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U.S. ranks behind Rwanda, Belarus, Azerbaijan in ease of creating new business

{A new study by the World Bank and the International Finance Corp. found that the U.S. ranks well behind countries like Rwanda, Belarus and Azerbaijan in terms of how easy it is for an entrepreneur to start a new business. The U.S. did narrowly beat Uzbekistan, though.}

The rankings were included in the organizations’ joint study “Doing Business 2014: Understanding Regulations for Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses.” The annual report, released in October, ranks the relative ease of creating a new business in 189 countries, looking at such measures as the number of procedures required, the time spent complying with them and the cost of doing so, among other factors.

The report found that New Zealand is the easiest place in the world to create a new business. Starting one there requires “one procedure, half a day, (and) less than 1 percent of income per capita and no paid-in minimum capital,” the study noted. New Zealand was followed by Canada, Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong in the top five.

By contrast, the U.S. requires, on average, six procedures, takes five days and requires 1.5 percent of the company’s income per capita.

In addition to being beaten out by Rwanda (9), Azerbaijan (10), and Belarus (15), the U.S. lost out to Malaysia (16); Taiwan (17); Puerto Rico, which is a U.S. territory (18); and Mauritius (19).

The rankings matter and say a lot about a country’s economy, the study notes: “[T]here is a positive relationship between entrepreneurship, growth and job creation. In 2007 young start-ups accounted for nearly 8 million of the 12 million new jobs created in the U.S. economy.”

By contrast, the U.S. requires, on average, six procedures, takes five days and requires 1.5 percent of the company’s income per capita.

In addition to being beaten out by Rwanda (9), Azerbaijan (10), and Belarus (15), the U.S. lost out to Malaysia (16); Taiwan (17); Puerto Rico, which is a U.S. territory (18); and Mauritius (19).

The rankings matter and say a lot about a country’s economy, the study notes: “[T]here is a positive relationship between entrepreneurship, growth and job creation. In 2007 young start-ups accounted for nearly 8 million of the 12 million new jobs created in the U.S. economy.”

Washington Examiner

January 22, 2014
Five injured as UN vehicle in Mali hits landmine

{Five members of the UN mission in Mali were injured on Monday when their vehicle ran over a landmine planted in the northeastern rebel bastion of Kidal, the stabilisation mission said.}

“This (Monday) morning a MINUSMA (UN stabilisation mission in Mali) vehicle ran over a mine” 30 kilometres from Kidal, the statement sent via Twitter said.

“Five blue helmets were slightly injured,” it added, giving no more details.

UN peacekeepers took over security in July last year from the pan-African AFISMA military mission, which had been supporting French troops who entered Mali to push back an Islamist militant advance on the capital.

France is winding down its deployment from a peak of around 5000 soldiers but is to keep 1000 troops in Mali beyond the spring.

MINUSMA is made up largely of Africans but China offered in May last year to supply more than 500 troops in what is to be its biggest contribution to UN peacekeeping.

A unit of Chinese soldiers arrived in Mali last week in the troubled west African nation’s rebel-infested north.

The UN mission played a key security role in presidential polls last year which saw former premier Ibrahim Boubacar Keita become the country’s first democratically elected leader since a March 2012 military coup.

UN officials have acknowledged that peacekeepers face the threat of guerrilla attacks and will encounter a number of logistical difficulties in northern Mali’s harsh environment, where water is scarce and temperatures soar above 40 degrees Celsius.

Copyright{{ AFP}}

January 22, 2014
Crisis In CAR: French troops and Rwanda soldiers trying to disarm anti-balaka fighters

{Concern over violence in the mineral-rich nation of 4.6 million people has prompted greater international involvement. The European Union has agreed to send troops to support different missions based in Central African Republic.}

On Wednesday, Antibalaka fighters’ attack and loot Muslim PK13 neighborhood, burning homes, however French and Rwandan soldiers tried to stop them.

Meanwhile, Jerome Kossine, a CAR resident told media yesterday that at least seven people were killed on Tuesday, near the town of Bang, close to the borders with Chad and Cameroon. He was speaking to Reuters from a hiding place in the bush.

