Category: English

Source: APO

With a global community of over 450 million active users, Truecaller (www.Truecaller.com) has become more than just a caller ID service; it’s a trusted guide in helping people understand not only who is reaching out, but the intent behind every call.

Truecaller has now started providing deeper contextual insights using AI on incoming calls received by its users, going way beyond showing just the caller’s name. This includes AI summaries of user comments as well. From flagging potential fraud and identifying likely spam to suggesting relevant business categories, this information is delivered instantly, powered by advanced AI classification models and continuously enriched by millions of daily reports from its highly engaged user community.

This real-time intelligence not only enhances user trust and safety but also reinforces Truecaller’s leadership in the next generation of caller identification technology. While the company also offers a Verified Business badge for official brand identities, the majority of contextual insights shown to users are generated dynamically by AI — requiring no manual labeling or business registration.

While basic caller ID services provided by telecom operators have traditionally offered little more than a name (when available) and sometimes a simple spam tag, Truecaller, on the other hand, leverages AI and real-time insights, making it a far more intelligent layer of protection.

“People hesitate to answer unknown calls because they lack context and in today’s world, context is everything,” said Rishit Jhunjhunwala, Global CEO of Truecaller. “Truecaller was built to solve this: not just to identify who’s calling, but to help you understand why. Is it someone from your network, a delivery, a business or a scam? Our AI uses real-time data and contextual signals to give you clarity the moment your phone rings, turning uncertainty into informed choice. Knowing ‘who’ is calling is only part of the story.”

AI That Adds Context to Every Call
Truecaller’s Caller ID is powered by a dynamic, AI-driven engine that interprets billions of signals from calls, messages, and user feedback across the globe — every single day. Unlike traditional systems that depend on static databases or delayed telecom updates, Truecaller delivers real-time intelligence that evolves with user behavior, communication patterns, and emerging global spam and fraud threats. This continuous learning loop ensures that users are always equipped with the most relevant, up-to-date context transforming the way we understand and respond to incoming calls.

This means Truecaller can do much more than just identify a number:

• It can indicate whether the caller is a known fraudster or part of a scam network
• It can tell you if the number is “likely a business” or “likely important”, even if there is not enough community feedback
• It can classify the type of business — for example, Delivery, Customer Support, or Insurance
• It can alert you about suspicious behavior, even before that number has been widely reported by the community
• It can provide a single line AI summary of hundreds of user comments, while the phone is still ringing 

Built for a World Where Threats Evolve by the Minute
The scale and sophistication of phone scams are growing rapidly with Truecaller identifying more than 56 billion spam and fraud calls in 2024. According to the Global Anti‑Scam Alliance and Feedzai, worldwide losses from scams topped an estimated $1.03 trillion in 2024. With phone calls and messaging among the most common fraud methods, this highlights the growing urgency of real-time caller intelligence and protection.

Truecaller’s edge lies in its adaptive AI, which detects emerging fraud patterns in real time and learns from them across regions, languages, and formats. A number flagged for impersonation in one country can be proactively labeled elsewhere, thanks to shared intelligence and behavioral modeling. Built on global data but tuned for local context, Truecaller ensures nuanced, accurate protection and sustained user trust.

A Global Safety Net Built by the Community
Truecaller’s global scale is its greatest strength. With hundreds of millions of users across 190+ countries, the platform benefits from an immense stream of real-time, community-driven feedback enabling its AI to detect threats like fraud, spoofing, and robocalls faster and more accurately than traditional systems. In a time of rising digital deception, Truecaller acts as a frontline defense: AI-powered, human-informed, and built around trust. As it continues to evolve, its mission remains clear: to make communication smarter, safer, and seamlessly contextual.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Truecaller.

About Truecaller:
Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for over 450 million active users, with more than a billion downloads since launch and close to 56 billion unwanted calls identified and blocked in 2024 alone. The company has been headquartered in Stockholm since 2009 and has been publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since October 2021. Visit www.Truecaller.com for more information

Source: APO – Report:

Angolan President João Lourenço opened the 2025 edition of the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference in Luanda today, offering a clear vision for the next era of the country’s hydrocarbon-led development. Underscoring the role oil and gas development has played in the country’s transformation, President Lourenço emphasized that these resources will continue to strengthen the Angolan economy for years to come.

