SmallShop....Africa News

Sudan Online : "Sudan has submitted a complaint to the African Union (AU) on the recent Chadian aggression on its western borders. The complaint was handed over Sunday by Director of the African Union Department at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Gamal Al-Shiekh to the acting Chairman of the African Union mission in Khartoum Ahmed Rifaai Abu-Bakr."............

SABCnews.com "Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned today the Kenyan government's decision to ban live TV broadcasts during election protests as 'dangerous and counter-productive'. The Kenyan government ordered all live broadcasts suspended indefinitely yesterday, as violent protests raged over the disputed results of an election that returned President Mwai Kibaki to power for a second five-year term."

The Times "Nairobi - Kenyan authorities imposed a curfew in the city of Kisumu wracked by post-election violence, with police ordered to shoot any violators, a senior police official said. “A day-time curfew (6:00 am - 6:00 pm) has been imposed in Kisumu. Police have been ordered to shoot violators,” the official told AFP on condition of anonymity."

Al Jazeera's Mohammed Adow visits the Kibera slum as nearby hospitals struggle to cope with the victims of the violence that has followed the rulling party's election victory.

Al Jazeera "At least eight civilians have been killed in fierce fighting that erupted between government forces and anti-government fighters in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, witnesses say. Six members of one family - mother and five children - were killed when a mortar shell struck a refugee camp on Sunday as fighting escalated in the area."

The Sunday Times - "It is now increasingly clear that 2008 will see a conclusion of quite a lot that has been unaccomplished this year. For example, by the end of 2008 we will have a good idea whether Rwanda will have fully joined Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in a capital share of the East African Development Bank. We will also know for sure whether the mandate of the Arusha based, UN-International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has been a success story and whether all the fugitives responsible for the 1994 genocide are successfully brought to book."

Mail & Guardian Online : "Shoddy materials, illegal construction and a culture of corruption were blamed for the deaths of more than three dozen people buried when a 12-storey apartment building crumbled to the ground in Egypt. Six days after the collapse of the building in the Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria, 35 bodies had been pulled from the rubble of the building, which was originally seven stories tall but had had five more added in recent years."

Mail & Guardian Online : "Bare supermarket shelves, bank queues and burst riverbanks -- for many Zimbabweans a bad year ended in a bad way. At least 27 Zimbabweans died in floods this month while thousands have spent precious holiday days in bank queues, waiting for scarce cash. The government of long-time leader President Robert Mugabe this week tried to put a positive gloss on 2007, calling it the Year of Tourism following an estimated 55% surge in desperately needed foreign tourists."

IOL: "Two of the 30 Tunisians on trial for terrorism and plotting to overthrow their government have been sentenced to death and another eight to life imprisonment, a judicial source said on Sunday. Seven other defendants on trial since November 20 were jailed for 30 years, while all the others received sentences of five to 20 years, the source said."

SABCnews.com : "Condolences have poured in for SA TV actor Antonio Summerton who was killed in a motorcycle accident in Roodepoort last night. Summerton had played roles in the soapies Sewende Laan, Backstage and Binnelanders."

SudanTribune article "Clashes have erupted again between the cattle-herding Misseriya and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) today with important number of causalities. SPLA and nomadic Misseriya tribe on Saturday confirmed reports about renewed fighting in South Kordofan and Northern Bahr Al-Ghazal. However, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement accused their northern partner of attacking them for the second time in a week in clashes which claimed many victims in the volatile north-south border region."

New Vision Online "LOCAL government minister Kahinda Otafiire was voted the worst-performing minister of the year by The New Vision readers. In this year’s survey, which received a total of 3,077 responses, the readers blamed Otafiire for his involvement in the controversial sale of Kampala’s markets. Internal affairs minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda was voted the best-performing minister. He was praised for his role in the peace talks with the Lord’s Resistance Army."

Headlines ODM, PNU in war of words : "As tension continues to rise over the fate of Kenya’s recently held General Election, ODM has alleged that Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) accepted results from 48 constituencies without valid documents. While addressing the Press at KICC, Nairobi on Sunday afternoon, ODM pentagon member, Mr William Ruto, asked ECK to peruse files from the affected constituencies. But in a swift rejoinder, PNU leaders held a press conference at the same venue and rubbished ODM claims saying they were meant to incite the public and cause violence."

The Sun News On-line : "Contrary to perception in some quarters that the removal of Nuhu Ribadu as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was aimed at securing reprieve for some ex-governors standing trial for alleged money laundering, his removal is actually to pave way for an unfettered investigation of graft charges against former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo."

News24 : "Johannesburg - A 19-year-old woman was raped after she was kidnapped by a man who wanted to make her his wife, said Eastern Cape police on Sunday. Captain Jackson Manatha said the 25-year-old man was following the old 'Xhosa Thwala Custom, where men would kidnap women and declare them their wives without consent and rape them'."

KESSBENFM 93.3 "The University of Ghana is to outlaw the incidence of �perching� from the next academic year. Perching is the practice of non-residential students staying with friends resident on campus. So notorious has the practice been that accommodation on campus has seriously been affected over the years. The University is currently engaged in putting up a 7000-bed capacity hostel and believes when completed in about 24 months, it should address the acute accommodation situation."

champion newspapers "Ninety-one-year old Pa Anderson Zidafamo, father of Bayelsa state Accountant-General has regained his freedom on the early hours of Saturday by his kidnappers at Ogboinbiri, Southern Ijaw local government.

THISDAY ONLINE : "There are very strong indications that the state of emergency on power proposed to be declared by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has been “brought in dead”. During his campaign and on assumption of office, Yar’Adua had vowed to declare a state of emergency on power but the promise may be the most difficult to deliver. From the outset of this administration, some steps that were taken by the Federal Government have put large question marks on the much-touted state of emergency. No additional power is being generated for now and no new project is going on.".........

Daily Trust newspaper "Fulani cattle herdsmen numbering about 30 have invaded a village east of Gusau the Zamfara state capital killing five people including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), an Inspector of police, three other civilians and destroyed farmlands and crops.

