Monday, September 30, 2013

Lessons for the Westgate Mall for America

By Stephen Lande & Dennis Matanda | Just like Kenya deftly managed a post-inferno crisis that shut down its international airport this August, the al-Shabaab attack that left over 70 dead at a Nairobi suburb mall, may - tragedy notwithstanding – allow President Uhuru Kenyatta to emerge stronger. In fact, the terror incident may have just provided Kenyatta the dejure recognition he did not receive from the U.S. after his March 2013 electoral victory. Simply, an International Criminal

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HBCUs must adapt to teach the 21st century student

(NNPA) – As Historically Black Colleges and Universities adapt to the rapidly changing educational landscape, advocates say that collaborative partnerships in business, in the community, and on campus will be needed to ensure that HBCUs survive and thrive in the 21st century.

“My grandfather used to tell me, ‘If someone tells you something three times, you better start believing it,’” said Roosevelt Johnson, deputy associate administrator of education at the National

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Martelly critics hold protest in Haiti capital on anniversary of Aristide ouster

Haitian President Michel Martelly. PHOTO/File

Critics of Haitian President Michel Martelly are demonstrating in the streets in the Caribbean nation's capital.

Several thousand protesters are marching through the streets of Port-au-Prince on the anniversary of the 1991 ouster of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Some demand that Martelly's resign because of corruption allegations. And others are protesting the absence of legislative elections.

Haiti was supposed to have held

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African Union working aggressively to attract investors at the NYSE with business opportunities in Africa

Traders on the floor of the Nigerian Stock exchange. PHOTO/File

Global investors are being enticed by bountiful opportunities to do business in Africa, as the continent continues to experience economic growth.

The Chairperson of African Union Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, joined Uganda's President, Yoweri Museveni, South Sudan's Vice President James Wani Igga and Maged Abdelfatah Abdelaziz, the Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, to woo delegates at the "2013

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U.S. Justice Departement to sue North Carolina over Voter Law

African American voters

The U.S. Justice Department will sue the state of North Carolina for alleged racial discrimination over tough new voting rules, the latest effort by the Obama administration to fight back against a Supreme Court decision that struck down the most powerful part of the landmark Voting Rights Act and freed southern states from strict federal oversight of their elections.

North Carolina has a new law scaling back the period for early voting and imposing stringent

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Jamaica: It's official Audley Shaw launches leadership bid for JLP - advocating for term limits for Prime Minister

Audley Shaw. PHOTO/File

Jamaica's former finance minister Audley Shaw has formally launched his campaign to become the leader of the opposition Jamaica Labor Party.

Audley Shaw will be challenging immediate past prime minister Andrew Holness for the position, who political analysts feel would not be able to effectively challenge the incumbent popular Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller.

In his acceptance speech, Shaw strongly reiterated calls for a two-term limit for Jamaican

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Sunday, September 29, 2013

Who will blink first? Obama, Democrats, and Republicans in Gov't shutdown stare down

U.S. President Barack Obama. PHOTO/File

With the government teetering on the brink of partial shutdown, congressional Republicans vowed today to keep using an otherwise routine federal funding bill to try to attack the president's health care law.

Congress was closed for the day after a post-midnight vote in the GOP-run House to delay by a year key parts of the new health care law and repeal a tax on medical devices, in exchange for avoiding a shutdown. The Senate was to convene

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Nigeria: Boko Haram Islamists storm college, kill students

(Reuters) - Suspected Islamist militants have stormed a college in northeastern Nigeria and shot dead around 40 male students, some of them while they slept early on Sunday, witnesses said.

The gunmen, thought to be members of al-Qaeda-linked Islamist sect Boko Haram, attacked one hostel, took some students outside before killing them and shot others trying to flee, people at the scene said.

The Boko Haram, which wants to establish an Islamic state in northern Nigeria, has intensified

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Friday, September 27, 2013

Shonda Rhimes appointed to Kennedy Center board of trustees

U.S. President Barack Obama is appointing the woman behind the television series “Scandal,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice” to the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees.

Shonda Rhimes is a Golden Globe winner and three-time Emmy nominee. Her show “Scandal” stars actress Kerry Washington, a major Obama supporter.

Additionali, the White House says Obama is also tapping financier David Rubenstein and executive Alexandra Stanton to the Kennedy Center’s board.

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Barbados investigating deaths linked to respiratory illness - samples shipped to CARPHA

Barbados is investigating two deaths associated with respiratory illnesses and is awaiting the results of tests being conducted by the Trinidad & Tobago-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on samples collected from 10 patients.

The island-nation's acting Health Minister Michael Lashley said there has been an increase in influenza-like illnesses on the island as well as a rise in the number of dengue fever cases so far this year.

He said regarding the influenza, as of

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South Africa: Work stoppages hits Amplats mines in protest of impeding job cuts

(Reuters) - Fewer than one in five workers turned up for work at Anglo American Platinum's (Amplats) South African platinum mines around the city of Rustenburg, it said on Friday, in protest against planned job cuts.

Amplats - part of global mining group Anglo American and the world's No. 1 producer of the precious metal - said last month it would cut 4,800 jobs, laying off 3,300 workers and paying off the rest.

It backed away from a target of 14,000 jobs after a pushback from the

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Thursday, September 26, 2013

South Africa's Public Investment Corporation invests a further $289 million in Dangote Group

Aliko Dangote - Chairman and CEO of the Dangote Group

Africa's largest asset manager, the South African-based Public Investment Corporation, will consider investing in more companies linked to Aliko Dangote, as it seeks to tap industries benefiting from economic growth.

The Public Investment Corporation earlier this week invested US$289.3 million in Dangote Cement Plc to take a 1.5 percent stake and said the deal will also offer opportunities in Dangote’s sugar, flour, oil refinery

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BlackBizFunding announces launch of campaign to Raise $1,000,000 to gift to Black-owned Startups

(Black PR Wire) – Cincinnati, Ohio - BlackBizFunding, a U.S based company that assists in providing funding for black-owned startups and businesses, announces the launch of its campaign to raise US$1,000,000.

The drive will officially begin on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 on the company’s website, BlackBizFunding.com. The grassroots campaign asks supporters to chip in one dollar or to “Give a Buck for a Biz.”

Proceeds of the campaign are to be gifted, as in not to be repaid, to

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Dominica: Charles Savarin nominated by ruling party for Presidency

Dominica National Security Minister Charles Savarin (pictured), has resigned from the Cabinet. His departure paves the way for his nomination as ruling party's candidate for the post of President of Dominica.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, speaking on the state-owned DBS radio on Thursday morning, said that Savarin’s name would be forwarded to the parliament ahead of the election of a new head of state on September 30.

