GENEVA, Switzerland, October 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — One year after 368 migrants, mainly Eritreans, lost their lives in the Mediterranean trying to reach Italy, survivors of the tragedy and relatives of the victims will return to the island of Lampedusa today for the first time to commemorate the event.IOM Director General Ambassador William Lacy Swing, who met last year with the survivors of the shipwreck and heard their stories, will take part in the commemoration.“Last year the world watched in horror when these migrants lost their lives trying to swim to the shores of Lampedusa. A few days…
Author: apofeed
JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, October 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — ⁻ Partnership aimed at addressing the high rates of preventable infant mortality across Africa⁻ Philips unveils power-independent wind-up fetal Doppler; a clinical innovation that addresses local needs; enables healthcare workers to detect fetal distress during labourRoyal Philips (AEX: PHIA, NYSE: PHG) (http://www.philips.com), today announced a partnership with South Africa based not-for-profit organization, PET (PowerFree Education Technology) (http://www.pet.org.za), to further develop, test and commercialize a Wind-up Doppler Ultrasound Fetal Heart Rate Monitor (in short: Wind-up Fetal Doppler), a unique power-independent clinical innovation aimed at addressing the high rates of preventable infant mortality…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, October 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Mr. Ahmad Alhendawi visited Somalia to reaffirm the support of the United Nations to youth development in Somalia. During the mission, Mr. Alhendawi met with high level government officials and youth organizations to reiterate the support of the UN in developing the National Youth Policy to ensure that young people are empowered, consulted and able to participate in the development process. “Young people in Somalia have paid the highest price of conflict and instability,” said Mr. Alhendawi. “I am here because I believe that…
BERN, Switzerland, October 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — FDFA State Secretary Yves Rossier is currently on a working visit to the Horn of Africa. After an initial stop in Somalia he arrived today in Kenya, where a visit to a refugee camp is among the items on his agenda. He will conclude his tour of the region with talks in Ethiopia.FDFA State Secretary Yves Rossier is currently undertaking a working visit to the Horn of Africa. His tour began in Somalia, stopping first in Mogadishu and then in Somaliland. His visit to this country, which is suffering the consequences…
NAIROBI, Kenya, October 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On September, 22, 2014, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the 2014 Article IV consultation1 with Kenya.Kenya’s economy has continued to expand in a stable economic environment. Credit to the manufacturing sector has picked up and foreign investor interest is growing, notably in the extractive industries. The economy’s growth rate rose to 5 percent in 2013/14 and is expected to gain further momentum in 2014/15, driven by higher domestic and external investment. Inflation remains moderate, but rising food prices and rapid credit growth may fuel inflation expectations.…
ROME, Italy, October 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A locust plague that spread across Madagascar threatening the main staple food crops and pasture in the country has been successfully contained, however, progress is under threat due to a gap in funding, FAO said today. At the beginning of the plague in April 2012 the highly destructive Malagasy Migratory Locust ravaged crops and pastures on its way from the southwest of the country toward the North. By April 2014, it had spread towards the country’s largest rice crop areas in the northwest and threatened the livelihoods of 13 million people.…
KAMPALA, Uganda, October 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Al Yah Satellite Communications Company, Yahsat (http://www.yahsat.ae), the Abu Dhabi based satellite operator, has announced its YahClick satellite broadband internet promotional offer in Uganda for a period of two months. Yahsat is offering a free satellite modem and dish for new YahClick subscribers to selected service plans as part of its commitment to deliver affordable, reliable and high speed internet connectivity in Uganda. The offer is available via the local YahClick service providers Simbanet and TrulT.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/yahsat-1.jpgPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/141001.pngRunning only until stocks last, this promotion offers subscribers significant savings on equipment costs…
NEW YORK, October 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The members of the Security Council welcomed the UN-facilitated meeting between members of the Libya’s House of Representatives in Ghadames on 29 September as an important step towards a peaceful resolution of the current political stalemate in Libya. The members of the Security Council expressed their strong support for efforts to address differences between the parties through peaceful and inclusive dialogue and within the framework of a political process. The members of the Security Council called on all parties to reject violence and to engage in the political process. The members…
PARIS, France, October 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On August 13, 2014, Mr. Edwin Samotse, a Botswana national, was unlawfully deported from South Africa to Botswana, where he runs the risk of being sentenced to death and executed. While South Africa’s conduct has been declared unlawful, FIDH – a member of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty – LHR and DITSHWANELO call upon the authorities of Botswana to guarantee his right to a fair trial and to refrain from imposing the death penalty against him.“Despite our enquiry to the authorities of Botswana, about whether or not they gave…
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, October 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Al Yah Satellite Communications Company, Yahsat (http://www.yahsat.ae), the Abu Dhabi based satellite operator, has announced its YahClick satellite broadband internet promotional offer in Tanzania for a period of two months, or until stocks last. Yahsat is offering a free satellite modem and dish for new YahClick subscribers to selected service plans as part of its commitment to deliver affordable, reliable and high speed internet connectivity in Tanzania. The offer is available via the local YahClick service providers Infinity and Simbanet.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/yahsat-1.jpgPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/141001.pngThis promotion offers subscribers significant savings on equipment…
