Babiker Nahar Paediatric Hospital in El Fasher, Sudan, has been forced to close after an airstrike caused the roof to collapse and killed three people; Amidst escalating violence in North Darfur, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) urgently calls on all warring parties to protect civilians and ensure the protection of health structures.

On the evening of Saturday 11 May, an airstrike carried out by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) landed 50 metres from Babiker Nahar Paediatric Hospital, which is supported by MSF, in El Fasher, North Darfur. This led to the collapse of the roof above the intensive care unit (ICU) and the death of two children who remained receiving treatment there, as well as the death of at least one caregiver.  
 
This hospital was one of the few specialising in the treatment of sick children that had managed to remain operational since the start of the war. It received referrals from across the Darfur region because so many others had been forced to close. Now, one additional health facility has been put out of action.  
 
Saturday’s incident came after heavy fighting between the RSF and SAF/Joint Forces in North Darfur on Friday 10 May, when 160 wounded people – including 31 women and 19 children – arrived at the MSF-supported South Hospital in El Fasher. Twenty-five of these wounded people were in a terminal condition upon arrival and passed away.  
 
Friday’s fighting took place close to Babiker Nahar, and led to almost all patients fleeing in search of safety – many arrived at South Hospital. Of the 115 children receiving treatment in Babiker Nahar, 10 remained on Saturday when the bomb dropped – including the two children who were killed. Currently, the hospital is closed. 
 
MSF urgently calls on all warring parties to protect civilians and ensure the protection of health structures, as they are obligated to do under International Humanitarian Law, and the Jeddah declaration – signed exactly one year ago on the day that the hospital was damaged and the children and caregiver were killed.  
 
“Two children who were receiving treatment in our intensive care unit at the paediatric hospital, as well as one caregiver, have been killed as a result of collateral damage following an airstrike by the Sudanese Armed Forces,” says Michel-Olivier Lacharité, head MSF’s emergency operations.

One-hundred and fifteen children were receiving treatment in this hospital – now no one is. Already, there was far too little health care available in Sudan due to the conflict. The original paediatric hospital was looted at the start of the war.

The children were evacuated to a small health clinic that we rehabilitated and expanded in May and June last year. Upgrading a small health clinic into a functioning hospital is not an easy task – especially during an active conflict. It was one of the very few children’s hospitals remaining in the whole Darfur region.

We received referrals from across Darfur because of the lack of facilities elsewhere. Now we are one additional hospital down, just as we were trying to scale-up our response in El Fasher and Zamzam camp in response to the catastrophic malnutrition crisis there.
  
“The 115 children in the hospital were receiving treatment for conditions such as malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea and malnutrition. Now, many are receiving no treatment at all,” says Lacharité. 

“The children who were killed were in a critical condition in our ICU, but their lives could have been saved. This must not happen again. We remind the warring parties with the utmost gravity that hospitals and health facilities must not be targeted, or become collateral damage in a conflict.

“We also urge them to ensure that they protect civilians – something they completely failed to do this weekend. As well as the two children and the caregiver, 25 people wounded in the fighting who arrived at South Hospital on Friday were in a terminal condition and it was not possible to save their lives.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

ECOWAS marked World Portuguese Language Day on May 10th with a lively celebration at its Main Hall in Abuja, highlighting the critical role of Portuguese as an official language and its significance in the cultural heritage of the Lusophone countries within the community.

Organised by the Directorate of Conference and Protocol (DCP) under the leadership of Director Mrs. Olukemi Robinson-Atabuh, the event showcased the Commission’s dedication to promoting Portuguese through various initiatives such as training, interpreter recruitment, and translation services. These efforts illustrate ECOWAS’s commitment to linguistic diversity and strengthening connections with Portuguese-speaking member states.

The festivities began with a unique performance of the ECOWAS Anthem in Portuguese by the ECOWAS Lusophone staff and the ECOWAS Directorate of Information Technology and Services, setting a tone of respect and inclusivity that celebrated the linguistic unity and cultural richness of the Portuguese-speaking community.

Distinguished guests included His Excellency Belarmino Monteiro Silva, Ambassador of the Republic of Cabo Verde, who praised the cultural vibrancy of the nine CPLP countries and acknowledged Portuguese as a language of peace and solidarity. Following Ambassador Silva, His Excellency João Ribeiro Butião Có, Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau to Nigeria, highlighted the essential role of Portuguese in fostering regional unity and cooperation, in line with the goals of ECOWAS and the African Union.

The keynote address by Hon. João Alage Mamadu Fadia, Auditor General of ECOWAS institutions, emphasized the strategic value of embracing linguistic diversity to enhance unity and cooperation throughout the community. Mr Mamadu Fadia pointed out the global and regional prominence of Portuguese, spoken by over 290 million people worldwide, and its crucial role in the institutional communications of ECOWAS.

Further enriching the programme were educational presentations from Mrs. Salett Nogueira, P.O. Communication Officer, Mrs. Sara Barbosa, Portuguese Language Interpreter, and Prof. Francisco Lopes, Portuguese Language Translator at the Community Court of Justice. They explored the increasing influence and integration of Portuguese within the Commission, supporting ECOWAS’s mission to promote a multilingual environment that enhances cultural diversity and mutual understanding among member states.

Special tributes were paid to the embassies of Brazil and Portugal for their partnership in promoting the Portuguese language and Lusophone culture, with ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps from the six Lusophone countries accredited to Abuja: Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Brazil, Portugal, and São Tomé and Príncipe.

This celebration not only honored the linguistic heritage of the Portuguese language but also underscored ECOWAS’s commitment to cultural diplomacy and the significant role of the Portuguese in enhancing regional cohesion and unity.

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

LG Electronics (www.LG.com), a global leader in consumer electronics recently hosted its LG Showcase MEA 2024 at the Conrad Hotel in Abu Dhabi. With the overarching theme “Reinventing Together,” the event focused on showcasing the latest innovations and extending relationships with its stakeholders. Hosting over 500 esteemed guests, the event offered hands-on experience with its latest products.

A key focus area during the exhibition was LG’s line-up of home entertainment products, which ranges from its televisions, audio and gaming products.

Commenting on the event, Mr. Il Hwan Lee, Chief Executive Officer, LG MEA Region said “We design each product with the goal of enhancing the daily lives of our customers. This LG Showcase MEA 2024 event is a testament to this commitment, and we are proud to exhibit our flagship products today. Each of these home entertainment products are designed with practical innovations while keeping customer use-case requirements at heart, which aligns with our goal of creating a better life by elevating everyone’s entertainment experience and the interior of their homes.”

During the event, LG brought to the region its latest innovations in OLED technology; including its flagship 97-inch LG SIGNATURE OLED M, the world’s-first consumer TV with Zero Connect technology which enables the transfer of 4K video and audio, wirelessly at 120Hz. This iconic feature resolves all cable management nightmares and allows for an uncluttered space by having all devices connected to the Zero Connect Box and positioned away from the TV.

Also featured during the event is LG’s innovative StanbyME Go, the 27-inch FHD smart screen that boasts a unique carry bag design, that allows users to easily with them on-the-go. It keeps mobility in mind with its unique design and a built-in battery that lasts up to three hours of screen time. It comes with various connectivity options such as wireless mirroring and NFC, which can be activated with a simple tap. The screen itself also rotates, giving users the option of a vertical or horizontal orientation. In addition to the streaming options, screen is also ideal for listening to music with its turntable skin or for playing chess with the pre-installed Chess game. Customers can also control the unit through voice control, even from a distance. The unique design of the StanByME Go promises enhanced durability, keeping the screen safe from bumps, temperature fluctuations, low pressure, dust, salt fog and vibrations.

During the course of the event, LG also showcased its latest LG webOS which brings to the table a completely revamped home screen with wider title cards and smoother tiles for categories such as Game, Music and Home Office. The smart operating system, now celebrating its 10th anniversary, expanded into 300 TV brands and 3,500 content partners, including local partners and has an active user growth increase in the MEA region by 20 times.

LG also showcased its new α (Alpha) 11 processor that will be used in its flagship TVs, one that will deliver powerful AI capabilities and enhance the overall viewing experience. This new processor is four times more powerful than its predecessor and will refine clarity, colour and sharpness, as well as providing a 70 percent improvement in graphics performance and a 30 percent faster processing speed.

LG displayed its range of XBOOM speakers which deliver bold and loud sounds with strong bass and massive sound. For instance, the LG XBOOM XL9T, the most powerful-in-class party speaker, produces immense sound of 1000W with booming base and high notes. Additionally, the pixel art and multi colour ring lights further step up the party. Its smaller variant, the LG XBOOM XL5S with a 200W output for powerful party music, complete with the series’ iconic party lighting. Amongst these audio products, LG presented their portable speakers, such as the XBOOM Go XG8T, a 120W speaker with 15 hours of battery life. This on-the-go speaker not only packs a powerful punch in audio but can also boost sound further and turns up the party with its studio light feature. Also on display were the LG XBOOM Go XG7Q and the compact XG5S with a 30W output and 20W output respectively, which comes in a unique design with ambient lighting, perfect to set the mood. It is also IP67 rated, making it the perfect musical companion for the outdoors.

Additionally, LG showcased the LG TONE Fit TF7, which focuses primarily on comfort, convenience and immersive sound. The LG TONE Fit TF7 offers a superior fit for fitness enthusiasts, ensuring customers can focus solely on their workout without any distractions. Featuring a patent-pending skirt shape hook, these earbuds offer optimised fit and usability for various outdoor activities. Apart from its superior sound quality, these earbuds are also focused on health, with the UVnano technology integrated into the earbuds’ cradle actively sanitises the ear gel surfaces, creating a more sanitary listening experience.

LG Electronics also showcased the LG CineBeam Q, the much awaited, stylish and smallest 4K portable projector from LG. This mighty 4K laser projector not only delivers stunning picture quality, but also a range of streaming features, while its minimalist design fits into any home design ethos.

This was all be topped off with LG’s innovations in monitors, with the new LG UltraGear™ OLED gaming monitor and LG MyView Smart Monitor.

The latest lineup of LG UltraGear OLED gaming monitors is a true testament to LG’s commitment to the gaming industry. Available in sizes of 32-inch (model 32GS95UE), 34-inch (model 34GS95QE) and 45-inch (model 45GS95QE), these OLED gaming monitors are the pinnacle of gaming displays, bringing in a true immersive experience. The new 32GS95UE, the world’s first VESA certified Dual Mode gaming monitor, which enables it to switch between 4K (3840 x 2160) up to 240Hz and Full-HD (1920 x 1080) up to 480Hz with one simple click. It also comes with a range of other features such as the LG’s Pixel Sound technology, which projects sound directly from the display using vibrating film components built into the monitor itself.

Meanwhile, the LG MyView Smart Monitor, a must-have for productivity and entertainment even without having to connect to a PC, was showcased alongside. Available in sizes of 27-inches with FHD and 32-inches with 4K resolution, these smart monitors pack in LG’s webOS software along with support for AirPlay 2, ScreenShare and Bluetooth. Designed for multi-tasking, this monitor will allow you to do your daily work, control home gadgets and even stream your favorite content, all from one display. Also, the 27SR50F is available in four colour options (beige, pink, green) to cater to various tastes and seamlessly blend into any interior design.1

What’s more, LG unveiled the LG MAGNIT (https://apo-opa.co/3wyjoNW) (model LSAL006), a stunning 118-inch, 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution Micro LED display. Delivering unparalleled picture quality through the brilliance of Micro LED technology, the LG MAGNIT allows customers to enjoy complete viewing immersion in the comfort of their own spaces, be it personal or professional.

For more details about LG’s range of products please visit: www.LG.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of LG Electronics.

About LG Electronics, Inc.:
LG Electronics is a global innovator in technology and consumer electronics with a presence in almost every country and an international workforce of more than 75,000. LG’s four companies – Home Appliance&Air Solution, Home Entertainment, Vehicle component Solutions and Business Solutions – combined for global sales of over USD 63 billion in 2021. LG is a leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial products ranging from TVs, home appliances, air solutions, monitors, service robots, automotive components and its premium LG SIGNATURE and intelligent LG ThinQ brands are familiar names world over. Visit www.LGNewsroom.com for the latest news.

In cooperation between Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia and the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Türkiye, the “Renewable Solar Energy Training” was organized for experts studying in the field of renewable solar energy in African countries.

The first stage of the training, planned to be a 2-stage training, was held in Ankara and Konya. A total of 12 engineers and academicians working in the solar energy sector in Senegal, Tanzania, Mozambique and Namibia attended the training.

Within the scope of the training, participants had the opportunity to observe the sector’s experience in Türkiye through field visits and acquire theoretical information on the solar energy sector.

Instructors assigned by the Directorate General for Vocational and Technical Education of the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Türkiye, together with instructors from the Ministry of Energy of Indonesia, provided theoretical and practical lessons to participants in solar energy workshops of the Cezeri Green Technology Anatolian Technical and Vocational High School.

The group visited the Kalyon Solar Technologies Factory, which gives the opportunity to observe all stages of the conversion process from polysilicon to solar panels in a single facility, and had the opportunity to examine their theoretical knowledge on-site. Also visiting the Kalyon Solar Power Plant in Karapınar, Konya, participants received detailed information about the largest solar power plant in Europe.

At the end of the training, a certificate ceremony was held with the participation of TİKA’s Vice President, Dr. Rahman Nurdun; the Head of the Department of Foreign Relations and Partnerships at TİKA, Uğur Tanyeli; the Undersecretary of Political Affairs of the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara, Dhanny Perkasa; the Branch Manager of the Directorate General for Vocational and Technical Education of the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Türkiye, Kadriye Kılıç and the Principal of the Cezeri Green Technology Anatolian Technical and Vocational High School, Mustafa Aydın.

Upon receiving their certificates, participants expressed their gratitude for the training program.

The second stage of the training program will be held in October 2024 in Indonesia, in cooperation with TİKA and Indonesian authorities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).