Obama touts Africa business opportunities
WASHINGTON – Though noting persistent challenges, President Barack Obama heralded Africa as a continent on the rise and a growth market for U.S. businesses as he closed an unprecedented summit Wednesday aimed in part at fostering his own African legacy.
Much of the summit centered on boosting U.S. business ties with Africa, which is home to six of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies and a rapidly expanding middle class.
Yet the summit’s final day of discussions underscored the challenges that could undermine that economic growth. Health crises remain among Africa’s most pressing problems, including the current outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in West Africa.
Army officials begin questioning Bergdahl
HOUSTON – The Army has begun questioning Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl about his disappearance in Afghanistan that led to five years in captivity by the Taliban, his attorney and an Army spokeswoman said Wednesday.
Bergdahl was questioned at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, where he has been staying since returning to the U.S.
Lt. Col. Alayne Conway, an Army spokeswoman, said Bergdahl was advised of his rights under Article 31 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Article 31 pertains to individuals being informed of the nature of the accusation against them.
Liberia takes steps to stem Ebola outbreak
MONROVIA, Liberia – Liberia’s president has declared a state of emergency in the West African nation amid an Ebola outbreak that shows no signs of slowing.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf made the announcement on television late Wednesday, saying that some civil rights may have to be suspended as a result of the crisis.
Observers say the crisis in Liberia has deepened because many people are choosing to keep their ill relatives at home instead of bringing them to isolation centers.
Israel, Hamas open talks with hard lines
CAIRO – Indirect Israeli-Palestinian negotiations over extending a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and ending a blockade of the battered territory got underway in Cairo on Wednesday, with both sides taking hard-line positions and much jockeying expected ahead.
Israel wants the Islamic militant Hamas to disarm, or at least ensure it cannot rearm, before considering the group’s demand that the territory’s borders be opened. Israel and Egypt imposed a closure after the Hamas takeover of Gaza in 2007.
Hazem Abu Shanab, a member of Fatah, one of the main factions involved in the talks, said disarmament would require Israel to pull out from occupied Palestinian territory.
Associated Press
