The News Review:

- India to fully supply rice needs: Senegal’s Wade
- Gambia: DNH Holds Islamic Conference
- Awesome Indies Film Festival for Children and Youth
- US stores forced to ration rice
- African states move to fight food price shock
- The Visitor

India to fully supply rice needs: Senegal’s Wade
Economic Times – Apr 25, 2008
“Having consulted with hisgovernment he told me that India will supply all Senegal’s rice requirementsin other words 600000 tonnes annually for six years. India is the world’s thirdlargest rice exporter. Wade added that the six-year timeframe would allowSenegal to develop rice cultivation in a bid for self-sufficiency adding thatthe country’s population should show “a bit of patience” ahead of stocksarriving. There was no furtherdetail from Dakar as to how Senegal had managed to reach such an agreement. However New Delhi hosted anIndian-African summit on April 8 and 9 and accorded preferential status toAfrican nations in need of rice stocks. Wade said on Monday that therewas neither famine nor hunger riots in Senegal blaming a recent rally –heavily cracked down on by police — on opposition groups. While he has said the armywill protect the Indian rice he also launched last week a plan for anagricultural revolution… India is the world’s thirdlargest rice exporter. Wade added that the six-year timeframe would allowSenegal to develop rice cultivation in a bid for self-sufficiency adding thatthe country’s population should show “a bit of patience” ahead of stocksarriving. There was no furtherdetail from Dakar as to how Senegal had managed to reach such an agreement. However New Delhi hosted anIndian-African summit on April 8 and 9 and accorded preferential status toAfrican nations in need of rice stocks. Wade said on Monday that therewas neither famine nor hunger riots in Senegal blaming a recent rally –heavily cracked down on by police — on opposition groups. While he has said the armywill protect the Indian rice he also launched last week a plan for anagricultural revolution.

Gambia: DNH Holds Islamic Conference
AllAfrica.com – Apr 25, 2008
The ceremony was graced by Alh Babacarr Mbye Ngerane Mbengue Diaraf De Yoff Senegal as well as senior government officials in The Gambia and Senegal. GA_googleFillSlot( “AllAfrica_Story_Inset” );The theme for this year’s conference was "Tariqah Tijania in Islam". Speaking to the Daily Observer at the conference ground Alh Jawara Gaye president of DNH said that DNH was a religious organisation (Daira) in the Tariqah faith of Al-Tijania under the leadership of Alh Serign Sait Omar Kebbeh. Mr Gaye added that Alh Serign Sait Omar Kebbeh is the spiritual leader of all the followers of their "Daira" and that his own spiritual leader was Imam Kalai Barry of Senegal. According to Jawara Gaye Serign Sait Kebbeh has been giving out the "Tariqha of Tijania" for over a decade adding that the association was gaining momentum in The Gambia.

Awesome Indies Film Festival for Children and Youth
Ottawa Start – Ottawa Start (press release) – Apr 25, 2008
Based on a Scandinavian fairy tale another highlight ofthe festival is Pelican Man aquirky surreal tale of a pelican who with the help of 10-year-old Emil triesto live as a human. Described as “profoundly funny profoundly Finnish” Pelican Man is a whimsical tale offriendship and the transformative power of the imagination. Also featuring Oscar-nominated Binta and the Great Idea from Senegal and local hit Await the Freight as well asa wide variety of short films and youthworkshops Awesome Indies is a surebet for film buffs of all ages. Film screenings will take place at various venues aroundthe city from Thursday May 8 Sunday May 11 and includes a day of freefilms and a workshop with Artengine at the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa. Thefestival also offers a special deal for families on Sunday May 11th; Moms don’t have to pay when they come onMother’s Day!Scheduleand Venues Thursday May 8thPaula’sSecret 6:30 PM BytowneCinemaFriday May 9thFREE screenings at the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa 4:00-8:00PMSaturday May 10thShort Program Library and Archives Canada 1:00-3:00PM. FREE Workshop with Artengine Boys and Girls Club ofOttawa 1:00-4:00PM. Awaitthe Freight Emanuel’s Gift Library and Archives Canada4:00-6:00PM.

US stores forced to ration rice
The Australian – Apr 25, 2008
Poor crop yields have contributed to the trend raising concerns of severe shortages of the staple food consumed by almost half the world’s population. Food prices have also been driven up by increased demand for corn – the grain that is fermented to produce ethanol the biofuel. Similar jumps in the price of wheat corn and soybeans have led to riots in Haiti Senegal and Pakistan. Key rice producers have banned exports of rice to ensure their own people have access: India China Vietnam and Egypt have blocked exports and so demand for rice from countries such as the US has increased. Additional reporting: The Times AP. module-content –>.

African states move to fight food price shock
International Herald Tribune – Apr 25, 2008
The economic measures taken by Gabon followed similar steps taken in recent weeks by Burkina Faso Mali and Guinea. Mauritania on Thursday announced the final part of a $160 million (80 million pounds) emergency programme to combat the rising prices boost rice and cereal production and cut its dependency on exports. Senegal and Liberia have also started schemes to revive their country's flagging farming sectors which have stagnated and declined during decades of neglect and underinvestment. Price rises have been compounded because governments of several food-growing countries worried about domestic shortages have imposed export curbs spooking markets at a time when world inventories are down sharply. Ban said world leaders should discuss ways to improve food distribution systems and production. “We must take immediate action in a concerted way” he said adding that the crisis would be discussed at a meeting of U.

The Visitor
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Apr 25, 2008
The central character is Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins) a middle-age economics professor who seems to be drifting through life without purpose or enthusiasm. Vale works in Connecticut but maintains an apartment in New York which comes in handy when he’s called on to attend a conference. What he doesn’t count on is finding the apartment occupied — by drummer Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) who’s from Syria and his jewelry-making girlfriend Zainab (Danai Gurira) who’s from Senegal. Vale’s first impulse is to kick them out but his humanity prevails. And before long he becomes more deeply involved with Tarek and Zainab than he would have believed possible. Jenkins a veteran character actor who is perhaps best known as the departed but high-spirited dad on HBO’s "Six Feet Under" takes to this role with confidence and style. Vale’s gradual transformation into a man who’s once again awake to the world is a joy to behold.