NAIROBI, Kenya, October 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Al Yah Satellite Communications Company, Yahsat (http://www.yahsat.ae), the Abu Dhabi based satellite operator, has announced its YahClick satellite broadband internet promotional offer in Kenya for period of two months. Yahsat is offering a free satellite modem and dish for new YahClick subscribers to selected service plans as part of its commitment to deliver affordable, reliable and high speed internet connectivity in Kenya. The offer is available via the local YahClick service providers Skynet and SimbaNET.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/yahsat-1.jpgPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/141001.pngRunning only until stocks last, this promotion offers subscribers significant savings on equipment costs when…
GENEVA, Switzerland, October 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Burundi’s human rights record will be reviewed by the UN Human Rights Committee for the second time on Wednesday 8 October and Thursday 9 October in meetings in Geneva that will be webcast live. As a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Burundi is required to undergo regular review by the Committee of 18 international independent experts on how it is implementing the ICCPR. Burundi, which is one of the 168 states parties to the ICCPR, has submitted a report on implementation of its human…
VICTORIA, Mahé, October 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff mission led by Mr. Marshall Mills visited Victoria from September 17–30, 2014 to assess performance under the first review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement with Seychelles.1At the conclusion of the visit, Mr. Mills issued the following statement:“The Seychellois authorities continue to strengthen the fundamentals of the economy, as well as the conditions for its sustained growth. The authorities successfully met all their quantitative program targets for end-June. The sizeable fiscal primary surplus and increase in international reserves this year bolster the resilience of…
KAMPALA, Uganda, September 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Ndege za shirika la ndege la flydubai lililo na makao yake Dubai zilizozindua safari za kuenda Entebbe na Bujunbura zilitua leo na zilikaribishwa kitamaduni na saluti za mizinga ya maji na waakilishi rasmi.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/flydubai.jpgPhoto : http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1297 (flydubai fleet)Photo : http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1298 (flydubai Business Class)Waakilishi wa flydubai (http://www.flydubai.com) waliongozwa na Hamad Obaidalla, Afisa Mkuu wa Biashara wa flydubai, na Sudhir Sreedharan, Naibu Mkuu wa Rais wa Biashara wa flydubai (GCC, Bara Dogo na Afrika), na katika Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Entebbe walilakiwa na Abraham Byandala, Waziri wa Uganda wa Kazi na…
KAMPALA, Uganda, September 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Dubai-based flydubai’s inaugural flights to Entebbe and Bujumbura landed today and were welcomed with traditional water cannon salutes and official delegations. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/flydubai.jpgPhoto : http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1297 (flydubai fleet)Photo : http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1298 (flydubai Business Class)flydubai’s delegation (http://www.flydubai.com) was headed by Hamad Obaidalla, flydubai Chief Commercial Officer, and Sudhir Sreedharan, flydubai Senior Vice President Commercial (GCC, Subcontinent and Africa), and at Entebbe International Airport they were greeted by Abraham Byandala, Uganda’s Minister for Works and Transportation, and John Okalany, General Manager for Entebbe Airport.At Bujumbura International Airport, flydubai’s delegation was met by Ciza Virginia, Minister…
LAGOS, Nigeria, October 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — SkyVision Global Networks Ltd. (http://www.skyvision.net), a leading global communications provider, today announced its recent partnership with Unity Bank, one of Nigeria’s leading retail financial institutions. SkyVision provided its satellite-based Virtual Private Network (VPN) services via its local Nigerian hub to support Unity Bank’s LAN network, connecting the bank’s headquarters in Lagos to its numerous branch offices nationwide. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/skyvision.jpgWith 236 branch offices throughout Nigeria and additional branches planned for the future, Unity Bank required a robust, reliable and highly secure communications solution. Recognized as a leading connectivity provider in the region,…
THE HAGUE, Netherland, September 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Secretary-General of the United Nations has appointed Binta Mansaray as Registrar of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone. Ms. Mansaray made her Solemn Declaration before RSCSL President Justice Philip Waki on 29 September 2014. She had served as Acting Registrar of the RSCSL since its inception in January 2014. The Registrar, pursuant to Article 15 of the Statute, is appointed to a three-year term and is eligible for reappointment. Binta Mansaray previously served as Registrar of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, a post she held from February…
HARARE, Zimbabwe, September 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Mr. Domenico Fanizza visited Harare from September 17 to October 1, 2014 to conduct the third and last review under the Staff Monitored Program (SMP) approved by management in June 2013 and to hold discussions on a 15-month successor SMP. The authorities met all end-June 2014 quantitative targets and structural benchmarks under the program and the mission reached a staff level agreement on policies for a successor SMP. The mission met with Mr. Chinamasa, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Sibanda, Chief…
DAKAR, Senegal, September 29, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — APO (African Press Organization) (http://www.apo-opa.com), the sole press release newswire in Africa and the global leader in media relations relating to Africa, today announced the three winners of the 2014 APO Media Award (#APOMediaAward), which celebrates brilliant and inspiring stories about Africa.With a total endowment of $15,000, the APO Media Award is one of Africa’s most important media awards.Photos of the winners: http://goo.gl/xzPgf9 APO logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/schneider_electric.jpgPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=782 (Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and CEO of APO (African Press Organization)The first-place winner of the 2014 APO Media Award is Ms Sumitra Nydoo (@sumitranydoo), Business…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, September 29, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) protests the arrest of journalists and other media workers in Puntland over non-payment of 3-months salary arrears owed them by the government television station. Some fourteen (14) journalists and other media workers, working for Puntland Television, were arrested after they demanded payment of their three months salaries and allowances. The management of Puntland TV, which is owned by Puntland government, informed workers that they will be given two months salary and the provision of allowances will no longer exist. Journalists and technicians refused to…