e& leads as the Top Telecoms Employer Brand in Employer Brand Index 2024

Top Telecoms Employer Brand
e& leads as the Top Telecoms Employer Brand
  • e& UAE is the Top Telecoms Employer Brand in Brand Finance rankings
  • e& ranked 16th in the Top 20 employer brands across all categories in 16 countries
  • Achievement reflects the broader reputation of UAE as a global talent hub

LONDON, June 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — e&, the global technology group, attained the highest position in Brand Finance’s inaugural Employer Brand Report 2024 with its UAE entity ranking as the Top Global Telecoms Employer.

The group also secured the 16th spot among the Top 20 Employer Brands across measured employer brands across financial services, telco, media, and tech (TMT), oil, gas, and energy, professional services, retail, automotive, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States.

Ali Al Mansoori, Group Chief People Officer, e&, said: “This recognition as an employer of choice reflects the incredible dedication and passion of our people, who are our greatest assets. It also reaffirms our commitment to cultivating a unified company culture where every employee is empowered to think differently, experiment fearlessly, and innovate continuously. In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, having a talented workforce is more critical than ever.”

David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance, said: “Middle Eastern telecom brands are increasingly overtaking their European and American counterparts as desirable places to work. This reflects the career opportunities and exciting technological developments created by consistent, high-quality investment in the Middle East.”

Leading the way in employer branding and talent development in UAE, the group scored highly across several considerations, including as a ‘prestigious brand,’ an ‘inspiring vision,’ ‘enjoyable and rewarding work,’ and a ‘well-managed and governed company.’ e&’s achievement reflects the broader reputation of the UAE as a global talent hub and the preferred destination for people seeking to shape a prosperous future.

“At e&, we are committed to equipping our team with the skills necessary to navigate and thrive in the digital age. Our vision is not just to keep pace with change, but to lead it. We are building a resilient, forward-thinking workforce capable of driving our company and our community towards greater heights. Our strategy includes comprehensive training programs, partnerships with educational institutions, and an environment that rewards creativity and bold thinking. We are dedicated to creating opportunities for professional growth and supporting our team as they develop the technological skills and mindset essential for the future,” added Al Mansoori.

The inaugural “Employer Brand Index” report showcases the world’s top brands with global and regional league tables. The research-driven study is the first of its kind, measuring internal and external perceptions of employer brands from 16 countries. The Index is derived from responses from an anonymous survey of the public across various industries conducted via independent online panels.

The Brand Finance 2024 Employer Brand Index follows the release in January of the global brand rankings in which e& UAE was rated the strongest telecom brand globally (AAA rating) and the strongest brand in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) across all categories.

Brand Finance is the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy. For more than 25 years, it has been bridging the gap between marketing and finance by evaluating the strength of brands and quantifying their financial value to help organisations of all kinds make strategic decisions. Every year, Brand Finance conducts more than 5,000 brand valuations, supported by original market research, and publishes over 100 reports that rank brands across all sectors and countries.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5ab3f4e1-ad68-4a1f-b513-0f6dd6ce45d1

Contact:
Nancy Sudheer
nsudheer@eand.com

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Top 20 AI university graduates first Ph.D. cohort

101 graduates boost UAE’s AI ecosystem of research, development and commercial application advances – creating an AI tech hub of the Global South

MBZUAI Class of 2024 hat throw moment 240606
MBZUAI Class of 2024 hat throw moment 240606

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, June 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, attended the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence’s (MBZUAI) 2024 commencement ceremony on June 6, celebrating 101 graduates from 22 countries, receiving post-graduate degrees in key AI fields including computer vision (CV), machine learning (ML), and natural language processing (NLP).

The event was also attended by His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees of MBZUAI, and other dignitaries.

“Before many other countries recognized its potential, government-led policies encouraged the promotion of AI in the UAE,” Dr. Al Jaber said. “They nurtured the success of companies like G42 and large language models like Falcon. As a result, this small country is creating a world class ecosystem for AI talent and entrepreneurship. We are attracting major investment from tech leaders such as Microsoft and emerging as a significant hub for AI innovation and application.”

