The United Nations Security Council is urging West African countries to hold a summit to confront the growing threat of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea region. The 15-member body on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the countries and other regional organizations to develop a comprehensive anti-piracy strategy. Pirate attacks have become increasingly […]
UN Urges Anti-Piracy Action in West Africa
Posted March 1st, 2012 at 3:45 am (UTC-5)
Leave a comment
EU Diplomat: Release of 2 Swedish Journalists Jailed in Ethiopia Close
Posted February 29th, 2012 at 6:10 pm (UTC-5)
A senior European diplomat says two Swedish journalists jailed in Ethiopia could be released within days. Member of the European Parliament and former Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel said Wednesday he had productive discussions with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, and that he is optimistic the journalists, Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson, will be freed soon. […]
Shell Makes Offer For East Africa-Focused Energy Firm
Posted February 22nd, 2012 at 8:10 am (UTC-5)
Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell has offered to buy Cove Energy, a firm with significant interests along the east coast of Africa. Shell said in a statement Wednesday that it has offered more than $1.5 billion to purchase Cove, while Cove said its board would recommend the offer to shareholders. Cove holds minority shares in […]
Europe Prepares More Intense Crackdown on African Piracy
Posted February 21st, 2012 at 12:10 pm (UTC-5)
European powers are about to intensify their campaign against pirates active in the Gulf of Aden and other waters near Somalia. British Foreign Secretary William Hague announced London will fund the construction of a new anti-piracy center in the Seychelles and provide the center’s director. Hague said the Regional Anti-Piracy Prosecutions Intelligence Coordination Center will […]
UN, Aid Groups Call for ‘Urgent’ Action in Sahel
Posted February 15th, 2012 at 2:05 pm (UTC-5)
U.N. officials and humanitarian groups are calling for an “urgent scale up” of aid to Africa’s Sahel region, where millions of people are facing severe food shortages. Officials met with donor governments in Rome Wednesday. United Nations Development chief Helen Clark told them the region needs $725 million in aid to stop the problem. U.N. […]
UN, Aid Groups Call for ‘Urgent’ Action in Sahel
Posted February 15th, 2012 at 10:35 am (UTC-5)
U.N. officials and humanitarian groups are calling for an “urgent scale up” of aid to Africa’s Sahel region, where millions of people are facing severe food shortages. Officials met with donor governments in Rome Wednesday, telling them only a rapid and comprehensive response to the crisis could stop the problem from growing worse. The European […]
Study: Malnutrition Leads to 2.6 Million Child Deaths Per Year
Posted February 15th, 2012 at 8:10 am (UTC-5)
A new study says malnutrition is the root cause of some 2.6 million child deaths each year. The report from an international aid group, Save the Children, says despite global efforts to end hunger, malnutrition remains a largely ignored problem that affects a quarter of the world’s children. The study, conducted in December and January, […]
UN Leaders, Aid Groups to Discuss Sahel Food Crisis
Posted February 15th, 2012 at 12:55 am (UTC-5)
United Nations officials are meeting with humanitarian organizations and donor governments Wednesday to discuss ways to prevent a major food crisis in Africa’s Sahel region. The meeting in Rome aims to urgently increase aid to the region just south of the Sahara Desert, where drought, poverty and high food prices have put millions at risk […]
Red Cross: Sahel Food Crisis Could Affect 23 Million
Posted February 14th, 2012 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
The federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says food shortages in Africa’s Sahel region could affect up to 23 million people if more aid is not received soon. The federation said Tuesday there are already some 14 million people across the semi-arid region who do not have enough food. Authorities blamed the crisis […]
South Africa’s Zuma Dismisses Nationalization of Mines
Posted February 10th, 2012 at 6:25 am (UTC-5)
South African President Jacob Zuma has reiterated his government’s stance that the country’s valuable mining industry will not be nationalized. President Zuma told a business gathering in Cape Town Friday that “nationalization is not our policy, it is as clear as that.” Sections of the ruling African National Congress party, most notably its youth league, […]
