A mining company announced Tuesday it has discovered around a million ounces (30 tonnes) of gold beneath two towns in western Liberia and said that as result thousands of residents would be relocated. …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
We may not have seen the end of the social upheaval that has occurred because of the “Not Guilty” verdict handed down by the jury in the George Zimmerman trial in Florida.
As someone detached from the situation, I can’t help but notice the bias that seems to have surfaced over the verdict. It seems likely that if the case had involved two Latinos, two whites, or two blacks, the case would never have reached the national level it has; nor would the results of the verdict have become such a festering wound.
Have you ever wondered why we have so much racial strife in this country? I’m sure most people would say it is the result of slavery. We will not debate that issue. That occurred generations ago. We understand there were black slave owners as well as those who were white. Also, our government offered transportation to Africa for any black people who wished to return. That is how Liberia came to be. There is probably another reason for the conflict. Could it be because of prejudice? More than likely, it is caused by something much more subtle.
In James 4:1, the apostle seems to answer this question for us. He said, “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” Maybe people are thinking, “I’d be much better off if I’d had the advantages that person has had.”
None of us had a choice as to our ethnicity. I could have been born in Africa to a black family, in Alaska as an Eskimo, in Saudi Arabia to a Muslim family, or in any other part of the world to a family associated with any of the many religious communities. How did I happen to be born where I was, to the parents I have, and to be exposed to the Christian faith? The decision certainly wasn’t mine to make.
A whole man is a soul, having a spirit and living in a body. When he matures to the point he becomes aware of right and wrong, the instant he chooses the wrong instead of the right, he dies spiritually. Paul the apostle spoke of this when he said, “For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.” (Romans 7:9)
The soul is eternal. The body may die, but the soul never dies. If it has been redeemed by the blood of Christ, it will live in a state of perpetual bliss. If it hasn’t been redeemed, and the spirit having died because of sin, the soul enters its ultimate state as a naked soul. This means it has neither body nor spirit, and as such cannot dwell with God. It will be sentenced to live eternally in Hell.
There are no black souls, no white souls, and no yellow souls. Color is strictly a characteristic of the flesh. Our parents gave us our bodies. God gave us our souls.
Since the soul is …read more
The bodies of 54 people burned alive or hacked to death in ethnic clashes in the west African state of Guinea have been identified, a medic said on Wednesday, indicating that the death toll would continue to rise.
The violence broke out in the southern forest region early Monday when petrol station guards from the Guerze tribe in the town of Koule beat to death an ethnic Konianke youth they had accused of stealing.
Fighting quickly spread to the nearby provincial capital N’Zerekore, 570 kilometres (350 miles) southeast of Conakry, leaving 80 people wounded and several homes destroyed.
Authorities had put the death toll at 16 but the figure began to rise sharply as bodies were collected from the streets as an uneasy calm returned to the city on Wednesday.
The doctor, from a N’Zerekore hospital, said a number of bodies in the mortuary had not yet been identified because several “have no head, while others have no identity papers”.
“For the 54 identified, we went on their identity documents. That has helped us a lot,” he said, adding that the bodies would be returned to the Guerze and Konianke communities.
Security forces were deployed to break up the fighting on Monday but were initially unable to quell the violence despite a curfew imposed by N’Zerekore prefect Aboubacar Mbop Camara.
A number of witnesses told AFP Guerzes and Koniankes had been attacking one another with machetes, axes, sticks, stones and firearms, setting fire to houses and cars.
Guerze chief Molou Holamou Azaly Zogbelemou was among those wounded and taken to hospital, Camara told AFP.
A resident of N’Zerekore told AFP an “uneasy calm” had descended and there had been “a slight lifting of the tension”.
Most inhabitants had shut themselves into their homes during the bloodshed but people were beginning to venture outside again, said the resident, adding however that the violence could restart at any time.
Another resident and a medical source both described a fragile calm in N’Zerekore, the second-largest city in Guinea with an estimated population of up to 300,000.
Security forces, medical staff and aid workers took advantage of the lull to recover bodies from the streets.
Communal violence is common in the region, near the border with Liberia, where clashes between the two tribes regularly break out over religious and other grievances.
The indigenous Guerze are mostly Christian or animist, while the Konianke — seen as newcomers — are Muslims considered to be close to Liberia’s Mandingo ethnic community.
