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Former Obama Official, Desiree Rogers, keynotes the African Awards

Miriam Mongare — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:13:00 EST

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Over 300 guests attended the third annual African Awards Gala presented by Mshale Newspaper on October 8 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Seven honorees were honored for their achievements and contributions to the African community. Those attending included the inevitable who's who in the African immigrant community but also a good cross section of the African community and civic leaders.

Kenyans in Minnesota embrace M-Pesa

Miriam Mongare — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:49:00 EST

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. - Kenyan-American community and business leaders in Minnesota yesterday got an opportunity to learn more about Western Union's Mobile Money Transfer (MMT) service to Kenya, at an event hosted by Mshale Newspaper and sponsored by Western Union. Western Union started the MMT service in the United States in the second quarter of 2011.

Provisional I-601 Waivers Likely to Streamline Visa Application Procedure and Reduce Separation of Families

Igbanugo Partners Int'l Law Firm — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:27:00 EST

Foreign nationals who have accrued unlawful presence in the U.S. are barred from re-entering the country for three years (if they were unlawfully present for at least 180 days but less than one year) or 10 years (if they were unlawfully present for one year or more). This is commonly known as the 3/10-year bar.

What's Coming Next to Top Gnahoré's Performance Last Fall?

Susan Budig — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:29:00 EST

Two months ago I attended a show by Dobet Gnahoré and her entourage. I�m still waiting for a gig equally as impressive. She performed on November 10^th, 2011 at the Dakota Jazz Bar. A packed audience was treated to over 16 polished numbers.

World Music: Where are the East Africans?

George "Jojo" Ndege — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:51:00 EST

If you asked a random group of American world music fans to rattle off names of African musicians, it will most likely include Youssou N�dour, Baaba Maal, Habib Koite, Salif Keita, Ali Farka Toure, Angelique Kidjo and Fela Kuti. Conspicuously missing from this non-scientific sample are names of musicians from East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia and others).

Harvard alumnae launch African fashion company

Laya Anasu — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:12:00 EST

Earlier this month, two recent alumnae who first met as roommates in Wigglesworth launched an African fashion website. Co-founded by CEO Chioma M. Achebe �10 and CFO Osub S. Ahmed �10, the site is called Osisi, which means �tree� in the Igbo language of Nigeria, according to the site�s creators.

South Africa takes over presidency of UN Security Council

UN News Service — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:57:00 EST

South Africa is emphasizing the importance of closer cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations in order to solve global problems.

How a Somali rapper became the 'Face of Africa'

George "Jojo" Ndege — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:33:00 EST

Most people with any interest in soccer know that the FIFA World Cup was held for the first time in Africa in 2010 in South Africa. While Mother Africa was disappointed that one of her teams did not win the cup, it was nonetheless not a total loss for Africa. The event did popularize two things African: The loud vuvuzelas and a little-known Somali rapper named Keinan Abdi Warsame.

Youssou N'Dour running for president of Senegal

Mshale Staff — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:41:00 EST

�For a long time, men and women have demonstrated their optimism, dreaming of a new Senegal,� so declared Grammy award winning Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour as he announced his candidacy for president of Senegal on Monday.

False Claims to U.S. Citizenship: Hidden Pitfalls and Potential Defenses

Igbanugo Partners Int'l Law Firm — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:36:00 EST

For the most part, U.S. immigration laws are complex and confusing. Some are little known or frequently overlooked. Some carry serious consequences that may result in a permanent bar to immigrating to the U.S. One provision that is especially problematic is section 212(a)(6)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This dictates that any foreign national who falsely claims to be a U.S. citizen for any purpose or benefit under the INA or any federal or state law, including to obtain a job or vote in the U.S., is permanently inadmissible to the U.S. Such a false claim also makes the person removable from the U.S.

Obama's trump card: The black vote

Earl Ofari Hutchinson — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:51:00 EST

That black voters will again give President Obama a sky-high percentage of their vote in 2012 was never in doubt. What is in doubt is how many will make up that percentage. It is the number, not percentage of black voters that turn out that will again ease the President�s path back to the White House or, make that path rocky. The 2008 election decisively proved that the presidential re-election bid is a pure numbers game.

Tax Changes for 2011

Chuck Chuckuemeka — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:29:00 EST

Whether you file as an individual, a corporation, a small business owner, or are self-employed, as the end of the year draws near, you're probably thinking ahead to tax season and filing your taxes.

Most tax provisions of course, remain the same (IRA contribution limits for example), but a few such as personal exemptions have been adjusted for inflation and others have been extended due to legislation and are set to expire at the end of 2012.

Minnesota conference to discuss trade with Africa

Miriam Mongare — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:11:00 EST

Doing business in Africa and how education and workforce development intersect will be the subject of a high level conference on December 7 at the University of Minnesota's Carlson Global Institute.

"Secure Communities" Study Reveals Disturbing Trends

Igbanugo Partners Int'l Law Firm — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:53:00 EST

John Morton, director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), recently announced that his agency deported 400,000 persons this past fiscal year that ended in September. This is the largest number of removals in the agency�s history and the third year in a row that a new record was set. Currently, almost 300,000 individuals are in deportation proceedings.

ICE credits much of its success to a targeted enforcement strategy, which focuses removal efforts on criminal offenders and others who pose a threat to national security. Central to this strategy is a program called Secure Communities, the newest and most controversial immigration enforcement program.

New course record for New York marathon as Mutai of Kenya wins big

Mshale Staff — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:38:00 EST

Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya won the New York marathon on Sunday with a time of 2 hours 5 minutes 6 seconds smashing the old record of 2:07:43, set by Tesfaye Jifar of Ethiopia in 2001. A record 47,438 competitors participated in this year's marathon according to race officials.

Dobet Gnahoré's Energy to Saturate Dakota Jazz Club

Susan Budig — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:51:00 EST

A full moon will shine down on Minneapolis and rich melodic talents of Dobet Gnahoré will shine on stage at the Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant on Thursday, November 10^th. With more than a dozen years of performance to her credit, Gnahoré returns to the Twin Cities with a new album to promote and new depth in her music to share.

Audio: African economies experiencing fast growth

UN News Service — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 06:02:00 EST

For the past 10 years, most African economies have been doing quite well. And that�s despite a slowdown in the global economic recovery.

The only ones having difficulties, says Jon Shields of the International Monetary Fund, are those involved in civil strife.

Unintentional Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status: Causes, Consequences and Prevention

Igbanugo Partners Int'l Law Firm — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:23:00 EST

Becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) of the United States is often a long and difficult process for foreign nationals. Obtaining LPR status leads to a multitude of benefits, including the freedom to live and work anywhere in the U.S., as well as qualify for social welfare programs and government financial aid for higher education. It is also one step closer to becoming eligible for U.S. citizenship.

The 40 most powerful celebrities in Africa

Mfonobong Nsehe — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:23:00 EST

Who are the most influential icons in contemporary African pop culture?

In September, I put out a request for nominations for a list of the 40 most powerful celebrities in contemporary Africa. Within three weeks, over 7,500 entries flooded in. This is the result of your choices.

Manufacturing Immigrant hysteria

New America Media — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 07:59:00 EST

America is a melting pot - a coming together of different peoples from different countries, religions, ethnicities and ideologies. It began with immigration and it moves forward with it. But it's never been easy being different in America.