September 8, 2022

Huawei Cloud Meeting Facilitates Shenzhou-14 Taikonaut Talk with African Youth

SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Three Shenzhou-14 Chinese astronauts (taikonauts), who are currently in space, took part in a dialogue with students from several African countries via video link on September 6. Behind the success of this globally livestreamed event was the unwavering support provided by Huawei Cloud Meeting, which ensured a smooth video connection between all participants.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the African Union. The activity, co-hosted by the Mission of China to the African Union, China Manned Space Agency (CMS) and the African Union Commission (AUC), was one of the activities organized to celebrate the occasion. It was the first time that the taikonauts had a direct dialogue with African teenagers.

Teenagers from Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia and South Africa had the opportunity to ask the three taikonauts questions. Taikonauts Chen Dong, Liu Yang, and Cai Xuzhe are currently on a mission at the Tiangong space station, and the trio answered questions on life in space, scientific experiments, and the growth that they have experienced.

The global network SparkRTC ensured stable real-time HD video connections for both the on-site and online meeting participants in China and the aforementioned African countries. Simultaneous interpretation between Chinese, English, and French allowed everyone to express their ideas easily and better understand one other. Diverse meeting control functions ensured that the event proceeded in an orderly manner. The professional end-to-end assurance and global service team of Huawei Cloud smoothened video connections.

Huawei Cloud Meeting ensures stable access from 170+ countries and regions. It has a proven track record of being featured at over 500 international conferences and earns the trust of more than 1.5 million customers in both private and public sectors. The professional cloud meeting solution helps organizations go digital and improve efficiency.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1893524/20220907_193008_WeLinkPC__ID_6a6b83e3ad7c.jpg

September 8, 2022

MORA Enters South Africa, Debuts Bar Fridges for Joy and Life

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Sept. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — MORA, a pioneering household appliance brand owned by Hisense Group, takes a milestone to officially launch its presence in South Africa by introducing three bar-fridge products to its local consumers in September. The first step to fulfilling the essentials for a high-quality life, MORA presents its function, technology, and design to take care of the well-being of South African families with the vision of “full of joy, full of life”.

MORA, with a rich history that can be traced back to 1825 in the Czech Republic, takes the step into South Africa to join the Hisense brand, intending to meet the needs of South African households. By launching a series of must-have accessories which come with A+ energy efficiency features and low noise design, including the M65RTS that is already in store, as well as the M125RT and M125RWH coming soon to the market, MORA takes its path to become that can be a reliable helper and a natural centrepiece of its consumer’s kitchen.

The introduction of the must-have bar fridges echoes MORA’s commitment to making life easier and fun for its South African consumers. The bar fridges apply low noise design and energy-saving technologies with different capacities and colours available, making them versatile with the potential in fitting into multiple parts of daily life. From individuals living in limited space to business professionals, the bar fridges can enable an entertaining lifestyle in many ways.

Using MORA’s products, South African families can not only enjoy its product’s performance, reliability, comfort and simplicity but also in many scenarios from equipping the cottages to decorating suites or flats used for business purposes.

Entry to South Africa marks a step further MORA’s ultimate aim to accomplish daily tasks for its consumers while living important moments and experiences with the family. Its advanced technologies innovate home appliances to apply economical and environmentally friendly modern functions.

MORA has been a part of the modern kitchen since its inception. By sharing its experience and innovation with its consumers in South Africa, MORA will support South African families’ in-home cooking and help create moments that are fun, light-hearted, and adventurous in their life.

MORA’s products will be available through multiple channels, including distributors and stores such as OK and HNH. Find more at https://hisense.co.za/mora/.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1894631/image_5020023_43307694.jpg

September 8, 2022

The $1.19 trillion USD lost to the global economy due to illiteracy dubbed “the hidden impact of the pandemic.”

For a country by country breakdown visit https://worldliteracyfoundation.org/

LONDON, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — On International Literacy Day (September 8 2022) a new report has highlighted the economic cost and social impact of a spike in illiteracy rates due to the disruption in children’s education caused by the pandemic.

World Literacy Foundation (WLF) CEO Andrew Kay said, “The study finds that children from low-income homes are those most impacted in a post-pandemic environment. With gaps in their reading development, many children face lifelong illiteracy without effective intervention”.

Released today on International Literacy Day to highlight the impact of illiteracy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation’s report titled “The Economic & Social Cost of Illiteracy” says illiteracy is costing the global economy $1.19 trillion USD. Report available here: https://worldliteracyfoundation.org/

Mr Kay said, “illiteracy traps young people in an endless cycle of poverty and life-long hardship, often unable to fill out a form, read a street sign or a medicine label”.

“The problem of illiteracy is often hidden by the person yet linked to numerous negative social and financial outcomes”.