Sowetan "Malebelo Maphutha’s dream of becoming a scientist and making the world a better place is finally coming true. She and Vuyo Funde, another Crawford College, Johannesburg, matriculant, have just joined the best after each notched up seven distinctions in this year’s matric examinations. Vuyo, 18, says he wants to be an actuarial scientist. He admits that attending a private school yielded positive results for him because of the individual attention tailored to his needs. After a “relatively easy year”, the 18-year-old Malebelo says she is happy that she has passed her matric though she had expected it. “Matric was not that difficult for me, I really had fun,” Malebelo says. “ What I thought was hard and stressful was Grade 11 – but I got through it.”"

WOW Gambia : "In what could be seen as another instance of tough talking by a prominent African politician against Western governments, Hon. Sidia Jatta, the National Assembly Member for Wuli West constituency, who poises as a titan in the opposition National Alliance for Democracy and Development, have strongly spoken against what he called Western government’s tendency to champion plots to destabilise the African continent, blaming the continent’s poverty on what he termed as colonial gerrymandering. In his recent contribution to the ratification of the revised colonial partnership agreement between the ACP-EU countries at the national Assembly, Hon. Jatta blamed western governments for being largely responsible for the poverty of the African continent."

Nationmedia.com "President Kibaki has been sworn in for a second term after garnering 4.58m votes against his closest rival Raila Odinga’s 4.35m. Shortly after the ceremony at State House, Nairobi, Mr Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) called a Press conference where they declared their candidate the President-elect and announced intention to form a parallel government. At the same time, the Government has suspended all live broadcasts citing the need for “public safety and tranquillity”. A statement from the Ministry of Information and Communications also directed media houses and journalists to stop any broadcast of “inciting or alarming” material. The statement was signed by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr Bitange Ndemo, citing instructions from the Minister for Internal Security, Mr John Michuki."

Nationmedia.com "Following the announcement of the presidential election results by the Electoral Commission of Kenya, I stand before you humbled and grateful for the opportunity you have given me to serve you again as your President for a second five-year term. I thank all Kenyans who voted in large numbers in these elections. I thank all of you for the trust you have bestowed upon me in renewing my mandate, which I accept with sincere gratitude and humility. I am confident that together, we will succeed in changing our country into a better home for all Kenyans. The elections were very closely contested. I thank those of our brothers and sisters who voted for me and other presidential candidates for expressing their democratic right and choice. As a democrat, I acknowledge and respect the right of every Kenyan to choose candidates of their choice."................

Cape Argus : "A man stabbed and killed his elder brother after they had an argument in Dutywa, Eastern Cape police said on Sunday. Captain Jackson Manatha said the younger brother who is 19-years-old quarrelled with his 21-year-old brother from Mputi Village in Dutywa on Saturday. 'It is alleged the younger brother stabbed his elder brother twice in the chest. The man died at the scene.' 'The younger brother fled from the scene but was later arrested. At this stage we do not know the cause of the argument,' said Manatha."

Sportingo : "The way I see it, as an African, South African cricket is in a no-lose situation. Cricket as an elitist sport of the white minority is blessed with the presence of an all-black West Indian squad. Witnessing the interest in this series, I am convinced that many young black Africans, although still Proteas supporters (my impression amongst the autograph-seeking hordes) have not missed the significance of this wonderful black role-modelling in cricket. Having the West Indians here, in Africa, is all good. Win or lose, cricket in South Africa can only win."

Mail & Guardian Online : "An Eastern Cape woman who burnt her daughter with hot water after disappointing matric results has been arrested, Port Elizabeth police said on Sunday."

The Times "TUNIS - The trial of 29 Al-Qaeda linked Tunisians who face the death penalty if found guilty of trying to topple their government has resumed . They are suspected of being members of the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, now known as Al-Qaeda’s Branch in the Islamic Maghreb. A 30th accused, Zouheir Jrid, is charged with failing to inform the authorities about the plot. The 29 facing death are charged with plotting against the security of the state, attempted attacks in order to subvert the regime, assassinations, possession of illegal weapons and membership of a terrorist group."

SABCnews.com "The death toll from the collapse of a 12-storey residential building in Egypt's Mediterranean city of Alexandria rose to 35, Egypt's official Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported. MENA said Rescue workers have dug out three bodies from under the rubble early and continue to search for more. Authorities had said they thought only 25 to 30 people were buried under the rubble when the building collapsed on Monday. Security sources said on Friday rescue workers have been able to bring out three survivors from the rubble since the building collapsed. The building disintegrated as construction workers carried out repairs on the first floor."

BBC NEWS "Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki has won the country's closely-fought election, the Electoral Commission has declared. The announcement came after opposition leader Raila Odinga accused Mr Kibaki of electoral fraud and called for a full re-assessment of the results. Mr Odinga had lead since vote counting began, but saw his advantage evaporate as later votes were added."

Reuters : "NAIROBI (Reuters) - Opposition leader Raila Odinga called on Sunday for his rival President Mwai Kibaki to concede defeat in an election -- but a confident government party laughed that off as Kenyans waited anxiously for final results. 'We do not want to plunge this country into chaos,' Odinga said, also demanding a partial recount of Thursday's presidential votes in the presence of observers and media."

ODM presidential candidate Raila Odinga has come out to appeal for national calm but demanded that all presidential ballots be brought to Nairobi for a public recount.

SudanTribune "Sudan has lodged a complaint to the UN Security Council over incursion of Chadian troops and military plane inside its territory the previous day. Sudan has filled an urgent complaint to the Security Council against Chad, through its Representative to the United Nations in New York, Abdelmahmood Abdelhalim, exposing the Chadian stances and its repeated aggressions on the country’s borders, the latest of which was the air and troops’ attack Friday on Sudan Western borders, the official SUNA reported on Saturday."

Nyasa Times "Malawi's leader of Opposition John Tembo has warned that if President Bingu wa Mutharika is not cautious, he will lead this country into chaos. The Malawi Congress Party President made the remarks following revelations that government clandestinely gave all ministers 2000 coupons to distribute to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) followers in their constituencies. Speaking at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe on arrival from his private trip in South Africa, the opposition leader said it was bad for Mutharika's administration to conduct itself in such a manner."