Dr. Al Jaber noted that the growth of AI is one of three megatrends shaping the future, alongside the accelerating pace of the energy transition and the rise of emerging markets and Global South: “The Class of 2024’s growing expertise will hold the keys to unlocking solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. In fact, if we are to achieve the ambitious goals of the historic UAE Consensus agreed at COP28 in December in Dubai, AI must play a critical role.”

MBZUAI’s third and largest commencement celebrated the university’s first Ph.D. graduates in ML along with master’s graduates in ML (55), CV (28) and NLP (12) with students hailing from countries including UAE, Canada, United Kingdom, France, India, Vietnam, Pakistan, Ethiopia and Sri Lanka.

MBZUAI President and University Professor, Eric Xing, said: “MBZUAI’s Class of 2024 are the future leaders of technology, innovation, and creativity, they are equipped to accept the responsibility that comes with the stewardship of something so powerful and transformative. They depart us with the knowledge, skills, and a profound understanding of the opportunity before them – the chance to shape a future where AI serves humanity with compassion and unwavering ethical standards – they are ready to tackle the greatest challenges facing our world today.”

Five years since its inception, MBZUAI is now recognized as one of the world’s top 100 computer science universities and is ranked in the top 20 for its specializations in AI, CV, ML, NLP, and robotics (CSRankings).

To apply for admission, visit mbzuai.ac.ae or contact admission@mbzuai.ac.ae. For press inquiries, please contact:

Amy Rogers, MBZUAI’s Senior Communications Specialist
media@mbzuai.ac.ae

Roger Field/Aya Hassan
mbzuai@wallispr.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bdfc68d2-c10f-449c-85d5-dd39d3b960bd

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Hitachi Energy to invest additional $4.5 billion by 2027 to accelerate the clean energy transition

Order backlog more than tripled to over $30 billion since 2020 — More than double new investments in manufacturing, engineering, digital, R&D and partnerships across all major markets from 2024 to 2027 — Around $330 million in capacity expansion, modernization, and new build in Sweden, across all product portfolios with additional 2,000 employees — Global Technology and Innovation Center in India will increase to more than 4,000 employees to serve more than 40 countries

Zurich, Switzerland, June 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hitachi Energy will invest an additional $4.5 billion in manufacturing, engineering, digital, R&D and partnerships by 2027, doubling the investments done in the last three years. This complements the recently announced $1.5 billion investment in April this year to ramp up global transformer production.

These investments will enable the company to meet customers’ commitments and market demand, increasing its global R&D, engineering and manufacturing capacity of transformers, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) and high-voltage products. It will also support the deployment of power electronics-based solutions, grid automation and software solutions, and services in line with the Hitachi Energy 2030 Plan.  Investments will also go into partnerships, supply chain, digitalization and automation, which are enablers to support capacity expansion and increase speed to market.

Electrification is pivotal to achieving Net-Zero goals and the energy transition requires innovative software solutions and services and a significant increase in the production of critical technologies for an expanded electricity grid. Integrating more renewable energy sources like solar and wind, alongside meeting the electrification demands of transport, buildings, industry, and other sectors, necessitates a secure and flexible grid infrastructure. According to IEA, the increased usage of Gen AI and the ever-growing quantity of digital data requires an expansion of data centers and the global electricity demand from data centers and AI could double towards 2026.

The company also announced today that it is investing around $330 million to expand and modernize its flagship factory in Ludvika and a new campus in Vasteras, Sweden, across all product portfolios. The Ludvika factory, with over 120 years of innovation, manufactures transformers, high-voltage products and HVDC systems, and will expand by more than 30,000 square meters. This will especially enable new manufacturing capacity of large transformers to meet the deliveries of key HVDC projects. A new campus in Vasteras will accommodate 1,800 employees, including an R&D center and a state-of-the-art production facility for grid automation. The workforce in Sweden will additionally grow by 2,000 to support the accelerating energy transition.