“Globally, almost 770 million people can’t read a single word and another 2 billion people struggle to read a sentence.

As we observe International Literacy Day 2022, we must hold our political leaders to account, asking that they urgently remedy these catastrophic statistics.

“In both developing and developed countries, illiteracy is ruining lives and is linked with an array of poor life outcomes, such as poverty, inequity, unemployment, social exclusion, crime and long-term illness.

“We need to understand that early intervention can avert a lifetime of hardship, poverty and pain for a child, young person or adult who is struggling to read or write.

“Rapid change in digital technology is changing the landscape and ability of the populations in the poorest countries to learn to read and write. New and exciting opportunities are opening almost every day,” Mr Kay concluded.

September 8, 2022

Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa se félicite de la décision de la Cour de justice de l’Afrique de l’Est selon laquelle la saisie par le gouvernement rwandais du centre commercial Union Trade Centre était illégale

TORONTO, 7 septembre 2022 /PRNewswire/ — L’entrepreneur et philanthrope Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa est heureux d’annoncer que le 30 août 2022, la Cour de justice de l’Afrique de l’Est (EACJ, East African Court of Justice) a statué que la saisie et la vente aux enchères par le gouvernement rwandais de son centre commercial Union Trade Centre (UTC) étaient illégales. L’EACJ a accordé à M. Ayabatwa 1 million de dollars US, 6 % d’intérêts et les frais de justice. Le gouvernement a saisi le centre commercial de 20 millions de dollars en 2013, en alléguant que l’UTC avait été « abandonné » parce que M. Ayabatwa, qui est né au Rwanda, résidait hors du pays. L’UTC était à l’époque une entreprise florissante, accueillant 80 entreprises avec près de 500 employés, gérée par une solide équipe locale en règle avec les autorités rwandaises. Puis, en août 2015, le gouvernement a déclaré l’UTC défaillant fiscal à hauteur de 1,4 million de dollars, une affirmation absurde, puisque le centre commercial était géré par l’État rwandais. Deux ans plus tard, le gouvernement a vendu l’UTC aux enchères pour la modique somme de 8 millions de dollars, soit moins de la moitié de sa valeur réelle.

M. Ayabatwa a porté le gouvernement devant l’EACJ, qui a statué en 2020 que la saisie et la mise aux enchères d’UTC étaient illégales. Il a été ordonné au gouvernement de rendre compte des produits de la location et de la vente d’UTC depuis 2013 et d’indemniser M. Ayabatwa pour des dommages s’élevant à 500 000 dollars et des intérêts annuels de 6 % à compter de la date du jugement. M. Ayabatwa a toutefois fait appel du jugement, car la Cour ne lui a pas restitué la propriété d’UTC. C’est alors que le gouvernement a fabriqué une nouvelle allégation absurde selon laquelle M. Ayabatwa et ses associés avaient détourné 458 058 dollars d’UTC en 2011. Le « crime » cité était en fait un prêt contracté pendant la construction du centre commercial UTC. Aujourd’hui, le gouvernement rwandais a une fois de plus perdu l’affaire du centre commercial UTC. M. Ayabatwa a salué la décision de la Cour du 30 août 2022, en faisant remarquer « qu’il y a des moments où nous sommes impuissants face à l’injustice, mais avec la vérité de votre côté, la justice prévaut toujours ».

À propos de Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa

Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa est un entrepreneur et un philanthrope rwandais accompli. Il est le fondateur du Pan-African Tobacco Group, le plus grand fabricant indigène de produits du tabac en Afrique, présent dans neuf pays africains et aux Émirats arabes unis, et dont les activités commerciales couvrent l’Afrique orientale, occidentale et australe. M. Ayabatwa est l’un des principaux philanthropes d’Afrique. Il aide les communautés à progresser en matière de sécurité alimentaire, d’accès à l’eau potable, de reforestation, d’éducation et de stages en ingénierie.

Pan-African Tobacco Group

info@ptg-hld.com

www.ptg-hld.com

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1892959/Tribert_Rujugiro_Ayabatwa__UTC_founder_Tribert_Rujugiro_Ayabatwa.jpg

David Himbara, Pan-African Tobacco Group, info@ptg-hld.com, www.ptg-hld.com

September 8, 2022

US Mourns Loss of Britain’s Longest-Serving Monarch

The United States mourned the death of Britain’s longest-serving monarch Thursday, as presidents and politicians acknowledged the singular life and achievements of Queen Elizabeth II.

“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch. She defined an era. In a world of constant change, she was a steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons,” President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden said in a statement Thursday.

The Bidens visited the British Embassy in Washington on Thursday evening, where they both signed the condolence book.