News24 : "Bamako - Malian customs have seized 116kg of pure cocaine apparently being smuggled from Guinea, more than three times the previous record set only last month, an official said on Saturday. Abdel Karim Konate, head of the customs services research and intervention division, said two Togolese had been arrested after their truck, 'loaded with bricks of cocaine', was stopped near the border with Guinea."

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation: - Kenya Elections 2007 Results

champion newspapers, "PRESIDENT of shareholders Solidarity Association of Nigeria, Chief Akintunde Asalu died yesterday of an ailment related to diabetes. Chief Asalu, who lived all his life on stocks , had stake in almost all the stocks listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Until his death, Asalu, who founded the Association in 1985, was a regular face at the Annual General Meetings (AGM) of most companies in the country."

Nationmedia.com "Raila leads by 38,000 votes, but delayed results spark angry disputes and riots Chaos and angry protests on Saturday halted the announcement of results from Thursday’s General Election with only 38,000 votes separating the two leading presidential candidates. The delay in the release of the results caused tension and anxiety throughout the country, with one death, various injuries and looting reported."

THISDAY ONLINE : "Less than 72 hours after the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, officially announced the removal of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the next most senior officer in the commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde has also been sent on study leave."

Sowetan "President Thabo Mbeki is a 'behind the scenes' player in the National Prosecuting Authority serving an indictment on ANC president Jacob Zuma, ANC Youth League president Fikile Mbalula said. 'The decision to charge Zuma is not a decision by the judiciary, its a decision by the state and the case is being led by Mbeki,' Mbalula told a press briefing in Durban."

Nationmedia.com- "The Electoral Commission has suspended announcing the results of Kenya’s presidential elections in order to verify the claims of rigging. The chairman Samuel Kivuitu had to cut short the announcements after the supporters ODM led by Ugenya MP-elect James Orengo demanded that results of Nithi constituency in Mount Kenya region be verified before anything else is done. The commission further cancelled the results for Kamukunji constituency in Nairobi and rejected the results from Maragua in Central province due to serious anomalies."

Al Jazeera English - News - 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."

The Citizen Newspaper : "In spite of all the controversies and mountains of news reports, the final outcome of the Africa-EU Summit in Lisbon is nothing but an anti climax. The joint declaration signed by the 67 leaders promised to be a new partnership that will propel both continents to 'a new, strategic level' which will forge 'a new and stronger partnership that builds on their new identities and renewed institutions, capitalises on the lessons of the past and provides a solid framework for long term cooperation'."

Cape Times : "An 18-year-old girl shot herself after failing her final matric exams in Malamulele, Limpopo police said on Saturday. Inspector Alson Mapindani said Kaya Mabasa from John Mbhedle Highschool in Shihosana Village shot herself in the head after discovering she failed her matric exams on Friday morning at around 8am."

Ghana Broadcasting Corporation "A survey conducted by Radio Ghana has shown that some market women in the New Juaben Municipality are refusing to accept the old currency although it is still legal tender. In a quick reaction, the Koforidua branch manager of the Upper Manya Kro Rural Bank, George Ofosu said it is illegal for anybody to reject the old currency since it is still legal tender."

Los Angeles Times : "NAIROBI, Kenya — Ethnic riots exploded across Kenya today as the official vote count in the country's presidential election dragged on, prompting new accusations of fraud."

Al-Ahram Weekly "At the end of a turbulent year it seems that there is not enough space for every one, whether here in Egypt or elsewhere on the globe. It's as if the world has been divided into two opposite and conflicting camps, with neither of them making the slightest effort to bridge the gap or compromise to facilitate positive exchange. In other words, it is the World Cup finals, with the two competing teams fighting for their lives."

allAfrica.com: "It was the day the Cabinet was massacred. The Vice-President humiliated in a constituency contest, and the President trailing by a million votes in the national tally. Orange Democratic Movement candidate Mr Raila Odinga remained at the top of the charts throughout the night and the whole of Friday from the moment counting started."

The Standard Online Edition : "The outcome of the hotly contested polls appeared headed for a deadlock as the opposition leaders and government ministers both claimed victory. The Orange Democratic Movement declared its Presidential candidate, Mr Raila Odinga, the winner, and asked President Kibaki to concede defeat and prepare to hand over power. Kibaki’s ministers and officials later called a press conference and announced The Party of National Unity candidate President Mwai Kibaki had won by over 300,000 votes. The declaration came as violence erupted in Nairobi, Kisumu, Kitale, Busia, Mombasa and Kakamega amid fears that the Government had hatched a plot to rig Kibaki back to power."

The official results from eck as at noon Dec 29 2007

The Times : "ADDIS ABABA - The Ethiopian army has inflicted losses on rebel fighters in the restive Ogaden region where the government is cracking down on insurgents, Colonel Tsegaye Gebretensae said in a statement today. 'The Ethiopian National Army has annihilated the remnants of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) that were engaged in disrupting the peace and stability of the Somali region,' he said. Tsegaye said soldiers took on rebels who had regrouped in the region’s Danot area, but did not give specific casualty figures."

Nationmedia.com "THERE IS OLD SCHOOL, there’s the African Big Man... and then there’s Comrade Jacob Gedleyihiekisa Zuma, who last week won the presidency of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC). The boisterous and populist leader’s reputation took a beating last year when he was charged with raping an HIV positive family friend. He was acquitted. Having wrested the leadership of the ANC from Thabo Mbeki, unless he is convicted of corruption given that fresh charges are being brought against him, Zuma is all but assured of becoming South Africa’s president in 2009."

The Herald : "12 family members die as holiday toll tops 61 TWELVE members of a Harare family died on the spot while three others sustained serious injuries when a truck they were travelling in collided with a Mhunga bus along the Harare-Masvingo Road yesterday afternoon. This brings to 61 the total number of deaths since the beginning of the festive season, one of the highest in as many years."

New Vision Online "NAIROBI, Friday — Opposition candidate Raila Odinga is leading in the race to govern Kenya in the next five years, according to early tallies by the Kenyan media. Partial results from three main television stations all gave opposition challenger Raila Odinga, the son of a nationalist hero, a strong lead over his former ally, President Mwai Kibaki. The unofficial results by the TV channels were compiled from tallies at counting centres. By early afternoon on Friday, with over 20% of the votes counted, the private channel KTN gave Odinga 1,862,573 votes to 1,179,271 for Kibaki."