The nomination of Savarin for the country's presidency

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African budget carrier Fastjet maiden international flight delayed

(Reuters) - African budget airline Fastjet Plc., said its first international flight, scheduled on Friday between Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg, had been postponed after South African officials made a last-minute request for additional documents.

Fastjet, backed by easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou, said it did not expect the delay to have a material effect on the financial performance of its Tanzanian

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Advertisers continue to miss opportunity to reach African American consumers - Report

With 43 million African Americans in the United States representing about 14 percent of the population, more than half under the age of 35, advertisers are not effectively reaching a growing population projected to account for US$1.3 trillion in consumer spending by 2017, according to a Nielsen report.

The purchasing power of African Americans continues to grow, but advertisers are missing the mark by passing over black-oriented media.

That is the conclusion of a Nielsen report, which

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Barbados health authorities report significant increase in dengue cases

Barbados health authorities confirmed there have been more than 500 confirmed cases of dengue fever so far this year.

The island-nations' Ministry of Health in a statement said that there were 511 confirmed cases of dengue so far this year as compared with 169 for the same period last year. In 2012, Barbados recorded 431 confirmed cases.

The Health Ministry said that while one death from dengue was recorded in May, it is investigating “a recent death”.

The Barbados Nation

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Court upholds 50-year Prison Sentence for former Liberian President, Charles Taylor

Former Liberia President Charles Taylor. PHOTO/AFP

An international war crimes court upheld the conviction and 50-year sentence of former Liberian President Charles Taylor for aiding rebels in Sierra Leone, ruling Thursday that his financial, material and tactical support fueled horrendous crimes against civilians.

The appeals chamber of the Special Court for Sierra Leone kept the 65-year-old Taylor's conviction on 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including

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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Made In Africa Foundation Co-Founder Ozwald Boateng partners with African Development Bank to launch Africa50 fund - the largest infrastructure development investment fund

Ozwald Boateng - Co-founder of Made In Africa Foundation. PHOTO/BBC

Made In Africa Foundation Co-Founder Ozwald Boateng And African Development Bank Launch Africa50 Fund to financing and investment strategies that will develop the untapped potential of the African continent - with the help and presence of key supporters Jamie Foxx, Jay-Z and a host of luminaries‎

(PRNewsire) - New York - The Made in Africa Foundation (MIAF) has partnered with the AAA-rated African Development Bank

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Congressional Black Caucus Foundation announces $5 million investment in 5 African American-owned banks

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, which is hosted its annual conference in Washington this last week, announced an investment worth US$5 million in 5 African American-owned banks to spur lending and by extension more economic activity in the African American community.

The donations are part of a broader effort to support small businesses and encourage private investment in minority banks.

African American-owned banks remain a critical source of credit in communities that

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Recently appointed Chairman of Jamaica Electoral Commission, Herbert Thompson resigns

The Recently appointed chairman of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, Dr. Herbert Thompson (pictured) has resigned.

Thompson stepped down from the position last night following calls from opposition party (Jamaica Labor Party) head, Andrew Holness' call for his resignation.

According to Holness (who is also Jamaica's immediate past Prime Minister), Thompson's integrity was compromised when he (Thompson), accepted an award from the ruling People's National Party (PNP) for the

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British national arrested by Kenya Police in Westgate Mall attack aftermath

Nairobi’s Westgate Mall. PHOTO/Westgate Premier Mall Inc.

A British national has been arrested in Nairobi following the bloody attack on the Westgate shopping mall by the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab Islamists, a spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said on Wednesday.

"We can confirm the detention of a British national in Nairobi and we are making contact to offer standard consular assistance," she told reporters.

The spokeswoman declined to say whether the arrest was directly linked

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Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Kenya: Westgate Mall seige by al-Shabaab terrorists over - President Uhuru Kenyatta

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta addresses the nation during the Westgate Mall crisis on September 22, 2013. PHOTO/Reuters

(Reuters) - Kenya's president said on Tuesday that his country's security forces had defeated Islamists from Somalia's al-Shabaab, had shot 5 of them dead and detained 11 others suspected of killing 67 people after storming a Nairobi shopping mall.

"We have ashamed and defeated our attackers," Kenyatta said, adding that bodies were still trapped under rubble

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Usain Bolt extends endorsement deal with Puma beyond Rio 2016 Olympics

Usain Bolt. PHOTO/File

Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt has renewed his sponsorship contract with German sportswear maker Puma "through and beyond the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio," Puma said Tuesday.

The six-time Olympic champion, aged 27, has been training and competing in Puma since 2003.

"We are very proud to extend our sponsorship contract with him because Usain is the perfect ambassador of the Puma brand," said chief executive Bjoern Gulden.

"He will play a crucial role

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The Dominoes of Africa's Regional Integration

Ask anyone with insider knowledge of Africa's regional economic communities - and they will tell you that most of the issues keeping Africa apart are not major. Yes - infrastructure is a problem: The main road connecting South Africa to Botswana is different on the Botswana side of the border. However, it behooves to view this thing as actually minuscule compared to the level of intrigue and sheer lack of information going on within these different regional economic communities (RECs). For

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Obama addresses The U.N. - Iran, Syria expected to be high on his agenda

U.S. President Barack Obama addresses The UN General Assembly, September 21, 2011. PHOTO/Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Seeking to build on diplomatic opportunities, U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to signal his willingness to engage with the new Iranian government if Tehran makes nuclear concessions long sought by the United States and its and Western allies.

Obama, in a planned address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday morning, also will call on U.N. Security

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South Africa: Work stoppage expected in Platinum sector in response to job cuts

Members of South Africa's Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) at Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) will stage a work stoppage to protest job cuts, AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa said on Tuesday.

Mathunjwa said the required 48-hour notice was served to the company on Monday and the stoppage would start on Friday. Tuesday is a bank holiday in South Africa.

Amplats, the world's top platinum producer, said last month that it would cut about 4,800 jobs - laying off

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Monday, September 23, 2013

Clark Atlanta University partners with African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) to launch Internship

(Black PR Wire) - Atlanta, Georgia - The Mass Media Arts Department at the Clark Atlanta University has formally adopted an academic internship program facilitated by the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) to train future journalists in the film and entertainment industry.

Beginning this fall 2013 semester, the program, available only to junior and senior level students, represents the first academic partnership between AAFCA and an institution of higher learning.

"We

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Kenya: Little negative impact expected to economy due to Mall attack

(Reuters) - Security worries are nothing new in Kenya and so the country is unlikely to see long term investors pull money out after the deadly attack on a Nairobi shopping mall, analysts say.

