Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: APO

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The National Basketball Association (NBA) (www.NBA.com) today announced a new multi-platform streaming offering and the reimagined NBA TV, which will offer nonstop basketball content and original programming starting Wednesday, Oct. 15.  Accessible through the NBA App, the streaming platform and NBA TV will deliver a robust mix of live games, programming, highlights and original content, together serving as the home of global basketball.

The Association, a new weeknight primetime “basketball-cast” featuring MJ Acosta-Ruiz, David Fizdale, Rudy Gay, Chris Haynes and John Wall, among other contributors, will launch as the flagship program on the reimagined NBA TV and on the NBA App.  The Association will celebrate the game, players and the culture of the NBA; inform and entertain viewers with league news, analysis and storylines; and guide fans to the must-watch action across the league in real time.  

“NBA TV and the NBA App are designed to be a connected, global hub for basketball coverage, delivering nonstop access to live games, original programming and exclusive behind-the-scenes content,” said NBA Senior Vice President, Head of NBA App, Sara Zuckert.  “The NBA App streaming platform will provide a seamless, always-on digital experience for fans to access 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

A full slate of basketball programming will be available on the NBA App and NBA TV, including: 

Live games and competitions, providing fans more live basketball action than ever before, including from the NBA and WNBA, as well as the NBA G League, Basketball Africa League (BAL), top international leagues and premier high school competitions featuring the next generation of stars: 

• NBA TV will air 60 NBA games during the regular season, beginning Oct. 25 when the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder visits the Atlanta Hawks (7:30 p.m. ET/1:30 a.m. CAT).  
• The NBA, in collaboration with Sportradar, will deliver hundreds of live and on-demand games, competitions and highlights, featuring top prospects in international leagues around the world, including Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL), France’s Ligue Nationale de Basket (LNB), Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga (BBL), Spain’s Liga ACB, the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) and Korean Basketball League (KBL).
• Future Starts Now will showcase top U.S. high school basketball tournaments and prospects, giving fans a glimpse at future NBA talent. 

Live programming and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, featuring analysis and news from top voices across the basketball ecosystem and all-access content bringing fans closer to their favorite teams and players, including:

• A selection of top NBA podcasts and live programs from across the basketball community for fans to enjoy in one destination, including Thinking Basketball, No Ceilings, The NBA Front Office Show and The Athletic’s NBA Daily. 

• Creator-driven and community-powered content, featuring diverse voices such as Bree Green, Chris “Lethal Shooter” Matthews, Jesser, Jenna Bandy and Tristan Jass.
• Real Training Camp will deliver exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to how NBA teams are gearing up for the season, including the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers.
• Loud City: The OKC Thunder’s Championship Season, narrated by Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams, will chronicle the team’s extraordinary journey to a dramatic seven-game NBA Finals victory over the Indiana Pacers.
• Coaches Corner will feature one-on-one conversations between former NBA player and ESPN analyst Tim Legler and NBA head coaches from around the league.

Additional NBA TV highlights for the 2025-26 season include three tripleheaders, starting Dec. 20 when the Houston Rockets visit the Denver Nuggets (5 p.m. ET/12 a.m. CAT), followed by the Charlotte Hornets at the Pistons (7:30 p.m. ET/2:30 a.m. CAT) and the Lakers visiting the LA Clippers (10:30 p.m. ET/5:30 a.m. CAT).  NBA TV will also carry a full day of games on New Year’s Eve, starting at 1 p.m. ET (8 p.m. CAT) when the Warriors visit the Hornets followed by the Phoenix Suns facing the Cleveland Cavaliers at 3:30 p.m. ET (10:30 p.m. CAT).  NBA TV’s New Year’s Eve slate will conclude with the Thunder hosting the Portland Trail Blazers at 8 p.m. ET (3 a.m. CAT). 

Live NBA and WNBA games on NBA TV can be accessed on the NBA App streaming platform with an NBA TV subscription.  Additionally, fans will be able to watch games from the NBA G League and BAL. 

The full NBA TV game schedule for the 2025-26 NBA regular season is available here (https://apo-opa.co/3W1cASf). 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).

