Jeffrey Sachs's $200 Billion Dream

Jeffrey Sachs—visionary economist, savior of Bolivia, Poland, and other struggling nations, adviser to the U.N. and movie stars—won't settle for less than the global eradication of extreme poverty. And he hasn't got a second to waste. vanityfair.com

Libya's Gaddafi tells Africa to unite or die

Declaring himself a "soldier for Africa", Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi called on the continent on Saturday to unite under a single government so it could compete in a globalised world. africa.reuters.com

Crisis in World Trade Talks Upsets Africa

As the World Trade Organisation (WTO) scrambles to save the Doha Round of international trade negotiations from collapsing, a WTO spokesperson told allAfrica that African governments have been the most vocal in expressing their disappointment at the difficulties in reaching agreement. Mmegi/The Reporter / http://allafrica.com

Desertification 'threat to millions'

Desertification represents the "greatest environmental challenge of our times", the UN warns in a report. bbc.co.uk

EU Pesticide Rules May Force Out Small African Farmers

African farmers could soon find themselves forced out of the lucrative European market for agricultural products as retailers and government move towards a zero tolerance policy on chemical residues in food. Inter Press Service / http://allafrica.com

Africa and Asia's Population to Double in Size By 2030

The population of African and Asian cities is set to double by 2030 according to a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report. BuaNews / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria's new leader 'worth $5m'

Nigeria's new President Umaru Yar'Adua publicly declares his assets, in an effort to combat corruption. bbc.co.uk

Kenya: South Africa 'Biggest Foreign Direct Investor'

Strolling through the aisles of one of the shops of the biggest supermarket chain in Kenya, it is easy for a South African to spot familiar brands. There are boxes and bottles full of cereal, instant coffee, fruit, soup, toiletries and other products imported from South Africa. And then there are the well-known clothing retailers. Inter Press Service / http://allafrica.com

S Africa unions call off strike

South Africa's main unions end their four-week strike, which has closed most schools and hospitals. bbc.co.uk

Mali polls expected to keep president's hand strong

Malians voted on Sunday in parliamentary elections expected to keep an alliance of more than 40 parties backing President Amadou Toumani Toure firmly in power in the cotton-producing West African state. africa.reuters.com

South Africa: Industry 'Key to Growth Effort'

The African National Congress (ANC) has put industrial strategy at the heart of a government drive to push economic growth to 6% and halve unemployment by 2014. This is contained in the discussion documents debated at this week's policy conference. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: IMF Thumbs Up Nigeria's Economic Reforms

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended Nigeria on the implementation of far reaching reform programmes in recent years. The IMF gave the commendation in a report of its third review of the nation's economic performance under a two-year policy support instrument (PSI) for Nigeria. Daily Champion / http://allafrica.com

Zambia: Japan Commits Over 160bn to Develop Cities

Japan has offered to redesign Lusaka city and has committed K160 billion for the improvement and maintenance of Livingstone, Ndola and Kitwe city roads. The Times of Zambia / http://allafrica.com

Rwanda: U.S. Negotiating Investment Treaty with Country

The office of the U.S. trade representative and the U.S. department of state announced recently that the United States and Rwanda have begun formal negotiations toward a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). East African Business Week / http://allafrica.com

Zimbabwe deploys prices crack unit, arrests Mugabe man

The Zimbabwe government has deployed a crack security unit in a desperate fight against hyperinflation, and arrested more than 20 business executives, including a ruling party senator, for breaching price controls. africa.reuters.com

The Lazarus Effect

Dedicated to providing lifesaving drugs to Africans with aids, through a partnership between the Global Fund and companies such as Apple, Armani, and Gap, (Product) Red could be a revolution in consumer-driven philanthropy. The author reports on both sides of the equation: the marketing of sunglasses, sneakers, and T-shirts, and the medicine's miraculous effects on dying patients in the poorest countries. vanityfair.com

Ethiopia: Starbucks Coffee Deal Hailed As Model

A deal between Starbucks and Ethiopia that ends their trademark dispute and offers more benefits to Ethiopian coffee farmers has been hailed as a potential model for other poor nations seeking to better use the modern trading system, especially the often-controversial intellectual property rights provisions. Inter Press Service / http://allafrica.com

New anti-bribery initiative

Beginning July 2, 2007, companies and individuals will be able to safely and anonymously report demands for bribes by government officials worldwide through the Business Registry for International Bribery and Extortion, or BRIBEline. TRACEinternational.org

Get what you pay for – UK leads the way building transparency in construction

At a meeting attended by international construction firms, NGOs and representatives from Vietnam, Ghana and Tanzania, Hilary Benn outlined how a new initiative to increase transparency and accountability in the construction sector will work. He also announced that UK will lead the way by being one of the pilot countries for the new initiative. DFID Press Release / http://business-humanrights.org

Pfizer wins early Nigeria battle

A Nigerian judge rejects the inclusion of more cases in a $7bn Nigerian lawsuit against pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. bbc.co.uk