Political risk weighs on Africa's ratings - agency

Sub-Saharan Africa has become more stable over the last decade, but political risk will continue to affect investment prospects in the region, the international ratings agency Standard & Poor's said on Tuesday. africa.reuters.com

Incompatible Standards May Keep  Organics Out

The newly launched East Africa Organic Standard, designed to boost exports to Europe, could fall at the first hurdle if the largest licensing body in the UK decides in November that air-freighted produce no longer qualifies as organic. Inter Press Service / http://allafrica.com

Produce Flown to Europe May Have Smaller Carbon Footprint, Says UK Minister

UK Trade and Development Minister Gareth Thomas today (Monday) called for fair and accurate pricing that reflects the true carbon footprint of all the food we buy. United Kingdom Department for International Development / http://allafrica.com

World Bank and Partners Launch Initiative to Support African Diaspora in Europe

There are an estimated 191 million international migrants in the world, the majority of whom live in developed countries. And, there is growing evidence that these communities contribute to the development process of home countries through a variety of channels, be it through remittances, investments, entrepreneurial activities, or transfer of knowledge. caliber.mworld.com / http://meltwaternes.com

Upwardly Mobile In Africa

How basic cell phones are sparking economic hope and growth in emerging—and even non-emerging—nations. BusinessWeek / http://business-humanrights.org

Million hit by floods in Africa

More than a million people across a swathe of 17 African countries are suffering the effects of severe floods. bbc.co.uk

China opens coffers for minerals

China lends $5bn to DR Congo for some major infrastructure projects in return for mineral exploitation rights. bbc.co.uk

United States approves $698 mln grant for Tanzania

The United States on Tuesday approved a $698 million five-year grant to boost Tanzania's road networks, power and water supply, the U.S. government's Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) said. africa.reuters.com

Britain set to call for new Zimbabwe sanctions - Brown

Britain will call on the European Union to extend sanctions against members of Zimbabwe's ruling elite as the country's humanitarian crisis plumbs new depths, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Thursday. africa.reuters.com

Zimbabwe Political Standoff May Be Easing

A wisp of hope emerged on Thursday that Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party and its political opposition were starting to edge toward compromise. nytimes.com

West Africa: Five Countries Agree On Border Inter-Connectivity

To facilitate trade on the Abidjan-Lagos road corridor, five West African countries have agreed to interconnect their borders for constant exchange of information. This Day / http://allafrica.com

S.Africa manufacturers say workforce can't compete

South Africa's manufacturers are feeling the pinch from tightening interest rates, but rigid labour laws and unskilled workers have left them unable to compete with cheap imports from China. africa.reuters.com

Nigerian president promises prompt tax reform bill

Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua pledged on Monday to soon present a tax reform bill that would end companies paying duplicate taxes and help the private sector, which he sees as the engine of growth in Africa's most populous nation. africa.reuters.com

East Africa: Comesa, EAC Unify Standards for Maize

Comesa and the East African Community have crafted common standards for maize to be adhered to by farmers and traders. According to the secretariat of the two trading blocks, the standards will apply to all member states, and target millers, food aid agencies, and maize importers and exporters. The Nation / http://allafrica.com

Uganda: World Bank Paints Rosy Picture of Country's Future

Uganda does not need a fundamental change in policy for the country to move to the next level of transformation and wealth creation, a new World Bank report indicates. East African Business Week / http://allafrica.com

Closing the skills gap vital to South Africa's shared-growth aspiration

There is a ‘major gap’ in the area of critical skills in South Africa, Gauteng Shared Ser-vices Centre (GSSC) CEO Mike Maile tells Engineering News. Engineering News / http://meltwaternews.com

Merck drops HIV vaccine trials

The drug giant Merck suspends trials on an HIV vaccine that was regarded as one of the most promising. bbc.co.uk

BA changes direct Harare service

British Airways suspends direct flights to Zimbabwean capital Harare for commercial reasons. bbc.co.uk

Govt finally welcomes Sasol's deal

Cabinet has finally 'welcomed' Sasol's BEE deal — the biggest the country has ever seen — after the department of trade and industry initially criticised it for benefiting whites in its employee scheme. iafrica.com

South Africa: Mbeki Intervenes for MTN in Benin Licence Dispute

President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, has brokered a major deal with his counterpart in Republic of Benin, Thomas Boni Yayi, to resolve the controversy over South Africa's MTN mobile service in the West African nation following suspension of its service over contracts and licence fees. This Day / http://allafrica.com