PROSECUTE: UN backs Somali pirates court trials (XINHUA)

Economic Clout Welcome

China

All African countries view China's increasing economic power as a force for good, according to the survey commissioned by the BBC World Service. Nigerians and Kenyans were the most enthusiastic among all countries surveyed.

Going for Gold

Egypt

The Egyptian Government has lifted a ban on the export of gold due to the country's increasing economic and political stability. The ban will be lifted until June 30, with a statement issued by the government stating that this decision is aimed at "guarding Egyptian national security and stopping the smuggling of the country's wealth abroad."

Crude Targets

Ghana

Ghana's growing crude oil production industry is now rapidly nearing a rate of 80,000 barrels per day (bpd), and should reach its 120,000 bpd target by August 2011. A recent oil and gas conference in the capital Accra has determined that the increase will come into effect in the coming weeks, raising the export profile of the nation globally.

Defense Transparency

China

The Chinese Government issued its seventh white paper on national defense at the end of March. The white paper presents an overall picture of China's national defense ranging from the security environment, national defense policy, to defense expenditure and arms control. The white paper says China's defense expenditure mainly comprises expenses for personnel, training and maintenance, and equipment, with each accounting for roughly one third of the total.

Numbers

76%

Primary school completion rate in Rwanda

$1.7 billion +

Egypt's pledge to fight food price inflation

960,000

Millionaires on the Chinese mainland with personal wealth of about 10 million yuan ($1.5 million) or more

2,614

The microcredit companies in China by the end of 2010