Africa News

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) today called for concerted action by the Security Council to enforce any arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for allegedly committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur if the judges issue one.

In another 12 years, 16 million more children could be malnourished at a time when even fewer people will be able to afford staple cereals like maize, rice and wheat, which would cost between 13 percent and 27 percent more. This is the bleak scenario of a world in recessionary mode, with declining investment in food production, painted by a food policy think-tank.

International lust for the enormous mineral and resource riches of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) abetted by international indifference has turned much of country into a colossal "rape mine" where more than 300,000 women and girls have been brutalised, say activists.

The first of more than 100 countries begin signing a treaty which will ban current designs of cluster bombs.

The ICC prosecutor warns the UN not to shield Sudan's president from a proposed arrest warrant.

Oil-boom hopes raise stakes ahead of Ghana polls

Mauritania's security forces are again accused of routine and systematic torture of political opponents and Islamists accused of links with international terrorist groups. A report released by Amnesty International today details cruel violations of human rights, poor prison conditions and a judicial system that offers little protection.

The Limpopo River, which delineates the border between Zimbabwe and South Africa before flowing through Mozambique into the Indian Ocean, has tested positive for cholera, according to local media reports.

Mauritanian security forces have until recently been extracting prisoner confessions through torture - including sleep deprivation, cigarette burns, suspension from a metal bar, electric shocks, sexual violence, physical blows and psychological abuse - according to Amnesty International.

The European Commission calls for fairer and more efficient procedures across the EU for asylum seekers.

Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure has dampened persistent rumours linking him with a move away from Barcelona, saying he is happy at the Spanish club.

Zimbabwe's government has asked for urgent help to tackle its cholera outbreak, the World Health Organisation says.

'Water crisis hinders Zimbabwe cholera fight'

Nigeria is flying in an antidote to stem the deaths of babies poisoned by a teething syrup.

Efforts by Southern Sudanese states to forcefully collect arms from civilians have been poorly planned, leading to violence, deaths and increased insecurity in some areas, sources said.

Torture of prisoners - including terror suspects - in Mauritania is "routine and systematic", a rights group says.

PERSONS with disabilities in Kasese district have received 174 wheelchairs worth sh165m from the Rotary clubs of Kasese and Mengo.

Kampala city council has ordered all taxis operating outside the parks to vacate the places with immediate effect.

ZAIN has donated non-food items worth millions of shillings to SILUA Foundation Complex (SIFCO), a charity organisation, to help needy children in Rakai.

THE World Food Programme (WFP) is going to buy sh197b ($100m) worth of foodstuff locally to support local farmers, Stanlake Samkange, the WFP country director, has said.