However, the tourism industry, a big earner of foreign exchange, may suffer some damage, especially if governments warn their citizens from travelling to the east African country.

This weekend's hostage crisis, in which more than 60 people have been killed, is a sharp reminder of the threat from

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Update: Kenya mall siege will 'end soon' - Interior Secretary

Nairobi’s Westgate Mall. PHOTO/Westgate Premier Mall Inc.

Kenyan security forces will soon end a Nairobi shopping mall siege, Interior Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku said Monday, with al-Shabaab Islamist attackers still fighting but left with no way out of the complex.

"We think the operation will come to an end soon," Lenku told a press conference. "We are in control of all the floors, the terrorists are running and hiding in some stores... there is no room for escape."

Copyright

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Rick Wade may challenge Tim Scott for South Carolina Senate seat in historic race

Rick Wade (pictured), a former senior adviser in the Obama administration and deputy chief of staff at the U.S. Commerce Department, is reportedly considering a run against Republican South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.

Mr. Wade's decision to run for the senate seat sets up an historic race between two African American candidates for statewide, federal office in South Carolina.

Neither Scott or Wade is expected to face a primary challenge.

Read more: The

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Barbados announces private offering of Amortizing Notes due 2025 and Tender Offer for up to $250 million

(PRNewswire) - Bridgetown, Barbados - The Government of Barbados (Barbados) is offering to sell amortizing notes due 2025 (the "New Notes") through a private placement (the "Notes Offering").

The proceeds from the offering will be used to finance the tender offer described below (the "Tender Offer"), provide budgetary support to finance fiscal operations, build foreign exchange reserves and improve the Barbados' external debt maturity.

The New Notes being offered have not been

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Sunday, September 22, 2013

African American purchasing power expands

Black purchasing power in the United States. SOURCE/ReachingBlackConsumers.com

(Business Wire) - African American buying power continues to increase and is expected to rise from its current US$1 trillion level to US$1.3 trillion by 2017, according to Resilient, Receptive and Relevant: The African American Consumer 2013 Report. The report was released late last week by Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy, in collaboration with

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Update: Kenya Red Cross indicate that death toll rises to 68 in wake of terrorist attack on Westgate Shopping Mall

A policeman carries a child away from gun fire as Kenyan security forces work to contain terrorist attack on Westgate Mall, in Nairobi. Sept, 22 2013. PHOTO/Goran Tomasevic/Reuters

Latest reports from Kenya indicate that 68 people have been killed, 175 hospitalized, and more than 1,000 hostages have been rescued in the wake of the terrorist attack on the Westgate Shopping Mall in the country's capital, Nairobi.

Kenya's security forces say the hostage standoff has nearly ended at the

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Jamaica: Caribbean Flavors and Fragrances IPO due on Sept. 25

Jamaican company, Caribbean Flavors and Fragrances, is looking to raise J$ 50.6 million (US$ 495,000) an equivalent of about 23 million shares when it holds its' initial public offering (IPO) on September 25.

Caribbean Flavors and Fragrances plans to go public with a listing on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE). Individual shares are initially to be offered at J$2.25 (US$ 0.022).

According to company officials, over 9 million shares will be reserved for sale to the

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Jon Jones defends his title in epic UFC 165 battle with Alex Gustafsson

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones (r) lands a kick on the challenger Alexander Gustafsson during their title fight at the Air Canada Center, Toronto. Sept. 21, 2013. PHOTO/Chris Young/The Canadian Press

Jon Jones was forced to overcome his toughest ever test in the Octagon to retain his UFC light heavyweight title with an unanimous decision over Alexander Gustafsson in the main event at UFC 165 on Saturday night in Toronto.

Jones won with his closest margin with the judges

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Saturday, September 21, 2013

Update: Al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab militants claim responsibility for Kenya Mall attack - 30 confirmed dead

Nairobi’s Westgate Mall. PHOTO/Westgate Premier Mall Inc.

Somalia's al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab militants have claimed responsibility for an attack on a shopping mall in Nairobi, saying on Twitter it was in retaliation for Kenya's military intervention in Somalia.

"The Mujahideen entered #Westgate Mall today at around noon and are still inside the mall, fighting the #Kenyan Kuffar inside their own turf," the group said on Twitter.

"What Kenyans are witnessing at #Westgate is

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Kenya: At least 20 killed in suspected terrorist attack in Nairobi mall

Nairobi's Westgate Mall. PHOTO/Westgate Premier Mall Inc.

(Reuters) - Gunmen stormed a shopping mall in Nairobi on Saturday killing at least 20 people in what Kenya's government said could be a terrorist attack, and sending scores fleeing into shops, a cinema and onto the streets in search of safety.

Sporadic gun shots could be heard hours after the assault started as anti-terrorist police surrounded the mall and combed the building, hunting down the attackers shop by shop. Some local

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Doing Business with Africa

In the week of September 16, various African governments and their business executives made presentations to various audiences. For these 5 days, Washington, DC was presentation galore! An African Minister here; an expert panel of those keen on reducing hunger over there. At the St. Regis Hotel - less than half a mile from the White House - Mr. Dangote himself graced an event with his presence. Rumor has it that in the week of September 23, President Museveni of Uganda will speak to an

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Friday, September 20, 2013

Somalia: Yussur Abrar named first female Central Bank governor

Somalia named Yussur Abrar as the country’s first female central bank governor, replacing Abdusalam Omer, who resigned after a United Nations monitoring group accused him of mismanaging the government’s money.

Ms. Abrar has spent the past 30 years working for international banks and insurance companies, Shador Hajji, a press officer in the presidency in the capital, Mogadishu, said by phone today. She will formally assume the role after a handover, the date of which has yet to be

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Obama hits the road as Congressional battle to raise debt limit looms

U.S. President Barack Obama. PHOTO/File

(Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama will try to put some distance between himself and a battle with Republicans over government spending on Friday, touring a Ford plant in Missouri while the House of Representatives votes on a short-term budget bill.

The Republican-led House is expected to pass a bill that would avert a government shutdown on October 1, but would also gut Obama's signature healthcare law - the latest in a long series of

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Thursday, September 19, 2013

Venture Capital for Africa names top 10 start-ups for Investment

Venture Capital for Africa (VC4Africa), the continent’s leading venture capital community, has announced a new cohort of 10 top fundraising entrepreneurs, as it seeks to attract the necessary financial support for the most promising start-ups in the region.

The start-ups listed include Able Wireless Company, FastCashier, Kiro’o Games, LPM/L’Espace, Mellowcabs, MMABON’, Mobile Charging Kiosk, My eCampus, Rethink Education, and Save & Buy.

