Editorials

[IPS]Nairobi -Victoria J. married in 2009 at age 14, and became pregnant shortly after. "I started labour in the morning on a Friday ... The nurse kept checking and saying I would deliver safely. On Monday she said I was weak. (AllAfrica)

[The Star]A major event that grabbed headlines this week was the civil society's protest against plans by MPs to have their salaries increased. Different people have reacted differently to the demonstrators' expression of displeasure with the legislators' agitation for higher salaries. (AllAfrica)

[This Day]The political confusion deliberately foisted on Rivers State in the last few weeks is far from abating. A state that has been basking in peace, unity and developmental progress has suddenly been thrust into an ugly division between those who support Governor Rotimi Amaechi and those opposed to him, a clear two years ahead of the 2015 succession. (AllAfrica)

[Vanguard]NIGERIAN party politics since civil rule in 1999 has been dominated by factions, internal crises, irreconcilable differences, open disagreements among members of the same party, especially those in high public offices. (AllAfrica)

[Daily Observer]As the world economy continues to grow, so also is tourism. It is worth noting that tourism was already reaching new heights in 2012 and continued to grow robustly in 2013. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) noted that in 2012, arrivals grew more rapidly in the emerging than in the advanced destinations. Worldwide tourism is considered to be a viable and income-generating sector of government if properly managed. And The Gambia is not an exception as government is the number one promoter (AllAfrica)

[Leadership]In February, this year, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) enunciated a policy which empowers government security agencies to tap citizens' phone calls, short message services (SMS) and chat messages.The NCC, in the draft regulation, said that it would allow unhindered access to communications. "These regulations shall provide the legal and regulatory framework for the lawful interception of communications in Nigeria and to put into effect the provisions of sections 146 and 147 of the Act (the Ni (AllAfrica)

[FrontPageAfrica]Monrovia - Archbishop Michael Kpakala Francis, an outspoken clergy renowned for his fiery sermons and stance against brutal regimes of former presidents Samuel Doe and Charles Ghankay Taylor is dead. (AllAfrica)

[NEWS]The Most Outspoken personality in contemporary Liberia has been silenced permanently by the power of death. Catholic Archbishop Michael K. Francis has finally given up the ghost following a prolonged illness. (AllAfrica)

[Daily Trust]In 2011, Rivers State delivered one of the nation's most stunning victories to Goodluck Jonathan in that year's presidential election. The electorates apparently overdid themselves, casting more votes for Jonathan than there were registers voters. Even the president acknowledged the effort of the man who made that landslide over other presidential candidates possible, Rivers State governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi. (AllAfrica)

[Premium Times]Nigeria's President, Goodluck Jonathan, on the 14th May 2013 declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States. He was responding to the incessant terrorist attacks and other security challenges that have recently plagued Nigeria, The declaration is in accordance with the provisions of section 305(3 (c) (d) (f) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. (AllAfrica)

[Swazi Media]Without the hint of a blush on his cheek, Swaziland's unelected Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku has branded democrats who are calling for a boycott of this year's national election, 'cowards'. (AllAfrica)

[Ghanaian Chronicle]It is quite clear now that the old Kantamanto that was recently and most tragically razed by fire cannot be re-built into a modern market by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA). (AllAfrica)

[This Day]The Yoruba people of south-western Nigeria are a nationality of approximately 50 million people the vast majority of whom are concentrated primarily within Nigeria but who are also spread throughout the entire world. (AllAfrica)

[This Day]The special powers given to the military to take extraordinary actions to contain the Boko Haram insurgency is widely commended, but Nigerians only wish the measure would achieve its purpose. Vincent Obia writes (AllAfrica)

[Zimbabwe Standard]Last week MDC-T MP Settlement Chikwinya questioned Registrar-General Tobaiwa Mudede's continuing role in the conduct of elections. (AllAfrica)

[FrontPageAfrica]You note in the story: "Instead of a conflict of interest, Weeks asserted that the board member who is alleged to be himself, was in fact doing the institution a favor. "In 2011- 2012 when we did not even have money in our bank accounts to pay employees when sometimes our balances will be as little as four thousand dollars." (AllAfrica)

[This Day]The recent weeks have witnessed a rash of attacks on Mr. Kingsley Kuku, chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, who doubles as President Goodluck Jonathan's Special Adviser on Niger Delta, over his comments on amnesty, its link to Jonathan's stay in office after 2015, and the peace and stability of Nigeria. (AllAfrica)

[This Day]Police and SSS officers ambushed and massacred in Nasarawa. Bama and Baga overrun by insurgents. Kidnappings continue in the South-east. Fulani herdsmen in bloody battle with Benue villagers. Scores killed at Wukari funeral clash. Massive oil theft in the Niger Delta. Silent killings in Southern Kaduna villages. Bomb attack on passenger bus in Kano. Body bags are now as common as sachets of "pure water". Pray, is the end nigh for Nigeria? Any unbiased observer is bound to conclude that things are getting o (AllAfrica)

[New Dawn]A ReThe Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism (MICAT), on behalf of the Government of Liberia, called upon the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) to recant its press blackout against the activities of the nation's presidency (FPA, May 15, 2013). (AllAfrica)

[Zimbabwe Standard]When analysing the post 90s struggles for democratisation in Zimbabwe and where the country finds itself now, Bob Marley's song, No Woman No Cry, has lyrics that may aptly relate to our contemporary circumstances. (AllAfrica)

[Zimbabwe Standard]The Zimbabwe Election Support Network is calling on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to accredit local civic society organisations to conduct voter education, in view of the impending harmonised elections. (AllAfrica)

[The Herald]Many businesses and thousands of Harare families have installed large tanks which they fill with municipal water when they can but usually have to buy water from the scores of new businesses that truck water around the city. (AllAfrica)

[Vanguard]Nigeria today has been described as a war zone, no thanks to the many killings in the country. (AllAfrica)

[FrontPageAfrica]The Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism (MICAT), on behalf of the Government of Liberia, called upon the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) to recant its press blackout against the activities of the nation's presidency (FPA, May 15, 2013). (AllAfrica)

[New Vision]Opticians around town are in the business of selling eyeglasses and as the Sunday Vision reporter reveals, most will do whatever it takes, even if it means convincing you that you have eye defects in order to sell their eyeglasses (AllAfrica)

[The Star]The debate sparked by this week's protest in Parliament about the suitability of the using pigs while publicly protesting should not be used to undermine or argue for the shrinking of the democratic and constitutional space of Kenyans to peacefully assemble and protest. (AllAfrica)

[The Star]Kenyans are coming to terms with results of the first elections under the new constitution. Misgivings on the conduct of the elections were dealt with by the Supreme Court. (AllAfrica)

[The Star]Anyone who has lived long enough will tell you that so much hangs on reputation. One's reputation will either open or shut doors before him/her. This holds true for individuals as well as for countries. (AllAfrica)

[This Day]A South African pay TV platform recently licensed to broadcast pornography is acquired by StarTimes, sparking public anger and raising the question of insensitivity to religious and cultural tastes (AllAfrica)

[The Star]Whether we like it or not, ICC and the appearance or not of President Uhuru and Deputy President Ruto before it, is the one single issue that will determine the fate and future of the country, failure or success of the government. Kenyans must accept to debate this. (AllAfrica)

[Daily Trust]Despite the alternative offered by digital publications more Nigerians still prefer the conventional print versions of newspapers than going online to read them. (AllAfrica)