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In Ghana, President Bush explains how the new Africa Command (AFRICOM) is a part of his administration’s strategy “to support African leaders to deal with Africa’s problems.” He says AFRICOM will not involve adding new military bases on the continent. He also announces a health initiative for neglected tropical diseases.

02.20.08 Morning Briefing Steve Elliott, Grassfire.org Obama Again, Obama Inevitable? After Obama's wins last night, it's starting to look like he will be the nominee, especially if the media continues to give him a free pass (see Michlle Obama's comment). But wait... there is still this question of whether he can get the delegates needed before the convention . And if he can't, what happens next? Also, don't underestiimate Hillary just yet. The luster will eventually come off of Obama, especially as citizens begin to realize just how liberal he is. Take, for example, Obama's latest Senate proposal. We call it the Global Poverty Tax . Today, Grassfire is launching a new petition calling for an immediate moratorium on Earmarks. Read our report here . On the Web today: National Review: Mccain's strength and the likely Democratic nominee? Could it be? Will Obama break his word? Will the media care? MIchelle Obama finally proud of America?

02.20.08 Morning Briefing Steve Elliott, Grassfire.org Obama Again, Obama Inevitable? After Obama's wins last night, it's starting to look like he will be the nominee, especially if the media continues to give him a free pass (see Michlle Obama's comment). But wait... there is still this question of whether he can get the delegates needed before the convention . And if he can't, what happens next? Also, don't underestiimate Hillary just yet. The luster will eventually come off of Obama, especially as citizens begin to realize just how liberal he is. Take, for example, Obama's latest Senate proposal. We call it the Global Poverty Tax . Today, Grassfire is launching a new petition calling for an immediate moratorium on Earmarks. Read our report here . On the Web today: National Review: Mccain's strength and the likely Democratic nominee? Could it be? Will Obama break his word? Will the media care? MIchelle Obama finally proud of America?

Pledging to work with Kosovo for a peaceful transition to independence, President Bush says, "Kosovo committed itself to the highest standards of democracy, including freedom and tolerance and justice for citizens of all ethnic backgrounds.  These are principles that honor human dignity; they are values America looks for in a friend."

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush visit the Kigali Memorial Centre to pay respects to the more than 800,000 victims of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and to genocide victims worldwide. After their tour, the Bushes lay a memorial wreath on one of the mass graves on the site, which contains the remains of more than 258,000 genocide victims.

The situation in Kenya is "a crisis that needs to end soon," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says following talks with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, political opposition leader Raila Odinga and other concerned parties. Violence following the flawed December 2007 presidential election has killed hundreds and displaced thousands.

Calling the suffering caused by malaria "needless," and "every death caused by malaria ... unacceptable," President Bush says a new initiative that will distribute 5.2 million free bed nets in Tanzania will be enough to protect every child in the country between the ages of 1 and 5.  Bush also discusses other steps to prevent malaria.

The United States formally recognizes Kosovo as a sovereign and independent state February 18. “In light of the conflicts of the 1990s, independence is the only viable option to promote stability in the region," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says. Kosovo has been a U.N. protectorate since 1999 policed by 16,000 NATO-led forces.

The United States welcomes the Kosovo government's commitment to implement the far-reaching provisions of a U.N. plan that includes supervised independence and protection for ethnic and religious communities, a senior U.S. official says.  The Kosovo parliament formally declared its independence February 17 in Pristina.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact with Tanzania will provide nearly $700 million in five years to improve the country's transportation network, secure reliable supplies of energy and expand access to clean and safe water, President Bush says.  Bush and Tanzanian leader Jakaya Kikwete also discuss fighting HIV/AIDS and malaria.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is going to Kenya to bolster former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's mediation initiative and to deliver President Bush's message directly to Kenyan leaders.  The United States is trying to help end civil strife in Kenya that followed the December 27 elections, says a senior U.S. diplomat.

President Bush's arrival in Cotonou, Benin -- the first stop on his historic five-nation Africa tour -- symbolizes the U.S. commitment to improving peoples’ lives all across the continent. In remarks with President Thomas Yayi Boni of Benin, Bush highlights initiatives to fight disease, improve education and encourage good governance.

Establishing a functioning national legal system based on the rule of law is a critical element for the Iraqi government. U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey acknowledges that building such a system is a serious challenge. America.gov looks at several U.S. initiatives under way in Iraq to boost the justice system.

The United States has doubled assistance to Africa during the Bush administration -- the largest expansion of foreign aid since the Marshall Plan for recovery in Europe after World War II. And President Bush says that the region’s success lies in helping promote democracy and peace, which spur economic development and entrepreneurship.

As ongoing strife grips Kenya since its disputed December 27, 2008, presidential election, President Bush announces he is sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer to Nairobi February 18 to urge an immediate end to violence and a restoration of democracy.

Bad weather does not discourage voters during three primary elections, dubbed the “Potomac Primaries” after the river that runs through Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. The February 12 primaries put presidential contender Democrat Barack Obama ahead of Hillary Clinton in delegates. John McCain wins most Republican votes.

American students as young as age 5 are helping Afghanistan recover from war as they raise funds to build schools and playgrounds to benefit their peers on the other side of the globe. America.gov talks with Roots of Peace founder Heidi Kuhn about the Roots of Peace Penny Campaign that is aiding school and football field construction.

Bill Gates, co-founder and chairman of Microsoft Inc., will give up day-to-day leadership of the company in July and turn his attention to piloting the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to address the problems of the world's poor.