VOA Africa News Summary

Here are today's top stories from VOA Africa. To listen or watch one of our programs or to read more visit our website at www.voaafrica.com.

Africa Awaits Grand Debate Communiqué African leaders said to be divided United States of Africa idea Liberia's Charles Taylor Ends Boycott, Attends War Crimes Trial Former President Charles Taylor did not explain his decision to attend hearing at UN-backed special court, where he pleaded not guilty to amended charge of sexual slavery AU Summit Ends With No Consensus on US of Africa Meanwhile, civil society organizations continued to protest for more discussion of issues they say affect the continent's development Zimbabwe's Opposition Unhappy About Mugabe's Invitation Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is reportedly going to be permitted by Portugal to participate in the upcoming Euro-African Summit in December. Malnutrition Alarming in Kenya Refugee Camps UN survey shows acute malnutrition rate in Dadaab camps, where 175,000 refugees live, is higher than 22 percent Non-Governmental Group Accuses Interim Somali Government of Harassment Somali and Ethiopian troops raided compound of SAACID-Somalia, smashed doors, windows, and destroyed office equipment The Challenge of Improving the Health of Mothers and Newborns Study shows political will a powerful tool in saving lives Breast-feeding – A Natural and Inexpensive Way to Improve Maternal and Infant Health Experts say breast-feeding also helps increase time between pregnancies Millennium Development Goals Get Mixed Review UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says recent statistics show number of extremely poor people fell in 2004, but report finds povery rate in Western Asia has more than doubled