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International News
December 31,
2007
Odinga rejects Kenya poll result
The opposition candidate in Kenya's presidential election, Raila
Odinga, rejects the victory of President Kibaki.
BBC
Kenya Bans Live Media Broadcasts
A cross section of Kenyans have described as “banana republic” a
government directive banning all media houses from broadcasting live
news of the outcome of last Thursday’s elections.
VoiceOfAmerica
Second Kibaki Administration Encounters
Breached Birth After Surviving Close Vote Less than one hour after incumbent Mwai Kibaki was
declared the winner of Kenya’s presidential election, he was sworn
into office for a second term. Although not mandatory under Kenyan
law, the procedure of a rapid turnover of power has become the
standard, practiced under Kibaki four years ago, and also under his
predecessor, Daniel Arap Moi in 1992.
VoiceOfAmerica
Riots follow Kenya president's re-election
Incumbent president Mwai Kibaki has been re-elected as leader of
Kenya, the country's electoral commission announced Sunday.
CNN
Bhutto's son to head party
Bilawal Zardari, the 19-year-old son of Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan's
assassinated former prime minister, and opposition leader, has been
chosen to succeed her as chairman of the Pakistan People's Party
(PPP).
Aljazeera
Kenyan count halted amid unrest
Kenya's vote count is halted amid chaotic scenes at the electoral
offices, as unrest is reported across the nation.
BBC
All change?
South Africa's ruling party faces a turbulent year ahead
When the African National Congress (ANC) marks its 96th anniversary on
8 January, it will also be the start of another testing year for South
Africa's ruling party.
BBC
Violence Reported in Kenya as Vote Count
Continues
Latest results give opposition leader Raila Odinga a slight edge over
incumbent President Mwai Kibaki
VoiceOfAmerica
Opposition claims victory in Kenya
The result of Kenya's election looked set for a dramatic climax as the
country's electoral commission said Saturday that incumbent president
Mwai Kibaki was closing the gap on opposition leader Raila Odinga.
CNN
Kenyan
opposition claims poll win
Kenya's opposition has claimed victory in the country's presidential
elections, as fears of ballot rigging after counting delays continued
to spark violence across the east African nation.
Aljazeera
December 29,
2007
Nigeria corruption tsar sidelined
The head of Nigeria's anti-corruption unit has reportedly been ordered
to go on year-long study leave, in an apparent attempt to sideline
him.
BBC
New charges for S Africa's Zuma
South African prosecutors bring corruption charges against Jacob Zuma,
leader of the governing ANC party.
BBC
Odinga in front in Kenya election
Opposition leader Raila Odinga is ahead of President Mwai Kibaki in
Kenya's poll, partial unofficial results suggest.
BBC
Nigeria's Anti-Corruption Chief Ousted The chairman of
Nigeria's anti-corruption Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
Nuhu Ribadu, has been ousted in a move criticized by anti-corruption
campaigners.
VoiceOfAmerica
Unofficial Results Show Challenger Odinga
Leading in Kenya Presidential Election Unofficial results from Kenya's presidential
election show the main challenger, Raila Odinga, holding a significant
lead over the incumbent, Mwai Kibaki.
VoiceOfAmerica
How did Pakistan's Bhutto die?
Conflicting reports about what caused the death of former Pakistani
Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto are fueling questions about the
circumstances of her assassination.
CNN
Al-Qaeda blamed for Bhutto killing
The Pakistani government has said it has evidence al-Qaeda was
responsible was for the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the former
prime minister.
Aljazeera
December 28,
2007
Slain Bhutto's body flown home
The body of Pakistan's assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir
Bhutto was being flown home Friday, as sporadic violence was reported
in cities across the country.
CNN
Benazir Bhutto assassinated in suicide attack
A suicide attacker killed Benazir Bhutto on Thursday as she campaigned
to return as prime minister of Pakistan, aides said.
ConscienceDaily.com
Kenyans count cliff-hanger vote
Counting continues through the night across Kenya after what is
expected to be its closest-ever elections.
BBC
Southerners to take Sudan posts
Former rebels are to be sworn in as Sudanese ministers, after clashes
reportedly leave 100 dead.