According to the IEA Report in October 2023: The recent clean energy progress we have seen in many countries is unprecedented and cause for optimism, but it could be put in jeopardy if governments and businesses do not come together to ensure the world’s electricity grids are ready for the new global energy economy that is rapidly emerging. This report shows what’s at stake and needs to be done. We must invest in grids today or face gridlock tomorrow.

“Electricity will be the backbone of the entire energy system and the change is happening faster than many thought possible. New business models, harmonization of designs, along with partnerships are key drivers for the increase in the pace of change,” said Claudio Facchin, CEO, Hitachi Energy. “The world is in a race to transform energy systems. Technology is not the bottleneck and electrification is creating unprecedented demand for power grids systems combined with digital solutions and services. As the market leader, we are responding with an unprecedented level of investment, people and innovation to meet that demand.”

Just in the last month, key HVDC projects were announced that are urgently needed to meet rapidly growing market demand. Underpinned by new scalable business models pioneered by Hitachi Energy, framework agreements were signed with RTE in France, RWE in Germany, Marinus Link in Australia, in addition to a service contract with Pattern Energy in the US. The company also announced the Sa.Co.I.3 interconnection between Italy and France, another industry-leading multi-terminal solution.

Governments, industries, and consumers are accelerating the switch from fossil energy to electricity to power transport, building heating and cooling, and industrial processes. Decision-makers and operators require real-time grid data for insights and collaboration. Digitally enabled transformers, switchgear, substations, converter stations, Lumada Asset Performance Management and digital twin data platforms like IdentiQ™ are critical for a more sustainable, flexible, and secure energy system. The company is also leveraging synergies between Hitachi Energy and Hitachi Digital to provide the unique position across IT, OT, product and service capabilities to support our customers throughout the entire lifecycle.

About Hitachi Energy 
Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We are advancing the world’s energy system to be more sustainable, flexible and secure and we collaborate with customers and partners to enable a sustainable energy future – for today’s generations and those to come. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries, serving customers in utility, industry, transportation, data centers and infrastructure sectors. With innovative technologies and services including the integration of more than 150 gigawatts of HVDC links into the power system, we help make the energy value chain more efficient, making electricity more accessible to all. Together with stakeholders across sectors and geographies, we enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 45,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of around $13 billion USD.
https://www.hitachienergy.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachienergy
https://twitter.com/HitachiEnergy

About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers’ and society’s challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the 3 business sectors of “Digital Systems & Services” – supporting our customers’ digital transformation; “Green Energy & Mobility” – contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and “Connective Industries” – connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company’s revenues as 3 sectors for fiscal year 2023 (ended March 31, 2024) totaled 8,564.3 billion yen, with 573 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 270,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.

Attachment

Media Relations
Hitachi Energy Ltd
media.relations@hitachienergy.com

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Nouvelle présidence à l’AMEC

LONDRES, 06 juin 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — L’association internationale pour la mesure et l’évaluation de la communication, ou International Association for the Measurement and Evaluation of Communication, ci-après « AMEC » annonce avoir désigné une nouvelle Présidente.

L’AMEC, le plus grand organisme professionnel mondial de renseignement et de veille médiatique, annonce avoir nommé Raina Lazarova, cofondatrice de l’organisation mondiale de veille médiatique Ruepoint pour un mandat de deux ans à compter de juin 2024. Dans ce rôle, elle dirigera le Conseil d’administration de l’AMEC qui poursuivra l’exercice de sa mission axée sur la définition, la promotion et le développement des meilleures pratiques en matière de mesure et d’évaluation de la communication, de recherche, d’analyse, d’éclairages et de renseignements dans l’environnement si volatile de la communication.

La passation officielle a eu lieu lors de l’ édition 2024 du sommet mondial de l’AMEC, qui s’est tenu à Sofia du 21 au 23 mai. L’événement a rassemblé plus de 200 professionnels issus des secteurs de la communication, des relations publiques, du milieu académique, de la recherche et de l’analyse.