New Vision Online "Born into one of Kenya’s political dynasties on January 2, 1945, in Maseno, west Kenya, the 62-year-old Odinga comes from the Luo tribe, one of the country’s biggest. - Father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, a nationalist hero and Kenya's first vice president after independence from Britain in 1963, became a key opposition figure against the governments of founding President Jomo Kenyatta and his successor President Daniel Arap Moi. - Odinga is viewed as a firebrand by many Kenyans, an impression consolidated by remarks in a biography indicating he was a plotter in an attempted coup in 1982. Now he is trying to project a more moderate, business-friendly face."

The Standard It was the day the Cabinet was massacred. The Vice-President humiliated in a constituency contest, and the President trailing by a million votes in the national tally. Orange Democratic Movement candidate Mr Raila Odinga remained at the top of the charts throughout the night and the whole of Friday from the moment counting started. Of the votes cast out of the possible 14.2 million registered, preliminary count gave Raila 3.3 million and Kibaki 2.3 million. Raila opened a commanding lead in six of eight provinces and by last night some of his strongholds were yet to be tallied. ODM, Raila’s party, had secured 72 seats, PNU 18 and Kalonzo’s six.

Times of Zambia : "PRESIDENT Mwanawasa has challenged Zambians to invest in tourism and discard the syndrome of viewing the sector as a preserve for foreign investors. Dr Mwanawasa said Zambians should stop using their nationality as collateral to seek sympathy from anyone, but should instead face the challenge of developing the tourism sector and other industries He said the tourism sector was the fastest growing industry and a major driving force in the world economy and stressed that its investment should not be left to foreigners The president who is on a 10-day private visit with his family to Mfuwe, was speaking yesterday when he officially opened the Mushroom Lodge and Presidential House in the Luangwa South National Park."

Nyasa Times "Malawi National Assembly has said it will summon Minister of Defence Bob Khamisa to properly explain why he was found with the fertiliser subsidy coupons and who gave him. This comes barely two days after his party, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), also indicated that it would summon him to seek further clarification on the issue."

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE "A prominent emir in one of the North-Central states and his state governor, who once sat on the board of a defunct bank, are headed for a serious clash. The cause? A N20 million loan given to the emir by the governor based on a request by the traditional ruler. But the first class traditional ruler, who once had a serious face-off with the immediate past civilian administration in the state, has refused to pay back."

The Sun News On-line "The Secretary General of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba group, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, has faulted the 'hasty' hand-over of the erstwhile disputed Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon by the Olusegun Obasanjo regime, describing it as not in the interest of Nigerians. Revisiting the issue, which has assumed national limelight again, against the background of the Senate’s recent repudiation of the gesture, Okunrounmu said the Obasanjo administration acted cowardly and unpatriotically by trying to avoid war, which may be the inevitable end of the nation’s face-off with its neighbour. His words: 'If a country tries to trespass on the territory of Nigeria, thereby violating our territorial integrity, that’s why we have an army. We try to resolve it peacefully, amicably without going to war. If that fails, that’s the job of the army…. It is very naïve for people to think that we should never fight…. And that everything must be settled peacefully even when it is b

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation: : "Former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo and an aspirant for Sirisia Constituency were Friday arrested after causing chaos during the vote counting exercise. It is alleged that Ndolo assaulted election officials at the Railway Training School in Makadara constituency, pulling down ballot boxes and a table used by the returning officer. Ndolo was protesting the inclusion of four ballot boxes that he claimed had been tampered with and which had been brought into the counting hall unaccompanied by polling agents. Meanwhile controversy continued to mar vote counting in Nairobi's seven constituencies disrupting the exercise. By 6pm Friday only Langata constituency had announced its results."

Daily Dispatch : "WHILE the Eastern Cape government was announcing it had achieved a 57 percent pass rate among matrics, it emerged that almost 10000 of the province�s matriculants had disappeared from the system. In a full-page advertisement in yesterday�s Daily Dispatch and from announcements prior to the matric exams, the provincial Education Department maintained that 79222 full-time candidates had registered to write the final examinations. But yesterday morning, as Education MEC Johnny Makgato announced the results at the Christian Centre in East London, the figure had mysteriously dropped to 78830."

champion newspapers "Police authorities yesterday explained that the nomination of Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for a training programme at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) was not aimed at forestalling the prosecution of high profile corrupt public officers. Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mike Okiro, who spoke with newsmen yesterday in Abuja stressed that the nomination was a routine training programme fashioned out for certain category of public servants, aimed at improving their level of professional proficiency."

Freedom Newspaper "The oil that never was. Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh has been lying about an oil discovery in the sores of the Gambia, but in reality there is no oil in this country. Mr. Jammeh should give up his unfinished lies for the sake of preserving the reputation of the Presidency. Gambians have long been treated as dummies by Jammeh. We can bet that come 2009, there wouldn’t be any oil mining in The Gambia. Jammeh is just buying time. He has failed miserably as a leader."

Daily Trust newspaper "Malam Nuhu Ribadu’s long, eventful and controversial tenure as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] came to a sudden end yesterday with Police Inspector General Mike Mbama Okiro confirming that Ribadu is going with six other Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to a one-year course at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies at Kuru, near Jos. Okiro said Ribadu would have to be replaced by another police officer following his selection to attend the course, which is commencing early next year."

Daily Observer : "The unimaginable has happened, to the displeasure of arrogant Europe. Africa, thought to be so poor that it would agree to anything, has said no in rebellious pride. No to the straitjacket of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), no to the complete liberalisation of trade, no to the latest manifestations of the colonial pact. It happened in December at the second EU-Africa summit in Lisbon, where the main objective was to force the African countries to sign new trade agreements by 31 December 2007 in accordance with the Cotonou Convention of 2000 winding up the 1975 Lomé accords. Under these, goods from former colonies in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific are imported into the European Union more or less duty-free, except for products such as sugar, meat and bananas that are a problem for European producers. The World Trade Organisation has insisted that these preferential arrangements be dismantled or replaced by trade agreements based on reciprocity,

Sowetan "KwaZulu-Natal matriculant Hlengiwe Msomi was one of thousands anxiously awaiting her matric results - but she never even got to read the morning paper. Her angry step-father last night shot dead her 44-year-old mother Makhosi, her grandmother Virginia Msomi and then turned the gun on her and three other children at a home in Sigananda Road, Inanda. The home belonged to the deceased grandmother. Makhosi’s sister, 48-year-old Bongi Msomi spoke to Sapa today and said that three of the teenagers were in fact cousins and not sisters."