“The oil sector has been instrumental for the growth of our country. Exploration and production of natural resources has contributed to the improvement of the living conditions of the people of Angola. Angola provides investment conditions that ensure contract, stability, legal certainty and investment durability. Cooperation between private and public sector, between international companies and local partners, will be key for achieving our aspirations,” stated President Lourenço.

Taking place on the eve of Angola’s 50 years of independence celebration, AOG 2025 recognizes the catalyzing role oil and gas have played in the country’s development, offering a strategic dealmaking platform that will lay the foundation for the next 50 years of growth.

“Five decades ago, the Angolan people fought for their right to sovereignty. Along the years, the oil sector has been fundamental for the economy and the development of our country. This a moment for us to celebrate but also reflect, looking at how we can use our resource more effectively and striking the balance between economic growth, social justice and environmental protection,” President Lourenço said.

AOG comes as Angola celebrates a series of industry milestones in 2025, as companies take concrete steps towards enhancing crude production, driving non-associated gas development and opening new frontiers across the oil and gas value chain. Upstream, the country started production at the Agogo FPSO, the Begonia oilfield and the CLOV Phase 3 Developments. A gas discovery was made at Block 1/14 in the Lower Congo basin while exploration campaigns kicked off across almost all of the country’s onshore and offshore basins.

“Our current actions are directed towards mitigating production decline and keeping output above one million bpd. Since the last conference, we have concluded several activities. We started activities at the Agogo project as well as developments in Block 17 and 17/06. Complementing these activities is exploration in new basins. Another important project is the Kaminho development,” stated Diamantino Azevedo, Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, Angola.

On the downstream side, Angola started production at the Cabinda Refinery on September 1, 2025. The facility adds 30,000 barrels per day in its first phase, doubling output in the second phase. The project is Angola’s second operational oil refinery and will play a major part in reducing refined imports and enhancing fuel security.

“We continue with the development of the Lobito refinery while we assess the feasibility of the Soyo project. These position Angola as a new regional center for oil. We have also improved the legislation for local participation in the industry. The commitment is to widen partnerships and create value for the people of Angola,” Minister Azevedo added. 

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Source: APO

Léandre Bassolé, the new Director General of the African Development Bank Group’s (www.AfDB.org) Regional Office for Development, Integration, and Business Delivery for Central Africa, officially took office on 27 August 2025, in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Bassolé presented his letters of introduction to Oumarou Chinmoun, Secretary General of the Cameroonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representing Minister Lejeune Mbella Mbella. Discussions between the two figures highlighted the Bank’s strategic role in the development of Cameroon and the sub-region.

“We understand that you are here as a son, as a brother, and as a friend,” said Chinmoun. “I must tell you how pleased our government is that the Bank has chosen our country to host its headquarters in the sub-region.”

He added: “At the sub-regional level, we welcome your support in the implementation of economic and financial programmes. Given the challenges posed by the crisis in the global financial architecture, the support of the African Development Bank represents added value that helps to strengthen the resilience of our countries when confronted with various shocks.”

The day after taking office (28 August), Bassolé was officially welcomed by Alamine Ousmane Mey, Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development, and Governor of the Bank for Cameroon. Their discussions focused on the state of cooperation, the progress of existing projects, and the prospects for new commitments in support of the National Development Strategy 2030.

“I greatly appreciate the quality of our cooperative relationship with the Bank Group,” said Mey. “We have 24 active projects in priority development-related sectors, with a focus on implementing integrated projects that will have a real impact on the economy and the quality of life of our population.”

Bassolé, meanwhile, emphasised the Bank’s priority to strengthen its operational presence, accelerate project implementation, and increase the impact of said projects in the seven countries covered by the regional office (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, DRC and Chad).