“We mourn for all of you,” the president told embassy staff. “She was a great lady. I’m so delighted I got to meet her.”

Buckingham Palace announced Thursday afternoon that the 96-year-old monarch had passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She was succeeded by her eldest son, Charles, now king.

Former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, also remembered the queen in a statement Thursday.

“Like so many, Michelle and I are grateful to have witnessed Her Majesty’s dedicated leadership, and we are awed by her legacy of tireless, dignified public service,” they said.

Former President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, also released a statement.

“What a grand and beautiful lady she was — there was nobody like her!” it read.

During the queen’s 70-year reign, she worked with 14 U.S. presidents, starting with Harry S. Truman. She was welcomed in the United States on official visits multiple times, including a visit in 1976 to celebrate the U.S. bicentennial; in 1991. when she addressed a joint session of Congress; and in 2007, when she visited Virginia to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown. It was the first permanent English settlement in the Americas.

“Queen Elizabeth offered a master class in grace and strength, power and poise. Her extraordinary life and leadership will continue to inspire young women and girls in public service, now and for generations to come,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.

“Personally, it was an honor to be on the floor of the House during her historic address to the Congress in 1991 and to welcome her as speaker on her important visit to the United States in 2007, which deepened the special relationship between our nations,” Pelosi added.

Resolution planned

The House of Representatives will pass a bereavement resolution honoring the queen next Tuesday. Pelosi ordered that flags over the U.S. Capitol be flown at half-staff for the monarch’s passing.

“For 70 long years, from the aftermath of World War II well into the 21st century, across 15 different prime ministers, through great triumphs and great challenges, the queen’s steady leadership safeguarded the land she loved. Despite spending nearly three-quarters of a century as one of the most famous and admired individuals on the planet, the queen made sure her reign was never really about herself,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement.

“The queen embodied the essence of British leadership for over seven decades and leaves a proud legacy of service to her people and of steadfast friendship and respect for the United States,” Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez said in a statement Thursday.

Many members of Congress had personally met the queen and remembered her fondly in statements on Thursday.

“I remember well her visit to San Francisco in 1983 when I was mayor,” said Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein. “I spent time with the queen at the Davies Symphony Hall and found her to be gracious and kind, a wonderful representative of her nation. Queen Elizabeth will be fondly remembered and missed by many, and my thoughts are with her family and the people of the U.K.”

The queen’s work on a global scale was also applauded in New York at the United Nations.

“Queen Elizabeth II was widely admired for her grace, dignity and dedication around the world. She was a reassuring presence throughout decades of sweeping change, including the decolonization of Africa and Asia and the evolution of the Commonwealth,” Antonio Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations, said in a statement.

“Queen Elizabeth II was a good friend of the United Nations, and visited our New York Headquarters twice, more than fifty years apart. She was deeply committed to many charitable and environmental causes and spoke movingly to delegates at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow.”

Source: Voice of America

September 8, 2022

COVID Threatening Resurgence of Deadly Meningitis in Africa

The World Health Organization is warning of a resurgence of deadly meningitis in Africa because COVID-19 has disrupted lifesaving vaccination campaigns.

The near elimination of the deadly form of meningitis type A in Africa is one of the continent’s biggest health success stories. Over the last 12 years, about 350 million Africans have received a single dose of MenAfriVac, a vaccine designed specifically for the African meningitis belt.

The WHO regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, said not a single case of meningitis Group A has been reported on the continent in the past five years.

“Now, however, the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed vaccination campaigns targeting more than 50 million African children, raising the risk that these gains will be reversed,” she said. “In addition, major outbreaks caused by meningitis Group C have been recorded in seven of the African Sub-Saharan meningitis belt countries in the past nine years.”

Moeti noted a four-month outbreak last year in the Democratic Republic of Congo claimed more than 200 lives.

Francois Marc Laforce, director of technical services for the Serum Institute of India, played a pivotal role in the development of the MenAfriVac vaccine at the Serum Institute nearly two decades ago. He said that besides meningitis Group C, Africa currently is contending with residual outbreaks of other forms of meningitis.

“A new vaccine again specifically designed for the African meningitis belt will, hopefully, be prequalified later this year or early next year,” he said. But this vaccine holds the promise of finishing what MenAfriVac began, such that Africa may be the first continent to be free of meningitis epidemics.”

Meningitis is caused by inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Acute bacterial meningitis can cause death within 24 hours. Young children are most at risk. About half the cases and deaths occur in children under age five.

The WHO launched a new strategy Thursday to defeat bacterial meningitis in the African region by 2030. The plan calls for shoring up diagnosis, surveillance, care, and vaccination. The WHO estimates $1.5 billion will be needed to implement the plan between now and 2030.

Source: Voice of America