The 10 selected start-ups require

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Magic Johnson charity launches additional initiative to help school dropouts

Earvin "Magic" Johnson launched his "Friends of Magic" initiative in Chicago on Wednesday.

The idea is to help at-risk students, including dropouts, graduate from high school.

(More: Magic Johnson charity opens two new schools in Chicago)

Johnson, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and a host of business owners and celebrities, attended the event at Magic Johnson Bridgescape Academy, another education facility backed in part by Johnson’s business enterprises.

An emotional Johnson spoke

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Haiti: President Martelly reaches out to former president Jean Bertrand Aristide in bid to nurture dialogue

Haitian President Michel Martelly and former President Jean Bertrand Aristide at their previous meeting in 2011. PHOTO/File

Haitian President Michel Martelly has held a private meeting with his predecessor, two-time President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

According to local news reports, the meeting took place at Aristide's home in the capital of Port-au-Prince.

It was part of a series of meetings between Martelly and the leaders of different political parties as the government faces

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African Union to meet regarding Kenya ICC cases

(Reuters) - African leaders will meet in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, on October 13 to take a common stance on whether to join Kenya's planned pull-out from the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the prosecution of its leaders, officials said on Thursday.

So far there does not seem to be much support for it, however, heads of state from the 54-member African Union may still discuss the possibility of a pullout by the 34 African signatories to the Rome Statute that created the

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Ken Norton, former boxing heavyweight champion dies at 70

Ken Norton at the 16th annual Keep Memory Alive "Power of Love Gala" and 70th birthday celebration for Muhammad Ali, February 18, 2012. PHOTO/Reuters

Former boxing champion Ken Norton, considered one of the greatest heavyweights of his era, died of a heart attack, his manager said. He was 70.

Norton was best known for beating Muhammad Ali in 1973, breaking the Hall of Famer's jaw in the process.

Norton passed away Wednesday afternoon at an Arizona care facility, said friend and

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Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Will Africa leave the World Bank behind?

By Nicholas Norbrook



Governments across the continent are looking for new development models after the policies of privatization and liberalization seem to have run their course.

The arrival of Jim Yong Kim as president of the World Bank bearing promises of a cultural revolution comes at a critical time for Africa's prospects.

Africa is now the world's fastest-growing continent, however, questions about policy, the past failures to develop viable industries and reduce youth

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The NABJ will host the 2013 Media Institute for Media Professionals and Entrepreneurs

(Black PR Wire) - The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) will host the 2013 Media Institute for Professionals and Entrepreneurs, Friday, September 27, 8:30 a.m. at the Associated Press New York headquarters, 450 W. 33rd St., New York, NY, 10001.

The conference is the group’s fifth annual convening, and is an effort to highlight promising and emerging trends at the intersection of public relations and journalism. The Institute is organized and hosted by NABJ’s Associate

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Obama to ask business leaders to urge Congress to raise debt limit

U.S. President Barack Obama

(Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama will ask to business leaders on Wednesday to urge Congress to approve an increase in the U.S. debt limit and avoid a default that is possible as early as mid-October.

Obama is to address the Business Roundtable as part of a renewed push to focus on domestic budget and economic issues after a month dominated by foreign policy.

The U.S. Treasury is expected to exhaust measures to avoid exceeding the US$16.7 trillion

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Economy on the agenda as CARICOM leaders meet in Trinidad & Tobago

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders ended a one day meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuesday agreeing to the formation of a Commission on the Economy as they seek to revive the ailing economies of the 15-member regional grouping.

In addition, Trinidad & Tobago’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who chaired the CARICOM Bureau meeting, said agreement had also been reached on the establishment of a Commission on Transportation.

“We also agreed that the Commission

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Kenya looking to host Africa's first yuan clearing house - to cut need for dollar settlements

(Reuters) - Kenya wants to host a clearing house for China's yuan currency - a bold African first that would deepen the continent's ties with Beijing, already a big investor from The Cape to Cairo.

Such a venture would not eclipse the dollar in Africa anytime soon, however, because the yuan is tightly managed and traders are wedded to the greenback's flexibility.

African businesses can already get quotes for their currencies against the yuan . A clearing house would cut the need for

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Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Angel Africa List helping to provide capital funding to African tech startups

All across the Africa, innovators and entrepreneurs are coming up against a persistent roadblock: lack of access to capital funding. But a new investment platform aims to change that and will soon introduce the first pan-African “angel investor” networking event in Johannesburg.

The platform called Angel Africa List is hosting an Angel Fair on September 26 to connect a group of investors with 25 African startups, mostly in the technology sector. The event will include panel

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Jamaica joins CARICOM countries in supporting Syria agreement

Jamaica is joining its Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member countries, Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago, in supporting the agreement reached between the United States and Russia regarding the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

The Simpson-Miller administration said that it is supportive of the “positive developments which have occurred in relation to the situation in Syria and calls on all parties involved to move towards quick implementation of the Framework for Elimination of Syrian

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Former CEO and founder George G. Andrews to lead Capitol City Bank & Trust Company Board's marketing Initiative for growth

(Business Wire) - Atlanta, Georgia - The Board of Directors of Capitol City Bank & Trust Company announced last week that founder and former CEO George G. Andrews (pictured), has taken on the new task of aggressively marketing the Atlanta-based financial institution in a climate of economic challenges facing Georgia Community Banks.

The Board also announced the appointment of John L. Turner, Chief Operating Officer and a member of the bank’s senior management team to assume the

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Ade Ayeyemi named Chief of Sub-Saharan Africa Division of Citigroup

(Reuters) - Citigroup announced on Tuesday it had appointed Ade Ayeyemi (pictured), a 25-year veteran of the bank, as its chief executive for sub-Saharan Africa.

Ayeyemi, who previously led Citigroup's transaction services on the continent, takes over from Naveed Riaz. Citigroup has operations in 12 sub-Saharan African countries and a history in Africa dating back to the 1950s.

But, it faces increasing competition on the continent from local lenders and other banks targeting the

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Haiti begins to rebuild army - primarily for reconstruction purposes

Haiti moved closer on Monday to reconstituting a military that was abolished in 1995.

In a small ceremony in the farming village of Petite Rivere de L'Aritibonite, Defense Minister Jean-Rodolphe Joazile greeted the first 41 recruits who recently returned from eight months of training in Ecuador. They will be the first members of a national military force that the government of President Michel Martelly wants to revive.

Joazile said they will spend three months working alongside

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Monday, September 16, 2013

LIAT CEO Ian Brunton resigns amid re-fleeting woes

The CEO of troubled regional carrier LIAT (Leeward Islands Air Transport), Ian Brunton has resigned.

News of Brunton's departure from the carrier was revealed to reporters by the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent & the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves, who also is the chair of the share holder governments of the airline.