Le Président sortant, Aseem Sood, PDG de la société Impact Research and Measurement Pvt témoigne : « Je me réjouis de passer le flambeau à Raina Lazarova à l’issue de mon mandat de deux ans. Sa vision et ses idées novatrices sont essentielles à la croissance et à la réussite futures de l’AMEC, et font d’elle la meilleure pilote possible à cet égard. J’ai toute confiance en ses capacités. Sous sa direction, l’AMEC continuera son essor et enregistrera des succès encore plus importants. À l’issue des délibérations qui se sont déroulées lors de la dernière réunion du Conseil d’administration organisée à Sofia, le Conseil a établi la liste des domaines clés sur lesquels se focaliser, ainsi que le plan stratégique pour les deux prochaines années. Je conserve mon siège au Conseil d’administration de l’AMEC, et j’exercerai une attention toute particulière au développement d’un calendrier éditorial teinté de leadership éclairé à son attention. »

Pour la nouvelle Présidente, Raina Lazarova, « C’est un grand honneur d’avoir été élue Présidente du Conseil d’administration de l’AMEC. Organisme majeur du secteur, l’AMEC maintiendra ses opérations de promotion envers les bienfaits de la mesure et de l’évaluation de la communication tout en retournant de la valeur à ses membres et à tous les acteurs du secteur de la communication. La déferlante de l’IA générative est synonyme de l’entrée du secteur de la communication dans une nouvelle phase fascinante. À ce titre, l’AMEC assume ses responsabilités et fournira les éclairages et l’accompagnement nécessaires à la profession pour qu’elle embrasse les nouvelles technologies.

Johna Burke, Directrice générale de l’AMEC, ajoute « L’élection des administrateurs du Conseil international est renouvelée chaque année pour permettre à chaque membre de s’engager et de faire entendre sa voix au moment d’analyser les projets complexes majeurs de notre secteur. En revanche, l’élection à la présidence n’est renouvelée que tous les deux ans. Pendant la période de transition, nous célébrons la direction et les contributions de Monsieur Sood en tant que président sortant, et nous accueillons Madame Lazarova, qui est bien connue de nos services. Elle travaille déjà sur les efforts de collaboration nécessaires aux membres de l’AMEC pour naviguer en eaux inconnues lors des deux prochaines années, pour qu’ils puissent apprendre les uns des autres et tirer profit de l’expérience collective du plus grand acteur du secteur des renseignements média. »

L’AMEC réunit une communauté mondiale de plus de 200 organisations partenaires, y compris des entreprises de veille et d’analyse médiatique, des agences de relations publiques et de communication, des marques et des cabinets d’étude de marché. Elle se décline sur quatre continents, à savoir la région EMOA, l’Asie-Pacifique, l’Amérique du Nord et l’Amérique latine.

L’association s’efforce d’appuyer l’industrie mondiale de la communication au moyen de ressources éducatives gratuites et de conseils non moins gratuits sur les meilleures pratiques à adopter dans la double optique de relever les normes et démontrer la valeur des relations publiques et de la communication à l’échelle mondiale.

L’AMEC est à l’origine de plusieurs ressources en matière de meilleures pratiques incontestablement reconnues, notamment ses « principes de Barcelone », ou Barcelona Principles (versions 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0) et son cadre d’évaluation intégré, ou Integrated Evaluation Framework (IEF).

Pour en savoir plus sur l’AMEC, rendez-vous sur : https://amecorg.com.

Rejoignez-nous sur LinkedIn

Pour prendre contact avec Johna Burke, Directrice générale de l’AMEC : johna@amecorg.com

Une photo annexée au présent communiqué de presse est disponible à la page : https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/af364038-c24f-444b-b1fc-311ac3875883

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AMEC Anuncia Nova Presidência

LONDRES, June 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A International Association for the Measurement and Evaluation of Communication (AMEC) (Associação Internacional para a Medição e Avaliação da Comunicação) anunciou o nome da nova presidente da associação.

