U.S. President Barack Obama has called on the US Congress to pass a 50 billion US Dollar (KES 4 billion) plan to renew the country's transportation infrastructure. The spending proposal is part of President Obama's plan to create jobs and boost economic growth, almost two years since the world underwent its worst economic decline in eight decades.
The proposal envisions the rebuilding of 241,000 kilometres of road, 6,400 kilometres of rail and 241 kilometres of airport runways over the next six years. It also would include modernizing the nation's air traffic control system, in an effort to reduce delays and travel time.
Obama hopes to work with Congress to enact an up-front investment of $50 billion -an amount a White House statement says would represent a significant chunk of new spending on infrastructure.
The government of South Sudan, in collaboration with other development partners, are holding a two-day conference that seeks to address current challenges and priorities for revitilizing agriculture in Southern Sudan.
During the conference, participants will focus on establishing a five-year strategic plan for building a vibrant agriculture-based economy in the country, which was devastated by a 22-year civil war, that ended in 2005.
The conference, being held in Nairobi brings together participants from various local and international organizations, including USAID, who are mandated to examine both short and long term objectives that will significantly accelerate agricultural productivity in Southern Sudan.
With agriculture said to contribute an estimated 30% of Southern Sudan's GDP and employing about 67 % of the country's population, the two-day conference will undoubtedly offer a unique opportunity for the government of Southern Sudan and other partners to bring focus and momentum to a sector that has potential of positively impacting on the Sudanese people
With agriculture said to contribute an estimated 30% of Southern Sudan's GDP and employing about 67 % of the country's population, the two-day conference will undoubtedly offer a unique opportunity for the government of Southern Sudan and other partners to bring focus and momentum to a sector that has potential of positively impacting on the Sudanese people
Despite huge agricultural potential, Southern Sudan still faces a number of hurdles that continue to hinder agricultural development, among them poor transport, and limited storage capacity and processing facilities, coupled by a poor investment climate.
The conference will also be used as a platform to formulate viable collaborative mechanism through the launch of the Agricultural Innovative Fund, that is designed to heighten public-private partnerships in the country.
Al Shabaab militia men disguised as Somali soldiers attacked a hotel in a suicide attack in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, killing at least 32 people, including six somali MPs.
The islamist gun men went on a shooting rampage at Muna hotel near the presidential palace, killing the 32 people before blowing themselves up. The attack comes only soon after Al Shabab declared war.
The two Al Shabaab militiamen dressed in Somali military uniform attacked the Muna hotel and proceeded to shoot on sight, before blowing themselves up.
The Muna hotel, which has been the hotel of choice for numerous Somali government officials and dignitaries, was a scene of chaos and confusion. When the dust finally settled, six Somali parliamentarians were among the dead.
The radical islamist group inspired by Al Queda declared what they called the 'massive, final war' against invaders.
On Monday, the militia attacked army barracks in several districts in Mogadishu, sparking clashes that left 29 civilians dead.
According to Aljazeera's website, Al Shabaab's spokesperson, Sheikh Ali Mohamoud Rage says they've started a new war to weed out dissenters, in apparent reference to the African Union troops deployed in the failed state to support the Transitional Federal Government.
Last month, Al Shabaab launched a twin bomb attack in Kampala during the finals of the World Cup, killing 70 and wounding scores of others.
The African Union has asked the United Nation's Security Council to change the rules of engagement of African Union troops in Somalia to enable them attack the Al Shabab militia. The Un Security Council has yet to officially reply to this request.
Al Shabaab has issued threats to undertake strikes in any east and central african countries that continue to send troops to Somalia.
The speaker of Benin's parliament has rejected a call from 48 opposition lawmakers to indict President Thomas Yayi Boni in connection with an illegal investment fund. The speaker, Mr Nathurin Nago said there was not enough evidence supporting an indictment of the President.
The 48 plaintiffs had lodged their case with the Beninois High Court of Justice at the end July. They suspect President Boni, who is a former banker, of allowing and/or encouraging the diversion of investors' funds. Earlier in July, the President, who was elected in 2006 after a zero-tolerance for corruption campaign, sacked the Interior Minister as well as the chief prosecutor in the Appeals court, because they were connected with this case.
Following an investigation launched by the President himself, one of his cousins has been arrested, and is being detained in the capital, Cotonou.
Yayi -- a former banker elected in March 2006 on an anti-corruption platform -- of "favouring the activities of ICC Services" which diverted the funds of its investors.
The president sacked interior minister Armand Zinzindohoue and the Contonou appeals court chief prosecutor on July 7 in connection with the case. He also ordered an investigation.
According to a source close to the probe, one of Yoyi's cousins has been arrested and is now being held in a detention centre in Benin's capital Cotonou.
Wyclef Jean says he has not abandoned his bid to run for the presidency of Haiti and may attempt to get the courts to overturn the decision to disqualify him from the race.
Jean says that his lawyers will file an appeal with the national electoral dispute office, saying that he has documentation to show his eligibility. He believes that he is being kept from featuring on Haiti's ballot because of the backhandedness of Haitian politics. Indeed, shortly after filing his bid to run in the national elections, he was confronted by two potential candidates, who promptly challenged his legitimacy, and are seemingly standing by, waiting to appeal against any favorable decision that is made by the national electoral dispute office.
Haiti's elections board rejected Jean's candidacy last Friday, because, it is assumed, he did not meet the residency criteria necessary to be eligible. The board, however, has not given any specific reason for its decision, which was protracted enough to draw protesters onto Haitian streets.
Under Haitian law, a presidential candidate must have lived in the country for five consecutive years leading up to an election. Jean argued that he was not required to comply with the law so strictly because, after the president, Rene Preval, appointed him as a roving ambassador in 2007, he was allowed to travel and live outside Haiti.
He said that shortly after filing his papers to run in the election, due to take place on 28 November, two Haitian citizens had challenged his candidacy, saying he did not meet the residency requirements. He claimed the national electoral dispute office had ruled in his favour, but the two citizens appealed against the decision and the case was still pending when the elections board decided to disqualify him.