According to Gonsalves, Brunton's resignation would be discussed by the carrier's board of directors.

Under his contract, Brunton needs to give board of directors a 3

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Mali: New president invites separatist movement in bid to begin peace dialogue

New Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita

In a bid to return normalcy and peace to northern Mali, the new President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has invited representatives of the Tuareg separatist movement to a consultative meeting in the capital Bamako, according to official sources.

The meeting will deal with the security challenges and solutions to promote national reconciliation.

This will be the first time that the Tuareg separatist movement northern Mali has come to Bamako for

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Time to Stop Ingratiating: Why we Must Stop Talking and Take a Stand

By Ryan Elcock



It is amazing how much clarity one can have when they take time to process all the crazy things that have transpired over the past few months.

However, I wanted to take the opportunity to give my thoughts on the Trayvon Martin issue in light of the recent events surrounding George Zimmerman and how it reflects the current state of affairs for the black community.

As we all know, Trayvon Martin was murdered in cold blood and his murderer, George Zimmerman, was

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Obama: No negotiations with Congress on debt ceiling and healthcare reform law

U.S. President Barack Obama. PHOTO/File

(Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama said on Monday he would not negotiate with Congress over whether to raise the U.S. debt ceiling and chided Republicans for threatening to bring the government to a halt in an effort to repeal his signature healthcare reform law.

The White House is gearing up for difficult budget talks with lawmakers, but it has said consistently that the president would not negotiate over the debt limit, which must be

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Jamaica: Audley Shaw lays out his agenda in JLP leadership challenge

Former Finance Minister Audley Shaw (r) with the then Prime Minister and current opposition leader Andrew Holness. PHOTO/Jamaica Gleaner

The opposition Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) will be faced with a leadership challenge for the first time in decades, as Deputy Leader Audley Shaw on Sunday announced that he will be entering the race for leadership against incumbent party leader and former prime minister, Andrew Holness.

After weeks of speculation, Shaw, in a live broadcast late Sunday

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Sunday, September 15, 2013

Floyd Mayweather dominates Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez to easily retain title

Floyd Mayweather (r) in action against Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (l), during their title fight, September 14, 2013. PHOTO/Eric Jamison/AP

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez proved nothing more than easy money for Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Mayweather turned one of the richest fights ever into just another US$41.5 million payday Saturday night, dominating Alvarez from the opening bell and winning a majority decision in a masterful performance that left no doubt who the best fighter of his era is.

Fighting

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Nigeria: Villagers reject Shell oil spill compensation offer

Environmental Damage caused by oil spill. PHOTO/File

(Reuters) - Nigerian villagers on Friday rejected an offer of compensation from Royal Dutch Shell for damage done to their livelihoods by oil spills from pipelines operated by the company, their lawyers said.

Failure to reach a settlement means the Anglo-Dutch oil major and around 15,000 members of the Bodo fishing communities in southeastern Nigeria remain locked in litigation.

Their lawyers said they will now go back to court

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Friday, September 13, 2013

Suzanne Shank named Acting CEO of Siebert Financial Corporation

Suzanne Shank. PHOTO/Siebert Financial Corporation

(Business Wire) - New York - Siebert Financial Corporation on Thursday announced the appointment of Suzanne Shank as Acting CEO of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, the discount broker/dealer and institutional investment bank, Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc., effective September 16, 2013.

The Company was founded by Muriel F. “Mickie” Siebert, who died on August 24, 2013. The board of directors named current board members

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South Africa: Union ends work stoppage in construction industry with 12 percent wage deal

(Reuters) - South Africa's National Union of Mineworkers said on Friday it had agreed to a deal for wage hikes of up to 12 percent with the construction industry, ending a industrial action that led to a three-week work stoppage.

"This is a major victory for us," union official Issac Ntshangase said in a statement.

The work stoppage in the construction industry, one of several in a number of sectors, had appeared to have a relatively small impact, with many workers refusing to heed

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Thursday, September 12, 2013

Massive investments tech set to turn Ghana into innovation hub

Artistic Impression of Hope City. IMAGE/File

Forbes Magazine, is predicting that Ghana will undergo a massive tech boom, should various interventions in the sector proceed unhindered.

The September 2013 edition of the Forbes Africa Magazine based its projection on a number of planned infrastructural developments being promoted by both the public and private sector, international consortiums and some local Ghanain investors.

Forbes’ Muyiwa Moyela reports that “a consortium of

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George E. Cooper named Executive Director of the White House Initiative for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

Incoming Executive Director of the White House Initiative for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Dr. George E. Cooper

The Obama Administration announced a new leadership team for the White House Initiative for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Former South Carolina State University president Dr. George E. Cooper will serve as Executive Director of the Initiative, while Dr. Ivory Toldson from Howard University and Senior Fellow with the American

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Fuel subsidy to Caribbean Airlines ends, no fare increases expected

The Trinidad & Tobago-based Caribbean Airlines has confirmed that it will not be increasing ticket prices after the Persad-Bissessar administration announced this week that it was ending its fuel subsidy to the state-owned carrier.

The twin-island nation's finance minister Larry Howai said the subsidy, which was estimated at US$40 million last year, would come to an end on October 1.

Caribbean Airlines said the trigger price level for the subsidy has been increased each year over the

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Nigeria: President Jonathan reshuffles cabinet in bid to out-maneuver rivals ahead of 2015 presidential elections

Nigerian President.,Goodluck Jonathan. PHOTO/File

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday reshuffled his cabinet and in the process dropped 9 ministers amid tensions within his ruling party as his rivals maneuver ahead of 2015 presidential elections.

Those removed from cabinet included Foreign Minister Olugbenga Ashiru, Education Minister Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai and Housing Minister Ama Pepple.
The national planning, environment and science and technology ministers were also

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Michael C. Butler defeats Paul Miller to become first African American mayor of Orangeburg, S.C.

Voters in Orangeburg have elected Michael C. Butler (pictured), as the city's first African-American mayor.

Butler won a four-year term with 53 percent of the vote. Mayor Paul Miller received 46 percent. Miller has been mayor since 2001.

Butler's new terms begin October 1.

Butler ran on a platform of revitalizing the city and working on economic development. He is a career specialist at the Technology Center in Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5.

Orangeburg is home to

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Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Tech boom in Kenya: Africa's Silicon Savannah

App developers at work in Nairobi, Kenya. PHOTO/File

Kenya’s fast-growing tech sector, dubbed the Silicon Savannah, already accounts for 5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. The Kenyan government intends to boost that share to 35 percent. Its technology exports have soared from US$16 million to US$360 million in the past decade. Much of these exports are born in tech hubs and incubators such as the iHub – one of six such hubs in Kenya and more than 50 that now exist

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Dominica: Speaker Alix Boyd-Knights withdraws from Presidential bid

Speaker of Dominica legislator, Hon. Alix Boyd-Knights

Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit Wednesday confirmed that the Speaker of the Dominica Parliament, Alix Boyd-Knights has requested that her name to be withdrawn as a candidate for the post of President of Dominica.