A AMEC, maior órgão profissional de inteligência e insights de mídia do mundo, anunciou que Raina Lazarova, cofundadora da organização global de inteligência de mídia Ruepoint, assumirá o cargo por um mandato de dois anos a partir de junho de 2024. Como Presidente, Raina Lazarova liderará o Conselho de Administração da AMEC, dando continuidade à sua missão de definir, promover e avançar as melhores práticas de medição e avaliação de comunicação, pesquisa, análise, avaliação, dados e insights em um cenário de comunicação em rápida mudança.

A cerimônia oficial para a transferência do cargo ocorreu durante a 2024 AMEC Global Summit on Measurement, em Sófia, de 21 a 23 de maio, que contou com a presença de mais de 200 participantes presenciais, incluindo comunicadores, profissionais de relações públicas, acadêmicos e pessoas envolvidas na indústria de pesquisa e análise.

O Presidente que passou o cargo, Aseem Sood, CEO da Impact Research and Measurement Pvt. disse: “Após um mandato bem-sucedido de dois anos como Presidente da AMEC, tenho o prazer de entregar as rédeas da liderança à Sra. Raina Lazarova. Sua visão e ideias inovadoras fazem dela a pessoa ideal para guiar a AMEC no seu próximo capítulo de crescimento e sucesso. Estou confiante de que, sob sua liderança, a AMEC continuará a prosperar e alcançar realizações ainda maiores. Durante a recente reunião do conselho em Sófia, o Conselho da AMEC deliberou e estabeleceu as principais áreas de foco e um plano estratégico para os próximos dois anos. Continuarei a atuar como membro engajado do Conselho de Administração da AMEC, com foco específico em liderar o desenvolvimento de um calendário editorial de liderança de pensamento para o conselho.”

A nova presidente eleita Raina Lazarova disse: “É uma grande honra ter sido eleita presidente do conselho de administração da AMEC. Como entidade líder do setor, continuaremos a promover os benefícios da medição e avaliação da comunicação, ao mesmo tempo em que agregamos valor aos nossos membros e à vasta comunidade de comunicação. O advento da IA generativa resultou em um momento muito interessante para o setor de comunicação, e a AMEC reconhece seu papel em fornecer liderança de pensamento e apoio à profissão na utilização de novas tecnologias.”

A CEO da AMEC, Johna Burke, disse: “Temos eleições para Diretores do Conselho Internacional todos os anos, o que garante o engajamento e a representação dos membros à medida que consideramos as iniciativas complexas e importantes do setor. Realizamos uma eleição especial para o cargo de Presidente a cada dois anos. Durante esta transição, celebramos a liderança e as contribuições de Aseem como Presidente e damos as boas-vindas à Raina, que é uma defensora da comunidade AMEC. Raina já está trabalhando em colaborações que permitirão que os membros da AMEC possam navegar pelo conhecido e pelo desconhecido durante os próximos dois anos como um coletivo para aprender uns com os outros e se beneficiar da experiência global do mais amplo ecossistema da indústria de inteligência de mídia.”

A AMEC representa uma comunidade global de mais de 200 organizações, incluindo empresas de monitoramento e análise de mídia, agências de RP e comunicação, proprietários de marcas e empresas de pesquisa de mercado. A associação tem filiais em quatro continentes – EMEA, Ásia-Pacífico, América do Norte e América Latina.

A AMEC se esforça para apoiar o setor de comunicação global com recursos educacionais gratuitos e orientações das melhores práticas sobre como planejar, medir e avaliar o desempenho, para que possamos elevar os padrões e promover o valor da RP e da Comunicação em todo o mundo.

É a organização fundadora dos recursos de melhores práticas proeminentemente aceitos, adotados e aplicados, incluindo os Barcelona Principles (Princípios de Barcelona 1.0, 2.0 e 3.0) e a Integrated Evaluation Framework (IEF) (Estrutura de Avaliação Integrada) usados em todo o mundo.