“The African Development Bank’s strategy is to roll out all our regional operations from Cameroon and make Yaoundé a centre of excellence,” he said. “Our commitments in the country now amount to around $2.2 billion, with nearly 50 per cent in transport, followed by energy and agriculture.”

He concluded: “We will work hand-in-hand to develop projects and programmes that meet the aspirations of the Cameroonian authorities and contribute, in a sustainable way, to improving the living conditions of the population.”

As of 30 June 2025, the African Development Bank Group’s portfolio in Cameroon comprised 24 projects worth $2.2 billion. Across the Central Africa region, it represents 130 operations, including around 40 regional and multinational projects, totalling over $5 billion.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Source: APO

Along the coast and in south-western regions of Cameroon, fish ponds have become not only centres of production but also hubs of opportunity and economic transformation. A new dynamic is bringing hope to fish farmers, including young people and women, thanks to the Livestock and Fish Farming Value Chain Development Project (PD-CVEP in the French acronym), financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) to the tune of 84 million euros and implemented by Cameroon’s Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries.

This transformation has been driven by a strain of the African catfish (clarias), which has the advantages of rapid growth, low fat content, and low mortality. The strain was developed by Cameroon’s Agricultural Research Institute for Development. The fish are superior to earlier varieties in several ways: they reach a harvest weight of 350–500 grammes in just five to six months, compared to eight or nine months for earlier strains; the fry have a survival rate of 80 to 85%, compared to around 60% previously; and each female can produce 15,000 to 20,000 fry per cycle, with up to three cycles per year.

A total of 2,600 broodstock fish were delivered to 50 hatcheries selected for the pre-extension phase of the Project. The aim is to improve the genetic quality of the fish, strengthen the autonomy of fish farmers, and respond to food security challenges.

The pilot hatcheries have used the broodstock to produce and sell more than 115,000 fry since October 2024, mainly to be grown to full size. Results in the pre-extension phase have been very encouraging. Most of the hatcheries have reported satisfactory performance. Some of the broodstock, which were still immature when received, required a period of about three months for further growth, which was incorporated into the production schedule.

“The support given by the Project is encouraging us to go further. We have real motivation to continue what we’ve started. We thank all the partners who have made this progress possible. Today, I feel better equipped to make a profit from fish farming,” says Fanta Njifondjou Oumarou, a woman fish farmer in Limbé, a coastal town in north-western Cameroon.

The project goes far beyond the provision of broodstock. It is part of an integrated vision for the development of fish farming. A total of 280 fish farmers from different regions of Cameroon have received comprehensive training in all aspects of the value chain, from floating cage farming to reproduction, hatchery management, aquaculture feed, and business management. The aim is to strengthen the technical capacities of stakeholders, their economic resilience, and the quality of products offered on the local market.

The strategic objective of the Livestock and Fish Farming Value Chain Development Project is to increase annual national fish production by 10,000 tons by 2027, reducing dependence on imports and improving food security. To achieve this ambition, an AfDB mission in April 2025 recommended accelerating the supply of improved clarias and tilapia broodstock to enrich the gene pool. A total of 15,000 broodstock (12,000 clarias and 3,000 tilapia) are to be delivered under an agreement signed with the Agricultural Research Institute for Development.

A tripartite system involving the Institute, the Project, and the Ministry works closely with regional fish farming associations to ensure rigorous monitoring of the use and performance of broodstock. Quarterly technical reports, supported by a digital data collection system, enable monitoring of production levels, beneficiary satisfaction, and training effectiveness.

“We have received certified broodstock with very good yields. These are reliable strains that grow faster and avoid many of the problems associated with the irregularity and lack of traceability of the old strains. This will transform our production,” explains Hermine Kemedeu Tchuileu, a beneficiary based in Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital.

Market demand is also undergoing a transformation. Market traders and restaurants appreciate the improved quality and taste of the fish produced from the new clarias broodstock.
“The flesh stays firm after grilling because it contains less fat than older strains. The flavour appeals to customers and my income has increased significantly,” says Ms. Moukoudi Mbappé Dolie, who sells grilled fish in Douala.

