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CHINA - AFRICA SUMMIT

China pledged 10 billion dollars in concessional loans to African countries and promised to cancel all debts at the start of the two-day Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Egypt.

MADAGASCAR

Top political figures agree on power-sharing deal ahead of elections

Madagascar's top four political figures have reached a power-sharing agreement ahead of elections next year, says a UN official involved in the talks.

GUINEA

African Union slaps sanctions on junta

The African Union has implemented travel and financial sanctions on members of Guinea's ruling junta. The US and EU had already imposed similar sanctions following the massacre of protesters in Conakry in September.

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SOMALIA

Families urge negotiations after pirates' death threats

Families of Spanish sailors held hostage off Somalia have appealed to their government to negotiate with the pirates, who have threatened to kill three crew members.

ZIMBABWE

Tsvangirai ends boycott of unity government, but faces a deadline for a deal

Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai (pictured) suspended his boycott of a unity goverment deal with President Robert Mugabe that had paralysed the nation, but both leaders face a 30-day deadline to reach an accord.

EGYPT

ElBaradei considers running for 2011 Egyptian presidency, with conditions

Mohamed ElBaradei, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and outgoing head of the UN nuclear watchdog, has said in a television interview he would not rule out running for the presidency of his native Egypt.

GUINEA

Opposition hands transition plan to mediator

Guinea's opposition has handed mediating Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore (pictured left) a plan for an interim government to replace the ruling junta within six months.

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AFP

S.Africa cancels deal for Airbus military planes

South Africa has cancelled a deal to buy eight Airbus A400M military transport planes due to hefty cost overruns and delivery delays, the government spokesman said Thursday."The cost escalation would have placed an unaffordable burden on the ...

THE OBSERVERS

A dangerous desire to be white

Baking yourself in a tanning booth remains a popular activity among the vain and pasty of Caucasian descent, despite increasing health warnings.

DR CONGO

Troops killed 500 civilians since March, rights group says

Democratic Republic of Congo soldiers have "deliberately killed" more than 500 civilians since March during an operation targeting rebels in the country's east, Human Rights Watch has said.

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AFP

E.Guinea 'pardons mercenaries' in coup attempt

Equatorial Guinea has granted amnesty to Britain's Simon Mann and South African Nick Du Toit, two mercenaries convicted for an attempted coup plot in March 2004, national radio announced Tuesday. According to a decree dated November 2 read on ...

Turmoil in Guinea

GUINEA

African Union slaps sanctions on junta
GUINEA

Opposition hands transition plan to mediator
GUINEA

African Union slaps sanctions on Guinea junta
GUINEA

Human Rights Watch says Sept. 28 massacre was premeditated
GUINEA

EU imposes sanctions, arms embargo against junta leaders
THE F24 INTERVIEW

Sidya Touré, former Prime Minister of Guinea
GUINEA CONAKRY

EU agrees embargo against Camara junta
THE F24 INTERVIEW

Cellou Dalein Diallo, former Prime Minister of Guinea (2004-2006)
GUINEA

Junta chief digs in despite mounting international pressure
GUINEA

Junta chief says mediators should decide his run in 2010 presidential vote

DR CONGO

UN suspends support to army units suspected of civilian murders

The United Nations says it will suspend the operational support given to certain units of the DR Congo army fighting in the east of the country over the alleged murder of more than 60 civilians this year.

AFP

Snows of Kilimanjaro could vanish in 20 years: study

The snows capping Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest peak, are shrinking rapidly and could vanish altogether in 20 years, most likely due to global warming, a US study published Monday said.The ice sheet that capped Kilimanjaro in 1912 was 85 ...

SUDAN

South Sudan leader urges 'yes' on independence vote

The president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, backed independence for the semi-autonomous region Saturday in its upcoming referendum, warning that unity would make southerners "second class" citizens.

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IVORY COAST

Elusive presidential election set for new delay

Ivory Coast's long-awaited presidential election will not be taking place next month as scheduled, the website of President Laurent Gbagbo has announced, signalling the latest in a string of postponements that have stretched over the past five years.

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PIRACY

Somali pirates demand 7 million dollars for British couple

Somali pirates holding a British couple kidnapped from their yacht are asking for a ransom of seven million dollars (4.7 million euros) to set them free, Britain's Foreign Office has said.

GUINEA

African Union slaps sanctions on Guinea junta

African leaders have decided to impose sanctions on military-ruled Guinea in the wake of last month's massacre of scores of opposition supporters in the capital, Conakry, leaving the country increasingly isolated.

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AFP

Sudanese register for first vote in 24 years

Enthusiastic Sudanese began on Sunday to register for Sudan's first presidential, legislative and regional elections in 24 years, with the authorities facing a tough logistical challenge.Due to be held in April, the ballot comes at a crucial time ...