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South African regulator gives nod for Eskom wind power project

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:01:11 -0400

JOHANNESBURG - The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has granted power producer Eskom a licence for its Sere wind farm in the Western Cape, paving the way for the company to start construction of its $254.3 million (R2.4-billion) project. Sere is the Nama word for "cool breeze". The wind farm project is scheduled to become fully commercially operational by the end of ...

Gupta family acknowledges some misjudgments made in landing chartered jet at S. Africa base

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:30:04 -0400

A well-connected Indian family in South Africa has apologised for the controversy surrounding the landing a chartered plane at Waterkloof Air Force Base to carry guests for his niece's wedding. The Gupta family said that it had only wanted to hold a memorable wedding, but realised that some bad decisions or misjudgments could have been made in the process to secure landing rights for the plane. ...

Indigenous culture youth among key topics as UN permanent forum opens 12th session

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:15:18 -0400

20 May 2013 150 Around 2,300 indigenous participants are expected to discuss culture, education and health during the 12th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, which will include a special focus on youth, indigenous groups in Africa and the importance of strengthening ties with international financial institutions. "We must have a better understanding of the ...

Teen Dies of Cancer After Touching Millions With Song

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:15:07 -0400

Zach Sobiech, an 18-year-old whose battle with cancer became a global story, has died. The Minnesota native became famous when his song "Clouds,rdquo; which is about facing death, became a viral sensation on YouTube, topping 3 million views. The song was originally released in December of last year. The video was so popular that a group of celebrities were inspired to create a video ...

Past Differences Hamper US-Russian Efforts to Help Syria

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:15:06 -0400

Public diplomacy experts say a difference in perceptions dating back to the Cold War era could hamper U.S. and Russian efforts to deal with the ongoing civil war in Syria. Heritage Foundation senior fellow Helle Dale said there is a "love-hate" relationship between the United States and Russia that is "quite complicated." On VOA's Encounter program, Dale said she agrees with an ...

Obama Praises Burma Reforms Calls For End to Attacks on Muslims

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:15:04 -0400

U.S. President Barack Obama praised Burma's president on Monday for his leadership in pushing through political reforms, while warning that ethnic and communal violence targeting minority Muslims in Burma must stop. Mr. Obama spoke Monday at the White House, alongside Burmese President Thien Sein, the former general who in 2011 became president after Burma's first democratic polls in more than ...

Uganda to Continue Leaked Letter Investigation Says Official

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:15:04 -0400

A spokesman for Uganda's government says President Yoweri Museveni's administration will continue with investigations into a security breach despite, criticisms that it is contravening the constitution. "That is not true that the government is stifling freedom of the press or freedom of the people of Uganda,rdquo; said government spokesman Fred Opolot. "The police and the government [are] ...

Sharif Calls for Peace Talks With Pakistani Taliban

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:15:03 -0400

ISLAMABAD Pakistan's Nawaz Sharif, who is set to become prime minister for a third time after his party won recent parliamentary elections, on Monday called for peace talks with domestic Taliban extremists, saying "this is the best optionrdquo; to fight militancy. Addressing newly elected federal and provincial lawmakers of his Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) party in Lahore, Sharif ...

President Obama To Visit Senegal South Africa Tanzania

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:15:03 -0400

The White House says U.S. President Barack Obama will travel to Africa this summer, visiting three countries. In a statement Monday, the White House says President Obama along with his wife, Michelle, will travel to Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania in late June and early July. The administration says Obama will meet with government officials as well as leaders from business, civil ...

Woman wishes to stay in Britain to avoid becoming 14th virgin queen of Swaziland

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:40:02 -0400

A woman is seeking asylum in Britain to avoid becoming the 14th virgin queen of the randy King of Swaziland. Tintswalo Ngobeni, 22, has shunned the advances of King Mswati III and fled to Britain, the Daily Star reported. She was just 15 when she caught the eye of the chubby king, who is 45 years old. The royal, who is famous for his lavish lifestyle, is allowed to choose a new bride every ...

Nigeria Investment in Sovereign Wealth Fund Starts June With U.S.$200 Million

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:44:33 -0400

Barely seven months after the inauguration of the board of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), the organisation has said it would commence investment of the $1 billion Sovereign Wealth Fund with initial $200 million from next month. The managing director the NSIA, Dr Uche Orji, stated yesterday in Abuja that the NSIA is now fully operational and that the board has already met ...

Ethiopia Sweden Wants to Reinforce Relation With Ethiopia

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:44:33 -0400

Sweden seeks partnership with Ethiopia to build its relation with Africa on a new foundation, Swedish Ministers said on Monday. The remark came up while Sweden's Minister of Finance Anders Borg and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson held discussion with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in Addis Ababa. The Ministers said the economic growth of Africa and ...

Africa Commodity Slump Clouds Africas Economic Outlook