
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has begun a fresh round of talks aimed at reuniting Cyprus, saying "a solution is possible and within reach".
He was speaking before talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. He is also due to meet Greek Cypriot President Demetris Christofias.
The two leaders have been locked in peace talks for the past 16 months.
Mr Ban said reaching a deal required "courage, flexibility and vision as well as a spirit of compromise".
Ghana dissatisfied with dictatorial leadership.
The Ghanaian African Peer Review Panel of Eminent Persons (APRM) Delegation currently attending the APRM Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Saturday expressed its dissatisfaction with the dictatorial leadership of Professor Adebayo Adedeji, Chairperson of the body.
They cited the cancellation of discussions on the re-constitution of the APRM Panel; restructuring of the APRM Secretariat and status of country financial contributions as some of the issues, which created dissatisfaction among members at the summit.
These came to light, when the leadership of the delegation, led by Professor S.K. Adjepong, Chairman of the Governing Council of APRM briefed Vice President John Dramani Mahama, who is also in Addis Ababa to attend the 14th Ordinary Session of the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit.
Professor Adjepong explained that the meeting was going on smoothly until Professor Adedeji half-way announced the withdrawal of the named issues from the agenda.
He said the sudden withdrawal of those issues, which formed the core business of the discussions, did not only create a lot of room for suspicion, but could also create chaotic and negative repercussions for the Mechanism.
The Chairman of the Ghana Governing Council of APR said Ghana had played a meaningful role in the implementation of APRM on the Continent and would do everything possible in its jurisdiction to save it from undergoing negative challenges.
"There is the need to evaluate and review the APRM structures, processes and Mechanisms in order to uphold the principles and ideals enshrined in the founding documents as well as to ensure the integrity and credibility of APRM".
In his response, Vice President Mahama urged the leadership of APRM to stick to its ideals of good governance; transparency and openness and to serve as a rallying point for the development of the African Continent. He said Ghana had the moral authority to sustain the vibrancy of APRM and commended the Delegation for coming out with a memorandum to point out some of the issues they perceived dictatorial.
Meanwhile, Professor Adedeji in his report among other issues said the work of APRM was progressing smoothly as countries such as Mali; Mozambique and Lesotho were recently reviewed increasing the number to 12. He said the introduction of APRM had inculcated good governance and promoted democratic participation on the African continent and called on member countries to continue to support its activities. 31 Jan. 10
They cited the cancellation of discussions on the re-constitution of the APRM Panel; restructuring of the APRM Secretariat and status of country financial contributions as some of the issues, which created dissatisfaction among members at the summit.
These came to light, when the leadership of the delegation, led by Professor S.K. Adjepong, Chairman of the Governing Council of APRM briefed Vice President John Dramani Mahama, who is also in Addis Ababa to attend the 14th Ordinary Session of the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit.
Professor Adjepong explained that the meeting was going on smoothly until Professor Adedeji half-way announced the withdrawal of the named issues from the agenda.
He said the sudden withdrawal of those issues, which formed the core business of the discussions, did not only create a lot of room for suspicion, but could also create chaotic and negative repercussions for the Mechanism.
The Chairman of the Ghana Governing Council of APR said Ghana had played a meaningful role in the implementation of APRM on the Continent and would do everything possible in its jurisdiction to save it from undergoing negative challenges.
"There is the need to evaluate and review the APRM structures, processes and Mechanisms in order to uphold the principles and ideals enshrined in the founding documents as well as to ensure the integrity and credibility of APRM".
In his response, Vice President Mahama urged the leadership of APRM to stick to its ideals of good governance; transparency and openness and to serve as a rallying point for the development of the African Continent. He said Ghana had the moral authority to sustain the vibrancy of APRM and commended the Delegation for coming out with a memorandum to point out some of the issues they perceived dictatorial.
Meanwhile, Professor Adedeji in his report among other issues said the work of APRM was progressing smoothly as countries such as Mali; Mozambique and Lesotho were recently reviewed increasing the number to 12. He said the introduction of APRM had inculcated good governance and promoted democratic participation on the African continent and called on member countries to continue to support its activities. 31 Jan. 10
Royal Dutch shut three oil flow stations
Royal Dutch Shell has shut three oil flow stations in Nigeria's Niger Delta region after a pipeline was sabotaged.
The spokeswoman for the company said Saturday's leak on the Trans Ramos oil pipeline was confirmed "to have been caused by sabotage". The leak was later stopped.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
It came shortly after Nigeria's militant group Mend said it was ending the truce it declared last October.
Mend (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) said it was not "directly responsible" for the attack, reports the Reuters news agency.
But an e-mailed statement said: "It was certainly a response to our order to resume hostilities by one of the various freelance groups we endorse."
Nigeria is one of the world's major oil producers but output has been cut by years of unrest in the Niger Delta - the source of its oil.
Somali Islamist rebel group are aligned with al-Qaeda's global militant campaign.
Somali Islamist rebel group al-Shabab has confirmed for the first time that its fighters are aligned with al-Qaeda's global militant campaign.
The group said in a statement that the "jihad of Horn of Africa must be combined with the international jihad led by the al-Qaeda network".
Meanwhile, several people have died in fighting in Mogadishu after government troops shelled militant positions.
Islamist insurgents control much of southern and central Somalia.
The government, which is backed by the UN and African Union, holds sway only in a small part of Mogadishu.
Despite repeated accusations by the US that al-Shabab is linked to al-Qaeda, the group denied the connection in a recent interview with the BBC.
The BBC Somali service's Mohamed Mohamed says it is the first time the group has officially confirmed its fight is linked to al-Qaeda.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Gates donate $10bn
Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his wife Melinda have said they will donate $10bn over the next 10 years to develop and deliver new vaccines.
Mr Gates, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, said the aim was to see 90% of children in developing countries immunised. Over the past 10 years, the couple's charity has committed $4.5bn (£2.78bn) to the development of vaccines.
The World Health Organization called the commitment "unprecedented".
Mr Gates said that by increasing immunisation coverage in poorer countries to 90% it should be possible to save the lives of 7.6 million children under five between 2010 and 2019.