About the NBA:
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.  Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in 60 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2024-25 season featured a record-tying 125 international players from a record-tying 43 countries.  The NBA’s digital assets include NBA TV, www.NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.5 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms.  NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social responsibility platform, partners with renowned community-based organizations around the world to address important social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, and health and wellness.

Source: APO

Oman Obel, a 63-year-old farmer from Ottalo, Aduongo in Pochalla North County, urgently calls for action against the rising violence in his community.

Last year, he experienced an unbearable tragedy when armed assailants took the life of his daughter, who stood her ground against an abduction attempt while working on their family farm. Now, he finds himself facing another nightmare: his remaining daughter has been attacked and kidnapped by unidentified armed men as she returned to Ethiopia after pursuing her studies abroad.

“All perpetrators who commit such crimes must face the law, requiring the government to disarm the civilian population,” asserts Obel.

This request was made during a gathering this week in the rugged terrain of the Anyuak Kingdom.

Organized by Gola Boyoi Gola, Chief Administrator of Greater Pibor, with the support of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), this event aimed to reunite long-divided communities.

“The mission aimed to assist the new Chief Administrator in engaging Anyuak community leaders to heal divisions and improve relations with the Murle community, following a history of cattle raids and abductions. This outreach has fostered goodwill among the Anyuak towards the GPAA leadership and eased community tensions,” explained Khalif Farah, Senior Civil Affairs Officer with UNMISS Bor Field Office.

Ottalo is one of the most isolated areas in South Sudan, lacking roads, mobile networks, and essential services. Insecurity, poverty, and underdevelopment have made the region vulnerable and disconnected.

Residents are forced to walk for five hours to reach Pochalla market for basic provisions, while traders endure a two-day bicycle ride to Ethiopia during the dry season. The road between Ottalo and the State capital, Pibor, is inaccessible, with many lives lost to armed ambushes by armed youth.

The youth leader of Ottalo, Mission Okuny Okech, emphasized the urgent need for enhanced protection.

“We believe the government can help create a safer environment and coordinate with the UN Peacekeeping mission for support, ensuring safety for residents and humanitarian workers,” Okech said.

Similarly, Acting King Gilo Omot advocated an end to child abductions and cattle raiding.

“We urge our government to disarm criminals to protect our communities swiftly. Children shouldn’t have to go to farms without parental supervision. We appeal for peace between the Anyuak and Murle to ensure safe access to farms and free travel between Ottalo, Pochalla, and Pinyudu,” he declared.

This gathering was a call for peace and an end to decades of violence. The people of Ottalo are tired of being overlooked and demand roads, schools, hospitals, and peace.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Source: APO

Following the conclusion of her participation in the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, the Belgian capital, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, headed to participate in the activities of the 2025 World Food Forum (WFF). 

The forum is organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) at its headquarters in the Italian capital, Rome, during the period from October 10 to 17, with high-level participation from representatives of governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society.

This year’s forum coincides with the 80th anniversary of the founding of the FAO, with events being held under the theme: “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future.”

Commenting on the forum, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat emphasized the importance of strengthening international partnerships to support the transformation of agricultural and food systems. She pointed out that Egypt gives high priority to achieving food security and raising the efficiency of agricultural value chains through investment in innovation, technology, and sustainable finance, which contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.

Source: APO

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On this 13th of October 2025, the ECOWAS Commission proudly joins the global community in commemorating the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) under the global theme, “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters.” This theme calls for a transformative shift in how nations and institutions invest in disaster risk reduction (DRR)—prioritizing proactive resilience-building over reactive disaster response.

In West Africa, the economic toll of disasters continues to rise, mirroring global trends that estimate annual losses exceeding $2.3 trillion when indirect costs are considered. Yet, investments in reducing disaster risks remain insufficient. ECOWAS recognizes that reversing this imbalance requires bold action: increasing DRR financing in public budgets and international assistance, and ensuring that all development and private sector investments are risk-informed and resilient.

Through the Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs (DHSA) and its Disaster Operations Centre (DOC), ECOWAS has made significant strides in advancing DRR across Member States. Over the past year, ECOWAS has: Operationalized multi-hazard early warning systems across the region; Delivered targeted capacity-building programs for national DRR agencies: Strengthened partnerships with development actors and technical institutions and Enhanced the visibility and readiness of the ECOWAS DOC as a regional coordination hub.

