African News Daily - Breaking News on the Continent

AllAfrica.com News Headlines	BBC News Headlines
All Africa, All the Time. Congo-Kinshasa: Opposition Leader Faces War Crimes Charges - The former vice-president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Jean-Pierre Bemba, has been transferred to The Hague in the Netherlands for trial on war crimes charges - including accusations of sexual crimes committed in the Central African Republic (CAR). Zambia: Mwanawasa Still Alive, Say Officials - Top Zambian officials are denying reports that President Levy Mwanawasa has died, news agencies reported Thursday. Zimbabwe: MDC Supporters Take Refuge At U.S. Embassy - More desperate Zimbabweans have been trying to find sanctuary at a foreign embassy. A spokesperson for the United States embassy confirmed that at least 250 victims of politically motivated violence had arrived at their gates seeking help. Nigeria: Yar'Adua Seeks to Cut Budget - A bill seeking to amend the 2008 budget law sent by President Umaru Musa Yar'adua to the National Assembly yesterday is seeking to further reduce the budget figure by about N200 billion. Ethiopia: UN Food Agency Widens Assistance to Feed Nearly 5 Million - The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced today that it is expanding its operations to feed 4.6 million people in Ethiopia, in response to the Horn of Africa nation's pressing appeal for help in staving off hunger-related deaths. West Africa: Significant Progress Made in Region - UN - Although West Africa has made strides towards shoring up peace, the region must still overcome such obstacles as youth unemployment, rapid urbanization and irregular migration, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a new report made public today. Kenya: Political Risks a Threat to the Economy - Events in the political arena still pose the greatest risk to the Kenyan economy, a deterioration of which could hurt business even as the country shows signs of recovery. Zambia: Government And France Deny Mwanawasa Death Rumours - Zambia's chief government spokesman Mike Mulongoti has denied South African media reports that President Levy Mwanawasa had died in a French hospital Thursday. Zimbabwe: British Premier Says Crisis Needs Peacekeeping Force - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown suggested on Thursday that the international community could send a peacekeeping force to stabilise Zimbabwe. Ghana: Opposition Protests Telecom Sale - THE MINORITY in Parliament has questioned the supposed confidentiality, lack of openness and transparency with which government is conducting negotiations regarding the privatization and sale of majority shares in Ghana Telecom (GT), between the Government of Ghana (GOG) and Vodafone plc. UK. Somalia: Displaced Return As Fighting Subsides in Central Town - Life is returning to normal in Guri-Eil in Galgadud region, central Somalia, as thousands of displaced people make their way back to the town after fleeing fighting between Ethiopian forces and insurgents. Namibia: Anti-Corruption Body To Probe Regional Governor - The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has received a letter detailing allegations of misappropriation of public funds at the Oshana Regional Council, ACC Deputy Director, Erna van der Merwe, confirmed in an interview yesterday. Africa: AU Leaders Defer Union Govt Debate - African leaders have deferred their discussion of a union government until January next year after failing to reach a consensus at their Summit in Egypt this week. Africa: AU's U.S. $72 Billion Landmark Plan to Fight Poverty - A landmark plan of action, targeting an estimated $72 billion a year in external funding to help Africa win the battle against poverty, has been launched at the gathering of the continent's political leaders in this Egyptian Red Sea resort. Africa: 'Agriculture Needs Green Growth' - Caution needs to be exercised in developing African food production to avoid long-term social and environmental harm, according to an ecologist credited with averting mass hunger on the continent. Congo-Kinshasa: Militia Leader Could Escape Trial - A Congolese militia leader facing war crimes charges for allegedly recruiting child soldiers could walk free in five days without standing trial. Tanzania: Opposition CUF Calls for 'In-Depth' Probe of Graft Claims - The Civil United Front (CUF) has called for "an in-depth investigation" of allegations of corruption within the Bank of Tanzania (BoT). Nigeria: Govt Warns Teachers on Pickets - As the on-going teachers strike across the country enters its fourth day, the Federal Government yesterday warned the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) not to carry out its threat of picketing private schools whose teachers have been shunning the industrial action. Kenya: Probe Calls for Finance Minister's Exit - The sub-committee set up to probe the sale of the Grand Regency hotel has recommended that Finance Minister Amos Kimunya step aside to facilitate proper investigations into the controversy. Uganda: AU Names Country for UN Seat - THE African Union (AU) has endorsed Uganda as their non-permanent member to the UN Security Council for 2009/2010, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said. Kenya: MPs Pass Vote of No-Confidence Against Minister - Parliament has passed a vote of no-confidence against Finance minister Amos Kimunya over his role in the controversial sale of the Grand Regency Hotel. Rwanda: Africa to Handle Case Against Army Top Brass - The indictments issued against top brass of the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) will now be handled at a continental level. Ghana: Lethal Yellow Disease Has Scientists Stumped - Older Ghanaians remember when the country's coast was lined with coconut trees. Fishermen would mend their nets in the shade the trees provided, as well as drink the water and eat the fruit. South Africa: Consumer Confidence Lowest in Decades - CONSUMER confidence plunged at its fastest pace in 24 years in the second quarter of this year, knocked by soaring food and fuel prices, rising interest rates and deteriorating