Google phase out support for Internet Explorer
Google has begun to phase out support for Internet Explorer 6, the browser identified as the weak link in a "sophisticated and targeted" cyber attack on the search engine.
The firm said from 1 March some of its services, such as Google Docs, would not work "properly" with the browser. It recommended individuals and firms upgrade "as soon as possible".
Google threatened to withdraw from the Chinese market following the attacks, which it said originated in China.
Hackers used a flaw in Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) browser to target the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists.
Iraq war made the world a safer place
Tony Blair has said the Iraq war made the world a safer place and he has "no regrets" about removing Saddam Hussein.
In a robust defence of his decision to back war, Mr Blair said Saddam was a "monster and I believe he threatened not just the region but the world." The former prime minister was barracked by a member of the public as he made his closing statement at the end of a six-hour grilling at the Iraq inquiry.
He said Iraqis were now better off and he would take the same decisions again.
China's anti-piracy role expands
China has agreed to join an international naval operation to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia.
China has been focusing on protecting its own shipping in the area, but it will now join the naval forces of the US, Nato and the European Union. This grouping, the Shared Awareness and Deconfliction (Shade), protects a shipping corridor in the western Indian Ocean.
This is the area where pirate attacks are most frequent.
Members of the international naval task force say that although attacks there have increased, fewer have been successful.
S African minister's wife on drug charges
The wife of South Africa's intelligence minister has been arrested on drug-dealing charges.
Sheryl Cwele, the 50-year-old wife of Siyabonga Cwele, appeared in court charged with conspiring to bring cocaine into the country.
Mrs Cwele was charged with procuring a woman to collect drugs in Turkey and of getting another woman to smuggle cocaine from Brazil.
She remains in custody until her bail application is heard in a week.
Mrs Cwele is facing the charges with Frank Nabolis, a Nigerian national arrested in South Africa in December.
She told local media she was innocent.
Sheryl Cwele, the 50-year-old wife of Siyabonga Cwele, appeared in court charged with conspiring to bring cocaine into the country.
Mrs Cwele was charged with procuring a woman to collect drugs in Turkey and of getting another woman to smuggle cocaine from Brazil.
She remains in custody until her bail application is heard in a week.
Mrs Cwele is facing the charges with Frank Nabolis, a Nigerian national arrested in South Africa in December.
She told local media she was innocent.
China warns US
China has expressed its outrage over a proposed US weapons sale to Taiwan, worth $6.4bn , including helicopters and missiles.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei said the move would have a "serious negative impact" on co-operation between the US and China. Ties between China and the US are already strained by rows over trade and internet censorship.
Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province of China.
US Taiwan arms plan announced
Beijing has hundreds of missiles pointed at the island and has threatened in the past to use force to bring it under its control.
Tourist airlift ends with 1,300 flown out
Police in Peru say they have airlifted the last of the tourists stranded near the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu after floods destroyed road and rail links.
Nearly 1,300 travellers were flown out by helicopters on Friday, a local policeman told the Associated Press. A total of nearly 4,000 tourists and local residents have now left the area following last Sunday's heavy flooding.
The Machu Picchu site, which attracts more than 400,000 visitors a year, will be closed for several weeks.
Officials say it will take months to repair the railway that leads to the World Heritage Site high in the mountains.
Argentina central bank boss resigns
Argentina's central bank chief Martin Redrado has resigned following a bitter public row with President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.
Mr Redrado said he can not protect the independent institution of the bank from the president's efforts to control its dollar reserves. He had blocked the president's attempt to use $6.6bn (£4bn) in the bank reserves to service Argentina's debt.
The president says the country will benefit from her proposed move.
Mrs Fernandez de Kirchner says it will bolster Argentina's standing in international markets.
Argentina has $13bn of international debt that matures this year, and a hole in its budget of between $2bn and $7bn.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
World Cup 'snubbed by foreign fans
. Fifa says it expects less than 450,000 foreign fans- a target the body has hoped to meet with ease.
South Africans have snapped up most of the two million tickets sold so far.
The US makes up the largest contingent of foreign fans wanting tickets - with the UK next on the list.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher, in Johannesburg, says Fifa are clearly disappointed at the number of people planning to travel to the tournament.
Mr Valcke told a news conference: "It is true that the PMAs [local football associations] find it currently difficult to sell the tickets due to limited flights available.
"Therefore we are now working together with the airlines to create extra flights and packages to help the PMAs to sell their tickets."
Mr Valcke also said concerns about security in South Africa seemed to have put off some foreign fans.
He said criticism had been coming mainly from Germany and England.
Our correspondent says Mr Valcke was clearly angered by the criticism and described the comments as insane and completely wrong.
South Africans have snapped up most of the two million tickets sold so far.
The US makes up the largest contingent of foreign fans wanting tickets - with the UK next on the list.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher, in Johannesburg, says Fifa are clearly disappointed at the number of people planning to travel to the tournament.
Mr Valcke told a news conference: "It is true that the PMAs [local football associations] find it currently difficult to sell the tickets due to limited flights available.
"Therefore we are now working together with the airlines to create extra flights and packages to help the PMAs to sell their tickets."
Mr Valcke also said concerns about security in South Africa seemed to have put off some foreign fans.
He said criticism had been coming mainly from Germany and England.
Our correspondent says Mr Valcke was clearly angered by the criticism and described the comments as insane and completely wrong.
Ghana wins
Ghana are through to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations after they held on to a first-half lead to progress.
Striker Asamoah Gyan made a darting run to fire in a near-post header to put the Black Stars ahead after 21 minutes. Solid performances from Ghana keeper Richard Kingson and his defence kept Nigeria from capitalising on some solid second-half pressure.
It will be Ghana's first Nations Cup final appearance since 1992.
The result will put immense pressure on Nigeria coach Shaibu Amodu - who was already receiving heavy criticism from Nigerian fans and media for what they regarded as poor performances earlier in the competition.
"My contract is until August," Amodu said in the post-match press conference.