In Liberia’s civil war, which ended in 2003, rebels fighting the forces of then president Charles Taylor drew much of their support from the Mandingo community.
The Guerze, known as Kpelle in Liberia, were generally considered to be supporters of forces loyal to Taylor, who was jailed last year for “aiding and abetting” war crimes in neighbouring Sierra Leone.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
NOTICE
– – – – – – –
CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO
THE FORMER LIBERIAN REGIME OF CHARLES TAYLOR
On July 22, 2004, by Executive Order 13348, the President declared a national emergency with respect to the former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions and policies of former Liberian President Charles Taylor and other persons, in particular their unlawful depletion of Liberian resources and their removal from Liberia and secreting of Liberian funds and property, which have undermined Liberia's transition to democracy and the orderly development of its political, administrative, and economic institutions and resources.
Although Liberia has made significant advances to promote democracy, and the Special Court for Sierra Leone convicted Charles Taylor for war crimes and crimes against humanity, the actions and policies of Charles Taylor and others have left a legacy of destruction that could still challenge Liberia's transformation and recovery. The actions and policies of these persons continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States. For this reason, the national emergency declared on July 22, 2004, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond July 22, 2013. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13348.
This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.
BARACK OBAMA
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:
Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent the enclosed notice to the Federal Register for publication stating that the national emergency and related measures dealing with the former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor are to continue in effect beyond July 22, 2013.
Although Liberia has made advances to promote democracy, and the Special Court for Sierra Leone recently convicted Charles Taylor for war crimes and crimes against humanity, the actions and policies of former Liberian President Charles Taylor and other persons, in particular their unlawful depletion of Liberian resources and their removal from Liberia and secreting of Liberian funds and property, could still challenge Liberia's efforts to strengthen its democracy and the orderly development of its political, administrative, and economic institutions and resources. These actions and policies continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States. For this reason, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency with respect to the former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor.
BARACK OBAMA
African Nations Championship (CHAN) holders Tunisia were eliminated this weekend in the first qualifying round.
They drew 0-0 away to Morocco in the second leg, but fell 1-0 on aggregate after losing at home last Saturday.
Packed with stars from CAF title-winning clubs Esperance, Etoile Sahel, CS Sfaxien, Club Africain and CA Bizertin, Tunisia were expected to advance.
But a last-minute breakaway goal from striker Abdessamad Mbarki in Mediterranean resort Sousse proved decisive over two defence-dominated games.
Tunisia won the second edition of the tournament for home-based footballers with a 3-0 drubbing of Angola in Sudan two years ago.
But coach Nabil Maaloul chose only goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha from the title-winning squad to confront the Moroccans.
The 16-nation 2014 tournament is scheduled for January 11-February 1 in South Africa and Morocco will appear at the finals for the first time.
South Africa qualify automatically as hosts and Ghana and Libya have secured places after opponents Benin and Algeria withdrew.
Uganda are set to join them after building a 1-0 away advantage over Tanzania in an east Africa derby.
Midfielder Brian Majwega was the architect of the 48th-minute winner, setting up defender Denis Iguma to fire across goalkeeper Juma Kaseja into the net.
Tanzania had more possession in the eagerly anticipated Dar es Salaam showdown, but were let down by woeful finishing.
Mrisho Ngasa was repeatedly off target with long-range shots and striker John Bocco also disappointed when offered scoring opportunities.
It was the third consecutive victory for Serb coach Milutin Sredojevic since succeeding sacked Scot Bobby Williamson as Uganda coach last month.
He guided the ‘Cranes’ to World Cup qualifying wins over Liberia and Angola, and a victory over Senegal during September would take them to the play-offs.
However, Sredojevic cautioned against premature celebrations, especially given the Ugandan habit of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
“By winning the first leg we have got only the passports for South Africa and now we need to get the visas by winning the return match,” he told reporters.
Ethiopia host Rwanda later on Sunday in the remaining fixture this weekend with second-leg fixtures scheduled for late July.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
Liberia‘s new top judge is vowing to address concerns from human rights groups about lengthy delays for people facing trial.
Newly named Chief Justice Francis Korkpor tells The Associated Press that “justice delayed is justice denied,” and is vowing to speed up trials. Korkpor has been serving as the interim chief justice, and previously had been an associate justice of the Supreme Court since the end of Liberia‘s civil war nearly 10 years ago.
