Category: English

Source: APO – Report:

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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited the Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra, Ghana, and paid tribute to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s founding President and a revered leader of the African independence movement. He was accompanied by the Vice President of Ghana, H.E. Prof. Naana Jane Opoku- Agyemang. Prime Minister laid a floral wreath and observed a moment of silence in honour of Dr. Nkrumah’s lasting contributions to freedom, unity, and social justice.

2. ​The tribute paid by Prime Minister reflects India’s deep respect for Ghana’s rich history and reaffirms the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

– on behalf of Ministry of External Affairs – Government of India.

Source: APO – Report:

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President John Dramani Mahama has, on behalf of the government and people of Ghana, conferred the State Honour of Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day official visit.

The award presentation took place at a state banquet held in honour of the visiting Prime Minister on Wednesday. The citation accompanying the award praised Prime Minister Modi’s decades of dedicated service, emphasising his exemplary integrity, visionary governance, and steadfast commitment to human progress.

It further recognised his significant efforts in uplifting his nation and extending a hand of partnership to the world, including Ghana. The honour specifically acknowledged his distinguished leadership, his substantial contribution to global development, and his deep commitment to strengthening the vital bilateral relationship between Ghana and India.

– on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

Source: APO – Report:

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Peacekeeping is more than just a job for the Mongolian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. 

It’s a mission to connect with the communities that they came to serve.

So, it’s no surprise to see the joyful cheering when the peacekeeping patrol is welcomed to a school in the camp for displaced families next to the mission’s field office in Bentiu, Unity State. 

The school has long lacked government funding, which means its 60 teachers provide classes on a volunteer basis, doing their utmost to ensure the children get the best education possible and the chance to reach their full potential in life despite the many challenges they face. 

“We need government support. Most of us are unpaid, and at times, we have to collect fees from the children’s families just to keep the school running,” shares Head Teacher, Michael Tergiek. “The children motivate us so much though with their urgent desire to learn.” 

What used to be a United Nations Protection of Civilians site requiring a constant peacekeeping presence transitioned into a conventional displacement camp under the responsibility of the government several years ago.

But this change has not diminished the deep respect and connections between the local communities and UNMISS peacekeepers, particularly the Mongolian contingent, which has been stationed in the area for more than a decade.

A perfect illustration of this deep connection is the fact that many of the South Sudanese children and even adults living in the camp can speak the Mongolian language.

“There are a lot of kids, teenagers and adults that speak Mongolian as we’ve been here since 2012. At that time, these kids were still small and now they have grown up to be teenagers or young adults. Some of them are absolutely fluent and completely understand what we’re talking about,” shares the Deputy Commander of the Mongolian contingent, Altantulga Jargalan. 

As well as conducting robust patrols by day and night, the Mongolian contingent increased the number of women peacekeepers within their ranks to help foster mutual respect with women and girls and combat the root causes of gender-based violence through the provision of training in schools and local community gathering spots. 

“By being present and showing they care, the Mongolians help us feel safe enough to dedicate ourselves to our education,” shares 17-year-old Hope, who had returned to Bentiu from Uganda to live with her mother a few years ago. 

Once she becomes a public speaker, which is her biggest dream, Hope wants to use her voice to empower others to become as strong and resilient as she is. 

Because she agrees that peace begins with me, with you, with all of us.

– on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Source: APO – Report:

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Nearly 1,000 people have been killed so far this year in Sudan while seeking health care or visiting loved ones in hospital, with attacks on hospitals nearly tripling after two years of conflict [1] and exacerbating a cholera outbreak, Save the Children said.

Save the Children analysis of attacks on healthcare as reported by the World Health Organization found that at least 933 people, including children, were killed in over 38 incidents in the first six months of 2025. This is nearly 60 times the number of deaths reported over the same period a year ago [2].

Over 148 people were injured in healthcare attacks in the first half of 2025, which is nearly triple the number of people injured over the same period last year.

The deadly attacks targeted clinics, health facilities, major hospitals, ambulances, and medical convoys while looting of warehouses housing drugs and medical supplies has put more people at risk in a country where half the population – 30.4 million people – are in need of humanitarian aid.

Save the Children said the number of attacks on healthcare has been high since conflict broke out in April 2023 but the spike in casualty numbers this year was alarming, with nearly four times more people killed than in 2023 and 2024 combined.