Para mais informação sobre a AMEC, visite https://amecorg.com.

Conecte-se conosco

Entre em contato conosco através da CEO da AMEC e Diretora Administrativa Global, Johna Burke – johna@amecorg.com

Foto deste comunicado disponível em https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/af364038-c24f-444b-b1fc-311ac3875883

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Spain: Daesh Follower Arrested in Collaboration with DGST


The Spanish National Police announced, on Thursday, the arrest in Teulada (Alicante), of an individual for his presumed membership of the terrorist organization Daesh, during an operation carried out jointly with the Directorate General of Territorial Surveillance (DGST).

‘The individual is accused of alleged participation in the crimes of integration of a terrorist organization, recruitment, indoctrination and apology for terrorism,’ said the Spanish Police, in a statement.

The investigation showed that this individual produced and distributed numerous publications in favor of the terrorist organization Daesh, intensifying the number and radicality of these publications in recent weeks, the same source added.

It noted that the suspect had even produced his own pro-jihadist material in order to broadcast it openly on his social networks.

According to the Spanish police, he was in regular contact with people already arrested for jihadist terrorism in Spain and Morocco, as well as with foreign terrorist fi
ghters in the Syrian-Iraqi zone.

Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

Tunis to host Japan-North Africa University Summit next July 10-11

Tunis: The Japan-North Africa University Summit is set for next July 10-11 in Tunis, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research said, with attendance of university presidents from Tunisia, Japan and African countries.

Preparations ahead of the summit took centre stage as Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Moncef Boukthir met Friday in Tunis with Director of the Alliance for Research on the Mediterranean and North Africa (ARENA) Prof. Hiroko ISODA.

Hiroko ISODA is a professor at the Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Tsukuba.

She is one of the active contributors to the progress of the Tunisian- Japanese scientific and technological cooperation over more than two decades, further reads the press release.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Morocco to Celebrate Eid Al Adha on June 17


The 1st Dhu al-Hijjah of the year 1445 H corresponds to Saturday, June 08, 2024 and Eid Al Adha will be celebrated on Monday, June 17 in Morocco, the ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs announced Friday.

In a statement, the ministry said it had observed the crescent moon after the Al Maghrib prayer on Friday 29 Dhu al-Qa’dah 1445 H, corresponding to 07 June 2024, and confirmed the sighting of the lunar crescent announcing the start of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah 1445 H.

Therefore, the month of Dhu al-Hijjah will begin on Saturday June 08, 2024, and Eid Al Adha will be celebrated on Monday Dhu al-Hijjah 10, 1445 H, corresponding to June 17, 2024, according to the same source.

Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

32nd AMAN GA in Palermo: MAP, Anadolu Agency Agree to Consolidate Cooperation


Director-General of Maghreb Arab Press Agency (MAP), Fouad Arif, and CEO of Turkey’s Anadolu Agency (AA), Serdar Karagöz, has discussed in Palermo (Italy) ways to consolidate cooperation relations between the two agencies.

Both officials held talks on the sidelines of the 32nd General Assembly of the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN), held on June 5-6 in Palermo.

The meeting focused in particular on exchanging news stories and photos between the two news agencies.

The two parties also agreed to strengthen the exchange of experience and expertise, through organizing visits and training courses for journalists, executives, technicians and IT specialists.

Arif and Karagöz agreed to renew the partnership agreement between the two agencies, with the signing of a new agreement in Rabat in the near future.

MAP Director-General took part in AMAN’s 32nd General Assembly, alongside the managing directors and representatives of the Alliance’s member news agencies.

The Assembly was marked by a confere
nce under the theme ‘Energy and tourism for sustainable growth in the Mediterranean’, which provided an opportunity for participants to highlight the contribution of AMAN member news agencies in promoting this theme.

Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

Bizerte hosts 10th Gynecology-Obstetrics Conference

BIZERTE: The 10th International Conference of Obstetrics and Gynecology is being held on June 7 and 8 in Bizerte at the initiative of the Association of Reproductive Health and the Tunisian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (STGO).