"If I'm still in charge up to the World Cup I will look at our deficiencies in this competition and look at areas of reinforcement.
"I don't think we lost to a better side, we lost to a youthful and enterprising side."
His Nigeria team passed well, but were unable to convert their dominance into goals.
Kenya MPs opt to scrap prime minister position
Kenyan MPs have agreed to scrap the position of prime minister in a draft constitution being drawn up as part of a power-sharing deal.
The role was created following post-election riots in 2007 to allow coalition partners to share power. But analysts say the hybrid system - with a president and prime minister at the helm - has proved unwieldy.
Instead a parliamentary committee has opted for parliamentary checks on the president and to devolve government.
Following Kenya's general elections in December 2007 there were bloody riots across Kenya between supporters of President Mwai Kibaki and his rival, the current Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The violence left 1,300 people dead and 300,000 homeless.
As part of of a power-sharing deal they signed to end the riots, the pair agreed to come up with a new constitution.
Imperial presidents
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Internet giant sales continue to fall
Internet giant Yahoo has posted a $153m (£95m) net profit in the fourth quarter of 2009, but has seen sales continue to fall.
The profit figure compares with a $303m loss in the same period in 2008, but revenue fell 4% to $1.7bn. Yahoo struggled during the global downturn as advertisers trimmed their budgets. The firm cut more than 2,000 jobs to try to reduce costs.
Shares in Yahoo rose 1% in after-hours trading in New York to $16.17?.
"The fourth quarter marked a strong finish to 2009, which was a transformative year for Yahoo," said chief executive Carol Bartz.
"Our business has positive momentum and we feel good as we head into 2010."
For the whole of 2009, Yahoo made a £598m profit, up 43% on the previous year.
18 people and injured 80 at a government forensics centre
Police say a suicide car bomber has killed at least 18 people and injured 80 at a government forensics centre in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
The attacker apparently tried to drive through a police checkpoint and blast walls protecting the centre in the Kerrada district. The building was badly damaged by the massive blast, and the rubble is being searched by rescue teams.
On Monday, bomb attacks near well-known hotels in the city killed 36 people.
This is the latest in a series of attacks on official buildings, including those to do with crime and punishment.
The justice ministry was badly damaged in October by a huge truck bomb, and a court complex was hit in December.
There have been fears that attacks will increase as the parliamentary election approaches in March and those predictions seem to be coming true, the BBC's Jim Muir reports from Baghdad.
Sudanese Prime Minister announces his stand
Former Sudanese Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi has announced he will stand against current leader Omar al-Bashir in a forthcoming presidential election.
Mr Mahdi was elected in Sudan's last multi-party vote in 1986, but was overthrown by Mr Bashir in a 1989 coup. The BBC's James Copnall, in Khartoum, says Mr Mahdi's presence gives real legitimacy to April's election.
The polls are part of a 2005 peace deal that ended a two-decade civil war between north and south Sudan.
Our correspondent says many of the other major figures in Sudanese politics have opted not to challenge President Bashir.
Sri Lanka's presidential election
Early results in Sri Lanka's first election since Tamil Tiger rebels were defeated after 25 years of civil war put the president in the lead.
According to early counts, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has won over 60% of the popular vote. Armed troops have gathered around the hotel where his rival for the presidency, General Sarath Fonseka, is staying in central Colombo.
A military spokesman said their presence was a "protective measure".
Udaya Nanayakkara said that some 400 people had gathered near the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel in the capital.
Banks now links customers' account to their e-zwich cards
Seven banks have completed the interoperability process that enables them to link their customers' traditional accounts to their e-zwich cards.
With this successful integration, it will now be possible for bank customers to transfer cash from their accounts onto their e-zwich cards and vice versa.
The seven banks are Cal Bank, Standard Chartered bank, Merchant bank, and Zenith Bank, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), International Commercial Bank and the Trust Bank.
The integration process, which was recently completed, has introduced flexibility in the use of the e-zwich cards, as customers can go to any Point of Sales (POS) device and transfer cash from their bank account onto their e-zwich cards and either use to shop or even transfer money to another cardholder.
The interoperability also known as e-zwich bank2card/Card2bank is expected to greatly enhance the use of e-zwich cards.
"All you need to do is to link your traditional bank account held at the same bank that issued you the card, and you can conveniently load money directly onto your card from your traditional bank account.
"Or push money from your card into your traditional bank account at any e-zwich point of sales terminal or e-zwich ATM where available in the country," the General Manager in charge of Project and Business Development at Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS) Archie Hesse said.
Mr Hesse said the remaining banks were working to complete the integration certification so they could also provide their customers with this service.
In another development, various banks have started paying good interest rates on monies kept on the e-zwich cards.
Mr Hesse explained that each e-zwich card has two wallets, one of which is the savings wallet which attracts interest.
Currently UT Bank pays the highest rate of 15 percent, followed by Cal Bank with 12.5 percent. Other banks paying equally handsome rates for the e-zwich cards include First Atlantic Merchant Bank 9.0 percent, Fidelity Bank 8.0 percent and Ecobank 6.5 percent.
The other rates are Guaranty Trust 5%, United Bank for Africa (UBA) 5.0 percent, Amalgamated Bank 3.0 percent, Stanbic bank 2.0 percent and Prudential Bank 2.0 percent.
These rates, according to Mr Hesse, are being used by the banks to mobilize deposits in addition to the increasing use of the biometric cards. Mr Hess, therefore, urged people to take advantage of the good interest rates and get an e-zwich card.
He expressed the hope that the payment of attractive interest rates on the card in addition to the completion of the integration of the traditional bank accounts to the e-zwich card would significantly boost the use of the e-zwich card.
There are currently over 340,000 cardholders.
With this successful integration, it will now be possible for bank customers to transfer cash from their accounts onto their e-zwich cards and vice versa.
The seven banks are Cal Bank, Standard Chartered bank, Merchant bank, and Zenith Bank, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), International Commercial Bank and the Trust Bank.