Nationmedia.com "Chaos broke out at Shauri Moyo Social Hall in Kamukunji constituency when rival candidates clashed during the counting of votes from one station. Mr Ibrahim Ahmed of ODM clashed with the agents and supporters of his rivals in PNU over alleged rigging at a polling centre in Zawadi Primary School. Three ballot boxes were said to have been stuffed with marked ballot papers. Mr Ahmed said he would not accept the results, claiming they were interfered with. Mr Simon Mbugua of PNU was quiet as pandemonium broke out in the hall."

The Citizen Newspaper Official Website : "Residents of Baringo District have been assured of adequate security following the killing of nine cattle rustlers by police in the area. Baringo police commander Peter Njenga said security has been beefed up to enable residents to enjoy their Christmas holidays and to vote peacefully in the General Election. Nine cattle rustlers were shot dead by police at Kiserian on Monday. The raiders, armed with AK 47 rifles, engaged the police in a fierce three hour shoot-out. One police officer was serious injured and admitted at Kabarnet Hospital."

Cape Times : "Jacob Zuma, the new leader of the African National Congress, was on Friday served with papers to appear in court to face corruption charges, his lawyer said. 'Today, December 28, 2007, the Directorate of Special Operations (Scorpions) served on Mr Jacob Zuma an indictment to stand trial in the High Court on various counts of racketeering, money laundering, corruption and fraud,' Zuma's attorney Michael Hulley said in an email. 'According to the indictment, which was served on Mr Zuma's Johannesburg residence in his absence, the trial is to proceed on August 14, 2008.'"

Ghana Broadcasting Corporation "PNC has expressed concern about the unfair media coverage of the party’s activities, especially the state owned media. At a Press Conference at the party’s Headquarters in Accra, the General Secretary of the Party, Benard Monah said the media has the task of promoting democracy at all levels by ensuring a balanced and equitable coverage of events"

Early tally gives Kibaki second term "An early exit poll yesterday gave Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki a narrow lead in national elections, praised by observers as a smooth exercise despite delays, sporadic violence and rigging charges from both sides."

Najib Balala has recaptured the parliamentary seat for Mvita, Coast province with a wide lead

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation: : "The Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) has assured Kenyans that the Commission will release the results as soon as they receive them. Addressing the Press at the Media briefing Centre at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) Commission Jack Tumwa, stressed that ECK was not 'playing any games' and will release all results as soon as they talked. He observed that although ECK appreciated the problems faced by their field officers, the office was concerned that results that were released by the media more than two hours earlier, have not been officially released at ECK."

Kenya Opposition Poised to Sweep - New York Times : "NAIROBI, Kenya — The opposition appears to be sweeping Kenya’s elections, according to preliminary results released on Friday, with a populist challenger poised to unseat the incumbent president and several high profile ministers voted out of office. According to partial results aired on three Kenyan television stations, Raila Odinga, a flamboyant businessman campaigning as champion of the poor, has about 57 percent of the vote, compared to less than 40 percent for Mwai Kibaki, the incumbent who is known for boosting Kenya’s economy but favoring his own tribe."

This week Riz speaks with young people from around the world to explore the issues that concern them most. On Wednesday he speaks to a panel of South African youth in Cape Town. They discuss life after apartheid, and the state of race relations in the Rainbow Country.

Reuters : "NAIROBI, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki trailed his main rival on Friday in the race to lead east Africa's biggest economy for the next five years, according to early tallies by local media."

The Standard Online Edition : "Arthur Moody Awori popularly known as ‘Uncle Moody’, has been the Vice President of Kenya since September 2003. Awori lost the Funyula parliamentary seat to the ODM candidate Dr Otuoma ,becoming the second time in Kenya’s history for a VP to lose a parliamentary seat. In 2002, Vice President Mr Musalia Mudavadi lost to Mr Moses Akaranga of Narc, a few months after he being appointed by President Moi. Awori has been Member of Parliament for Funyula constituency for the last 25 years, although his grip on Funyula politics spans over 45 years."

Kibaki leads Kenya election : "NAIROBI: Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki leads on Thursday’s presidential election with 47.3 per cent of the vote versus 42.8 for opposition leader Raila Odinga, according to an early exit poll by a local independent observer group."

THISDAY ONLINE : "The plot to remove the chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, may hit the rocks as the Federal Government is in a dilemma over the legal roadblocks it has to scale. Reports have suggested that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mike Okiro, had been directed to issue a memo to the EFCC chairman directing him to proceed on a one-year course at the National Institute for Policy and Stra-tegic Studies (NIPSS), in Kuru, near Jos, Plateau State, in what is thought to be an indirect way of removing him from office. However, the EFCC Act does not expressly permit the President or the IGP to send the chairman of the commission on compulsory study leave or remove him except on verifiable grounds – a development, THISDAY was told, has put the government in a fix."

champion newspapers, "DETAINED former governor of Ekiti state, Mr. Ayo Fayose, has shunned the merriments of Christmas and Boxing Day for praying and fasting at Ikoyi prison. But in a swift reaction, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Prisons in Lagos state, Superintendent of Prisons (SP) Ope Fatunkun, said that Fayose’s spiritual exercise was personal as the prison authorities provided enough food for about 2,300 inmates including the erstwhile governor during the festive period. 'If he refused to eat because he was observing his fast, that is his own cup of tea. Every body is at liberty to worship his God,' Okpe said."

Daily Dispatch : "THE Eastern Cape is bracing itself for its worst-ever matric results. Late yesterday sources close to the Education Department headquarters in Zwelitsha were painting a gloomy picture, with most experts forecasting a significant drop from last year�s pass rate of 59.3 percent. The province is again expected to be at the bottom of the national list, with a pass rate either less or in the region of 1999�s all-time low of 40.1 percent."