Skerrit, in an interview with the state-owned DBS radio, said that “ I can’t force the presidency on anybody” and that while she had accepted the nomination initially, she had become concerned about the

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Syria: Obama postpones military option - to provide diplomacy a chance to resolve crisis

U.S. President Barack Obama postponed his threat to strike Syria, after Bashar al-Assad's regime welcomed a Russian plan to gather and destroy its chemical arsenal.

In an address from the White House, Obama said he had asked U.S. lawmakers to delay a vote on whether to authorize military action while Washington studies the Russian initiative.

He said he would stay in personal contact with Russia's President Vladimir Putin and would dispatch Secretary of State John Kerry to Geneva for

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Mali: New administration to review all mining contracts not in the national interest

(Reuters) - The newly elected government in Mali will carry out a complete inventory of existing mining contracts and stands ready to renegotiate any which are not in the West African country's interests, the new mining minister told reporters on Tuesday.

A new government tasked with restoring economic growth and stamping out corruption took office this week in Mali, sub-Saharan Africa's third-largest gold producer, after President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita swept to victory in polls last

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Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Black Enterprise releases report on African American representation On Corporate Boards

Ursula Burns - CEO and Chairperson of Xerox. PHOTO/Jemal Countess/Getty Images

(PRNewswire) - Late last week, Black Enterprise released its latest exclusive report on African American representation on the corporate boards of 250 of America's largest publicly traded companies at BlackEnterprise.com. The media company identifies 177 African American directors at S&P 500 companies, including Starbucks, Wal-Mart, ExxonMobil and Ralph Lauren, on the Black Enterprise Registry of Corporate

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Nigeria may soon replace South Africa as top investment destination in Africa

While South Africa remains the most attractive corporate investment destination in Africa, Nigeria is nipping at its heels and may overtake it as soon as next year, according to a new survey.

Nigeria has moved into second place, from third last year, overtaking Egypt which is now in third position despite its continuing political upheavals. This is according to the Rand Merchant Bank’s annual " Where to Invest in Africa: A guide to corporate investment" report.

The report places

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Tropical storm Gabrielle pounds Bermuda

Tropical Storm Gabrielle. IMAGE/National Hurricane Center

Two international flights were cancelled and St George's ferry service suspended as reborn Tropical Storm Gabrielle took direct aim at Bermuda on Tuesday.

The Bermuda Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning for the territory as Gabrielle closed in on the island.

Residents, caught on the hop over Gabrielle's resurgence, were also keeping a close eye on another tropical storm, Humberto - which is likely to become a

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Leading tech entrepreneur, Angela Benton to speak at ICABA Business at Breakfast

(Black PR Wire) - Angela Benton (pictured), the founder and CEO of NewMe Accelerator will speak at the ICABA (Identify Connect Activate the Black Accomplished) Business at Breakfast, September 27, 2013 at 7:30 a.m. at the offices of Greenberg Traurig, PA., in Miami, Florida.

Ms. Benton is the youngest Hall of Fame inductee of Minority Media and Telecommunications Council (MMTC) and has been honored by Goldman Sachs as one of the "100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs."

"We are excited to

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Uganda looking to double power output in the next 4 years - ahead of crude oil production

East Africa's third largest economy, Uganda plans to double the length of its power grid in four years at a cost of US$500 million as it seeks to boost electricity production and reduce transmission losses.

Uganda is looking to rapidly expand its power generation infrastructure ahead of its planned start of crude oil production in 2017.

According to Simon D'Ujanga, the country's state minister for energy, Uganda intends to expand its power lines from by an extra 1700

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Syria: Obama to address congress on military strikes, while exploring diplomatic option

U.S. President Barack Obama is going to Congress on Tuesday with fresh hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough that would allow Syria's government to avoid U.S. missile strikes if it surrenders its chemical weapons arsenal. He addresses the nation from the White House on Tuesday night.

A White House official said Obama has agreed to discussions at the U.N. Security Council on the proposal from Russia, Syria's closest ally, to secure that country's chemical weapons stockpiles.

The official

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Kenya: Deputy President William Ruto pleads not guilty to ICC charges

Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto (pictured), pleaded innocent to crimes against humanity charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday.

As the parties took their places in the courtroom before the judges arrived, Ruto appeared relaxed, laughing and smiling with his lawyers. Joshua arap Sang, his co-accused, gave a reporter the thumbs-up sign.

Ruto and Sang are charged with co-orchestrating a post-election bloodbath over 5 years ago, working with co-conspirators to

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Monday, September 9, 2013

Nigeria begins process of seeking damages from Shell resulting from oil spill damage

Environmental Damage caused by past oil spill in Nigeria. PHOTO/File

Royal Dutch Shell officials on Monday began talks in Nigeria's southern city of Port Harcourt with representatives for the Bodo community on compensation and cleanup five years after one of the worst oil spills in Nigeria's history.

Some experts say two oil spills that started in 2008 led to the largest loss of a mangrove habitat ever caused by an oil spill, affecting about 30,000 people in the Niger Delta area since

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As the campaign for Senate Seat heats up, Cory Booker releases his tax returns

Newark Mayor Cory Booker. PHOTO/File

Mayor Cory Booker is stepping down from the board of an Internet start-up he helped found, as his campaign provided tax returns showing his income skyrocketed along with his national profile.

Booker, a Democrat who is running for U.S. Senate, said late last week he was leaving the board of Waywire and will donate his company shares to charity.

Booker's stake in the firm is worth US$1 million to US$5 million, according to Senate financial

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Eastern Caribbean Monetary Council mulls bank amalgamation in OECS region

The Eastern Caribbean Monetary Council is considering a proposed amalgamation of the banks in the sub-region in order to create more efficiency and stability within the financial system.

There are more than three dozen banks listed across the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) region where individual countries hold responsibility for licensing banks in their respective territories.

However, the Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), Sir Dwight Venner has

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Mali: Post-war government named following successful presidential elections

Newly elected Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. PHOTO/File

Mali's first post-war prime minister has appointed a cabinet featuring a number of old hands and a new ministry charged with reconciliation in the conflict-scarred west African nation, according to a government statement.