The integration process, which was recently completed, has introduced flexibility in the use of the e-zwich cards, as customers can go to any Point of Sales (POS) device and transfer cash from their bank account onto their e-zwich cards and either use to shop or even transfer money to another cardholder.
The interoperability also known as e-zwich bank2card/Card2bank is expected to greatly enhance the use of e-zwich cards.
"All you need to do is to link your traditional bank account held at the same bank that issued you the card, and you can conveniently load money directly onto your card from your traditional bank account.
"Or push money from your card into your traditional bank account at any e-zwich point of sales terminal or e-zwich ATM where available in the country," the General Manager in charge of Project and Business Development at Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS) Archie Hesse said.
Mr Hesse said the remaining banks were working to complete the integration certification so they could also provide their customers with this service.
In another development, various banks have started paying good interest rates on monies kept on the e-zwich cards.
Mr Hesse explained that each e-zwich card has two wallets, one of which is the savings wallet which attracts interest.
Currently UT Bank pays the highest rate of 15 percent, followed by Cal Bank with 12.5 percent. Other banks paying equally handsome rates for the e-zwich cards include First Atlantic Merchant Bank 9.0 percent, Fidelity Bank 8.0 percent and Ecobank 6.5 percent.
The other rates are Guaranty Trust 5%, United Bank for Africa (UBA) 5.0 percent, Amalgamated Bank 3.0 percent, Stanbic bank 2.0 percent and Prudential Bank 2.0 percent.
These rates, according to Mr Hesse, are being used by the banks to mobilize deposits in addition to the increasing use of the biometric cards. Mr Hess, therefore, urged people to take advantage of the good interest rates and get an e-zwich card.
He expressed the hope that the payment of attractive interest rates on the card in addition to the completion of the integration of the traditional bank accounts to the e-zwich card would significantly boost the use of the e-zwich card.
There are currently over 340,000 cardholders.
New National Daily Minimum Wage
The new National Daily Minimum Wage is GH¢3.11 and it takes effect from February 1, 2010, the National Tripartite Committee (NTC) announced on Monday.
The 17 per cent increment from GH¢2.65 was arrived at after a fruitful deliberations between labour and employers.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of a meeting in Accra jointly signed by Mr. Stephen Amoanor Kwao, former Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Reverend Dr. Joyce Aryee, Vice President of Ghana Employers' Association and Mr. Kofi Asamoah General Secretary, Ghana Trade Union Congress (GTUC).
It said any establishment, institution or organization whose daily minimum wage was below should be adjusted upward, while with the implication of tax on incomes it was tax exempt and be the tax-free threshold of the 2010 personal income schedule.
"The tax-free threshold has now increased from GH¢240 to GH¢1,008 per annum," it said.
The NTC reiterated its commitment to the improvement of incomes and productivity in both the private and public sectors. 25 Jan. 10
The 17 per cent increment from GH¢2.65 was arrived at after a fruitful deliberations between labour and employers.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of a meeting in Accra jointly signed by Mr. Stephen Amoanor Kwao, former Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Reverend Dr. Joyce Aryee, Vice President of Ghana Employers' Association and Mr. Kofi Asamoah General Secretary, Ghana Trade Union Congress (GTUC).
It said any establishment, institution or organization whose daily minimum wage was below should be adjusted upward, while with the implication of tax on incomes it was tax exempt and be the tax-free threshold of the 2010 personal income schedule.
"The tax-free threshold has now increased from GH¢240 to GH¢1,008 per annum," it said.
The NTC reiterated its commitment to the improvement of incomes and productivity in both the private and public sectors. 25 Jan. 10
Ghana sends cocoa to Haiti
Known for her generous and peace loving people, Ghana has once again shown another kind gesture by donating 3 million US Dollars and a quantity of relief items, plastics, medications and some cocoa products for the people of Haiti.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, made the presentation on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana at the Ministry of Information to the United Nations (UN) country director, his Excellency Dauda Toure.
Hon. Mumuni said before presenting the items that Ghana sympathizes with the people of Haiti and is ready to help solve problems of all people including those whose lineage is African.
The UN country director thanked the Government and people of Ghana, for not only donating to the Haitians, but also supporting the UN in every aspect of its programmes like peace keeping.
"Ghana has been active in peace keeping activities and sharing burdens of other nations who need military support," Hon. Toure said.
The Deputy Minister of Information, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, reminded all Ghanaians to be committed to our tradition of being supportive and generous. He said Ghana has been committed to humanity and the whole of Africa from the slave trade through the colonial era to the time of independence to apartheid and hurricane Katrina. In support of the victims of the earthquake, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin- North also donated an amount of ten thousand US Dollars. According to the MP of Assin North he was motivated to do this when he saw on the television how Europeans were assisting Haiti, which is a black African state. According to him, there was no African country giving any aid except Senegal who opted to give a land for the Haitians.
Hon. Agyapong made it clear that he was not donating on the basis of political reasons or popularity but was doing this to serve a nation that is really in need. He used the opportunity to thank the Mills' government for heeding to his call for assistance for the Haitians and called on African leaders to always contribute in times of disasters such as this.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, made the presentation on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana at the Ministry of Information to the United Nations (UN) country director, his Excellency Dauda Toure.
Hon. Mumuni said before presenting the items that Ghana sympathizes with the people of Haiti and is ready to help solve problems of all people including those whose lineage is African.
The UN country director thanked the Government and people of Ghana, for not only donating to the Haitians, but also supporting the UN in every aspect of its programmes like peace keeping.
"Ghana has been active in peace keeping activities and sharing burdens of other nations who need military support," Hon. Toure said.
The Deputy Minister of Information, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, reminded all Ghanaians to be committed to our tradition of being supportive and generous. He said Ghana has been committed to humanity and the whole of Africa from the slave trade through the colonial era to the time of independence to apartheid and hurricane Katrina. In support of the victims of the earthquake, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin- North also donated an amount of ten thousand US Dollars. According to the MP of Assin North he was motivated to do this when he saw on the television how Europeans were assisting Haiti, which is a black African state. According to him, there was no African country giving any aid except Senegal who opted to give a land for the Haitians.