Human rights groups say cases have been allowed to remain on dockets unheard for a long period of time in Liberia.
Korkpor says “the judiciary should be manned by people who are qualified.”
Liberia‘s 14-year civil war ended in 2003, and a decade later the country remains one of the world’s poorest.
From: http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/world/~3/mqsLtdFTQqc/
By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool
Filed under: Investing
ExxonMobil to Explore Offshore Liberia Block 13
IRVING, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYS: XOM) announced today that its Liberian affiliate has acquired from Canadian Overseas Petroleum (Bermuda) Ltd. (COPL) 80 percent interest in Liberia Block 13 (LB-13), comprising more than 625,000 acres (2,500 square kilometers) offshore Liberia in water depths ranging from 250 to 10,000 feet (75 to 3,000 meters).
ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Liberia Limited and COPL received final approval of the transaction from the Liberia national legislature and Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The transaction closed on April 5, 2013.
ExxonMobil is the operator of LB-13. COPL has 20 percent interest in LB-13.
“We appreciate the vote of confidence from the government of Liberia in our capability to help develop the nation’s hydrocarbon resources,” said Steve Greenlee, president of ExxonMobil Exploration Company. “The government of Liberia wants to develop its resources for the benefit of the country and its people. We have the capability and the expertise to help make that happen.”
ExxonMobil plans to open its venture office in Monrovia within 180 days to begin fulfilling the requirements of the production sharing contract, which calls for an exploration well to be drilled within three years.
Liberia Block 13 is 18 miles (30 kilometers) offshore Liberia‘s central coast.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
Statements in this release regarding future events and conditions are forward-looking statements. Actual future results, including resource recoveries and project plans, costs and timing, could differ materially due to changes in long-term oil and gas price levels or other market conditions affecting the oil and gas industry; regulatory approvals and other political or legal developments; the results of technical studies or exploration activities; the outcome of commercial negotiations; and other factors discussed under the heading “Factors Affecting Future Results” posted in the Investor Information section of our website (www.exxonmobil.com).
About ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil, the largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world’s growing energy needs. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading inventory of resources, is the largest refiner and marketer of petroleum products, and its chemical company is one of the largest in the world. For more information, visit www.exxonmobil.com.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance
U.N. officials in Liberia say they’ve temporarily halted the repatriation of tens of thousands of refugees from Ivory Coast because of continued unrest near the border between the two countries.
Robert Tibagwa of the U.N. refugee agency told The Associated Press on Tuesday that a convoy of people returning to Ivory Coast had to come back because of the security situation there. More than 150,000 Ivorians fled to Liberia in the wake of the country’s post-election violence in 2010, and more than 60,000 are still in Liberia.
After the conflict, many fighters who supported ex-Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo fled into neighboring Liberia, where they are believed to have launched a series of deadly cross-border attacks.
One attack in June 2012 killed seven U.N. peacekeepers and 10 civilians.
A regional official says a notorious militia leader accused of enlisting child soldiers for cross-border raids from Liberia into western Ivory Coast was killed during fighting Saturday.
Claude Koffi Yao Kan, sub-prefect for the western town of Blolequin, said Sunday that Oulaï Tako, known as “Tarzan of the West,” was among three assailants killed by soldiers responding to the attack. Ivory Coast‘s United Nations mission says two civilians and a traditional hunter were also killed in the attack on a village 15 miles (25 kilometers) outside Blolequin.
A report last year from Human Rights Watch implicated Tako in a series of raids on villages in western Ivory Coast dating back to July 2011, with witnesses saying he had been involved in the recruitment and training of child soldiers.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY
SUBJECT: Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberians
Since 1991, the United States has provided safe haven for Liberians who were forced to flee their country as a result of armed conflict and widespread civil strife, in part through granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The armed conflict ended in 2003 and conditions improved such that TPS ended effective October 1, 2007. President Bush then deferred the enforced departure of the Liberians originally granted TPS. I extended that grant of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to March 31, 2013. I have determined that there are compelling foreign policy reasons to again extend DED to those Liberians presently residing in the United States under the existing grant of DED.
Pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct the foreign relations of the United States, I have determined that it is in the foreign policy interest of the United States to defer for 18 months the removal of any Liberian national, or person without nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia, who is present in the United States and who is under a grant of DED as of September 30, 2011. The grant of DED only applies to an individual who has continuously resided in the United States since October 1, 2002, except for Liberian nationals, or persons without nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia:
(1) who are ineligible for TPS for the reasons provided in section 244(c)(2)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)(2)(B);
(2) whose removal you determine is in the interest of the United States;
(3) whose presence or activities in the United States the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States;
(4) who have voluntarily returned to Liberia or his or her country of last habitual residence outside the United States;
(5) who were deported, excluded, or removed prior to the date of this memorandum; or
(6) who are subject to extradition.
Accordingly, I direct you to take the necessary steps to implement for eligible Liberians:
(1) a deferral of enforced departure from the United States for 18 months from March 31, 2013; and
(2) authorization for employment for 18 months from March 31, 2013.
BARACK OBAMA
…read more
Source: White House Press Office
A regional official in western Ivory Coast says seven people have been killed after gunmen from neighboring Liberia crossed the river separating the two countries and attacked a village.
Blolequin Prefect Kouakou Yao Dinard said Thursday four civilians, two Ivorian soldiers and one of the assailants were killed in the clashes in Zelebly. Dinard said the attack began at 4 a.m. Tuesday and lasted many hours. Villagers in all the surrounding localities fled their homes as a result.
Western Ivory Coast was one of the epicenters of the country’s postelection conflict in 2011. Militias loyal to the nation’s former president took cover across the border in Liberia, and have launched repeated attacks across the porous frontier, demarcated by the Cavally River.
By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool
Filed under: Investing
Simba Energy Boosts Its Technical Team
VANCOUVER, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Simba Energy Inc. (“Simba” or the “Company”) (TSXV: SMB; Frankfurt: GDA; OTCQX: SMBZF), the pan-African oil & gas explorer, is pleased to announce two key appointments to the Company’s technical team in London: Mr. Oleg-Serguei Schkoda as Vice President, Exploration & Project Management and Ms. Katia Russo, Geoscientist.
Mr. Schkoda, 42, is an upstream oil & gas executive with an 18 year career that has spanned the globe with postings in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He has acquired a wide range of oil & gas expertise from the early stages of exploration to acquiring seismic to drilling to production. In particular, Oleg has extensive operational experience throughout Africa.
Holding a Masters in Mining Exploitation (Brussels) and Petroleum Geology (Nancy, France), Oleg first worked as a reservoir engineer for Petrofina’s exploration department before completing a Master of Petroleum Engineering at the IFP (Institut Français du Pétrole) in Paris.
He has also worked for Schlumberger and was a reservoir specialist for Baker Hughes. Most recently, Oleg was Vice President for Cougar Drilling Solutions, a Canadian directional drilling service company active in Africa.
Mr. Schkoda is fluent in several languages including English and French.
Ms. Katia Russo received a First Class BEng (Hons) in Petroleum Engineering from London South Bank University and is completing a MSc in Petroleum Engineering from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. She also holds a BA (Hons) in Management from West London University.
Katia has previously worked as a Reservoir Engineer for Petrophase’s Enhanced Oil Recovery Projects.
Mr. Hassan Hassan, Managing Director of Operations for Simba, remarked:
“These key additions to our technical management team put the Company in a better position to implement its aggressive exploration and farm-out strategy. Our primary objective is to develop further our Kenya and Chad concessions that continue to attract attention from a variety of international oil & gas companies.”
About Simba Energy:
Simba Energy Inc. is an international oil & gas exploration company focused on onshore Pan-African opportunities. The Company holds a diversified portfolio of 100% (or majority of) interests in six prospective oil & gas exploration concessions in Kenya, Chad, Guinea, Liberia, Ghana and Mali.
In addition to its 100% interest in Kenya‘s Block 2A, …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance
1597 – Flemish painter Frederick of Valckenborch becomes porter of Frankfurt-on-Main
1803 – Supreme Court 1st rules a law unconstitutional (Marbury v Madison)
1940 – Frances Langford records “When You Wish Upon a Star”
1980 – Rangers score 5 power-play goals against Islanders
1988 – Supreme Ct votes 8-0 Jerry Falwell cannot collect for Hustler parody
1998 – Elton John knighted
1874 – Honus Wagner, HOF shortstop (Pittsburgh Pirates, 1900-17)
1911 – Konrad Lechner, composer
1913 – Richard Murphey Goodwin, economist
1921 – Ingvar Lidholm, composer
1961 – Janice Gibson, Tulsa OK, LPGA golfer (1994 Youngstown-Warren-15th)
1968 – Mitch Hedberg, American comedian (d. 2005)
1810 – Henry Cavendish, physicist/chemist, dies
1876 – Joseph Jenkins Roberts, first President of Liberia (b. 1809)
1925 – Hjalmar Branting, Prime Minister of Sweden, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (b. 1860)
1976 – Charles Wilfred Orr, composer, dies at 82
1991 – George Gobel, Chicago, comedian (George Gobel Show), dies at 71
2006 – Denis Twitchett, Cambridge scholar, and Chinese historian (b. 1925)
…read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at HistoryOrb.Com – This Day in History
The 11 Guinean officers who died in a plane crash in Liberia are being honored at a state funeral presided over by the West African country’s president.
