August 2009

The Presidential Suite at the Hotel Cala di Volpe on the Costa Smeralda has just been named by Wealth Bulletin as the third most expensive hotel suite in the world, costing $34,000 a night.

Young entrepreneurs in The Gambia have a new source of finance available from next month to help them set up in business. The Gambia’s National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI) has 2,342,240 dalasi available to assist forty three young vendors in establishing a shop or meat selling business.

The Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has thanked the Cape Verdean President Pedro Pires for his country’s role in recovering the hijacked cargo ship Arctic Sea. The ship was found on 17th August 300 nautical miles from Cape Verde after 20 days in the hands of the hijackers.

A friendly football match between The Gambia and World Under 17s Champions, Nigeria, has been postponed until next month.

The World Festival of Black Arts (FESMAN) will be held in Senegal in December 2010, President Abdoulaye Waye has confirmed.

The British summer has been a bit of a wash out so far – outdoor events and festivals can be hard work in the rain. No such worries at the Calvi on the Rocks festival in Corsica which was held last month. The four day event attracted internationally renowned bands, singers and DJs to this island in the sun, and in true French style, the crowds were very stylish. Swimsuits, shorts and bikinis were the dress code rather than the ubiquitous wellies of British festivals.