[This is Africa] The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Pascal Lamy, tells This is Africa why he is optimistic about Africa's trade prospects, especially in agriculture, and calls for a new approach to global trade deals after Doha.

Fri, 18 May 2012 11:29:41 GMT

[WEF] Washington, DC - Over forty-five companies have committed to invest over US$ 3 billion in Africa's agricultural sector as part of the G8's New Alliance for Food and Nutrition Security initiative, US President Barack Obama announced today.

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:59:32 GMT

[IRIN] Blantyre - A sizeable devaluation of Malawi's currency, aimed at reinvigorating the economy and wooing back international donors, has triggered steep increases in the price of basic goods and pushed many Malawians deeper into poverty.

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:08:22 GMT

[AfricaFocus] "The extreme pessimism surrounding Africa a decade ago was unwarranted. So, too, is the current wave of blinkered optimism. Real gains have been made, but governments and their development partners need to reflect on the weaknesses, as well as the strengths ... Countries across Africa are becoming richer but whole sections of society are being left behind. ... The current pattern of trickle-down growth is leaving too many people in poverty, too many children hungry and too many young people without job

Fri, 18 May 2012 08:14:02 GMT

[IPS] Lilongwe - As Malawi's poor struggle to afford food and other staple items since the 48 percent devaluation of the local currency against the dollar, economic commentators are optimistic that the move will provide an opportunity to boost the country's export market.

Fri, 18 May 2012 07:43:53 GMT

[Vanguard] Ikeja - The face-off between the Lagos State Government and sacked 788 doctors, yesterday, took a dramatic turn, as doctors in federal hospitals in Lagos, said they will today embark on an indefinite solidarity strike.

Fri, 18 May 2012 06:16:57 GMT

[State Department] Washington - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton signed a $100 million cash transfer agreement with Tunisia as part of the Obama administration's efforts to support the country through its democratic transition since the January 2011 ouster of ruler Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali.

Fri, 18 May 2012 20:03:42 GMT

[State Department] REMARKS

Fri, 18 May 2012 20:02:49 GMT

[AGRA] Nairobi - The following is a statement from acting Chair of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, Strive T. Masiyiwa.

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:25:14 GMT

[IFAD] ROME, Italy, 9 May 2012 - When this year's G8 summit opens in the United States on 18 May, food security will take centre stage. It will be a historic moment for rural poor people, with the leaders of the world's largest economies confronting a challenge that IFAD and its partners have long faced: how to eradicate hunger and malnutrition using socially and environmentally sustainable means.

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:54:05 GMT