Oumar Tatam Ly, named as head of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita's government last week, appointed 34 ministers and deputy ministers including a number of politicians who had held portfolios in previous

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Sunday, September 8, 2013

U.S. Open 2013: Serena Williams retains crown - her fifth US Open title

Serena Williams returns a shot against Victoria Azarenka. Serena Williams won the match to win the U.S. Open 7-5, 6-7 (6/8), 6-1., Sunday September 8, 2013. PHOTO/Mike Groll/AP

World number one Serena Williams won her fifth US Open title on Sunday, defeating second-ranked Victoria Azarenka 7-5, 6-7 (6/8), 6-1 to capture her 17th career Grand Slam singles crown.

With her second title in a row, the 31-year-old American became the oldest Open Era women's winner in US Open history, 293

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Ben Jealous stepping down as President and CEO of NAACP

Benjamin Jealous (pictured), the president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), has revealed that he plans to step down by the end of the year.

Jealous announced his plans to resign on Sunday.

He says he plans to pursue teaching at a university and spending time with his young family. The Baltimore-based NAACP is the nation's largest civil rights organization. When Jealous was hired as its president at age 35, he became the youngest leader

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Trinidad & Tobago: Government urged to create conditions that ensure the increase of oil and gas production

PETROTRIN oil refinery in Trinidad & Tobago. PHOTO/File

The Energy Chamber of Trinidad & Tobago, one of the most powerful groups in the twin-island nation has called on the Persaud-Bissessar administration to ensure that oil and gas production is maintained or increased each year.

The appeal was made as the country's Finance Minister Larry Howai prepares to deliver the national budget on Monday.

In a release shown to reporters, the Energy Chamber said "one of the key questions on

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South Africa: Unions call to an end of work stoppages after demands met

(Reuters) - Workers in South Africa's auto and gold industries will return to work this week after industrial action that led to work stoppages that crippled operations at some of the country's biggest producers were resolved on Sunday.

Prolonged labor disputes in the two key exporting industries had threatened to compound the woes of Africa's largest economy, still reeling from last year's work stoppages in mining and continuing problems in the platinum sector.

"We are calling off

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Friday, September 6, 2013

U.S.Open 2013: Serena Williams rolls over Li Na to advance to final

Serena Williams against Li Na at the semi-finals of the US Open, Sept. 6, 2013. PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand/AFP

Defending champion Serena Williams wasted no time, and in devastating form defeated Li Na 6-0, 6-3 in the semifinals of the U.S. open on Friday.

Williams' victory set up a rematch of last year's final against Victoria Azarenka, who beat 83rd-ranked Flavia Pennetta 6-4, 6-2 in the earlier semifinal.

The first set of the Williams match marked the third straight set the No. 1 seed

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African American unemployment inches upward despite drop in overall unemployment rate to 7.3%

The rate of unemployment in the African American community inched upwards from 12.6 percent in July to 13.0 percent in August, according to the latest numbers released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Black teen unemployment (still the highest of any group) went down from 41.6 to 38.2 percent.

The unemployment rate in the United States dropped to 7.3 percent, the lowest in nearly five years - however, it fell because more Americans stopped looking for work and were no longer

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Trinidad & Tobago: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar reshuffles cabinet

Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. PHOTO/File

Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has reshuffled her cabinet placing appointing Gary Griffith the new National Security Minister, replacing Jack Warner who resigned a few months ago.

Persad-Bissessar announced the changes at a post-cabinet press briefing held at the Office of the Prime Minister Thursday afternoon.

"Starting today and as promised, I have taken stock of the performances in my

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South Africa: Work stoppages in gold sector could be called off today

(Reuters) - Some South African gold miners have ended their call for higher wages and were heading back to work after just three days, bolstering confidence the work stoppage could be formally called off on Friday.

This would be a relief to Africa's largest economy, hit by labor unrest across a range of sectors including auto making, which have cost tens of millions of dollars a day in lost output.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has been consulting its members on a revised

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Thursday, September 5, 2013

U.S.Open 2013: Williams sisters advance in doubles Semis

Venus and Serena Williams. PHOTO/Mike Groll/AP

Venus and Serena Williams have knocked out the top-seeded women's doubles team at the U.S. Open to advance to the semifinals.

The Williams sisters beat defending champions Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani 6-3, 6-1 to move two wins away from their 14th Grand Slam tournament title.

"It would mean so much and obviously, Serena's doing so well in singles," Venus Williams said. "For me, this is a chance for a U.S. Open title."

Serena

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St. Lucia Prime Minister Kenny Anthony becomes Chairman of ECCB Monetary Council

St. Lucia Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony. PHOTO/File

St. Lucia Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony began his one year term as Chairman of the Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) pledging to addressing the main policy issues of financial stability, fiscal and debt sustainability and growth and competitiveness.

Anthony, who succeeded St. Kitts & Nevis Prime Minister Denzil Douglas, said that the Basseterre-based financial institution would continue to take a

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Kenya: Parliament votes to withdraw from ICC - an angry snub of The Hague-based tribunal

Kenya's parliament on Thursday passed a motion to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) just before the country's deputy president face trial at The Hague for allegedly orchestrating post-election violence more than five years ago. This is an angry snub to tribunal ahead of next week's trial of Deputy President William Ruto.

Citing the fact that the United States and other world powers are not members, the majority leader of Kenya's parliament on Thursday argued that Kenya

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15-year-old Jaylen Bledsloe founds tech company and grows it to $3.5 million in slightly over 2 years

Jaylen Bledsoe - CEO and founder of Bledsoe Technologies, LLC

Fifteen-year-old Jaylen Bledsloe founded Bledsloe Technologies, an information technology consulting company, when he was just 12 years old, and under his stewardship, the company now employs over 150 contractors globally, and is now valued at US$3.5 million.

Bledsloe has grown the company, without taking time off class, is a high school student at the Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School in Ladue, Missouri. He

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Jamaica: Structural adjustments in economy are working - Finance Minister Phillips

Jamaica's Finance Minister, Peter Phillips has revealed that the period of difficulty for the country may be over as the island-nation has passed the worst as far as the effects of the structural adjustments imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are concerned.

However, Phillips cautioned that the country is not yet out of the woods. “There’s definitely pain before gain in the sense that we will have tight budgets for some time to come.”

He said it will take some time

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African Development Bank working to raise $100 billion to finance massive infrastructure projects on the continent

Image/Courtesy African Development Bank

The African Development Bank in working to raise US$100 billion to finance bankable infrastructure projects across the continent, a senior bank official has said.

According to the bank's regional director for East Africa Gabriel Negatu, approximately half of the fund would be raised by digging into the foreign currency reserves of willing states among the 53-member countries on the African continent. The balance of the funds will come from

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Syria: Obama gaining support for military strike

U.S. President Barack Obama has signed up power brokers in Congress for strikes on Syria but, in an era of insurgent politics haunted by Iraq, there is no guarantee the rank and file will follow.