A field visit to the Deïdo and Dakar markets in Douala highlighted the difficult working conditions of fishmongers in Cameroon. This led to the inclusion in the Project of an upgrading plan for sales facilities, including the installation of hygienic counters, access to ice and running water, and proper security.

“The project gives us hope. Working in better conditions isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. Clean and secure counters will help us to preserve the fish better and to sell with dignity,” says Marthe Epoko, a vendor at the Deïdo market.

In the longer term, ongoing improvements to fish farms in Bamenda, Yaoundé, and Foumban will significantly strengthen the national supply of quality fish fry. These regional hubs will become strategic supply centres for hundreds of fish farmers across the country.

As can be seen, the PD-CVEP is more than a one-off support project. It is a genuine local development ecosystem, rooted in resilience, training, innovation, and inclusion. It is fully in line with Cameroon’s national policy for rural transformation.

“We will provide close support to the beneficiary hatcheries. It is essential that traceability, broodstock performance, and the quality of the fry are guaranteed. This project is crucial for the future of our aquaculture sector,” emphasizes Victor Viban Banah, regional delegate of the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries for Cameroon’s coastal region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Source: APO

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany underscored their commitment to build healthcare capacity, support girl education and break infertility stigma in Nigeria during their high-level meeting with H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The discussion was led by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation BOT and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed, “It was a privilege to meet my dear sister H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and officially appoint her to be the Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”. During our meeting, we discussed the beginning of our long-term partnership and underscored our commitment towards building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care landscape by providing scholarships for local Nigerian doctors in 42 critical and underserved specialties. We also discussed about addressing critical social and health issues in the country including breaking the infertility stigma and supporting girl education.”

“It gives me great pleasure to share that till today, 63 scholarships have been provided for doctors in Nigeria and affirm our commitment towards enhancing healthcare delivery by providing scholarships for local doctors in Nigeria.” Dr Rasha Kelej added.

H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” expressed, “It is a pleasure to welcome and meet the Chairman and CEO of Merck Foundation in our country. I am truly pleased to learn about their impactful and highly beneficial programs, particularly Educating Linda program to support girl education and scholarship program for advancing healthcare capacity. It is encouraging to know that Merck Foundation has provided 63 scholarships to our local doctors in critical medical specialties. I am fully committed to scaling up all their programs to benefit our people.”

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation BOT shared, “It was a great pleasure to meet H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to reinforce our shared commitment to advancing healthcare capacity in Nigeria and across Africa.

Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program. Till today, we have provided more than 2282 scholarships for young doctors from 53 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties.”

Merck Foundation has provided 63 scholarships for Nigerian doctors, out of which 8 scholarships have been provided for Fertility, Embryology, Sexual & Reproductive Medicine, Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction and Embryology and Women’s Health.

Moreover, 38 scholarships have been provided for Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiology, Endocrinology and Obesity & Weight Management. After completion of the course, these doctors will be able to establish diabetes or hypertension clinics in their Health Centre or Hospital with the aim to help prevent and manage the disease in their own communities.

Additionally, 17 scholarships have been provided for other critical and underserved specialties like Oncology Research, Clinical Psychiatry, Dermatology in Clinical Practice, Pain Management, Respiratory Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Critical Care, Rheumatology, and more.

Moreover, As a part of their ‘Educating Linda’ program, Merck Foundation has also sponsored the education of 20 high performing but underprivileged Nigerian schoolgirls.

Merck Foundation has also conducted three edition of Online Health Media Training for the Nigerian journalists, to emphasize on the important role that media plays to influence society to create a cultural shift with the aim to address wide range of social and health issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels; to underscore the importance of Empowering Girls and Women in Education and to understand the social and psychological impact of infertility stigma and other social issues like GBV, Child Marriage, FGM etc. over women and their families and communities.

Moreover, to raise awareness of early detection and prevention of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Lady of Nigeria has also launched their 8 important Merck Foundation Awards for Media, Musicians & Singers, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, and students & new potential talents in these fields.