Hon. Agyapong made it clear that he was not donating on the basis of political reasons or popularity but was doing this to serve a nation that is really in need. He used the opportunity to thank the Mills' government for heeding to his call for assistance for the Haitians and called on African leaders to always contribute in times of disasters such as this.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Envoys of Tibet's Dalai Lama in new China talks
Talks are to resume between envoys of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and the Chinese government after a break of more than a year.
The relationship has been tense since the last round of discussions about Tibetan demands for more autonomy. One of the Dalai Lama's representative in Europe, Mr Thubten Samdup, told the BBC that Beijing might have done some rethinking about the Tibetan position.
The Dalai Lama said last year that his people had suffered "hell on earth".
It is more than 14 months since the two sides sat down for talks to solve the Tibetan issue.
Turkey's armed forces has responded
The head of Turkey's armed forces has responded angrily to a newspaper report accusing the military of plotting to overthrow the government.
Gen Ilker Basbug delivered a televised address in which he warned that the military's patience over a stream of allegations had limits. He insisted coups were a thing of the past, and that power should only change hands through democratic means.
Turkey has experienced three military coups in its recent history.
The armed forces have continued to play a political role behind the scenes.
For the past two years, the Turkish people have been bombarded with sensational revelations about alleged dirty tricks by elements of the military.
Some of the allegations, relating to a sinister "deep state" network known as Ergenekon, have already resulted in the arrest and trials of dozens of people, including retired generals.
But there have been further reports of military plots against the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan - backed by some convincing-looking documents - all reported in a two-year-old independent newspaper.
Lebanon's defence minister speaks out
Lebanon's defence minister has said An Ethiopian Airlines plane that crashed into the sea off Beirut was probably brought down by bad weather.
But Elias Murr said the cause of the crash could only be established after the flight recorders were recovered. The Addis Ababa-bound flight plunged into the Mediterranean shortly after take-off from Beirut in a storm.
All 90 people on board the Boeing 737-800 are feared dead. At least 24 bodies have been pulled from the sea.
An air and sea search is continuing in the area.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Sri Lanka's presidential election on Tuesday
The final day of campaigning is taking place ahead of Sri Lanka's presidential election on Tuesday.
Although the war in the north of the island is now over, the campaign in other parts of the island has become bitter, violent and personal.
The two main candidates are both closely associated with the government's defeat of the Tamil Tigers last May.
But now President Mahinda Rajapaksa and General Sarath Fonseka have fallen out bitterly.
Groups monitoring the conduct of the campaign say there have been hundreds of violent incidents, resulting in four deaths and many more wounded.
Early on Friday, one of Gen Fonseka's campaign managers had his house firebombed.
He blamed the president, but the government said it was "gravely concerned at this wanton act of violence".
Both candidates have toured the country, including the northern Tamil city of Jaffna from which the rebels once ran their self-declared homeland.
But Saturday will see them both addressing rallies in the capital, and hoping for huge turnouts.
Although the war in the north of the island is now over, the campaign in other parts of the island has become bitter, violent and personal.
The two main candidates are both closely associated with the government's defeat of the Tamil Tigers last May.
But now President Mahinda Rajapaksa and General Sarath Fonseka have fallen out bitterly.
Groups monitoring the conduct of the campaign say there have been hundreds of violent incidents, resulting in four deaths and many more wounded.
Early on Friday, one of Gen Fonseka's campaign managers had his house firebombed.
He blamed the president, but the government said it was "gravely concerned at this wanton act of violence".
Both candidates have toured the country, including the northern Tamil city of Jaffna from which the rebels once ran their self-declared homeland.
But Saturday will see them both addressing rallies in the capital, and hoping for huge turnouts.
A benefit concert for the victims of the Haiti earthquake
A benefit concert for the victims of the Haiti earthquake, hosted by George Clooney and featuring Jay-Z and Madonna, has been held.
Other acts who participated in the two-hour Hope for Haiti telethon included Bono and Rihanna, who pre-recorded their performances in London on Friday. The concert has been shown on all major US TV channels, MTV in the UK, and worldwide on YouTube.
An estimated 1.5 million people have been left homeless by the earthquake.
The official death toll from the 7.0-magnitude quake has risen to 110,000.
The benefit concert took place in New York, Los Angeles, London and Haiti.
More than 100 Hollywood and music stars took part.
UK terror threat level is being raised
Home Secretary Alan Johnson has said the UK terror threat level is being raised from "substantial" to "severe".
The new alert level means a terrorist attack is considered "highly likely". It had stood at substantial since July. It is in response to the perceived increased threat from international terrorism following the failed Detroit airliner bombing on Christmas Day.
Mr Johnson stressed there was no intelligence to suggest a terrorist attack was imminent.
The decision to raise the threat level was made by the UK's Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC).
Nigerian cabinet has been ordered by the federal court
The Nigerian cabinet has been ordered by the federal court to decide within 14 days if ill President Umaru Yar'Adua is fit to lead the country.
The president has been in Saudi Arabia for two months, receiving treatment for a heart condition. The court ruling directed the cabinet to pass a resolution about whether he "is incapable of discharging the functions of his office".
The president's absence has raised concerns about a power vacuum.
The Federal High Court ruled that cabinet should hear testimony from five doctors, one of whom should be the president's personal physician.
The court ruled that if cabinet decides that the president is not fit to carry out his duties, the vice-president would take over,
Barack Obama troubled by alleged cyber-attacks
Officials say US President Barack Obama continues to be "troubled" by alleged cyber-attacks originating in China on the internet search giant Google.
A White House spokesman said Mr Obama wanted "some answers" and agreed those responsible should "face consequences". The comments came after China denounced US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's criticism of its internet restrictions, saying it was harming relations.
Google has said it will decide shortly whether to end its China operations.
The company currently holds about one-third of the Chinese search market, far behind Chinese rival Baidu,which has more than 60%.
Guantanamo detention plans condemned
The American Civil Liberties Union has criticised a recommendation that 47 Guantanamo Bay inmates should be held indefinitely without trial.