Chairman of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at the Habib Bougatfa University Hospital, Mechaal Mourali, pointed out «this event has become an annual tradition which sheds light on obstetrics and gynecology as well as reproductive health. It is attended by physicians from North Africa, France, Switzerland and Belgium.»

She added that the inaugural programme reviewed surgical techniques of the endometriosis and discussed the reduction of obstetric and gynecological violence, vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery and congenital organ malformations of genitals.

An 8-hour endometriosis surgical procedure was carried out, Thursday, by a Swiss medical team, in addition to the organization of outpatient consultations.

The second day will focus on ovarian cancer, infertility a
nd in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Some 56 thousand quintals of grain harvested in Kef since start of season

Kef: The quantities of grain harvested in the governorate of Kef since the start of the season have reached 56,000 quintals, shared between barley and wheat.

A total of 41,000 quintals of barley and 15,000 quintals of wheat have been collected since the start of the barley harvest (May 27) and the wheat harvest (June 01), commissioner for regional agriculture Kamel Dridi told TAP.

The grain harvest this season is estimated to be ‘low’ to ‘modest’ in the south of the governorate and ‘good’ in the north where it is expected to total between 500 and 600 thousand quintals.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Tunisia starts drafting 2nd National Plan for Implementation of UN Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security

Tunis: The Ministry of Family, Women, Children and the Elderly on Friday started drafting the 2nd National Plan for Implementation of the UN Resolution 1325 on “Women, Peace and Security.”

The 2nd National Plan for the Implementation of the UN Resolution 1325 focuses on the economic conditions of Tunisian women, while the 1st national plan mainly focused on the social aspect, Head of the ministry’s Women and Family Affairs Wejden Ben Ayed told TAP.

The 2nd plan is expected to be crowned by a set of projects and decisions to foster women’s economic empowerment through the creation of income sources and encouraging private entrepreneurship, she pointed out.

“This plan will be drafted in light of the national priorities and in the best deadlines, as part of a set of workshops and participatory meetings, “to confirm Tunisia’s firm commitment, in compliance with the Constitution, to support efforts aimed to consolidate women’s achievements and enhance their roles and conditions,” Chief of Staff to the Minister
of Women Kais Romdhani indicated.

Tunisia is now faced with strategic choices requiring the networking of all partners, the synergy of their efforts and the reinforcement of their interventions to achieve social equity and gender equality and to further encourage women’s contribution to the construction of a society of peace and security, he considered.

Taking the floor, Deputy Director of Equal Chances at the ministry Dajla Gtari pointed to the need to endeavour while drafting this 2nd plan, to overcome the challenges and shortcomings reported in the implementation of the 1st plan, notably the lack of human resources and sufficient follow-up mechanisms and low budgets.

As part of the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, Tunisia adopted its first national plan on August 8, 2018. It comprised five main focuses, namely prevention, protection, participation, relief, peacebuilding and reconstruction, and an awareness-raising and advocacy focus specific to Tunisia.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Programme to upgrade Tozeur Training in Tourism Trades School launched

Tozeur: An upgrading programme of the Tozeur Training in Tourism Trades School (EFMTT) was launched. Studies intended to identify new tourism professions and the sector’s needs got underway, Director of the Agency for Training in Tourism Trades (French: AFMTT) Ahmed Jmal Friday told TAP on the sidelines of a visit to the facility .

The programme was proposed by the ministries of tourism and employment under a Tunisian-French partnership to boost tourism training in Tunisia.

It fits within an upgrading project which targets tourism training schools in Ain Drahem, Monastir and northern Sousse with a total financing package of $15 million.

The effective startup of the EFMTT ugrading programme is set for 2025. It provides for modernising infrastructure, promoting educational programmes and expanding the accommodation capacity, now standing at 180 trainees.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Seven Detained in Methanol Poisoning Case in Morocco’s Kenitra


The King’s Attorney General at the Court of Appeal of Kenitra announced the detention of seven individuals under committal order and the placement of another under judicial supervision following a tragic incident where several people died after consuming a toxic substance in the region.