The latest attack on healthcare took place last week at Al-Mujlad Hospital in West Kordofan state and left over 40 people dead, including six children and five health workers, the WHO’s office in Sudan said. Dozens were also injured in the attack.

In January this year, at least one girl and three boys were reportedly killed and three boys injured in an attack on the Saudi Hospital in El Fasher, in Sudan’s North Darfur. The children were among patients receiving care in the hospital’s emergency ward, being treated for injuries resulting from previous bombings in the area.

The attacks on healthcare facilities and workers have increased as the country is reeling from a spiralling cholera outbreak, with 80,000 confirmed cases including more than 1,000 children under five and more than 2,000 deaths nationwide since the outbreak was declared two months ago [3].

On top of direct attacks on hospitals, looting of medical supplies is further compounding the suffering for millions in Sudan. This has included the theft of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) – a crucial treatment for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition – from UNICEF’s supplies at Al Bashair Hospital in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, in March and Save the Children facilities.

Save the Children is urgently working to increase life-saving supplies, especially ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), a micronutrient-rich paste used to treat severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children—especially into Darfur. But RUTF stocks are already dangerously low, and Sudan is among the countries projected to face critical global supply chain gaps in the coming months due to aid cuts.

Francesco Lanino, Deputy Country Director of Programmes and Operations for Save the Children in Sudan, said:

“Healthcare workers should never have to worry about their safety while providing health services and patients should never have to look over their shoulders while seeking care in hospitals.

“The number of people killed and injured in direct attacks on healthcare this year is alarmingly too high and yet the biggest danger posed by these attacks is families and children opting not to seek services from hospitals when in need and turning to unsafe traditional means.

“We are concerned that in most cases, the hospitals that have come under fire also happen to be the only remaining hospitals in those areas, putting healthcare out of reach for millions including displaced people. With at least 80% of hospitals in Sudan decimated by the conflict, all efforts need to be taken to protect the few standing health facilities still providing services.”

Save the Children is urgently calling on the international community to redouble efforts to demand a ceasefire to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access and a drastic scale-up of humanitarian assistance. This includes securing safe passage for food, medical aid, commercial supplies, and critical nutrition interventions for children suffering from wasting especially in the Darfur region.

Save the Children has worked in Sudan since 1983 and is currently supporting children and their families across Sudan providing health, nutrition, education, child protection and food security and livelihoods support. Save the Children is also supporting refugees from Sudan in Egypt and South Sudan.

– on behalf of Save the Children.

Source: APO – Report:

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President Wavel Ramkalawan presided over the swearing-in ceremony of His Lordship Mr. Andy Asba as Master of the Supreme Court of Seychelles at State House on Thursday morning. The appointment was made following recommendations by the Constitutional Appointments Authority, as provided for under Article 127 of the Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles.

In the presence of family members and distinguished officials, His Lordship Asba took two solemn oaths: the Oath of Allegiance to the Constitution and the Judicial Oath.

During his address, President Ramkalawan congratulated Mr. Asba on his appointment and expressed great confidence in his ability to execute his duties with fairness and according to the rule of law. “It is a great honour and pride seeing another young Seychellois take on a professional position in our nation’s judicial system,” the President remarked. “The oath comes with responsibility. We are confident that with your experience and pure sense of justice, you will execute your duties with fairness.”

Mr. Andy brings 18 years of distinguished experience in law enforcement, legal practice, and judicial administration to his new role. Currently serving as Chief Magistrate of the Seychelles Judiciary since 2023, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to justice throughout his career.

Speaking to the national media, His Lordship Asba expressed profound joy, honour, and privilege at his appointment as Master of the Supreme Court. He described the appointment as a reflection of years of hard work, integrity, and commitment to justice. “The oath is a renewal of my commitment to defend the Constitution and serve the country by providing the public with the standard of service they rightfully expect,” he stated.

Present for the swearing-in ceremony was First Lady, Mrs. Linda Ramkalawan, Vice-President Ahmed Afif, Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Roger Mancienne, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon Gervais Henrie, the Chief Justice, Justice Rony Govinden, President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Anthony Fernando, Judges of the the Supreme court of Seychelles, the Attorney General, Mr. Vinsent Perera and Members of Constitutional Appointments Authority.

– on behalf of State House Seychelles.