“Everything began with an attack by anti-balaka who killed a Seleka member early this morning in Bang,” he said. “Then the Seleka based there came out in revenge and caused panic among the population by pillaging and burning houses.”

Light and heavy weapons fire rang yesterday out from the area throughout the morning, he said. A second resident in nearby Ngaoundaye said Seleka fighters went from house to house, stealing from inhabitants and attacking them.

Photo: Twitter sources

January 22, 2014
Musanze: Mineduc donates Cows to Teachers

{Rwanda’s Ministry of Education through its Rwanda Education Board has donated cows to Teachers in Musanze District of the Northern Province.
}

The distribution of these cows is line with Gira Inka Mwalimu program which aims to improve the wellbeing of Rwandan Teachers across the country.

10 teachers in Musanze received cows. By the end of this program, about 300 teachers will have cows meaning that each District will be given 10 cows for 10 teachers.

Gira Inka Mwalimu is a countrywide initiative which aims to help teachers own cows.

January 22, 2014
Two reported dead in Ukraine protests

{Two people were reported dead in Kiev on Wednesday morning, as police began to move in on protesters who have occupied the centre of the capital.}

Following reports of the deaths, Ukraine’s prime minister, Mykola Azarov, said terrorists were threatening the lives of ordinary citizens in Kiev, and the “criminal” actions of protesters would be punished.

A 30-year-old man died after being shot four times by riot police, Oleg Musiy, the protest’s medical co-ordinator said, adding that the man had been hit in “the neck, head and chest”. He said the body had been brought to the main protest camp on Independence Square, where experts would determine whether rubber bullets or real ones had been used. Video footage showed a body, wrapped in blankets, being loaded into an ambulance while protesters sang the national anthem.

Medics also spoke of a second death, although the police have so far only confirmed one fatality. Another man was seriously injured after falling from a tree and was taken to hospital.

Early on Wednesday morning, amid a swirling blizzard, police began to storm the impromptu barricades on Hrushevskogo St, where clashes have been ongoing since Sunday evening. Protesters initially withdrew, but later returned and hurled stones and molotov cocktails at police.

As Kiev awoke and more people swelled the ranks of the protesters, it was unclear whether the police were preparing for a major attempt to clear Independence Square and the rest of central Kiev of protesters.

Azarov said in an interview with Russian television that the police would use force if necessary to disperse protesters: “If the provocateurs do not stop, then the authorities will be left with no other choice.”

Kiev has been gripped by protest for two months, with people initially rallying against the decision by the president, Viktor Yanukovych, not to sign an integration agreement with the EU.

A new law came into effect on Tuesday that imposes harsh restrictions on freedom of assembly and provides jail terms of up to 15 years for “participating in mass riots”. On Wednesday morning the police repeatedly told protesters through loudspeakers that their actions were “a grave violation of the law” and asked them to disperse.

Yanukovych has promised talks with opposition leaders but has not set a date. On Tuesday former heavyweight boxer and opposition leader Vitali Klitschko went to see the president but was told he was busy. The political opposition has condemned the violence, but is rapidly losing control of the angrier elements of the crowd.

The Guardian

January 22, 2014
Islamist ministers quit Libyan government

{An Islamist party in Libya has withdrawn its five ministers from the government of Prime Minister Ali Zeidan, saying he has failed to provide security and improve the economy.}

The resignations on Tuesday were announced by the Justice and Construction Party (JCP), the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood.

They will deepen the deadlock in the parliament, known as the General National Congress (GNC), which has made little progress in Libya’s transition to democracy since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi.

“Zeidan failed in his duty to provide security, and to deliver in the electricity and oil sectors,” Nizar Kawan, a leading JCP member, said in a statement.

“We had asked for a withdrawal of confidence, but some don’t understand the danger of the stage we are at now.”

Abdelbari Arusi, the oil minister, was among those the JCP said was resigning.

Zeidan, who is not linked to any major political bloc, had announced earlier this month that he planned to replace some
ministers in a cabinet reshuffle meant to stave off criticism of his government’s performance.

He has survived several attempts in the GNC to drum up support for a no-confidence vote. The JCP had repeatedly failed to secure a vote of no-confidence against Zeidan.

The GNC is caught in a stalemate between the JCP and the leading parliamentary party, the National Forces Alliance, a more nationalist coalition.