BBC
Kenyans Will Know Leader By Weekend, Analyst
Says
As Kenya’s electoral commission began announcing partial results of
yesterday’s general and presidential elections, political observers
say voters would know by this weekend who will lead the country.
VoiceOfAmerica
Bhutto
killed in suicide attack
Benazir Bhutto, the former Pakistani prime minister, has been killed
in a gun and suicide bomb attack at an election rally in the city of
Rawalpindi.
Aljazeera
December 27,
2007
Lagos pipeline blast kills dozens
At least 40 people die in an oil pipeline explosion in Nigeria's
commercial capital, officials say.
BBC
Chad court jails French aid staff
A court in Chad sentences six French aid workers to eight years of
hard labour for trying to abduct children.
BBC
Kenya votes in presidential poll
Kenyan voters go to the polls in an atmosphere of suspicion, with
rumours rife of vote-rigging.
BBC
At Least 40 Killed in Christmas Day Blast at
Nigerian Pipeline Nigerian authorities say a pipeline explosion and
fire killed at least 40 people Tuesday (Christmas day) in the south of
the country.
VoiceOfAmerica
34 dead in Nigeria fuel pipeline fire
A ruptured gasoline pipeline exploded in flames, killing at least 34
people near Nigeria's main city of Lagos as they tried to scoop fuel
from the gushing leak, police said Wednesday.
CNN
December 26,
2007
Mauritania probes 'al-Qaeda link'
Men suspected of killing French tourists in Mauritania belong to an
al-Qaeda-linked group, prosecutors say.
BBC
Zimbabwe woe as banks stay shut
Zimbabwe's banks stay closed on Christmas Day despite pledges to open
for people desperate for cash.
BBC
Egypt 'to copyright antiquities'
Egypt's MPs are set to pass a law requiring royalties to be paid when
copies are made of ancient treasures.
BBC
Uganda Opposition Leader Denies Rumors of His
Own Demise The leader of Uganda’s main opposition party, the
Forum for Democratic Change, Kizza Besigye says he is alive and in
good health contrary to rumors in Uganda that he is dead.
VoiceOfAmerica
Muslims could be key to Kenya election
In the Kenyan slum of Kibera these days, the ancient cadences of the
Muslim call to prayer compete with election propaganda blaring from
loudspeakers.
CNN
Iranian Jews find new homes in Israel
Greeted by joyous relatives and a crowd of reporters, about 40 Iranian
Jews landed in Israel on Tuesday, leaving behind their lives in the
Islamic republic for new homes in the Jewish state.
CNN
December 25,
2007
Pfizer arrests sought in Nigeria
A Nigerian state court orders the arrest of three Pfizer staff over a
1996 drug trial which allegedly killed 11 children.
BBC
Liberia's Supreme Court Recognizes New
Firestone Workers' Union Leadership The Liberian Minister of Labor, Samuel Kofi Woods,
has urged both the workers and management of the Firestone Rubber
Plantation Company to continue to work together to ensure industrial
peace and harmony on the plantation.
VoiceOfAmerica
Campaign Ends Ahead of Kenya’s Election Campaigns officially ended Monday ahead of Kenya’s
general elections on Thursday. The election pits incumbent President
Mwai Kibaki, who is seeking a second term, against opposition
candidates Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and
Kalonzo Musyoka of the Orange Democratic Movement- Kenya (ODM- Kenya).
VoiceOfAmerica
Aid worker falls ill in Chad trial
A French nurse was carried out of a Chadian courtroom on Monday after
falling ill during a trial in which she and five other charity workers
are accused of trying to kidnap 103 African children.
CNN
Bleak Christmas for Zimbabweans
Thousands of Zimbabweans waited for hours to get scarce currency from
the banks so they could buy food and board buses on Monday for
Christmas trips to their home villages.
CNN
Iraqi
fighters display new weapons Foreign forces in Iraq are hoping
that a much heralded drop in violence in Iraq will continue into the
new year. Aljazeera
Fights
as campaigning in Kenya ends
Kenya's presidential hopefuls have ended their election campaigns as
the incumbent and his challenger held huge rallies ahead of the
December 27 polls.