These efforts reflect ECOWAS’s unwavering commitment to empowering communities through education and institutional coordination—ensuring that resilience is built from the ground up and sustained through collaborative governance.

As we mark IDDRR 2025, ECOWAS pledges to: Advocate for increased DRR financing within national and regional budgets; Promote DRR education at all levels—from grassroots communities to policy leadership; Foster institutional coordination among Member States and partners; Support data-driven decision-making and anticipatory action and Elevate the role of the ECOWAS DOC in regional preparedness and response.

Let this day serve as a powerful reminder: resilience is not a cost—it is an investment. By funding resilience, we safeguard lives, protect development gains, and build a West Africa that is not only prepared for disasters but empowered to prevent them.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO

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From the 25th of September to the 3rd of October 2025, the ECOWAS Representation in Benin conducted a large-scale awareness campaign on menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and distributed 5,000 reusable sanitary towel kits in the municipalities of Zè and Djidja, as part of the implementation of the project ‘Support for Benin’s initiatives to raise awareness among young girls about good personal and menstrual hygiene practices and promote ECOWAS among young people’ funded by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO).

This initiative follows on from the training of trainers sessions organised from 16 to 19 September 2025 in Zè and Djidja for around 20 participants from the departmental social affairs and secondary education services. These trainers then visited 10 general education colleges in the municipality of Zè and 13 colleges and vocational training centres in the municipality of Djidja to raise awareness among young girls about reproductive health, menstrual hygiene management and the sustainable use of reusable sanitary pads.

These activities not only improved the knowledge of more than 5,000 young girls on good hygiene practices, but also strengthened their self-esteem and dignity, thereby contributing to a reduction in school absenteeism related to menstruation.

As part of a monitoring and encouragement initiative, His Excellency Mr Amadou DIONGUE, Ambassador and ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin, conducted a field visit on the 2nd and 3rd of October 2025 to Zè and Djidja respectively. This visit brought together several key players, including the Departmental Directors of Social Affairs and Secondary Education, teams of trainers, and the heads of the beneficiary establishments.

On the sidelines of this mission, the Resident Representative paid courtesy visits to the Mayors of the municipalities of Zè and Djidja. The latter, who was unable to attend, was represented by his first deputy. These exchanges provided an opportunity to commend the commitment of the local authorities and to reaffirm ECOWAS’s commitment to local cooperation, which is the foundation of ECOWAS of the Peoples.

Through this action, ECOWAS is demonstrating its willingness to go beyond institutions to reach out to citizens, particularly young people and girls, by working concretely for their well-being, health and dignity. This initiative is part of the vision of an inclusive and united ECOWAS of the People, serving sustainable human development and equal opportunities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO

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Eritrean professional cyclist Henok Mulubrhan, member of Kazakhstan’s Astana Team, won the third and final stage of the Tour de Kyushu held in Japan today.

The race covered 119.25 kilometers, and Henok completed it in 2 hours, 36 minutes, and 6 seconds.

Henok stood third in the second stage and first in the third stage, winning the Red Jersey with the total points he accumulated.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO

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Theoretical and practical training on film and drama production has been provided to 37 youth in the Southern Region. The trainees were selected from the 12 sub-zones of the region.

The training that was organized in Dekemhare covered the similarities and differences between film and drama, the role of a director in drama and casting, film and drama directing, film production, the significance of a story, as well as scriptwriting.

Mr. Abraham Yohannes, Director General of Culture and Sports in the region, said that the objective of the training was to develop the capacity of the youth and enable them to play their due part in the development of cultural activities in the region.

Mr. Habteab Tesfatsion, Governor of the region, for his part, expressed the readiness of the regional administration to play its part in organizing similar training programs.

Similarly, vocational training in various fields has been provided to 208 youth, including 57% female participants, in Dekemhare sub-zone. The trainees were from five administrative areas in the sub-zone.

The training covered beauty salon management, electronics, as well as painting and drama directing.

Mr. Filmon Mesfun, head of the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students branch in the sub-zone, noting the significance of the training in developing the capacity of the youth, called on them to apply the skills they gained from the training to improve their livelihoods.

Mr. Yemane Abera, administrator of the sub-zone, called on the trainees to turn the skills they acquired into income-generating activities and to develop their economic status.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.