Since the GNC was elected more than a year ago, infighting has delayed legislation, and Libya still has no constitution. Elections are expected next month to choose a 60-member committee to draft the new constitution.

Aljazeera

January 22, 2014
Khartoum worried by Uganda military foray in South Sudan

{The Sudanese government has expressed concern over Ugandan military intervention in the current war in South Sudan. }

Sudan’s minister of foreign affairs, Mr Ali Karti, told the reporters in Khartoum on Monday that his government is refusing any foreign military intervention in neighbouring South Sudan.

“Sudan is the most interested country among the other neighbours of what happening in south Sudan because of much security, economic and strategic reasons,” the minister said, after a meeting with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

“Sudan is standing beside the stability in South Sudan, but we principally reject foreign intervention in that country,” he pointed out.

“This intervention may attract other regional sides to intervene and that is deeply concerning us, and even Ethiopia has expressed its concern over these Ugandan military operations in south Sudan,” he explained.

“The IGAD summit which will be held in Juba on Thursday will discuss the foreign intervention in south Sudan, beside the efforts of how to convince the warring parties to cease hostilities,” he added.

The Ugandan army is fighting beside government troops in south Sudan.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Sudanese political analyst Abdul Ali told the Daily Nation on Monday that the Ugandan military intervention is very sensitive for the other countries in the region.

He further added that there will be conflict of interests and ambitions within the East African countries.

“I think this may also be concern for the international community which pays special attention for the oil-rich world’s youngest state,” he said.

“For Sudan this situation is of great concern because of the oilfields and the flowing of the southern crude through the Sudanese pipeline, because Sudan may even lose the transportation fees paid by South Sudan,” he added.

NO MILITARY INTERVENTION

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) will hold an urgent summit on Thursday in Juba to discuss the latest developments in the crisis in South Sudan.

The Sudanese government has confirmed that it has no intention of intervening militarily in the current war in South Sudan. Sudan and South Sudan have agreed to jointly work to restore oilfields damaged by the fighting between the South Sudanese government and rebels.

Sudan will provide technical support to South Sudan to enable it resume production in Unity and Upper Nile states. The two countries have also agreed to send 900 Sudanese petroleum technicians to the oilfields.

Meanwhile, nine Ugandan soldiers have been killed and 12 others wounded during fighting in South Sudan, the army said on Tuesday, dismissing rebel claims to have killed close to 50 Ugandan soldiers in a briefing to Kenyan foreign Ministry.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni confirmed last week that troops had been killed during combat in the war-ravaged young nation in support of President Salva Kiir.

Army spokesman Paddy Ankunda said on Tuesday that nine had died in a single rebel ambush.

“Let there be no speculation any more,” Lieutenant Colonel Ankunda said. “Uganda has lost nine soldiers and 12 injured in South Sudan.”

{{Daily Nation}}

January 22, 2014
President Kagame in Davos for 2014 World Economic Forum

{President Kagame is in Davos for 2014 World Economic Forum. The 2014 World Economic Forum is bringing together a few thousand people to the ultra-tony ski resort of Davos, Switzerland, for five days-IGIHE Learnt from the sources.}

The Presidency office via its Twitter account, has announced that “President Kagame now (about 9h00 am) attending a business leaders breakfast hosted by Tony Blair and Marc Holtzman at the World Economic Forum in Davos”

President Kagame is hailed for Rwanda’s Economic Transformation since the end of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis.

In 2013, President Kagame was among the panelists who addressed participants in the 2013 World Economic Forum.

The President’s session was entitled, “Challenges and Transformation Shaping Leadership Context in Africa.”

Founded in 1971, the World Economic Forum is an independent organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in business, politics, and academics to shape global agendas.

January 22, 2014
Israel approves more illegal settlement homes

{Israel has moved ahead with plans for another 381 homes in the occupied West Bank, the third such announcement in two weeks and raising to 2,530 the number of new settler homes declared this year.}

The new construction will be in Givat Zeev, an illegal settlement immediately south of the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, Peace Now spokesman Lior Amihai told the AFP news agency on Tuesday.

