Kenya

WESTPORT, Conn., May 20- Connecticut rail commuters endured crowded and rerouted rides in to work on Monday, as Metro-North worked to repair the busiest U.S. rail line after a two-train collision and derailment injured more than 70 people late last week.

WESTPORT, Conn., May 20- Connecticut commuters endured sluggish train rides, or avoided the hassle on Monday, as Metro-North workers repaired the busiest U.S. rail line after a two-train collision on Friday injured more than 70 people. At the Westport train station on Monday, travelers stood in long lines returning from New York as they waited for shuttle buses.

*Ghana bourse in middle of African pack. ACCRA, May 14- Ghana's bourse is up more than 50 percent so far this year, but the reluctance of key companies to list in the West African market may be blunting its economic impact.

JOHANNESBURG, May 10- After years of headlines about Africa's poverty, its emerging middle class is now grabbing attention as a driver of growth and democracy and an expanding pool of consumers for market-hungry retailers.

*Major conference on Somalia held in London. LONDON, May 7- Somalia won international pledges of extra cash and military assistance on Tuesday at a major conference convened to help the East African country cope with the twin threats of Islamic militancy and piracy.

NAIROBI, May 7- Kenya's central bank cut its benchmark lending rate by 100 basis points to 8.5 percent, resuming an easing path after pausing during the elections in March. RAZIA KHAN, HEAD OF RESEARCH FOR AFRICA AT STANDARD CHARTERED.

NAIROBI, May 7- Kenya's central bank cut its benchmark lending rate by 100 basis points to 8.5 percent, resuming an easing path after pausing during the elections in March. In a Reuters poll of 13 analysts eight had forecast the bank would leave rates on hold, citing an upside risk to inflation due to higher food prices.

*Major conference on Somalia held in London. LONDON, May 7- Britain will help boost radio communications on the Somali coast as part of efforts to combat rampant piracy along global shipping routes near the East African country, Prime Minister David Cameron said on Tuesday.

NAIROBI, May 7- Kenya's central bank cut its benchmark lending rate by 100 basis points to 8.5 percent, resuming an easing path after pausing during the elections in March. Following are analyst and trader reactions: IGNATIUS CHICHA, HEAD OF MARKETS CITIBANK. "It's more than the 50 basis points I had anticipated.

NAIROBI, May 7- Kenya's central bank cut its benchmark lending rate by 100 basis points to 8.5 percent, resuming an easing path after pausing during the elections in March.

*The overall and the non-food-non-fuel month-on-month inflation rates remained within the Government medium-term target of 5 percent in March and April 2013. Overall month-on-month inflation stood at 4.14 percent in April 2013 compared with 4.11 percent in March 2013.

NAIROBI, May 7- Kenya's central bank sought to mop up 4 billion shillings from the market on Tuesday using repurchase agreements. The bank has actively soaked up liquidity since last year to support the shilling by making it slightly more expensive to fund long dollar positions. The shilling is 2.7 percent stronger than the dollar so far this year.

NAIROBI, May 7- The Kenyan shilling was steady on Tuesday but was expected to weaken as some investors bet an interest rate cut was in the offing after the central bank postponed its rate-setting meeting by a day. Its Monetary Policy Committee, which has cut the rate by 850 basis points since July, held the rate steady at 9.50 percent at the previous meeting in March.

NAIROBI, May 7- The following company announcements, scheduled economic indicators, debt and currency market moves and political events may affect African markets on Tuesday. *KENYA- Central Bank of Kenya meets to set key rate. *BOTSWANA- Bank of Botswana is due to auction a 14 day.

NAIROBI, May 7- The Kenyan shilling, steady on Tuesday, is expected to weaken following the central bank's cut in its key lending rate which was announced after markets closed. The Central Bank of Kenya announced a 100 basis point cut to 8.50 percent in its benchmark interest rate. Earlier, at the 1300 GMT close, commercial banks quoted the shilling.

*Shilling seen weakening on possible rate cut. NAIROBI, May 6- The Kenyan shilling weakened after the central bank said on Monday it had moved its policy meeting to Tuesday, spurring market players to buy dollars as they bet on an interest rate cut. At the 1300 GMT market close, commercial banks quoted the shilling.

NAIROBI, May 6- Dimension Data Plc has bid over 3 billion shillings for Kenyan information technology firm AccessKenya as part of moves to expand in sub-Saharan Africa.

NAIROBI, May 6- Dimension Data has made a 3.052 billion shillings offer for the full acquisition of information technology firm AccessKenya, Dimension Data said on Monday.