Where the average capex per tonne of annual iron ore in stalwart exporter Australia is currently ~USD175/t, in West Africa  it is notably 15-30% lower, at ~USD120-150/t.

China, reported to have been the world’s biggest Iron Ore producer in 2010, is already starting to bring Africa’s rich Iron reserves into production, and this outside investment is likely to chart both a decline in Iron Ore prices and secure the much sought after foreign investment many countries are seeking.

Despite assurances from the company that no customer funds had been affected, shares in UBS fell by 8% following the announcement.

Swiss bank UBS, today reported losses of $2 bn from rogue trades

‘The matter is still being investigated, but UBS’s current estimate of the loss on the trades is in the range of $2bn,’ the bank said.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Adoboli lists himself as an employee of UBS Investment Bank, citing European Equity Trading as his current role there.

Woubishet Taye from the Awramba Times and Reyot Alemu from the newspaper Fetch were arrested on the 19th and 21st June. They are currently being held with nine others.

Michelle Kagari, Amnesty International’s deputy Africa director, said in a statement: ‘The pretext of counter-terrorism being used to silence dissent, particularly among groups traditionally critical of the government such as political opposition parties and the private press is worrying.’

Shimeles Kemal, state minister for communications told Bloomberg: ‘they are accused of organising a terrorist structure to destroy, demolish and sabotage essential power and telecommunications infrastructure.’

The arrests were carried out under a terrorism law adopted in 2009: ‘The law criminalises any reporting authorities deem to encourage or provide moral support to groups and causes the government labels as terrorists,’ Mohamed Keita and Tom Rhodes, CPJ Africa programme staff, reported on their blog.

The four are being held at Maikelawi – the Federal Police Crime Investigation and Forensic Department in Addis Ababa, which is reported to be under the control of the National Intelligence and Security Service.

Amnesty International also warned that some of the detainees may be at risk of torture.

‘Maikelawi is infamous for the frequent use of torture against pre-trial detainees,’ said Michelle Kagari. ‘It is troubling that the vaguely defined provisions of the Anti-Terrorism legislation are being used to suppress legitimate freedom of expression in Ethiopia.’

Ethiopia is the second African country after Eritrea in the number of journalist that have been arrested.

Although the country is now returning to normal there are still many acts of violence and countless refugees who are afraid to go home. Ouattara has promised that all crimes committed during the conflict will be punished and to this end he has invited the ICC to investigate alleged human rights abuses. It is hoped that this will support his intention to seek justice and reconciliation in the aftermath of the violence.

As Ouattara is showing a responsible and progressive attitude to human rights, a recent report by Amnesty International shows that the tide may be turning with regard to human rights in the continent as a whole. The report by the organisation, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, shows both the shortfalls and positives on Africa’s record on human rights. Their view is that a combination of courageous youth and the power of modern technology are helping to expose repressive governments.

However, the report showed that there were still examples of journalists being silenced, for instance in the Sudan, and protestors censored. They also highlighted the many millions living below the poverty line and that the people below this line were often subject to further abuse and violence. The overall view is that although there is some way to go, progress has been made and those in power are finding it difficult to ignore the voices of the people.

We also report on the discussion in London, Digital Technology in Africa hosted by the Royal Geographical Society (RGS). The panel consisted of,Nicholas Negroponte (Founder and Chairman of One Laptop per Child), Erik Hersman (Co-founder of Ushahidi, AfriGadget, and iHub), and Herman Chinery-Hesse (Chairman of the SOFTtribe) and the BBC’s technology correspondent, Rory Cellan-Jones.

There was growing confidence among panellists that in five years’ time the presence of indigenous businesses in Africa will increase, which will eventually lead to a more consistent spread of wealth across the continent.

For too long Africa has been kept out of the loop when it comes to the evolution of digital technology, but it is now time to catch up. We are already beginning to see the transforming effect of technology in Africa; one can only imagine what we will be seeing in the next decade.’

The 115 pieces of elephant ivory weighing 1,304kg packed in 14 metal boxes had been disguised as diplomatic baggage. They were detected and seized by a joint security team following a tip off from the public The contraband, which was destined for Lagos, Nigeria and labelled as originating from Brunei (island in Asia) and Papua New Guinea (South West Pacific Ocean Island) embassies in Nairobi, had been brought to the airport by unidentified people.