Justice department officials said the men were too dangerous to release, but could not be tried as evidence against them would not stand up in a US court.
ACLU executive director Anthony Romero said their detention would reduce the camp's closure to a "symbolic gesture".
The White House said the president did not have to accept the recommendation.
It came as the deadline President Barack Obama had set himself on his second day in office for closing the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay passed.
Justice department officials said the men were too dangerous to release, but could not be tried as evidence against them would not stand up in a US court.
ACLU executive director Anthony Romero said their detention would reduce the camp's closure to a "symbolic gesture".
The White House said the president did not have to accept the recommendation.
It came as the deadline President Barack Obama had set himself on his second day in office for closing the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay passed.
MP appeals to residents
A Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East Dr. Ahmed Mustapha, on Thursday appealed to residents of Nima in the Grater Accra Region of Ghana to be law abiding. He said a lot of respectable people were living in the area and would therefore not be fair for people to judge the area by the misconduct of few miscreants who took the law into their own hands.
Dr. Mustapha made the appeal when he presenting a cheque for GH¢1000 to the Nima Police Command towards development projects. He expressed concern about congestion in the police cells, which exerted pressure on amenities at the premises.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mabel Artheh, Deputy Divisional Commander, who received the cheque, appealed for the expansion of the cells at the Nima Police station. She said the cells which had the capacity to accommodate 35 inmates sometimes keep 100, leading to unpleasant circumstances. ASP Artheh appealed to the government to consider expanding office accommodation for officers o to avoid the use of corridors as improvised offices.
Dr. Mustapha made the appeal when he presenting a cheque for GH¢1000 to the Nima Police Command towards development projects. He expressed concern about congestion in the police cells, which exerted pressure on amenities at the premises.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mabel Artheh, Deputy Divisional Commander, who received the cheque, appealed for the expansion of the cells at the Nima Police station. She said the cells which had the capacity to accommodate 35 inmates sometimes keep 100, leading to unpleasant circumstances. ASP Artheh appealed to the government to consider expanding office accommodation for officers o to avoid the use of corridors as improvised offices.
A Rwandan doctor wanted on charges of genocide and war crimes
A Rwandan doctor wanted on charges of genocide and war crimes has been arrested in France, police say.
Sosthene Munyemana, 45, who had been working in a hospital in Bordeaux for eight years, denies the charges.
His arrest on an extradition warrant from Rwanda comes weeks after France and Rwanda restored diplomatic ties.
France had rejected an asylum bid by him in 2008, saying there were "serious reasons" to suspect his involvement in war crimes in 1994, AFP reported.
Some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in the 100-day massacre in 1994.
Mr Munyemana was released on bail, but must report to judicial officials until a court date is set.
He had been on the Interpol list of wanted men for a few years.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Sarkozy to visit Rwanda
Nicolas Sarkozy will travel to Rwanda next month to pay the first visit by a French president to Kigali since the 1994 genocide, Rwandan officials say.
Rwanda's foreign ministry made the announcement after the new French ambassador presented his credentials.
The states severed ties in 2006 after a French judge said President Paul Kagame helped spark the genocide, while Rwanda accused France of arming Hutu militias.
In just 100 days, some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered.
Security in the central city of Jos
The army has taken over responsibility for security in the central city of Jos, Nigeria's Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan has said.
At least 65 Christians and 200 Muslims are believed to have died in religious rioting in Jos in recent days.
Mr Jonathan said the situation in Jos under control and those responsible would be brought to justice.
A BBC reporter in the region says the easing of a 24-hour curfew has allowed religious leaders to organise burials.
The vice-president made the annoucement in his first national broadcast since a court ruling last week court ruling empowering him to perform executive duties while President Umaru Yar'Adua is out of the country for health reasons.
A Red Cross official in Jos told the BBC he had seen scores of bodies on the streets, but that the army was now in control.
He said some of the 17,000 displaced people were returning home, but others had decided to flee the city itself.
Los Angeles area remain evacuated under threat
An estimated 800 homes in the Los Angeles area remain evacuated under threat of mudslides as storms cause renewed transport chaos and power cuts.
Flash flood warnings have been put in place with hills saturated, Los Angeles County officials said.
Torrential rains and waves as high as 25ft (7.6m) have eroded beaches and flooded low-lying roads.
A run of four storms has been the worst in southern California since 2005, officials say, causing two deaths.
Authorities went door-to-door ahead of Thursday's storm urging residents to leave the area as a precaution.
The stability of hillsides north of Los Angeles remains a concern, as the ground was stripped bare of vegetation by wildfires last summer.
There were warning to those who refused to leave that landslides could be serious and rescuers would struggle to make much progress.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Jyoti Basu lay to rest
The funeral ceremony for India's veteran communist leader Jyoti Basu has began in the eastern city of Calcutta.
Mr Basu's body has been taken in a convoy from the Peace Haven mortuary to the headquarters of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM).
Mr Basu died at the age of 95 on Sunday after a long illness. Tributes have been pouring in from around the world.
He was chief minister of West Bengal state from 1977 to 2000 and led the CPM party.
Mr Basu was credited with restoring stability to the state, and bringing in land reforms.
In 1996 he was offered the post of prime minister in a national left-of-centre coalition, but his party chose to support the government from outside the coalition.
Mr Basu described his party's decision not to join the coalition as a "historic blunder."
Adequate remuneration for community fire volunteers- Jones Tommy Smart
The coodinator for Nkoranza South District of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP),
Jones Tommy Smart has called for adequate remuneration for community fire volunteers to motivate them to protect the environment.