Liberian Observer : "MONROVIA, Residents of Battery Factory near Somalia Drive awoke to a horrible scene yesterday when a tall dark skinned man, Abu Johnson, 53, of the Lorma tribe hanged himself in a mango tree. He was found looking pale with a broken neck, and tongue protruding out of his mouth and blood dripping down his right hand."

Garowe Online : "BOSSASO, Somalia Dec 27 (Garowe Online) - A heavy bomb exploded today in the port city of Bossaso, in northern Somalia's Puntland enclave, at a house where a group of elders and intellectuals were meeting privately, sources said. At least seven civilians were wounded in the blast, which occurred Thursday evening."

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation: : "Displaced voters from Kuresoi constituency had not started voting by 2 pm Thursday. The electoral commission of Kenya (ECK) has set up two temporary polling stations at Moto Primary School and the border of Molo and Kuresoi for the displaced voters. The voters had arrived at the stations as early as 5 am but the exercise was delayed with reports saying the ECK had not delivered ballot papers and stationary. By the time the ECK delivered the materials it was discovered that some of the ballot papers had not been sealed."

The Times - Article : "Over 20,000 Gauteng matric pupils who attended public schools failed their final exams, Gauteng’s education MEC said. “It is indeed sad to have almost 21,572 learners failing their matric,” Angie Motshekga said. Motshekga congratulated the 17,324 pupils who passed their examinations with matric endorsements, and the other 46,056 who passed the important exams."

Nyasa Times "After almost three years of a non-functional office of the Malawi's Vice President, some sectors have raised their eye brows questioning if at all the country still needs such an office. The development comes after media reports indicate that President Bingu wa Mutharika last week summoned six senior government lawyers to map the way forward on the Vice President Cassim Chilumpha's dragging treason case. But the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) have both defended its existence saying it was a constitutional necessity."

Times of Zambia : "THE Government has directed the Tobacco Association of Zambia (TAZ) not to proceed with the sale of its assets until a Task Force to be appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives to review the situation, makes recommendations. Chief Government spokesperson Mike Mulongoti said in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that the Government had learnt with great concern about the intended sale of assets such as TAZ House and shares in Tombwe Processing Plant. Mr Mulongoti said the instructions issued by the minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives reminding TAZ not to proceed with any sale of the association’s assets until the Task Force made recommendations were still in force."

The Herald : "A Goromonzi man reported missing was found fatally assaulted over allegations that he stole chickens. Acting Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Godfrey Mubaiwa yesterday said investigations revealed that Trevor Chiweshe (25) of Rochester Farm, reported missing by a suspect in the killing, had in fact been fatally assaulted."

Guardian Newspapers : "IT was this reporter's second journey to the scene of horror. A year ago, he had carried out a similar assignment to a pipeline fire scene. The outboard engine boat to take passengers to Ikate where the latest human carnage occurred waited endlessly to ferry villagers across the wide Lagos Harbour, westward to Takwa Bay. It takes a normal load of 10 people who pay N100 each for the 20 minutes trip. During the Yuletide, it was hiked to N250 per person. But for a charter by three reporters - Vanguard man and Reuters man - the fee was N6,000 for a return trip. Crossing the turbulent Atlantic Ocean Harbour for a non-swimmer like me was not a tea party. Thoughts were running riot. The brackish waters produced butterflies in the stomach"

The New Times - "KIGALI – The First Lady Jeannette Kagame has launched an initiative to advocate for further women empowerment."

Mail & Guardian Online : "Gunmen threw grenades at the home of the regional police chief in south-western Somalia, killing two of his grandchildren and a bodyguard while he escaped injury, authorities said on Tuesday. Seven other family members were wounded in the Monday-night attack, which police said was a failed assassination attempt against General Ibrahim Hashi Gabow, the regional police chief based in Baidoa."

IRIN "ABUJA, 27 December 2007 (IRIN) - A scheme to give one million low-cost laptops to Nigerian schoolchildren has stalled because some policymakers say the money would be better spent on other educational projects, while government officials and private computer companies have actively worked to undermine the project, its manager told IRIN. “The programme has had to face a series of difficulties,” said Tomi Davies, manager of a US-based organisation, One Laptop per Child, which has designed a cheap laptop, known as the XO. “It has had a lot of misinformation and negative press,” he said."

IOL: "The leader of a South African party that opposed the ending of apartheid, fighting for whites to regain political power, died of a heart attack at the age of 79, the party said on Thursday. Willie Marais, who co-founded the white supremacist Herstigte (reconstituted) National Party which splintered from the apartheid National Party government in 1969, died on Wednesday while on holiday."

SABCnews.com "A Tunisian court jailed 10 men for up to five years today for attempting to join al Qaeda fighters in Iraq. Karim Elbaloumian who is studying architecture was given five years in prison and the other nine were sentenced to two years in jail. The court convicted the men of planning to join insurgents, having military training and recruiting people to fight US-led coalition forces in Iraq."

SABCnews.com : "The South African government has condemned the assassination of Pakistan political leader Benazir Bhutto. 'South African President Thabo Mbeki, on behalf of the government and people of South Africa, and on his own behalf, condemned the assassination of Ms Benazir Bhutto and other Pakistani nationals in Rawalpindi, Pakistan earlier today,' said Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa. Mamoepa said South Africa condemned all forms of violence to promote political objectives."

Sudan's president appoints new members in Cabinet, foreign minister from breakaway South bloc : "Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir on Wednesday appointed new officials into his government from the former southern rebels, on the eve of the South group's scheduled rejoining of the national unity government. Al-Bashir issued a decree naming new appointments from the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement, or SPLM. The group walked out of the Cabinet in October in protest of what its said was Khartoum's foot-dragging in implementing key points of the 2005 peace deal that ended Sudan's civil war between the North and the South."

News24 : "Johannesburg - Rescuers responded to seven cases of drowning or near drowning in the Western Cape on Thursday, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said. Spokesperson Craig Lambinon said the NSRI responded to calls in Saldanha Bay, Swartvlei Lagoon, Plettenberg Bay, Struis Baai, Pringle Bay and Gordon's Bay."

