Peter "Just Loves Flying"

EGYPT: Lending to Repression, Again – IPS ipsnews.net.

CAIRO, Jan 18, 2012 (IPS) – For three decades Western governments and lending institutions bankrolled a corrupt regime in Egypt that trampled human rights and stifled democracy. Now they appear ready to do it again, say critics of the military council that has ruled since removing president Hosni Mubarak last February.

Nigerian unions call off national strike – Africa – Al Jazeera English.

Under Goodluck’s new plan, the Nigerian government will reduce fuel prices by 30 per cent, to around $2.75 per gallon, by restoring some of the subsidies. That price is still considerably higher than the roughly $1.70 per gallon Nigerians paid before the subsidies were removed.

IRIN Africa | AFRICA: AU wants peace, security and bigger global role in 2012 | Central African Republic | Congo | Cameroon | Djibouti | Eritrea | Ethiopia | Kenya | Mali | Mauritania | Niger | Nigeria | Sudan | Somalia | Chad | Tanzania | Uganda | Conflict | Economy | Food Security | Governance | Migration.

The African Union (AU) has unveiled an ambitious wish-list of priorities for Africa that would give the continent a stronger global voice, boost democracy and encourage peace and security.   AU Ambassador to the United States, Amina Ali of Tanzania, presented the list of top priorities at a conference on 11 January held at Washington think-tank, the Brookings Institution.