He said if government provided monthly allowances for the volunteers, they would be motivated enough to carry out their activities effectively and to the satisfaction of society. Mr Smart made the call when he interacted with the President of the Environmentally Concerned Citizens Association of Ghana, Mr
Joseph Yaw Aidoo at Nkoranza in the Brong Ahafo Region. He cited Zoom Lion Company as an example and said the workers put off their best and remained committed to the discharge of their
duties because they receive adequate remuneration. Mr Smart, therefore, advised district assemblies to arrange special incentive packages for the volunteers indicating that the provision of
items such as Wellington boots, cutlasses and uniforms would encourage them to render dedicated services. The NYEP Coordinator commended fire volunteers for their selfless services and appealed to assembly members and traditional
authorities to support them. Mr Aidoo noted that bushfires are man-made disasters that could be avoided if people handled fire with care. He said protecting the environment is a shared responsibility and urged Ghanaians to be wary of how they handled naked fires.
Jones Tommy Smart has called for adequate remuneration for community fire volunteers to motivate them to protect the environment.
He said if government provided monthly allowances for the volunteers, they would be motivated enough to carry out their activities effectively and to the satisfaction of society. Mr Smart made the call when he interacted with the President of the Environmentally Concerned Citizens Association of Ghana, Mr
Joseph Yaw Aidoo at Nkoranza in the Brong Ahafo Region. He cited Zoom Lion Company as an example and said the workers put off their best and remained committed to the discharge of their
duties because they receive adequate remuneration. Mr Smart, therefore, advised district assemblies to arrange special incentive packages for the volunteers indicating that the provision of
items such as Wellington boots, cutlasses and uniforms would encourage them to render dedicated services. The NYEP Coordinator commended fire volunteers for their selfless services and appealed to assembly members and traditional
authorities to support them. Mr Aidoo noted that bushfires are man-made disasters that could be avoided if people handled fire with care. He said protecting the environment is a shared responsibility and urged Ghanaians to be wary of how they handled naked fires.
Three Britons and a Colombian freed
Local police say three Britons and a Colombian kidnapped last week in Nigeria's Delta region have been freed.
Gunmen snatched the group, who were working for oil giant Shell, near the city of Port Harcourt last Tuesday, killing a Nigerian guard.
A police spokeswoman told the AFP news agency all four were "looking okay" but did not say if a ransom had been paid.
The oil-producing region is notorious for kidnappings by militants, who demand a greater share of its wealth.
But the Delta has been relatively calm since most major militant groups agreed to lay down their arms last year after the government offered an amnesty.
But the BBC's Caroline Duffield in Lagos says that with President Umaru Yar'Adua in a hospital in Saudi Arabia, no-one has been steering the amnesty process.
Many militants say the government has not fulfilled its promises. Our correspondent says there are signs that the hard-won lull in violence is now under strain.
Malignant malaria in humans has been identified in gorillas
The parasite which causes malignant malaria in humans has been identified in gorillas for the first time.
Researchers analysed faeces from wild gorillas in Cameroon and blood samples from a captive animal from Gabon.
The study says increasing contact between humans and primates due to logging and deforestation raises the risk of transmission of new pathogens.
The research findings are published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal.
New genetic sampling techniques allowed scientists from France, Cameroon, Gabon and the US to examine evidence of malaria parasites in the faecal matter of wild gorillas and chimpanzees in Cameroon.
"Sampling malaria parasites from apes in the wild has until now been very difficult", said Dr Francisco Ayala from the University of California, Irvine.
The team also took blood samples from wild born, pet animals in Gabon.
DNA evidence of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malignant malaria in humans, was found in faecal samples from two gorilla subspecies, the highly endangered cross-river gorilla and the western lowland gorilla.
Monday, January 18, 2010
No fight for Ray Narh in Ghana
Ray Narh will not come down to Ghana for the purported March 6 boxing showdown put together by Box Office Promotions, The Scribes can reveal. The 1998 Commonwealth gold medallist says the promoters of the Ghana fight have not done enough to convince him to come down for the fight. “Those guys in Ghana are not my promoters and there’s no way my promoters in America will let me come and fight in Ghana. They should stop telling Ghanaians cheap lies,” Ray Narh stated in a correspondence from his base in the US.
Narh, known as The Emperor, was initially billed to fight Ugandan Maliki Kinyogoli in Accra for the vacant WBC / Pan African Lightweight title last December 26. But the former NABC (North American Boxing Commission) Lightweight champion says the deal for that fight was not even finalized before other problems necessitated its cancellation.
“I have not talked to them and maybe another fighter called Ray Narh will be fighting, not me. They are not my promoters to start with and they cannot pay me minimum of what I get here (US). They keep saying that there is no money in Ghana,” The Emperor, 23-1 (20Kos) also now resident in Pennsylvania in the US added.
The boxer who has not fought in Ghana since defeating Alex Brew way back on Boxing Day 2003, has however not ruled out the possibility of fighting in the country again. Certain conditions however have to be met for Ray Narh to make the comeback possible because he makes a living from fighting. “It will be nice to fight in Ghana again but not when things are not put right and there's no big money involved for me and my promoters. They have plans for me and I’m sticking to those plans,” The Emperor has said.
Narh, known as The Emperor, was initially billed to fight Ugandan Maliki Kinyogoli in Accra for the vacant WBC / Pan African Lightweight title last December 26. But the former NABC (North American Boxing Commission) Lightweight champion says the deal for that fight was not even finalized before other problems necessitated its cancellation.
“I have not talked to them and maybe another fighter called Ray Narh will be fighting, not me. They are not my promoters to start with and they cannot pay me minimum of what I get here (US). They keep saying that there is no money in Ghana,” The Emperor, 23-1 (20Kos) also now resident in Pennsylvania in the US added.
The boxer who has not fought in Ghana since defeating Alex Brew way back on Boxing Day 2003, has however not ruled out the possibility of fighting in the country again. Certain conditions however have to be met for Ray Narh to make the comeback possible because he makes a living from fighting. “It will be nice to fight in Ghana again but not when things are not put right and there's no big money involved for me and my promoters. They have plans for me and I’m sticking to those plans,” The Emperor has said.
Ghana Commercial Bank Limited adjudged the bank of the year in 2009
Ghana Commercial Bank Limited (GCB) has been adjudged the bank of the year in 2009 at the global Bankers Awards dubbed: "Investment Banking Awards 2009," held in London, United Kingdom (UK).
