Portugal's President Anibal Cavaco Silva has signed next year's budget which includes big tax increase described by critics as a fiscal earth quake. This coming at the start of the new year. The government says the tax increase is a necessary if Portugal is to reduce its debts as agreed with the international creditors.
Rebels in the Central African Republic who made rapid advances towards the capital Bangui have dismissed a series of concessions after on Sunday by President Francois Bozize. The rebels told BBC it was impossible to trust the president because his security forces was still attacking their supporters in Bangui. Here is our West African correspondent Thomas Fessy.
The rebel coalition warned that it will act soon if President Bozize doesn't stop what it calls a campaign against its supporters. It says still committed to talks but accused Mr Bozize of sending out contradictory messages. The main human rights group in the Central African Republic told the BBC that dozens of people suspected of supporting the rebels have been arrested in the capital. There was not possible to confirmed these reports and the government has denied them.
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A ban has been imposed in Ghana on the import of second-hand refrigerators which often contain chemicals banned in many western countries because they are seriously harmful to the environment. The Ghana energy commission saying people handing in old fridges will also be able to buy new ones at a discount. The head of Ghana energy commission Alfred Ofosu-Ahenkora told the BBC he hopes the move will provide new employment opportunities.