AFRICA

AU, UN to join Zimbabwe reference group
The African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) are to join a new reference group to liaise with the South African Development Community (SADC) mediation team to help in finding a lasting solution to the Zimbabwean crisis.

Kofi Annan: Zimbabwe shames Africa
In an exclusive interview, the former UN secretary general says he is ready to help Zimbabwe through its crisis but warns against judging the whole of Africa.

TechnoServe helps Ugandan female entrepreneurs grow their businesses
TechnoServe launched its “Women Mean Business” program in Uganda last week, to expand the range of economic opportunities available to women.

ZIMBABWE

Rugoho-Chin'ono, CNN Multichoice African Journalist 2008
Hopewell Rugoh-Chin'ono, from Zimbabwe, has been awarded the top prize at this year's CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2008 Awards ceremony.

AFRICA

Is wild Africa disappearing?
With features devoted to animal icons, rainforests and oceans, the August 2008 issue of Africa Geographic measures Africa's conservation successes, failures and challenges.

CENTRAL AFRICA

Malawi: Uncertainty surrounds Malawi's third mobile phone operator
[Gregory Gondwe] Uncertainty still surrounds the identity of the company to become Malawi's third mobile phone operator as government calls for a fourth operator, with the bid closing next week on July 25.

Zimbabweans use blogs, text messages for info
Posted on the "This is Zimbabwe" blog, they show charred, lacerated limbs and blank eyes staring out from the face of the official, Gift Mutsvungunu, frozen in a death grimace. A note accompanying the pictures says the picture quality is bad because the photographer was shaking with fear.

The growing threat of job site scams, Part two
Internet fraudsters are making increasing use of small job boards -- such as those advertising jobs teaching English as a foreign language -- to practice their scams. To match their increasing sophistication, internet security firms also are trying out some new tricks.

Southern Africa: China cleared for ivory purchase
Namibia is happy that the UN body charged with monitoring trade in endangered species has approved China's plea to buy more than 100 tons of elephant ivory from four Southern African countries, the Director of Scientific Services in the Ministry of Environment told The Namibian yesterday.

EU executive endorses farm aid plan for Africa
Brussels: The European Commission backed a plan on Friday to give 1bn euros to farmers in Africa next year to help tackle high food prices and boost output, despite opposition by many EU states.

Malawi: National Bank of Malawi introduces Visa debit cards
[Gregory Gondwe] The National Bank of Malawi last Tuesday introduced Visa debit cards and Visa point of sale (POS) devices, which the Bank's CEO, George Partridge said, will aid in effective discharge of monetary policy measures.