GCB emerged the best bank in Ghana in the Country Awards category. A statement issued by the Public Relations Department of the GCB in Accra on Monday said the event was organised by the Banker Magazine of Financial Times (FT) Group of the UK and this was the fifth time it had won the award.
It said the organisers pointed out that, GCB posted impressive results in 2007 and 2008.
The statement said, the organisers found out that GCB launched some progressive and innovative products in 2008 including a special account for high net worth clients (Royal Banking), internet banking (Commernet Plus) and MasterCard.
"The bank improved its payments technology with the launch of SmartPay," it added. The organisers noted that the bank maintained a strong growth in all aspects of the balance sheet. Net profit grew by 14 per cent in 2008, assets continued to grow in 2008 and hit the GH¢1.6 billion (71,000 dollars) mark, up 43 per cent on 2007, while maintaining a low non-performing loan ratio of just two per cent.
The statement said the organisers lauded the GCB for opening 11 branches in 2008 and installing 50 more ATMs, adding that "this bricks and mortar approach to banking in Ghana has had a positive impact on deposits, which grew by 24 per cent in 2008". It said Mr. Sam Reynolds-Boison, Head, Credit Risk and Financial Planning of Ghana international Bank on behalf of Mr. Lawrence Adu-Mante, Managing Director of GCB received a certificate and a Bracken Award for the bank.
Commenting on the award, Mr. Adu-Mante said in future the bank would place more emphasis on customer needs, using electronic, mobile phone technology and the internet. "New business investments will be required to finance this customer promise, which will involve IT (Information Technology), delivery channel structure and refreshing culture," he added.
GCB emerged the best bank in Ghana in the Country Awards category. A statement issued by the Public Relations Department of the GCB in Accra on Monday said the event was organised by the Banker Magazine of Financial Times (FT) Group of the UK and this was the fifth time it had won the award.
It said the organisers pointed out that, GCB posted impressive results in 2007 and 2008.
The statement said, the organisers found out that GCB launched some progressive and innovative products in 2008 including a special account for high net worth clients (Royal Banking), internet banking (Commernet Plus) and MasterCard.
"The bank improved its payments technology with the launch of SmartPay," it added. The organisers noted that the bank maintained a strong growth in all aspects of the balance sheet. Net profit grew by 14 per cent in 2008, assets continued to grow in 2008 and hit the GH¢1.6 billion (71,000 dollars) mark, up 43 per cent on 2007, while maintaining a low non-performing loan ratio of just two per cent.
The statement said the organisers lauded the GCB for opening 11 branches in 2008 and installing 50 more ATMs, adding that "this bricks and mortar approach to banking in Ghana has had a positive impact on deposits, which grew by 24 per cent in 2008". It said Mr. Sam Reynolds-Boison, Head, Credit Risk and Financial Planning of Ghana international Bank on behalf of Mr. Lawrence Adu-Mante, Managing Director of GCB received a certificate and a Bracken Award for the bank.
Commenting on the award, Mr. Adu-Mante said in future the bank would place more emphasis on customer needs, using electronic, mobile phone technology and the internet. "New business investments will be required to finance this customer promise, which will involve IT (Information Technology), delivery channel structure and refreshing culture," he added.
Senegal's president offer free land
Senegal's president says he will offer free land and "repatriation" to people affected by the earthquake in Haiti.
President Abdoulaye Wade said Haitians were sons and daughters of Africa since Haiti was founded by slaves, including some thought to be from Senegal.
"The president is offering voluntary repatriation to any Haitian that wants to return to their origin," said Mr Wade's spokesman, Mamadou Bemba Ndiaye.
Tuesday's earthquake killed tens of thousands and left many more homeless.
Burkina Faso meets Ghana today
Burkina Faso just need a draw to make it to the round of eight while neighboring Ghana must fight for a win after a disappointing 3-1 encounter against giant Ivory Coast.
Kick-off: Tuesday, 19 January, 17:00 CET, Cidadela, Luanda.
Both teams are playing their last game in the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Angola. Burkina Faso need just a point to progress to the next stage but stuttering Ghana must win at all cost to keep their Nations Cup hopes alive.
The Stallions have a point after holding pre-tournament favourites Ivory Coast in their opening game. That disappointing results pushed the Elephants to stamp the Black Stars of Ghana in a humiliating 3-1 fixture.
The four-time African champions entered the tournament with a limping leg already as most of their senior players are suffering various forms of injuries and fell on their World Cup U-20 winning youngsters to fill in the spaces. Their game against Ivory Coast could rightly be dubbed a game between today’s generation and the future generation.
Coach Paulo Duarte charges are a disciplined side looking at their performance against the World Cup 2010 bound in the three-team Group B after Togo withdrew from the competition following a terror attack on their team bus to Angola. The Stallions were well composed and kept their eyes on their opponents to prevent any slip against the star-studded side.
Their defence is robust with a goalkeeper who knows when to step up to intimidate his goal hungry opponents. At least their opening game is enough to send their message across that they are not in Angola as spectators but to leave a footprint in the history books of the Nations Cup.
The Milovan Rajevac men would need to put on the hearts of men as they lack the strength and experience to push deep into their opponents’ half. With the exception of some few such as Udinese midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah and Rahim Ayew the rest do not seem to be goal thirsty.
They need to keep an eagle eye on World Cup qualifying round top scorer Moumouni Dagano since he would want to make a name for himself with a weakened Ghana side that rely solely on danger man but injured Michael Essien.
Their defence is robust with a goalkeeper who knows when to step up to intimidate his goal hungry opponents. At least their opening game is enough to send their message across that they are not in Angola as spectators but to leave a footprint in the history books of the Nations Cup.
The Milovan Rajevac men would need to put on the hearts of men as they lack the strength and experience to push deep into their opponents’ half. With the exception of some few such as Udinese midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah and Rahim Ayew the rest do not seem to be goal thirsty.
They need to keep an eagle eye on World Cup qualifying round top scorer Moumouni Dagano since he would want to make a name for himself with a weakened Ghana side that rely solely on danger man but injured Michael Essien.
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