"Honouring Our African Heroes"

Venezuelan education reform influenced by Simon Bolivar
The Venezuelan revolution is on the march, bearing education as its torch. Since sweeping to power as president in February 1999, Hugo Chavez, a former lieutenant-colonel who led a foiled coup seven years earlier, has launched an education reform unprecedented in the country's 200-year history.

U.S. Pushes Anti-Terrorism in Africa
The Pentagon plans to train thousands of African troops in battalions equipped for extended desert and border operations and to link the militaries of different countries with secure satellite communications. The initiative, with proposed funding of $500 million over seven years, covers Algeria, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Nigeria, Morocco and Tunisia -- with the U.S. military eager to add Libya if relations improve.

'Honouring Our African Heroes'
A wreath laying ceremony has been held in Accra in honour of Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois, George Padmore, Dr.Kwame Nkrumah, and a host of others who championed Pan-African causes to commemorate this year's PANAFEST and Emancipation Day.

Zim land reform 'waited for South Africa'
The Zimbabwe government delayed its land-reform programme so that negotiations for South Africa's liberation succeeded, said President Thabo Mbeki on Thursday.

Zimbabwe Clean-Up Over

Somalia: Kenyan Crew of Hijacked Ship to Be Freed
The men who hijacked a Kenyan-registered vessel laden with food aid off the northeastern coast of Somalia over a month ago have agreed to release some of the crew, sources said on Thursday.

Combating Global Warming- Blue Skies, Green Cities
Ignoring inaction at the highest levels of the U.S. government, 145 mayors across the country have formed a coalition to combat global warming and begun to reshape their cities using innovative programs and technologies.

Mali: No Risk of Famine Says Government, But Aid Workers Disagree
From her office in the capital Bamako, the government's head of food security says there is no risk of famine in Mali this year. But some aid workers operating in the arid north and east of the country, disagree.

Ethiopia to hand over massacre suspects
Ethiopian clan elders have agreed to hand over suspects believed to have taken part in the Turbi massacre early this month.

Activists See CAFTA as Gift to Big Pharma
With the U.S. House of Representatives due to vote this week on the fate of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), international health activists are warning that the intellectual property provisions included in the pact could spell death for hundreds of thousands of poor people.

DRC: "Stronger Commitment" Needed for Peace
Ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has underscored the difficulties of bringing lasting peace to this vast Central African country.

SWAZILAND: Maize staple not profitable, despite food crisis

Uganda votes on constitutional referendum
Ugandans chose whether to allow multiparty politics in their East African country in a referendum Thursday, the first step in reforming the country's constitution, which forbids political parties from campaigning in elections.

U.S. panel backs Nitromed heart drug for blacks
The first medicine for patients of one particular race moved closer to U.S. approval on Thursday after an advisory panel endorsed a NitroMed Inc. heart failure pill for blacks.

Gaza Will Be 'Vacated But Still Occupied'
A growing number of Palestinians are beginning to believe that Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip will not mean the end of occupation.

Rwanda, Uganda refute report on arms to DRC
Uganda and Rwanda have denied statements contained in a report issued on Wednesday by the UN Security Council that the two countries had delayed to give information to officials monitoring arms sanctions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Where Have All the Good Men Gone?

Judge chides Bush admin's anti-terror tactics