The incident followed a seizure where 2,033kg was intercepted by Thai Customs officials at Bangkok’s airport on March 30, 2011 This had been shipped through the Mombasa sea pert. The elephant smuggled through a Bangkok port from Kenya was hidden in a shipment of frozen fish. The amount of ivory seized may be equated to at least 123 elephants killed but it is not clear if all the animals were poached in Kenya if at all Kenya wildlife services (K’NS) has reiterated its call for the fast tracking of the passing of the new wildlife policy and Bill to provide for more deterrent sentences and inter-agency collaborating to fight the crime Poa.ching of elephants in central and eastern Africa has intensified in recent years, with much of the illegal ivory exported to Asia. International trade in ivory was banned in ’09, while seizures have risen dramatically in the past five years.

Some have argued that Sierra Leone hasn’t much to celebrate fifty years on from independence, the country still relies on foreign aid and poverty is still a major issue. But Boltman is quick to dismiss this train of thought. ‘This occasion is worth celebrating; I don’t know what country will get to 50 years of independence and not celebrate. We have been celebrating quietly for the last 49 years. It is only a one day holiday. [The nation] know what’s ahead of them, they are looking towards what’s ahead of them.’

When reflecting on these last fifty years Boltman states that Sierra Leone has ‘made progress slowly – not much, some but not much.’ But he remains optimistic about the future and believes that the years to come will bring much more needed change. ‘If things continue [as they are] I can see a bright light at the end of the tunnel… People [have had] a change of heart and mind and possess will power to go forward. I think the sky is the limit. I don’t expect Sierra Leone to be like Britain tomorrow or like other western countries, but nonetheless we will be on the right track.’

Not only is this violence a problem in itself but is a serious hindrance to development. The effect of violence can be widespread both for those directly affected and the wider region. Unsurprisingly it is often children who are most affected. In these countries they are twice as likely to be undernourished and three times as likely to be out of school. On top of this, the effects of violence can spread to neighbouring states according to the report. It can damage regional development prospects and economic growth. The report by the World Bank is entitled Conflict, Security and Development.

The vigil was held outside the Swaziland High Commission in order to call for the abolition of women’s abuse and inequality in the country. Sexual violence, domestic violence, and forced marriages are rife in Swaziland. To make matters worse, married women have no independent legal status; they are their husband’s property. So there is little choice for Swazi women, either live a life of abuse, or one of poverty.

Despite signing numerous international agreements on gender equality, the Swazi government has not taken appropriate action and has failed to put in place concrete laws to stop the ill treatment of women. ACTSA are now calling them to issue a clear timetable of change that will outline fundamental changes in the law that will see a change in the status of Swazi women.

Vice Chair of ACTSA, Chitra Karve, has said that ‘The Swazi government has had well over a decade and plenty of international support to reform the laws that undermine women’s rights. ACTSA joins the women of Swaziland in calling for end to the procrastination and for a clear timetable for changing these unjust laws.”

The news gets worse for Toure. Although already being suspended by his club in line with the English Football Association (FA) regulations for the failed drugs test, the legal complexities of the case mean that pending a personal hearing, we could see him suspended from football until May before serving any of the ban itself. Efforts to get a hearing before May will most likely run into legal difficulties.

There are no suggestions of deliberate foul play or cheating being aimed at Kolo Toure. But it is remarkable how a professional sports player would have been so naïve in taking unknown pills for the purposes of weight control without having a professional verify they would be ok to use. It is a naivety which is likely to cost him two years of his football career.

Numerous organisations, one of which being Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), have spoken out against the actions of the police, stressing that the celebration of the IWD should be supported not disrupted.

Also campaigning against the actions of the police force is the National Students Union (ZINASU). ZINASU believe that the police interference at the events alongside the numerous arrests is part of an on-going infringement on human rights. After the revolts in Tunisia, Egypt, and currently Libya, ZANU-PF has tightened the leash on its citizens.

For instance, a number of activists including ZINASU’s Vice Board Chair, Hopewell Gumbo, was arrested for plotting to remove the government. Furthermore, numerous Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) local meetings and rallies have been banned on the assumption that the gatherings may escalate into an Egypt or Libyan style revolution.

IWD is an important day for women all over the world, especially with this year marking the day’s 100th anniversary. Women contribute the greatest percentage of the population but they still remain a severely disadvantaged group in the continent. The disrupted IWD events demonstrate that there is a long way to go before real gender equality is reached here; it also highlights the fact that ZANU-PF’s chokehold on the people is as strong as ever.