The investigation was launched in response to reports on various websites and social media platforms about these deaths. The prosecution directed the competent judicial police of the Royal Gendarmerie to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, resulting in eight individuals being brought before the prosecution, the King’s Attorney General pointed out in a press release.

The investigation revealed that the victims had ingested a toxic alcoholic substance identified as “methanol.” This led to the deaths of some individuals, while others received necessary medical treatment and were discharged from hospital. Some victims remain under medical care.

The investigation findings indicated that suspects acquired the
methanol from concentrated alcohol vendors and supplied it to some traffickers, who then sold the substance to guests at a party, resulting in severe pain and the subsequent deaths of some attendees.

Based on these findings, the prosecution requested a thorough investigation into the individuals suspected of deliberately distributing the harmful substance that caused fatalities and physical incapacitation.

Following preliminary interrogations, the investigating judge ordered the detention of seven suspects and placed one under judicial supervision for further investigation.

The prosecution has committed to closely monitoring the case’s progress and ensuring the strict enforcement of the law throughout the legal process.

Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

The NGO Convoy of Hope provides 200 farmers in the Bazèga province with agricultural inputs


The provincial authorities of Bazèga launched the agricultural campaign on Wednesday June 5, 2024 in Guirgho in the commune of Kombissiri, province of Bazèga. This activity initiated by the NGO Convoy of Hope and chaired by the High Commissioner of the Bazèga province Justine Kientega/Ilboudo, made it possible to provide 200 farmer parents with students in order to increase their production for this agricultural campaign which is beginning .

Helping certain parents of vulnerable students with a view to increasing their agricultural yields is the objective of the delivery of agricultural inputs by the NGO Convoy of hope through the launch of the 2024 agricultural campaign.

Indeed, as part of its actions to support school canteens, Convoy of Hope has undertaken to support certain parents of students living in a situation of precariousness and vulnerability through donations of agricultural inputs.

The delivery of these agricultural inputs took place during the launching ceremony of the agricultural campaign
initiated by Convoy of hope in Guirgho in the commune of Kombissiri, province of Bazèga.

There were 200 men and women farmers, most of them parents of students in schools sponsored by the NGO, from the communes of Kombissiri, Toécé, Saponé and Doulougou.

Producers each received 10 kg of improved corn seed, 7 kg of bean seed, 100 kg of NPK fertilizer, 50 kg of urea and approved phytosanitary products.

These farmers will also benefit from technical monitoring during the work for greater agricultural yields.

For the national director of Convoy of Hope Seydou Jules Compaoré, supporting farmers is at the same time supporting children.

Also, he continued, ‘the new dynamic of our country is to embark on agriculture to ensure food self-sufficiency’.

Part of the harvest at the end of the campaign will be given to the sponsored schools for the canteen.

The High Commissioner of Bazèga province Justine Kientega/Ilboudo who chaired the ceremony, congratulated and thanked the NGO for its initiative.

According to he
r, Convoy of Hope’s approach is in line with the policy of the government which adopted the ”presidential initiative” which aims to ensure that each child of school age has at least one balanced meal per day.

Also, she specified, Convoy of Hope remains a privileged partner engaged in the feeding of children in general and more particularly in the feeding of students in the province in particular.

She urged beneficiary producers to mobilize for more yields.

For the 2024 agricultural campaign, there are a total of 400 parent producers, i.e. 200 from Bazèga and the other 200 from the provinces of Nahouri, Ziro, Sissili and Houet who are affected by this distribution of agricultural inputs.

As a reminder, Convoy of Hope has been present in Burkina Faso since 2019 in 15 provinces and 71 schools, working in the areas of school canteens, agriculture, the empowerment of women and girls and the boys’ program.

Added to this are several drilling projects and kitchens for the canteen.

Source: Burkina Informatio
n Agency