job prospects, a key survey showed yesterday. Nigeria: Ex-Ministers Charged in Court - Former Ministers of Aviation Professor Babatunde Borishade and Chief Femi Fani-Kayode were yesterday arraigned before an Abuja Magistrate's Court on charges that they misappropriated N19.5billion belonging to the Federal Government. Zimbabwe: Rivals Set Out Terms for Unity Talks - THE outlines of a negotiation - if not a deal - in Zimbabwe began to form for President Thabo Mbeki yesterday as that country's two main political protagonists laid down markers in the wake of an African Union (AU) call this week for Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai to form a "unity" government in Harare. Kenya: Proposed Pension Regulations Laudable - A common story in social circles is how retirees are considered lucky if they survive for more than five years after leaving employment. Kenya: IMF Forecasts 4 Percent Economic Growth - The International Monetary Fund has lauded the Vision 2030 goal while predicting that Kenya's GDP will grow by four per cent in 2008, echoing predictions by the government. Kenya: Investor Claims Against Nyaga Stockbrokers Hit Sh1 Billion Mark - Investor claims against collapsed Nyaga Stockbrokers have risen to nearly one billion shilling mark putting the statutory managers in a financial fix. Zimbabwe: Denounce Mugabe Or Lose Credibility - Recalling her own background of persistent political struggles with fiendish dictatorships, the Liberian leader, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has voiced her disdain over the apparent indifference of many of her male African leaders to outrightly denounce Zimbabwean tyrant Robert Mugabe.	Visit BBC News for up-to-the-minute news, breaking news, video, audio and feature stories. BBC News provides trusted World and UK news as well as local and regional perspectives. Also entertainment, business, science, technology and health news. Congo ex-leader sent to The Hague - Former DR Congo Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba is sent to The Hague on war crimes charges. Zimbabweans seek embassy refuge - More than 200 people have gathered outside the US embassy in Zimbabwe seeking refuge. Zambia leader's 'death' confusion - South Africa's president says the Zambian leader has died - but then retracts his comments. Zimbabwe 'least happy nation' - Denmark is the happiest country in the world, according to a survey published by the US National Science Foundation. A unity government for Zimbabwe? - Zimbabweans give their views on the idea of a government of national unity to solve the political and economic crisis. Kenya 'fraud' minister told to go - A government report says Kenya's finance minister should be suspended over alleged fraud. SA mourns victims of xenophobia - South Africa holds a day of national mourning for those killed during May's xenophobic attacks. Nigeria charges ex-air ministers - Two Nigerian ex-aviation ministers are charged over missing money for new radars. Rwanda genocide suspects gain conjugal rights - Rwanda genocide suspects held at UN-backed tribunal granted conjugal rights Cameroonian in barefoot UK trek to save Africa - A Cameroonian says his barefoot trek across the UK was worth the pain to highlight Africa's problems. Football stars play for Africa - Didier Drogba is among the stars set to play a charity match in Germany next week to help raise money for Africa. Zimbabwe urged to miss ICC event - Cricket's top bosses are trying to persuade Zimbabwe to pull out of the ICC World Twenty20. Free-for-all - Kenyans suffer as foreign trawlers grab their fish Paper trail - Nigeria makes progress on getting back stolen cash Treading softly - AU summit takes tentative steps on Zimbabwe Harare diary - Slick parades belie poll frustrations in Zimbabwe In pictures - Horse festival revived to bring peace to Darfur Identity crisis - Why Ghanaian wrestling star says he is from Jamaica ICC orders Congo warlord release - The ICC orders the release of its first-ever war crimes suspect, DR Congo warlord Thomas Lubanga. Chad troops kill sect disciples - Chad troops kill more than 60 followers of a Muslim spiritual leader who threatened holy war. Circumcisions kill S African boys - Fifteen boys die after botched circumcisions in South Africa's Eastern Cape, officials say. Africa moves to stop fish theft - African governments meet to stop illegal fishing that costs the continent $1bn a year. Anger at Kenya biofuel approval - Environmentalists ask Kenya to revoke a decision to allow a controversial biofuel project. Somali insurgents in deadly raids - At least 21 people are killed in fighting prompted by insurgent attacks in Somalia. Ill Zambian leader flown to Paris - Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa is flown to Paris after suffering a stroke in Egypt. Migrants washed up in Gabon - The bodies of at least 12 would-be migrants are found washed up in Libreville, Gabon. Nigeria arrests ex-air ministers - Two Nigerian ex-aviation ministers are arrested over missing money for new radars. Opening night - Egyptian film revival driven by success abroad Fez music builds bridges - The BBC's Magdi Abdelhadi visits Fez in Morocco for the city's 14th festival of sacred music. Misery for Mali farmers - Farmers unsure about plans to sell off cotton sector Sierra Leone school battles - Why school sports days in Sierra Leone turn nasty Vodafone in Ghanaian mobile deal - Mobile provider Vodafone is to expand its presence in Africa by buying a majority stake in Ghana Telecom for £452m. No paper for Zimbabwe money - A German company which helps Zimbabwe supply its money becomes the latest firm to end its business links. Would Africa pay a health tax? - Free healthcare in Africa is a practically non-existent. What healthcare system does your country operate? Who gains from scramble for Africa? - As global business interest in Africa increases, willl the continent be better off? Do foreigners earn more? - Is your pay and condition of service lower than is paid to expat staff in the same job? Send us your pictures of Africa - BBC News website wants your digital photographs of life in Africa.