Obama, who has arrived in St. Petersburg, Russia for the G20 conference, mobilized his big political and military guns Wednesday to convince lawmakers to back his plan to punish Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over a chemical weapons attack.

The White House can already boast two significant

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Define Adulthood

By Christopher Duff



There are three main stages to life: childhood, youth and adulthood.

Each stage has something unique to offer. Childhood offers vibrancy, curiosity, imagination among so much more. Youth offers energy, creativity and boldness. But the problem is, as we go through these stages, rather than tap into what each stage offers, we begin to mold that individual into an adult. But not just any adult, an adult crafted for economic benefit.

So the entire stage of youth

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Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Profile: Rebecca Enonchong - founder and CEO of AppsTech

Rebecca Enonchong - founder and CEO of AppsTech

Cameroonian tech entrepreneur and businesswomen, Rebecca Enonchong is the founder and CEO of AppsTech, a global provider of enterprise application solutions serving clients in over 50 countries across Africa, Europe and North America.

Enonchong founded AppsTech in 1999, and under her stewardship, the company has attained steady growth and has over 350 employees.

According to company website, AppsTech, is now an Oracle Platinum Partner

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RLJ Credit Opportunity Fund announces investment in Pivotal 5, LLC - a Wellness And Fitness Products Company

Robert L. Johnson, Founder and Chairman of The RLJ Companies and RLJ Credit Opportunity Fund

(PRNewswire) - Bethesda, Maryland - Robert L. Johnson, Founder and Chairman of The RLJ Companies and Chairman of RLJ Credit Opportunity Fund, an RLJ portfolio company, today announced an investment in Pivotal 5, LLC, a wellness and handheld fitness products company with a dynamic portfolio of products in yoga, prevention and rehabilitation, general fitness, athletic training and specialty fitness

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Usain Bolt may retire from sport after 2016 Olympic Games

Usain Bolt

Jamaican track star Usain Bolt is considering retiring after the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, he said Wednesday.

But any plans for going out to grass at the age of 30 would come after three more years of domination that might include a pop at the Commonwealth Games next year and another shot at bettering his own 200 meter world record.

Bolt has dominated the competitive world of sprinting since claiming three gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games but hinted ahead of

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U.S. Open 2013: Serena Williams dominates, wins Quarterfinal 6-0, 6-0 to advance to Semis

Serena Williams in action against Carla Suarez Navarro during the quarterfinal of the U.S.Open, September 3, 2013. PHOTO/Charles Krupa/AP

From an ace on the first point to a stinging return on the last, Serena Williams was close to perfect in the US Open quarterfinals.

The score said it all: 6-0, 6-0. Yes, Williams is looking better and better with each match at the year’s last Grand Slam tournament. With two more wins, no matter the exact scores, she will earn a fifth title at

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South Africa: Union and gold miners ease some pay demands as work stoppage bites

(Reuters) - South Africa's main mining union has offered to compromise on some of its demands for higher pay after initiating industrial action and work stoppage that hit production at most of the country's gold mines on Wednesday.

The stoppage called by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) began at the evening shift on Tuesday, with many miners refusing to go underground, producers said.

Production at 16 of the 23 mines currently involved in talks was partially or severely

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Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Nigeria's United Bank for Africa looking to invest $2 billion into African power sector

(Reuters) - Nigeria's United Bank for Africa (UBA) has invested US$700 million this year financing power assets in Africa's second biggest economy and is looking to put US$2 billion into power projects across the continent over the next three years, CEO Phillips Oduoza told reporters on Tuesday.

Oduoza also said he expected the bank to grow loans by around 14 percent in the next six months, as it had done in the last six months.

Nigeria is reforming its electricity sector in a

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Obama gaining bi-partisan support on military strike against Syria

U.S. President Barack Obama addresses the media in the Cabinet Room of the White House, September 3, 2013, before a meeting with leaders of Congress to discuss the situation in Syria. Included in the picture with Obama, from left are, Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin, National Security Adviser Susan Rice and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio. PHOTO/AP

U.S. President Barack Obama's call for a military strike in Syria won significant momentum Tuesday, with leaders of both parties in

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Texas Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson resigns

Outgoing Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, Wallace Jefferson. PHOTO/AP

Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson plans to resign effective October 1 2013.

The first African American member of the Texas Supreme Court said Tuesday he doesn't have another job lined up. Jefferson says he remains open to work that's challenging and meaningful.

The 50-year-old Jefferson plans to spend more time with his wife and three sons. One attends Southern Methodist University,

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South Africa: Gold miners begin work stoppage over pay

Tens of thousands of gold miners in South Africa are set to industrial action Tuesday after wage talks broke down, threatening to cost millions of dollars in lost output in the troubled sector.

Powerful labor group the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which represents the bulk of 120,000 workers affected, called for stoppages following its members' rejection of a 6.5 percent wage hike last week.

Union spokesman Lesiba Seshoka said early Tuesday that the strike would kick off on

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Monday, September 2, 2013

South Africa: Mandela discharged from hospital - receiving treatment at home

Former South African President Nelson Mandela. PHOTO/PETER DEJONG /AP

Former South African President and anti-apartheid hero, Nelson Mandela was discharged from the hospital on Sunday while still in critical condition and was driven in an ambulance to his Johannesburg home, which has been set up to provide intensive care, South Africa's presidency said.

An ambulance took the former leader home from the hospital in the capital, Pretoria, where he had been since June 8 for what the

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U.S. Open 2013: Serena Williams defeats Sloane Stephens to advance to quarterfinals

Sloane Stephens (l) salutes Serena Williams after she fell to Williams 6-4, 6-1 on Sept. 02 2013. PHOTO/Tim Clary/AFP

Defending champion Serena Williams won her much-anticipated US Open showdown with Sloane Stephens on Sunday while Li Na avenged a painful loss in Rome to join the world number one in the last-eight.

Serena defeated U.S. 15th seed Sloane Stephens 6-4, 6-1 to reach the US Open quarter-finals, winning eight of the last nine games in avenging a loss that ousted her from

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Ex-Grenada Governor General Paul Scoon passes on at 78

Former Grenada Governor General Paul Scoon. PHOTO/File

Paul Scoon, who was Grenada's governor general during the U.S. invasion of the small island in 1983, has died in his Caribbean homeland. He was 78.

In announcing his death Monday, Grenada's government did not give a cause. But Scoon had long had diabetes, and friends say he died at his home in the community of St. Paul's.

Prime Minister Keith Mitchell described Scoon as a "fearless man."

He was the British monarch's

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