The Weekly Observer "For many voters this has been the decisive moment. People are now speaking of Raila in the future tense, and Kibaki in the past. One immediate former minister on prime time news, admitting that the previous government had done little about wiping out corruption, started speaking about what Raila “should” do, as if he already occupied State House. What is 10 per cent now could be a much larger figure on election day. I was in Nairobi last week. Within minutes of arriving, two security guard acquaintances came to tell me they had been retrenched, and had to start “tarmacking” from January 1, 2008. Their families are up-country, their wives trying to cultivate a tiny piece of infertile land, and their children in school. They themselves live in one room in the Kibera slum, which takes up a sizeable portion of their pay."

The Weekly Observer In a debate on Kenya in the British parliament, on December 4, parliamentary under-secretary in the Department for International Development, Baroness Vadera, said: “….a career in politics is still one of the quickest ways of accumulating wealth” in Kenya. Lord Oakeshott spoke of “a culture of political and economic patronage as the root of widespread corruption” in Kenya."

The Weekly Observer "Details emerging from the NRM Parliament Caucus meeting last week indicate that top party leaders uncharacteristically told off President Museveni that his western-biased appointment policy was making their work difficult. Speaking shortly after the NRM chairman addressed the caucus on Third Deputy Prime Minister Ali Kirunda Kivejinja’s electoral loss in Bugweri County by-elections, NRM Vice Chairman for Eastern region, Capt. Mike Mukula, said Museveni and NRM had become one and the same."

The East African : "LAST WEEK, PRESIDENT YOWERI MUSEVENI got the nod from a parliamentary committee to buy himself a Gulfstream G500 executive jet. The new purchase, coming with a price tag of $48 million, will replace the Gulfstream GIV/SP presidential transport Ugandan taxpayers bought for $31 million just seven years ago. The president and his men argue that the new aeroplane will offer Museveni more security because of its more advanced features; besides, the GIV has gone out of production and will prove progressively more difficult and expensive to maintain. The prominent difference between the two aircraft is in the range, with the new plane capable of non-stop flights between Entebbe and the US east coast at altitudes as high as 51,000 feet. The earliest date the new jet can be delivered, however, is sometime in 2012, well beyond Museveni’s current term"

The East African "One inescapable fact about the Horn of Africa is that Hargeisa, the capital of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, is peaceful, while its sister city Mogadishu, the constitutional capital of Somalia, is in a state of permanent anarchy. It is no surprise then that lately, American academicians and political writers have taken to writing endless analyses as to why such a reality prevails in the Horn of Africa region, expressing their opinions as to what they would like to see happen."

Ghana Broadcasting Corporation "Twenty-two babies were bornfive hospitals in Kumasi. Two out of the 20 were caesarean birth. The hospitals are Manhyia, Suntreso, KNUST, Tafo and Ahafo Ano North. In an interview with the GBC, some senior midwives at the Manhyia hospital urged government to complete the on-going maternity block and clinic projects."

SudanTribune Sudan’s President appointed on Wednesday the ministers of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the government of National Unity marking the end of two months political crisis. It is expected that the new ministers will be sworn in by President Omer al-Bashir and First Vice President and Chairman of the SPLM Salva Kiir Mayardit in the Presidential Palace in Khartoum on Thursday."

SudanTribune "Six French aid workers were sentenced to eight years of hard labour each after a court in Chad found them guilty on Wednesday of trying to kidnap 103 children from the African country.

Monitor Online "THE government has asked the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, to reconsider his stance regarding the amendments to the Land Act 1998 reminding him that times, situations and levels of development have changed. The plea contained in the government statement issued on Christmas Eve by Dennis Obbo, the permanent secretary for the Lands Ministry, is urging the Kabaka to rethink his stand in order to reinstate harmony in the country. 'This law is intended to protect the lawful rights of occupants and customary owners of land. It will not protect trespassers and squatters. The [government] therefore, respectfully urges the Kabaka to reconsider his position on the Land Amendments 2007 because they will definitely bring back harmony and good working relationship between tenants and land Lords in Buganda and Uganda at large,' the December 24 statement reads in part."

The Standard Online Edition : "ODM presidential candidate Mr Raila Odinga has not voted. His name is missing from Lang’ata constituency poll register. He has protested to Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) at KICC that a large chunk of register was missing. But ECK Commissioner Jack Tumwa assured him that a full register will be availed to polling stations. Tumwa attributed the mishap to splitting of registers using alphabetical order. 'No name has been deleted from the register. All names are there,' Tumwa assured the Press at KICC where the ECK has set up a media centre. It is alleged that people whose names start with letters A, O, R and W would not vote because their names are missing from Lang’ata constituency registers. Incidentally, bearers of names with these initials hail from communities where ODM presidential candidate enjoys a large following. Raila promised to go back to vote later in the day."

It is election time in Kenya. On Thursday, Kenyans will vote in the tightest presidential race ever. Opinion polls show just three or four percentage points separate the two top candidates. Mwai Ki... (more) Added: December 27, 2007 It is election time in Kenya. On Thursday, Kenyans will vote in the tightest presidential race ever. Opinion polls show just three or four percentage points separate the two top candidates. Mwai Kibaki currently holds the top post and is seeking a second term, while opposition figure and former political prisoner Rila Odinga is challenging Kibaki on his record.

It is election time in Kenya. On Thursday, Kenyans will vote in the tightest presidential race ever. Opinion polls show just three or four percentage points separate the two top candidates. Mwai Ki... (more) Added: December 27, 2007 It is election time in Kenya. On Thursday, Kenyans will vote in the tightest presidential race ever. Opinion polls show just three or four percentage points separate the two top candidates. Mwai Kibaki currently holds the top post and is seeking a second term, while opposition figure and former political prisoner Rila Odinga is challenging Kibaki on his record.

Voters are turning out in large numbers in Kenya's elections, despite fears of violence. Al Jazeera's Andrew Simmons reports from Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, on the election campaigns of Kenya's 'big men'.

