Leaders of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) launched a yearly working programme at the first meeting of the Steering Committee in Dakar last weekend February 6th and 7th. The Steering Committee of the FAJ elected by congress in November 2008 in Nairobi, Kenya, convened in Dakar to examine the implementation of priorities and programmed activities for 2009 as agreed at the Nairobi Congress.

Xenophobic attacks in South Africa displaced 150,000 people and killed more than 60 in 2008. This year, as the country heads to the polls, researchers say local politicians may be capitalizing on the hate and fear that fuelled the attacks - this time to win votes. Immigrant lobby groups have put out a call for increased monitoring of political campaigns ahead of general elections in April.

The Kellogg Brown & Root LLC (KBR Ink) has pleaded guilty to the federal charges that the company bribed Nigerian officials to win contracts. As part of the plea agreement, KBR agreed to pay a $402 million criminal fine. The US Department of Justice accused the Houston-based engineering company of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for its participation in a decade-long scheme to bribe Nigerian government officials to obtain engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts.