Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi receives President of the sisterly Republic of Madagascar, Michael Randrianirina, on his first official bilateral visit to Egypt. The two Presidents are expected to hold talks aimed at enhancing bilateral relations across the various political, trade, and investment fields, and discuss developments on a multitude of regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Source: APO

President of Gabon, His Excellency Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, has arrived in Accra on an official visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic, economic, and regional ties between Ghana and Gabon.

President Nguema inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Ghana Armed Forces on arrival at the Accra International Airport. He was received by President John Dramani Mahama, with whom he held brief preliminary discussions at the Jubilee Lounge before departing the airport.

President Nguema then visited the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra to pay homage to Ghana’s founding leader and pan-African icon, laying a wreath in honour of Nkrumah’s enduring legacy of African unity and sovereignty.

The Gabonese President is expected at the Presidency later Tuesday afternoon for bilateral talks with President Mahama. Discussions between the two leaders are expected to centre on deepening bilateral trade, enhancing regional security, advancing economic cooperation, and fostering stronger continental ties.

Ministers of state, senior government officials, and members of the Gabonese community in Ghana were on hand at the airport to welcome the visiting president.

President Nguema assumed leadership of Gabon following a transitional period that began in August 2023, when he took charge as head of a military-led transitional government. He was formally elected President in 2025, with his administration prioritising institutional reform, economic diversification, and regional stability.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

Source: APO – Report:

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The World Health Organization (WHO) Ethiopia congratulates the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) on its 100th anniversary and the convening of the Fifth Public Health Scientific Congress, recognizing a century of outstanding contributions to protecting and improving the health of the Ethiopian people.

Established in 1925 as Ethiopia’s first public health laboratory, EPHI has evolved into the country’s premier national public health institution. Its legal and institutional mandate was further strengthened through Council of Ministers Regulation No. 529/2023, which recognizes EPHI as an autonomous federal government office accountable to the Federal Minister of Health.

Today, EPHI serves as Ethiopia’s national reference laboratory and leads critical work in disease surveillance and outbreak investigation, laboratory diagnostics and quality assurance, public health research, emergency preparedness and response, nutrition and food safety, antimicrobial resistance surveillance, genomic sequencing and public health intelligence.

Throughout its history, EPHI has remained at the forefront of Ethiopia’s response to major public health challenges, including outbreaks of cholera, measles, COVID-19, mpox and other emerging infectious diseases. Working closely with the Federal Ministry of Health, WHO and other partners, the Institute has significantly strengthened Ethiopia’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats.

“Through scientific excellence, innovation and an unwavering commitment to public service, EPHI has become the cornerstone of Ethiopia’s public health architecture—linking surveillance, laboratory science, research, emergency preparedness and response, and evidence-based policy,” said Professor Francis Chisaka Kasolo, WHO Representative to Ethiopia, the African Union and UNECA.

“EPHI’s expertise is increasingly benefiting other African countries through technical cooperation, laboratory services, emergency response and public health leadership—reflecting growing regional and global confidence in Ethiopian expertise,” Professor Kasolo said.

As a longstanding strategic partner, WHO reaffirms its commitment to working closely with EPHI to strengthen health security, laboratory systems, disease surveillance, research, emergency preparedness and progress towards universal health coverage.

WHO Ethiopia extends its heartfelt congratulations to EPHI’s leadership, scientists, researchers, laboratory professionals and staff—past and present—for their exceptional dedication to protecting and promoting the health of the Ethiopian people.

– on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO – Report:

Radisson Hotel Group (www.RadissonHotels.com) has collaborated with Accenture (NYSE: ACN) in launching an AI-powered hotel discovery app in ChatGPT, helping travelers move from trip intent to search, comparison and planning through natural conversation.

Available as @RadissonHotels in ChatGPT, the app enables travelers to search for Radisson Hotels properties across over 100 countries, and more than 1,000 hotels through natural conversation. Through starting a new ChatGPT conversation with @RadissonHotels at the start of the prompt, travelers can ask for advice to plan a family-friendly weekend stay in Amsterdam, or a hotel in Paris with a gym and spa near the Eiffel Tower. The app will respond with relevant Radisson Hotels properties with live inventory and rates, location context, amenities, hotel details, and interactive map-based results. When ready, travelers are directed to complete the reservation through the Radisson Hotels website.

The launch marks an important step in Radisson Hotel Group’s move toward agentic commerce (https://apo-opa.co/4w1xwbb): a shift from traditional, channel-based booking journeys to AI-led experiences where discovery, comparison, and decision-making happen through conversation. As travelers increasingly turn to AI to ask questions, narrow down options, and plan trips, hospitality brands need to be visible, accurate, and actionable at the moment of intent.

This shift is already underway. According to Accenture’s Consumer Pulse Research (https://apo-opa.co/4fqvOLv), 87% of travelers are open to collaborating with an AI-powered travel agent to find the best option, and 71% of travelers say that at least half of their spend for hotels or airlines will be influenced by AI over the next 12 months. Radisson Hotel Group is seeing the change firsthand, noting that organic and direct web traffic channels that have historically driven online bookings are giving way to new touchpoints like ChatGPT.

“AI is radically transforming how people search for and book hotel stays, and we are committed to being at the forefront of this shift,” said Gianni Di Fede, chief commercial officer, Radisson Hotel Group. “With Accenture, we are reimagining hotel discovery for the next generation of travelers—meeting guests in the planning moment with a branded experience that makes it easier to find, compare, and book Radisson Hotels properties.”

The collaboration began with Radisson Hotel Group using an MCP accelerator that is part of Accenture’s AI Merchant Center, an agentic readiness and intelligence platform. This helped structure, validate, and optimize how Radisson Hotels’ content, inventory, rate, and booking signals could be monitored for AI-led discovery. Accenture then worked with Radisson Hotel Group to design the app experience, shaping how travelers interact with it and how it works across devices. The app connects directly to Radisson Hotel Group’s existing systems, delivering real-time hotel information that helps travelers move from a broad idea to a relevant shortlist more quickly. Over time, the companies plan to expand this experience to include deeper personalization, loyalty recognition, in-chat booking, reservation management, trip modification, and AI concierge capabilities.

“Agentic commerce is fundamentally changing how people discover and choose brands. As journeys become more conversational and intent-driven, companies have to rethink how they show up — not just to be found, but to be chosen, and to deliver value in that moment,” said Ndidi Oteh, CEO of Accenture Song. “Radisson Hotel Group is taking a step in that direction, creating a more direct and meaningful way to connect with travelers when decisions are being made.”

The app is part of Radisson Hotel Group’s broader digital transformation and direct booking strategy. Accenture has supported the Group in modernizing its digital and data foundation (https://apo-opa.co/4pPQ78O), uniting its brands on a single global platform and enabling more personalized marketing across more than 1,000 hotels. With the Radisson Hotels app in ChatGPT extending that foundation into a new AI-native discovery channel, the Group will remain visible, relevant, and bookable as traveler behavior continues to evolve.

“With travel, planning is becoming easier for consumers, but more competitive for brands,” said Emily Weiss, senior managing director and global Travel lead, Accenture. “Travelers want to compare options quickly, narrow down choices and book with confidence, often in a single journey. That puts pressure on brands to show up with accurate, up-to-date, and easy-to-navigate information at every step. With Radisson Hotel Group, the focus was on making hotel content more accessible, so travelers can find what they need, explore options, and move to booking more seamlessly.”

This work builds on Accenture and ChatGPT’s parent company OpenAI’s broader partnership (https://apo-opa.co/4pOOVlZ) to help organizations use AI in more practical, decision-driven ways, unlocking new opportunities for growth, stronger customer connections, and more efficient operations. Accenture is an OpenAI Elite Partner and was recently named OpenAI’s AI Transformation Partner of the Year

– on behalf of Radisson Hotel Group.

Media Contacts:   
Amber April
Manager
Global Corporate PR
Amber.april@radissonhotels.com

Pratiksha Thakur 
Accenture 
+91 9874120565 
pratiksha.thakur@accenture.com 

Connect with Radisson Hotels on:
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4frdUs3 
TikTok: https://apo-opa.co/3ThmdOy 
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/3ThFNKz 
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4hDdznq
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/3RnjZfY 
WhatsApp: https://apo-opa.co/3RnjSB4 
X: https://apo-opa.co/4hDduA8

About Radisson Hotel Group:
Radisson Hotel Group is a rapidly expanding international hotel group, operating in EMEA and APAC with more than 1,600 hotels in operation and under development in +100 countries. The Group’s overarching brand promise is Every Moment Matters with a signature Yes I Can! service ethos.

The Radisson brand portfolio includes Radisson Collection, art’otel, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and Prize by Radisson — brought together under one commercial umbrella brand, Radisson Hotels.

Radisson Rewards (https://apo-opa.co/4pLSM3f) is Radisson Hotel Group’s loyalty program, which delivers an elevated experience that makes Every Moment Matter, counting more than 29 million members. As the most streamlined program in the sector, members enjoy exceptional advantages and can access their benefits from day one across a wide range of hotels in Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.

Radisson Meetings (https://apo-opa.co/4pLIkc0) provides tailored solutions for any event or meeting, including hybrid solutions, placing guests and their needs at the heart of its offer. Radisson Meetings is built around three strong service commitments: Personal, Professional, and Memorable, while delivering on the brilliant basics and being uniquely Carbon Compensated.

At Radisson Hotel Group, we care for people, communities, and planet (https://apo-opa.co/4pMS71l) and aim to be Net Zero by 2050 based on the approved Science Based Targets. With unique solutions such as carbon-compensated Radisson Meetings, we make sustainable hotel stays easy. To facilitate sustainable travel choices, all our hotels are becoming verified on Hotel Sustainability Basics.

The health and safety of guests and team members remain a top priority for Radisson Hotel Group. All properties across the Group’s portfolio are subject to health and safety requirements, ensuring we always care for our guests and team members.

For more information, visit our corporate website (https://apo-opa.co/4frdWAb).

About Accenture:
Accenture helps the world’s leading enterprises reinvent by building their digital core and unleashing the power of AI to create value at speed for organizations across industries. Our strategy is to be the reinvention partner of choice for our clients and lead in the safe, widespread adoption of AI, and to be the most client-focused, AI-enabled, great place to work in the world. We bring together the talent of our approximately 799,000 people with proprietary assets and platforms, deep process and industry expertise, and leading ecosystem relationships to deliver end-to-end solutions and measurable outcomes at scale. Through our Reinvention Services, we offer broad expertise across Cybersecurity, Digital Core, Finance, Industry and Enterprise, Song, Supply Chain and Engineering, and Talent, with advanced capabilities in AI and Data, Industry and Process, and Technology. We serve approximately 9,000 clients and generated approximately $70 billion in FY25 revenue. Visit us at www.Accenture.com.

Accenture Song accelerates growth and value for our clients through sustained customer relevance. Our capabilities span ideation to execution: growth, product and experience design; technology and experience platforms; creative, media and marketing strategy; and campaign, commerce transformation content and channel orchestration. With strong client relationships and deep industry expertise, we help our clients operate at the speed of life through the unlimited potential of imagination, technology and intelligence.

Accenture Forward-Looking Statement:
Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “likely,” “anticipates,” “aspires,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “positioned,” “outlook,” “goal,” “target” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance nor promises that goals or targets will be met, and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks include, without limitation, that the collaboration might not achieve its anticipated benefits and risks and uncertainties related to the development and use of AI, including advanced AI, could harm our business, damage our reputation or give rise to legal or regulatory action, as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the “Risk Factors” heading in Accenture plc’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture’s expectations.

Source: APO – Report:

On July 23, the Chinese Embassy in Namibia hosted a reception to celebrate the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Nearly 300 guests attended the event, including the Chinese Ambassador to Namibia, Minister of International Relations and Trade, Chief of Namibian Defence Force and other high-level Namibian officials and representatives.

Colonel Li Shujun, Defense Attaché of the Embassy, stated in his address that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the PLA has made immortal contributions to national independence, people’s liberation and world peace. He emphasized that the PLA will continue to thoroughly implement President Xi Jinping’s Thought on Strengthening the Military and make solid and steady progress toward its centenary goal. The friendship between the Chinese and Namibian militaries has withstood all tests of time and changes, and is still gaining momentum. Both sides will work together to make greater contributions to building a China-Namibia community with a shared future for the new era.

Air Marshall Martin Kambulu Pinehas, Chief of Namibian Defence Force, delivered a speech in which he highly praised the enduring friendship between the two militaries. He stated that military cooperation between China and Namibia contributes to regional prosperity and stability, and expressed his commitment to deepening this fraternal bond while wishing the PLA greater achievements in its development.

The guests lauded the remarkable achievements of PLA and its contributions to global peace and stability, expressing their best wishes for the further deepening of military-to-military relations between China and Namibia.

– on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Namibia.

Source: APO – Report:

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In response to the decision by the administrative tribunal in Algiers to dissolve the National Autonomous Union of Education and Training Workers (CNAPESTE), Sar Hashash Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International said:  

“Today’s decision to dissolve the CNAPESTE is a serious assault on the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly and a devastating blow to independent trade union activity in Algeria. Using restrictive laws to disband a teachers’ union because its members challenged legislation affecting their working conditions is entirely inconsistent with Algeria’s obligations under international human rights law.  
 

“The dissolution of a trade union must never be used as a means of punishing workers for exercising their rights or silencing independent voices. Algerian authorities must immediately rescind this ruling, end the judicial harassment of trade unionists, and ensure that workers and their organizations can operate freely without fear of reprisals or arbitrary interference. ” 

Background  

On 28 July 2026, the Administrative Tribunal in Algiers ordered the dissolution of the CNAPESTE, an independent teachers’ union registered since 2007. According to the union’s legal representatives, the ruling followed a petition by the Ministry of Labour, supported by the Ministry of Education, seeking the union’s dissolution under Law 23-02, a restrictive trade union law adopted in April 2023. Law 23-02 grants authorities sweeping powers to suspend or dissolve trade unions on broad and vaguely defined grounds, including the alleged failure to update or comply with internal bylaws or the organization of “illicit” strikes deemed to affect “the continuity or functioning of the public service”.  

This ruling comes amid a wider assault on civic space in Algeria, where the authorities have increasingly targeted independent trade unions, civil society organisations and social movements. In 2025, at least five union members faced arbitrary arrests and prosecutions for organizing peaceful protests against deteriorating working conditions and contested legal reforms, including two CNAPESTE representatives who remain under judicial supervision. In February 2026, an appeals court sentenced trade union leader Ali Mammeri to 10 years’ imprisonment notably in relation to his activity at the National Union of Civil Servants in the Field of Culture and Arts (SNFC). 

In 2021 and 2022 Algerian authorities also used spurious legal provisions in the associations law to dissolve two civil society and human rights organizations. 

– on behalf of Amnesty International.

Source: APO – Report:

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More than 70 entrepreneurs and policymakers met International Trade Centre (ITC) Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton on 14 June for a conversation on digital trade, e-commerce and inclusive growth.

The dialogue brought together small businesses from the African Digital Innovation Accelerator with government officials and business support organisations, all in China for training delivered by the Academy for International Business Officials under China’s Ministry of Commerce.

Trading experiences, not presentations

Rather than a formal briefing, the session let participants speak directly with ITC’s leadership. Entrepreneurs described building export businesses through digital platforms; policymakers shared national strategies for e-commerce. Several praised the training’s exposure visits to Chinese digital companies and matchmaking with buyers, crediting ITC initiatives such as the African Digital Innovation Accelerator with strengthening their online presence and market access.

Regional trade still holds the biggest potential

Coke-Hamilton told participants that while China offers real opportunities, regional and intra-African trade remains largely untapped. She pointed to stronger value chains, aligned standards and access to finance as priorities, alongside ITC’s SheTrades initiative for women entrepreneurs, and urged small businesses to make full use of China’s zero-tariff policy for least developed countries.

A seat at the table on digital trade rules

Participants also raised the WTO’s e-commerce negotiations. Coke-Hamilton put it plainly: ‘It is better to be in the tent than outside it.’ It was the same message she carried through her China visit that week – from her address at Peking University on South-South cooperation, to her remarks at the Qingdao Multinationals Summit, and in her own reflection on the trip, ‘Be in the tent, bring the paint’.

The dialogue was part of ITC’s long-running work with China’s Ministry of Commerce and the China International Development Cooperation Agency, which trains policymakers and entrepreneurs from developing countries to navigate the digital economy.

– on behalf of International Trade Centre.