“I invite the young Nigerian talents to share their creative and inspiring work with us. We have celebrated many winners from Nigeria in the previous years and look forward to celebrating winners this year too,” concluded Senator Dr. Kelej.

Details of the Awards:

1. Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards “More Than a Mother” 2025: Media representatives and media students are invited to showcase their work to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues: Breaking Infertility Stigma and Women Empowerment. Submission deadline: 30^th September 2025.

2. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “More Than a Mother” 2025: All Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues: Breaking Infertility Stigma and Women Empowerment. Submission deadline: 30^th September 2025.

3. Merck Foundation Film Awards “More Than a Mother” 2025: All Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to address one or more of the following social issues: Breaking Infertility Stigma and Women Empowerment. Submission deadline: 30^th September 2025.

4. Merck Foundation Song Awards “More Than a Mother” 2025: All Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to address one or more of the following social issues: Breaking Infertility Stigma and Women Empowerment. Submission deadline: 30^th September 2025.

5. Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards “Diabetes & Hypertension” 2025: Media representatives are invited to showcase their work through strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
   Submission deadline: 30^th October 2025.

6. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “Diabetes & Hypertension” 2025: All Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
   Submission deadline: 30^th October 2025.

7. Merck Foundation Film Awards “Diabetes & Hypertension” 2025: All Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle, raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
   Submission deadline: 30^th October 2025.

8. Merck Foundation Song Awards “Diabetes & Hypertension” 2025: All Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
   Submission deadline: 30^th October 2025.

Entries for the above awards can be submitted to us at: 

submit@merck-foundation.com

For information on the awards, please visit our website:

www.Merck-Foundation.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager 
Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

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About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/4lTBIEH), X (http://apo-opa.co/3VszrWm), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/3I62X15), YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/4lXLKVt), Threads (http://apo-opa.co/3JNx0uR) and Flickr (http://apo-opa.co/3HUyZ04).

The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.

Source: APO

Eric Williams, former Minister of Energy and Energy Industries of Trinidad & Tobago, will join African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies in Cape Town to speak on gas monetization, local content frameworks and energy project structuring across Africa.

As President and Principal Consultant at Royal Triangle Energy Solutions, Williams has advised governments and private investors on strategies to maximize the economic and social impact of energy projects. His work spans key African markets, including Equatorial Guinea, Ghana and Mozambique, where he has provided guidance on LNG strategy, local workforce participation, and regulatory compliance. At the Congo Energy & Investment Forum earlier this year, Williams offered strategic input on local-participation frameworks under evolving regulatory regimes, highlighting his hands-on approach to aligning government and industry priorities.

Williams’ experience in Trinidad & Tobago – a country with a mature gas and LNG sector that has successfully balanced resource monetization with local economic development – provides valuable lessons for African markets. His expertise in designing policies that encourage domestic participation, attract private investment and foster sustainable growth offers a blueprint for African governments aiming to maximize the impact of their gas and energy resources.

“Eric Williams brings a rare combination of deep governmental experience and practical private sector insight. He understands the challenges of balancing resource development with local economic growth, and his perspective on aligning policy, regulation, and investment is invaluable. AEW 2025 attendees will benefit tremendously from his insights on how African nations can structure their energy sectors to be both profitable and inclusive,” said Ore Onagbesan, Program Director at AEW: Invest in African Energies.

Williams’ participation at AEW 2025 underscores the growing emphasis on sustainable, locally inclusive energy development in Africa. He will participate in high-level discussions on policy frameworks, project structuring, and public-private collaboration, helping stakeholders navigate complex regulatory landscapes while unlocking local economic benefits.

AEW – Africa’s premier energy gathering – will convene industry leaders, policymakers and investors to explore opportunities across the continent’s energy sector, from oil and gas to renewables and energy transition initiatives. Williams’ contribution promises to deepen understanding of how strategic advisory and policy alignment can accelerate Africa’s energy growth while fostering inclusive development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

About AEW: Invest in African Energies:
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.