NEWSLINE

South Sudan Constructing Oil Pipeline South Sudan has started the constructing two oil refineries in Upper Nile and Unity State. 13 July 2012 Unity State residents gather for the first anniversary independence celebrations at Bentiu Stadium on 9 July 2012. [Gurtong] JUBA, July 2012 [Gurtong] -President Salva Kiir told the first Independence Anniversary celebrations in Juba on Monday that construction of the new refineries is aimed at addressing some of the key economic challenges the new nation is facing. “This will solve our problems though it will not solve all the issues”, Kiir said. The President reiterated his government’s efforts to construct alternative oil pipelines following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti. The President admitted the economic challenges accruing from the oil production shutdown early this year but said the government is im

President Kiir To Downsize Government A Year Into Independence South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has announced plans to downsize his government in order to reserve moneys for development.   July 2012 South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit alongside top military officials and dignitaries during celebrations to mark the first anniversary of South Sudan’s independence on July 9 2012. [Gurtong/] JUBA, 10 July 2012 [Gurtong] –  “The size of our government in the payroll is very large compared to other countries”, said Kiir. President Kiir was speaking at the first Independence anniversary celebrations at the Dr John Garang Mausoleum in Juba.    He said his government cannot afford the huge payroll at this time of tough economic measures occasioned by the February shutdown of oil production. President Kiir warned of tough challenges ahead as the new nation grapples with internal and external challenges. “We still depend on others, our liberation i

South Sudan Tames Uganda in Maiden International Friendly South Sudan’s Bright Stars held Uganda Cranes in a two-all draw at Juba National Stadium. 11 July 2012 South Sudan’s Bright Stars celebrate their second equaliser against Uganda Cranes at Juba National Stadium in the match that ended 2-2. [Gurtong/] JUBA, 11 July 2012 [Gurtong] - The football match dubbed as “the Independence game” was South Sudan’s first international friendly since becoming a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Kizito Luanda put the Cranes ahead in the sixth minute of first half but the Bright Stars equalised about 20 minutes later through Richard Justin from a spot kick. Uganda Cranes however had to play without left back Joseph Okaya, who got a second yellow card minutes after the Bright Stars’ equaliser. Julius Ogwang restored the Cranes lead with a second goal. The Bright Stars with enormous support from the enthusiastic fans got an equ

Western Bahr el Ghazal Completes Preparations for Independence Celebrations Officials from Western Bahr el Ghazal State on Tuesday announced the completion of all preparations aiming at marking South Sudan’s first year as an independent nation. South Sudan brass band prepare for Independence Day celebration last year. [Photo | David Azia/AP]  2012 (ABYEI) , commissioner of Western Bahr el Ghazal State headquarters who chairs state independence celebration organising committee said the area is already in “celebratory mood”. South Sudanese voted to secede from Sudan as part of 2005 peace that ended decades of conflict. “The town is already in celebration mood. People have completed all preparations and are only waiting for the day. As government, all organised forces have been put on maximum alert to provide adequate security. Our citizens should not worry about their safety and security”, Benjamin

Somali President Inspects Sudanese Currency Printing House By SUNA Khartoum - The Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has inspected printing of his country's currency at the Sudanese Company for Currency Printing. Somali President has been briefed by the Director General of the Sudanese Company for Currency Printing, Engineer Mohamed Hassan Al-Bahi, on the phases of the currency printing and ways to secure it. Al-Bahi revealed that the technologies used in the printing of Somali currency is the most modern in the currency industry domain besides ways of securing it from counterfeiting. Engineer Al-Bahi pointed out that the company, besides the currency printing, prints the electronic and ordinary passport, documents, invoices, bank cheques and balance cards for the telecommunications companies, adding that 30 banks print their cheques at the Sudanese Company for Currency Printing. He stressed that the company was ready to provide all aids to

Western Bahr el Ghazal State Governor Brigadier General Rizik Zackaria Hassan has urged the Sudanese government to co-operate in the peace talks currently underway in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. 25 June 2012 Western Bahr el Ghazal State Governor Brigadier General Rizik Zackaria Hassan. [Gurtong] WAU, 25 June 2012 [Gurtong] - Hassan told Gurtong the talks organised under the auspices of the African Union mediation should clearly define the implementation of the various resolutions passed. “Lasting peace will be attained once Sudan accepts the January 1956 border zone between the two countries. South Sudan needs this so as to be able to provide services to its citizens, especially those in disputed border areas”, he said. The Governor urged the international community to support the ongoing talks in a bid to normalise the frosty relations between the two states. “Establishment of a borde

Nine Ways to Kiss Stress Good-bye    The last few months have been exceptionally hectic for our family. Between homeschooling, ministry, building a house, short-term mission groups, writing, and life in general, I sometimes find myself feeling that all I do is run from early morning to late at night. It doesn’t really matter what your job is or what you are going through at the moment,   we all understand and experience stress on a daily basis, both good and bad. A couple weeks ago I wrote this post for my International Christian Fiction blog, and thought I'd shared it with you this week. As I grow older, I've noticed that it is essential to find both quiet and balance in all the chaos. Especially when my 'jobs' are never ending. For example, as a writer, between writing, brainstorming, editing, and marketing, and social networking my job is never finished. And that is just one segment of my life! Seth Godin has a great blog post