Aljazeera
December 24,
2007
Sea cucumber a 'malaria weapon'
Sea cucumbers may provide a potential new way to block transmission of
the malaria parasite, a study says.
BBC
Nigeria Senate to Investigate Obasanjo
Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo is
reportedly under investigation for his government’s alleged
involvement in a rural telephone project.
VoiceOfAmerica
Party of former Thai leader claims victory
Loyalists of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra won nearly half
the seats in Thailand's parliamentary elections Sunday in a striking
rebuke to the generals who forced the billionaire populist from power
in 2006.
CNN
Dakar
and Rabat row over W Sahara Senegal and Morocco
have recalled their respective ambassadors from each other's countries
in a diplomatic row over comments by a Senegalese opposition member
about the Western Sahara region.
Aljazeera
December 23,
2007
Ivory Coast's disarmament begins
Ivory Coast rebels and government troops start a process of
disarmament, five years after violence began.
BBC
Not one but 'six giraffe species'
The world's tallest animal, the giraffe, may actually be several
species, a study has found.
BBC
Chad kidnap accused 'were duped'
One of French aid workers in Chad who denies abducting children tells
a court they were misled by intermediaries
BBC
EU, US Criticize Kenyan Pre-Election Violence The European
Commission and the United States are condemning the political violence
that has been reported in Kenya in the run-up to next week's
presidential and legislative elections.
VoiceOfAmerica
Blair converts to Catholicism
Tony Blair, who often kept his religious views private while serving
as Britain's prime minister, has converted to Catholicism, officials
said Saturday.
CNN
Chavez to oversee FARC hostages' release
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez confirmed Saturday that he plans to
witness the release of three hostages held for years by the Colombian
left-wing guerrilla group FARC.
CNN
Polisario threatens return to arms The Polisario Front,
pushing for independence for Western Sahara from Morocco, has
threatened a return to violence if negotiations over the disputed
region fail, according to an Algerian news report.
Aljazeera
Iraq
vows to disband Sunni groups Iraq's government
has declared that it will disband Sunni groups battling al-Qaeda in
Iraq after violence-wracked areas are calmed because it does not want
them to become a separate military force.
Aljazeera
December 22,
2007
Mbeki defiant after defeat by ANC
South Africa's Thabo Mbeki says his government will carry on, despite
suffering heavy losses in ANC party elections.
BBC
Welcome message
It will take more than a speech for Jacob Zuma to heal ANC rifts
As 4,000 delegates made their way towards the conference venue, a huge
white tent on the campus of the University of Limpopo, many were
wondering what Jacob Zuma might say.
BBC
South African President Mbeki Addresses Media
After Losing ANC Leadership Post Thabo Mbeki says there are no enemies in the African National
Congress
VoiceOfAmerica
Defiant Mbeki to stay S. Africa president
President Thabo Mbeki said Friday he had no plans to stand down as
national president even though ANC delegates snubbed him and most of
his allies in voting for party posts this week.
CNN
Chavez
offers 'oil for food' Venezuela's
president has offered Caribbean and Central American nations the
option to pay for oil supplies with local products, such as bananas
and sugar
Aljazeera
US
softens stance on Iran
The US secretary of state has said Washington is "open to ending
conflict and confrontation", but stressed the US would continue to use
its power to achieve its strategic objectives.
Aljazeera
New ANC Leader Zuma Seeks to Mend Fences In his first
address as newly elected African National Congress party president,
Jacob Zuma sought to build fences and reassure South Africa on
economic policy.
VoiceOfAmerica
Ghana’s Ruling Party To Elect Its
Presidential Candidate Saturday Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) will hold
its congress Saturday to elect a new presidential candidate ahead of
next year’s general elections. VoiceOfAmerica
'Enough evidence' to charge Zuma
South Africa's ANC leader, Jacob Zuma, calls for unity hours after
officials said he could face corruption charges.
BBC
Deadly explosions rock Freetown
At least 17 people die as huge blasts hit the Sierra Leone capital,
Freetown, a top official says.
BBC
December 20,
2007
Nigerians Welcome Contract Rejection By
President Yar’Adua Some Nigerians are reportedly hailing President
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s rejection of all contracts presented for his
approval with less than two weeks to the end of the current fiscal
year.
VoiceOfAmerica
Nigerian Delta Militant Wants Former Governor
Released in 48 Hours A Nigerian rebel
leader wants the authorities to free a former governor charged with
corruption or face renewed attacks on the oil industry. VoiceOfAmerica
Africa Slowly Struggles to Bridge Digital
Divide Africa is slowly
bridging the gap that divides it from the digital world. Government
officials and technology companies are trying to implement programs
such as telemedicine and electronic education within the next five
years. VoiceOfAmerica
South African rift
Zuma win challenges unity between ANC and government
When Jacob Zuma, the victor in the bruising African National Congress
(ANC) battle for the party's presidency, hugged the outgoing incumbent
in front of the entire conference of some 5,000, the message was clear
and unequivocal - the time for division is over.
BBC
'No revenge' call after Zuma win
Left-wing supporters of South Africa's new ANC leader Jacob Zuma
appeal for unity after an acrimonious party poll.
BBC
Zimbabwe to issue new banknotes
Zimbabwe issues new banknotes in an effort to tackle the cash
shortages afflicting the country.
BBC
December 19,
2007
Zuma wins ANC leadership election
Jacob Zuma is strongly placed to be South Africa's next president
after winning the leadership of the ruling ANC.
BBC
State funds 'abused for Kibaki'
Kenyan ministers and top civil servants are accused of using state
resources to campaign for President Kibaki.
BBC
Enforcement Fails to Slow Illegal West
African Immigration to Europe West African and
European governments have been trying for the past year to stem the
flow of illegal immigrants embarking on dangerous trips across land
and water looking for work and a better life in richer countries.
VoiceOfAmerica
West Africa Plays for Time in European Trade
Negotiations West African trade
ministers have given themselves another 18 months to negotiate before
signing a regional economic partnership with Europe. VoiceOfAmerica
Zuma Wins Presidency of South Africa's Ruling
Party The National
Conference of the African National Congress has elected Jacob Zuma as
the new president of the organization.
VoiceOfAmerica
Mbeki ousted as ANC leader
Jacob Zuma, a populist whose political career survived rape and
corruption charges, was Tuesday elected leader of the governing
African National Congress.
CNN
Jacob
Zuma wins ANC leadership
Jacob Zuma has been named the new president of South Africa's ruling
African National Congress, putting him at the head of the race to
become the country's leader in 2009.
Aljazeera
December 18,
2007
Nigerian Militants Call for Groups to Unite, Cripple Oil Industry A Nigerian militant group behind attacks in the
country's oil-rich Niger Delta is urging all such groups to unite and
cripple Nigeria's oil industry.
VoiceOfAmerica
South Africa Ruling ANC Party to Elect New
Leaders Tuesday
South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) party will today
Tuesday begin elections to choose a possible new leader in Polokwane.
VoiceOfAmerica
Ghana’s Opposition CPP Party Elects A New
Presidential Candidate Ghana’s opposition Convention People’s Party (CPP)
has elected a new presidential candidate to represent the party ahead
of next year’s general elections.
VoiceOfAmerica
ANC delegates to vote for leader
South Africa's ruling ANC is set to choose between bitter rivals Thabo
Mbeki and Jacob Zuma for the party leadership.
BBC
Angolan actors 'killed by police'
Angolan police shoot dead two actors after mistaking them for armed
robbers, a film director says.
BBC
Tanzania fear over albino killing
Tanzania's Albino Society says the government is not protecting
albinos, after four killings in three months.
BBC
Castro: I won't 'cling to office'
A Cuban television news anchor read a letter on air Monday that was
reportedly written by Fidel Castro promising he would not "cling to
office" or be an impediment to rising young leaders.
CNN
'No plan to marry'
Princess Diana, in a conversation days before her death, denied any
intention of marrying Dodi Fayed, a friend testified Monday
CNN
December 17,
2007
Muslims gather for Hajj pilgrimage
Millions of Muslims from around the world gathered in Mecca Sunday for
the start of the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage, as the Saudi Interior
Ministry announced tough security precautions.