Nyasa Times "Malawi on Wednesday announced plans to send a battalion of 800 soldiers to Darfur in Sudan in January for peace keeping mission, an official said here. Speaking on Wednesday in Lilongwe, Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Colonel Clement Namangale said the group to be sent has already been identified and they have already undergone initial training courses. 'Whilst there, we expect them to work in a professional manner because this not the first time we are sending the troops"

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE "THE United States may have dumped Nigeria for Liberia as a location for a military base under the US African Command (AFRICOM). This followed Nigeria’s opposition to the US military facility on its soil. Nigerian Tribune gathered that Liberia might have considered the historical ties between it and the US as well as the military assistance and other forms of aid it needs as a country which is just emerging from civil strife. It is also reported to be considering the rehabilitation of its demolished infrastructure by the United States."

The Sun News On-line : "Forty-two victims of the pipeline explosion, which occurred at Ilagbo Village, a riverine community near Ibagbo-Iru, Victoria Island, Lagos, have been buried in mass graves. The remains of the victims of the Christmas Day tragedy, who were scooping fuel from vandalized Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) fuel pipeline were interred in three graves at the scene of the incident. This came as the Federal Government, in a reaction to the tragedy, threatened a crackdown on pipeline vandals. When Daily Sun visited the scene on Wednesday the fire from the explosion had been put out, but smoke still smoldered from branches of burnt trees and grasses around the area."

News24 : "Johannesburg - A 13-year-old mentally disabled girl was among five women raped, while two others were murdered in separate incidents over the Christmas period, said Free State police on Wednesday. Superintendent Motsantsi Makhele said: 'The 13-year-old and her sister were visiting relatives on Christmas day. A male relative took her to visit an aunt. When the sister went to look for her at the aunt's home she found the girl undressed, and the suspect left with only his trousers.'"

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation: : "Alex Kibaki Muriithi, nephew to president Kibaki has died. In a statement signed by the family spokesperson George Njoroge, Alex Kibaki died on Tuesday at 11:20pm after a brave battle with cancer. He was an ardent supporter of the Party of National Unity-PNU- and was busy behind the scenes networking and fund-raising for Kibaki's re-election. During the days of the National Rainbow Coalition NARC,Alex Kibaki was the director of elections for the Narc team. He has also served as the chairman of the Tana and AthiRiver Devwelopment Authority-TARDA- Elsewhere on unrelated scene, two Administration police officers were on Tuesday killed in Oyugi's South Nyanza on allegations that they were PNU agents. As election violence rears its ugly head a few to hours to the polls, a Nissan Matatu was Thursday morning set ablaze by an agitated crowd at Oyugis. The crowd is protesting against claims of planned rigging."

Daily Trust newspaper "Sadness and gloom continued to envelop Abogun village in Iru Local Government on Victoria Island, Lagos yesterday as the burnt bodies of the forty two victims of Tuesday morning’s petroleum pipeline explosion were given a..."

Accra Daily Mail : "Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo has emerged as the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for election 2008 after a long voting process at the ongoing extraordinary congress at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana, Legon. He won by a margin of 47.965%. By the party's constitution a winner should garner 50 per cent votes. However, his closest contestant, Alan Kyerematen, who had over 32% conceded defeat for the 'sake of unity.' All the aspirants have declared their unflinching support for the new flagbearer-elect."

CAMEROUN LINK: : "La nouvelle du décès de l’artiste musicien Tom Yom’s de son vrai nom Eyoum Eyoum André est tombée le matin du 25 décembre 2007 alors que toute la ville de Douala s’activait dans les préparatifs de la fête de la nativité. Comme une traînée de poudre, la nouvelle s’est répandue à travers la ville et le pays tout entier, jetant ainsi de nombreux mélomanes, fans et admirateurs de l’américain de Dibombari dans la consternation totale."

Ghana Today "President John Agyekum Kufuor this morning, Christmas day, December 25, 2007 was on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, and he wished all Ghanaians good will and a peaceful Christmas. The President spoke on phone. In the studio to interview the President with sit-in host, Israel Laryea were four children who were randomly chosen. They are Jojo Ocran, 12, Tobi Welson 9, Comfort Sena 12, Priscila Quansah 12, and Master Amoakohene 9. The children asked the President questions ranging from how he celebrated Christmas as a child to whether he thinks Ghana could become as rich as the United States of America."

Libya News : "Leader of the Revolution received former Zambian President Kent Kaunda who was one of Africa governors, personal envoy of Zambian President ."

PREZY’S TOBASKI MESSAGE "Fellow Gambians, Once again we are privileged to celebrate another Eid ul Adha locally known as Tobaski. On this auspicious occasion, I wish to extend to all, on behalf of my family and indeed my entire government, warmest greetings, sincere best wishes and congratulations. Eid ul-Adha, or “the Feast of Sacrifice” marks the end to the sacred Hajj ceremony. Well over two million people women and men of all ages, languages, colours and backgrounds have in recent days congregated in the Holy city of Mecca to commemorate the sacrifices made by Prophet Ibrahim (May Allah’s peace and blessing be with him). Today as we celebrate the feast of Eid ul Adha, let us make a commitment to fight for peace, justice and selfless sacrifice for the well-being of our children, our parents, our neighbours, our fellow human beings in general and Muslims in particular. Let us seize this opportunity to strengthen the Muslim brotherhood with parents, relatives, neighbours and eve

Daily Nation : "All the polling stations in today’s General Election will be opened to the 14.2 million voters from 6am to 5pm. The Electoral Commission of Kenya Wednesday confirmed that all the presidential ballot papers had been distributed to polling stations in the 210 constituencies across the country. A similar number of parliamentary and civic ballot papers had also been distributed. ECK’s warehouse manager Buba Muimi said they were ready and prepared for the elections."

The Standard "RESERVE Bank governor, Gideon Gono was labelled the biggest economic saboteur, as thousands of Zimbabweans yesterday endured a nightmarish start to the Christmas and New Year’s holidays in long queues for cash. The cash crisis, in its second month, continued unabated yesterday with account holders failing to access their money. 'Gono is clearly the biggest saboteur of Zimbabwe’s economy,' said Elton Mangoma, the economics affairs secretary of the Morgan Tsvangirai formation of the Movement for Democratic Change."