“The Israeli Civil Administration, which falls under the defence ministry, has published plans for the construction of 381 extra units in Givat Zeev,” he said.

On January 6, Israel approved plans for 272 new homes in various illegal West Bank settlements. Four days later, it unveiled plans for more than 1,877 new units, some in occupied East Jerusalem.

Peace talks

Last July, Israel and the Palestinians embarked on nine months of direct negotiations, at the urging of US Secretary of State John Kerry, but over the past six months Israel has not slowed its construction in the occupied territories.

Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat said the message was clear. “Netanyahu’s government does not want peace,” he said.

“This decision confirms that Netanyahu’s government only wants to continue settlement building, which will destroy any possible peace.

“With very little progress visible and the April deadline for a framework agreement looming, Erakat said there was no chance the Palestinians would contemplate any extension of the talks.

“We’ve not been presented with a [plan for] extending negotiations, but we will not extend them for even an additional day after the nine month period we agreed on,” he said.

Aljazeera

January 22, 2014
UN Missions in DR Congo demand ‘intelligence fund’

{Considering the growing need of military intelligence for successful and effective peacekeeping operations, UN Military Peacekeeping Missions deployed in the conflict-hit Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have sought establishment of a ´Military Intelligence Fund´ at the earliest. }

Citing the tensed and complicated security situation in DR Congo, the missions under the United Nations Organization Stabilization Missions in DR Congo (MONUSCO) have drawn the attention of the UN headquarters to set up the fund. “It is important to strengthen the intelligence to fight the rebels and forces inimical to peace in eastern part of DR Congo,” Chief Political Officer Leocadie Nahisha of MONUSCO Sub-headquarters at Mavivi in the Kivu Province told Nepali delegates.

Nahisha informed that concerned authorities are positive about setting up ´Military Intelligence Fund´ to help missions collect information from agents, general public and other sources. However, she did not divulge the specific details on the progress made so far toward setting up the fund.

Brigadier General Prakash Singh Bogati, who heads the Nepalese Observation Team in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said such a fund could help the UN Peacekeepers to win the trust and cooperation from the local people. “It is very hard to overcome negative forces unless effective intelligence is managed,” he said.

“Our efforts to build good relations and gain trust of the locals, political parties and other government stakeholders have become successful to some extent. But this is not enough,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ashok Gurung, who is returning home after completion of a six-month assignment as the Nepal Army´s 19th Battalion Commander.

NA officials serving in the mission said not only the general public but also the government authorities expected some financial support and development assistance in return for providing information to peacekeepers. “Intelligence collection and assessment of the negative forces has become very impractical in view of the current situation,” argued a Major General requesting anonymity. “We carry out our operations after analysis of past events and contemporary trends,” he said.

According to Nepalese peacekeepers, security situation has worsened after Colonel Mamadou Ndala, who helped secure the military defeat of the powerful M23 rebel movement in November, was killed in by a rocket attack on his vehicle near the village of Mavivi along with his two bodyguards.

Following two months of relative calm in the area, the situation has worsened after Congolese National Army known as FARDC began operations against the M23 but what is missing again is intelligence, an official at the Nepalese Battalion told Republica.

On the other hand, the Congolese army is considered as disorganized, undisciplined and aggressive so people are not that positive about sharing information with them, according to Major General Nigel Subba, Commander of Butembo, the 6th largest city with no electricity in Congo.

“People are needy and helpless so they want something in return for information,” said Major General Subba, “But because of budget constraints it is not possible to bolster our intelligence.”

Officials at MONUSCO said though ANR (National Intelligence Agency) has agents in every sector and villages of the country, intelligence and information gathering is almost zero. “We are ready to help peacekeeping missions and discourage negative forces. But we need some financial and logistical support for the development of the city,” Nyonyi Bwahakawa, the Mayor of Beni Territory, said.

Different groups of Mai Mai, ADF(Allied Democratic Forces), NALU (National Liberation of Uganda), The FDLR (Democratic Forces for the liberation of Rwanda, are in operation in Beni, Lubero, Eringeti and Kanyabayonga, where NA Peacekeepers have been deployed for the peace, development and stability in the country. Many unsuccessful efforts and initiatives have been carried out for the peace in the country already.

myrepublica.com

January 22, 2014