CNN
Mbeki calls for ANC unity, support
Appealing for unity and taking a jab at his political rival, South
African President Thabo Mbeki made a last-ditch attempt on Sunday to
rescue his political career as he addressed a conference of the
governing party.
CNN
Al Qaeda No. 2 blasts 'traitors'
Osama bin Laden's top lieutenant warned in a video statement released
Sunday that Iraqi tribal leaders who side with U.S. troops against al
Qaeda fighters would face reprisals when Americans leave Iraq.
CNN
Heckles open ANC election meeting
Jacob Zuma's supporters boo and heckle as the ruling ANC meets to
elect a new leader - a top post in South Africa.
BBC
Darfur rebels 'win major victory'
Darfur rebels say they have inflicted a major defeat on the Sudanese
army, capturing soldiers and equipment.
BBC
Bird Flu Concerns Persist in Nigeria Before
Holiday Festivities With the approach
of Christmas and Muslims marking Sallah, poultry consumption in
Nigeria is expected to reach an all-time high this month. VoiceOfAmerica
Zuma Election As ANC President May Be Good
for Investors, Says South African Analyst
University professor Sheila Meintjes says many poor South Africans
have become disgruntled with the Mbeki government
VoiceOfAmerica
ANC
leadership vote delayed
A vote to choose the leader of South Africa's ruling African National
Congress (ANC) has been delayed amid deep divisions.
Aljazeera
December 16,
2007
Nigerian President Clarifies Military Agreement with US Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua has clarified an
agreement he made with President Bush regarding military cooperation
between the two nations. VoiceOfAmerica
South African Prosecutors Seek New Charges Against Zuma South African prosecutors say they have new
evidence of corruption against former deputy president Jacob Zuma, who
is seeking to take over the ruling African National Congress party.
VoiceOfAmerica
The Mbeki debate
Has South Africa's president failed to meet expectations?
As South Africa's governing African National Congress prepares to
decide whether President Thabo Mbeki should continue to lead the
party, former ANC MP Andrew Feinstein says Mr Mbeki has badly damaged
the party. BBC
Six more years?
Robert Mugabe set to contest next year's elections in Zimbabwe
President Robert Mugabe has seen off his rivals within Zanu-PF and
secured the party's nomination for the presidential elections
scheduled for next March.
BBC
Huge rally marks Hamas anniversary
Hamas marked the 20th anniversary of its founding with a huge rally
Saturday, sending a message of strength and defiance even as it is
struggling to keep the Gaza Strip from sinking deeper into poverty.
CNN
December 15,
2007
'Nothing to fear' from SA's Zuma
Jacob Zuma, the favourite to become the next leader of South Africa's
ANC, denies that he would change economic policy.
BBC
The great divide
Not all South Africans have pocketed the benefits of democracy
At 33, he is a CEO in the marketing world, with a lifestyle to match -
his and her BMWs parked in the driveway, a swimming pool and a boat.
BBC
South Africa's Ruling Party to Elect Leaders
At National Conference South Africa's
ruling African National Congress is due to begin its much anticipated
national conference Sunday in Polokwane in Limpopo province.
VoiceOfAmerica
Sierra Leone Police Open Fire on Locals
Protesting Mining Practices Police in Eastern
Sierra Leone have opened fire to disperse a group of demonstrators in
the kimberlite mining town of Koidu, where local residents say they
have not been compensated for environmental damages from the mining.
VoiceOfAmerica
N.Korea answers Bush's nuclear letter
North Korea delivered a verbal response Friday to a letter President
Bush sent to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il earlier this month about
the progress of nuclear talks, officials said.
CNN
Zawahiri condemns Mideast peace effort
An audio message purportedly from Osama bin Laden's deputy has
criticized Middle East leaders who attended a peace summit last month,
reminding them they are fighting a "single jihad" against the "Zionist
enemy."
CNN
Mbeki
warning ahead of ANC vote
Thabo Mbeki, the South African president, has said that the
acrimonious contest to lead his ruling African National Congress could
destroy the party.
