President Obama is expected to reveal a major initiative to boost agricultural development and prevent hunger in Africa, worth perhaps $3bn (£1.8bn) to $5bn, at the summit.
The Japanese government also says it wants the G8 to put more emphasis on helping African farmers to produce enough food to feed local communities.
Japan spent more than $1bn supporting agricultural projects in developing countries in 2007 and has pledged to increase spending on this area, despite a recession.
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A compensation claim against the British government brought by veterans of Kenya's independence struggle has been lodged at the High Court.
Three men and two women have launched the case over alleged human rights abuses in the 1950s and 1960s.
Thousands of people were rounded up and forced into camps by the British during what was known as the Mau Mau uprising.
The UK says the claim is not valid because of the amount of time since the abuses were alleged to have happened.
The five Kenyans - aged in their 70s and 80s - are the lead claimants in the reparations case.
They want the UK government to acknowledge responsibility for atrocities committed by local guards in camps administered by the British in the pre-independence era.
Their lawyer, Martyn Day, said he believed his clients had "a good chance of success".
Source: BBC News . For complete article clink on the link below:
"One in four South African men questioned in a survey said they had raped someone, and nearly half admitted having attacked more than one victim.
The study, by the country's Medical Research Council, also found three out of four who admitted rape had attacked for the first time during their teens.
It said practices such as gang rape were common because they were considered a form of male bonding.
...
Using an electronic device to keep the results anonymous, the study found that 73% of respondents said they had carried out their first assault before the age of 20.
Almost half who said they had carried out a rape admitted they had done so more than once..."
From BBC News, Thursday June 18th 2009. Click on link below for full article.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8107039.stm
The result of this study is shocking to say the least. As an African, I am embarrassed for our continent. As a woman, I am outraged.
My question is why, oh! why.
Why is rape such an epidemic in South Africa? Is there any rational explanation for such behavior? Are the roots of the epidemic, cultural, historical, superstitious beliefs, the lack of laws when it comes to abuse towards women, else?
Is anything being done to resolve this problem?
This is a brainstorming session, so put in your two cents.