Gen. Souleymane Kelefa Diallo, chief of staff of the Guinean army, and 10 other senior military officers were flying to Liberia to attend Armed Forces Day celebrations when their plane crashed early Monday about 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of Monrovia, the Liberian capital.
Guinea is observing three days of mourning for the officers who were honored at the ceremony Wednesday.
Guinean President Alpha Conde posthumously promoted Diallo to the rank of Dignity of Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit of the Republic of Guinea. The ten other officers were named as Commanders of the National Order of Merit.
Liberia‘s information minister says the 11 bodies of the Guineans killed after a military plane crashed in Liberia will be flown back to their homeland.
Lewis Brown said the United Nations is providing the Tuesday flight.
Senior Guinean military officers, including the army chief of staff, were flying to attend Liberia‘s Armed Forces Day celebrations, when the plane went down early Monday in Charlesville, about 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of Monrovia, the capital.
Brown says the black box and the digital voice recorder from the plane were found, and that Canada‘s government agreed to take them for examination. One resident who ran to the crash site said she heard screams from the plane before an explosion.
Liberia is observing a day of mourning Tuesday. Guinea is observing three days.
Liberia‘s information minister says that a plane carrying an official delegation from Guinea to attend Liberia‘s Armed Forces Day celebration in the capital has crashed.
Lewis Brown said Monday that the plane went down in Charlesville, near Liberia‘s largest airport, some 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of Monrovia, the capital. He said there were about 10 people in the delegation but he could not confirm deaths or survivals. Brown said he didn’t have further details.
Liberia‘s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf confirmed the crash while speaking at a ceremony. She called for a moment of silence for those involved in the crash and declared Tuesday a day of mourning.
British Prime Minister David Cameron has arrived in the Libyan capital Tripoli for bilateral talks.
The unscheduled visit is taking place the day after Cameron struck a security partnership in Algeria..
Downing Street said Thursday that Cameron will discuss how Britain can help build a “strong, prosperous” and democratic Libya and explore what support and expertise the U.K. can offer to strengthen security and defeat terrorism.
Cameron’s visit to the Libyan capital comes just days after Britain’s Foreign Office warned of a potential threat against the U.K. embassy in Tripoli.
Cameron is also expected to travel to Liberia for a development conference.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
Liberia‘s government is exposing its spending to the men and women on a bustling street in its capital with a new electronic information billboard.
The U.S.-supported project in Monrovia aims to improve state transparency — and the government of Nobel laureate President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf wants passers-by who might not normally read newspapers or surf the Internet to see what government projects are under way and how state funds are being spent.
Hundreds turned out Wednesday as the Harvard-educated president switched on the billboard — connected directly to the Finance Ministry‘s database — for the first time.
Sirleaf took office in 2005, ushering in a new era in Liberia after back-to-back civil wars from 1989 to 2003 killed an estimated 250,000 people, displaced millions and devastated the economy.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
Charles Taylor may be locked up while appealing his 50-year prison sentence for war crimes, but the former Liberian president still wants his impoverished country to pay his pension.
The 64-year-old who was once one of West Africa‘s most powerful figures has written Liberia‘s Senate seeking at least $25,000 per year in retirement pay he insists he’s owed under the constitution.
The three-page letter decries “mammoth injustice” by the government for stalling or refusing to pay it. The letter was read in the chamber this week and is to be discussed again Tuesday.
Taylor was convicted in The Hague last year for war crimes and crimes against humanity for supporting murderous rebels in neighboring Sierra Leone‘s civil war. Taylor, who ran Liberia from 1997 to 2003, has appealed the conviction.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