Aljazeera
December 14,
2007
Kenya's first lady slaps official
A Kenyan TV station lodges a complaint after images of the first lady
slapping an official were seized and erased.
BBC
Mugabe to run again for Zanu-PF
Zimbabwe's governing party endorses Robert Mugabe as its presidential
candidate for next year's election.
BBC
Zimbabwe's farm seizure blocked
A southern African regional court has ordered Zimbabwe not to proceed
with the seizure of a white farmer's land.
BBC
Col Gaddafi faces torture lawsuit
A Palestinian doctor formerly jailed in Libya files a suit for torture
against Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi.
BBC
Nigeria's Oil State Ex-Governor Charged With Corruption Nigerian
prosecutors have formally charged a former governor of one of
Nigeria's richest states with stealing state funds during his
eight-year tenure.
VoiceOfAmerica
South Africa’s Ruling ANC Party Elects Possible New Leaders This
Weekend
All seem set for South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC)
party to elect a possible new leader at this weekend’s national
conference in the provincial capital of Polokwane.
VoiceOfAmerica
Zimbabwe White Farmers Hail SADC Court Ruling Zimbabwe white farmers whose farms were confiscated
by President Robert Mugabe’s government have welcomed a tribunal
ruling ordering the government to stop its land seizure policy.
VoiceOfAmerica
EU, U.S. in climate deal standoff
Negotiations over a new agreement on global warming were expected to
go down to the wire as the United States and the European Union
remained at loggerheads over how to replace the 10-year-old Kyoto
Protocol.
CNN
Inter-Korea train running empty
The first regular train service between the North and South Korea in
more than 50 years is running empty due to a lack of demand for its
cargo services, but railway officials have ruled out suspending the
service saying it is too symbolic.
Aljazeera
He who sabotages, makes a case
for similar fate!
December 13,
2007
Nigerian ex-oil governor arrested
Nigeria's anti-corruption agency arrests former Delta State Governor
James Ibori, on allegations of corruption.
BBC
Nigeria court bans rally permits
A court of appeal in Nigeria has declared unconstitutional a law
requiring every organiser of a rally to have a special police permit.
BBC
Winnie Mandela proposes deal
The ex-wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela has
suggested a compromise to ease divisions in the leadership of the
ruling ANC.
BBC
Roadtrip diary
Issues across the country as the ANC chooses a new leader.
The BBC's Peter Biles has been a keeping a diary of his travels across
South Africa examining issues facing the governing African National
Congress (ANC) ahead of its major leadership contest and national
conference in December. In his final entry, he reflects on his journey
BBC
Nigerian Officials Arrest Former Niger Delta
Governor Nigerian officials say they have arrested the
former governor of Delta state on corruption and money laundering
charges.
VoiceOfAmerica
After Military Gains, DRC Rebels Poised Above
Town Near Goma
But, insurgents say they want to hold talks with government to resolve
situation politically rather than militarily
VoiceOfAmerica
Alleged Venezuelan agents arrested in U.S.
Four alleged Venezuelan agents have been arrested in the U.S. and
charged with trying to persuade a U.S. citizen to keep quiet about a
growing international election scandal.
CNN
Rescuers search for bomb survivors
More than 24 hours after twin bombings killed dozens in the Algerian
capital, rescue workers continued to search for nearly a dozen people
trapped beneath the debris of a partially collapsed United Nations
building.
CNN
Dozens dead in Iraq bomb attacks At least 42 people
have been killed and more than 125 wounded after three car bombs
exploded in a southern Iraqi city, according to police.
Aljazeera
Lebanon blast kills army general
A car bombing in Lebanon has killed a senior army general and at least
one other person.
Aljazeera
Kosovo
independence in 'a few days'
Kosovo's president has declared that the province is just "a few days
away" from formally declaring independence from Serbia.
Aljazeera
He who sabotages, makes a case
for similar fate!
December 12,
2007
Poignant return
Crowds queue to see replica ship of Sierra Leone slave revoltThere was chaos at Freetown's port in Sierra Leone when a replica of
the Amistad slave ship opened to the public.