- Advertisement -spot_img
Home Blog Page 20

Newly-Formed Government to Raise Public Sector Salaries

By
admin
-
0

Public sector salaries and pensions are set to increase by 15 per cent in April following an announcement by the newly-formed Egyptian government. Finance Minister Samir Radwan said increasing allocations for civilian and military pensioners will cost the treasury 693 million euros.

Radwan also said that the cabinet’s legislative committee had approved the launch of a 619 million euro fund to compensate those affected by looting and vandalism during two weeks of anti-regime protests.

The stock exchange is due to open on Sunday two weeks after it closed following a massive drop in share prices. On 27 January billions of euros were wiped off shares in just 48 hours.

The largescale street protests in Egypt over the past two weeks have badly effected the country’s economic life. On Sunday, banks re-opened although schools still remain closed.

Meanwhile, thousands of protesters were still occupying Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Monday, despite government talks with opposition parties the previous day. Some of the demonstrators slept under the tracks of army tanks to make sure they did not move in to the square to disperse the protest.

One person was injured on Monday morning when four rockets were fired at a police station in Rafah, on the border with Gaza. It was not clear whether the attack was linked to the protest movement or not.

On Sunday, the groups of young people who started the protest movement announced the formation of a coalition and vowed not to leave the square until President Hosni Mubarak resigns.

The Muslim Brotherhood and other opposition groups held talks with the government on Sunday, but declared the government’s offer did not go far enough.

Mohamed ElBaradei told US television channel NBC that he had not been invited to the talks.

US President Barack Obama called again on Sunday for an ordered transition to begin immediately.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said his country would not pay attention to “diktats” from other countries.

He also accused foreign diplomats of trying to bring in arms and telecommunications devices in diplomatic suitcases. Authorities at Cairo airport began screening incoming and outgoing diplomatic pouches on Monday.

“It has been noticed of late that some foreign embassies in Cairo have tried to bring some weapons and communications equipment in diplomatic bags, relying on the principle of immunity,” the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

French Fugitives Died in Suicide-Murder in South Africa

By
admin
-
0

Two French fugitives who died after a shoot-out with South African police last month died in an attempted murder-suicide. Ballistics tests and an autopsy showed that Philippe Pierre Menière shot dead his wife Agnès Jardel then tried to kill himself before being shot by police.

“He shot himself and was wounded, but that was by the time the police were already storming the building,” said police spokesman McIntosh Polela. “He died as a result of both shooting himself and the shootout with the police.”

The couple had spent six days on the run before police tracked them down in an abandoned farmhouse.

They had allegedly killed a policeman and wounded another during a search of their house for illegal weapons. Police say Jardel opened fire when police tried to arrest her husband.

The Independent Complaints Directorate, which investigates police shootings of civilians, has launched an enquiry into the shootings, but has not yet reported its findings.

What Does the Partition of Southern Sudan Mean Regionally?

By
admin
-
0
South Sudan

As Southern Sudan waits for the results of the referendum to decide whether it will cede from the north, there has been concern from African leaders about the process, including leaders in Libya and Egypt. Gadaffi has expressed concern that separation in Sudan could be contagious, and can spread across the African continent. This is ironic, considering that last fall Gadaffi wanted Nigeria to be split into a Christian and Muslim country, which angered a Nigerian Senator into labeling him as a “mad man.”

According to cables leaked by Wikileaks, the Egyptian foreign ministry has worried over the secession in Sudan, anxious that their access to the River Nile could be threatened.

However, this is not the case in the East African region.  In Uganda, President Museveni has been vocal about the issue.  Museveni is fully behind the separation and independence of the Christian South from Sudan’s Muslim North, arguing that the union is based on inequality.  Interestingly, he has been quick to emphasize it as an opportunity for security and stability in the region.

Who stands to gain from an independent Southern Sudan?

An independent southern Sudan affects political influence in the region.  For example, Chad has accused Khartoum of trying to destabilize its territory.  Analysts wonder whether Sudan will move fast to forge a meaningful relationship with Chad, after the birth of a Christian majority-led Southern Sudan. To keep influence in the region, and also share majority Muslim populations with northern Sudan, it is necessary for the two countries to be peaceful neighbors. Chad also needs a separate southern Sudan to keep Khartoum in check.

Egypt would prefer one Sudan, as it is easier for Cairo to talk to Khartoum and agree on Nile-basin issues.  This includes the amount of water and usage.  Egypt should have access to Southern Sudan.

A Christian government could be more likely to side with the upstream countries of the Nile basin, like Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia.  Those countries believe a colonial-era treaty that guarantees Egypt receives most of the Nile water is unfair.  Egypt and Sudan have refused to sign a new agreement.  Uganda, a neighbor to Sudan and the source of the Nile, is a major player in terms of peace and security.

Historically, the LRA sought refuge from fighting in Uganda and entered Sudan in the early 1990s, and still enters the country today.  In 1993-1994, Khartoum made use of the LRA to try and crush the rebellion in southern Sudan.  The Sudanese government and the LRA were allies until the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, for the Ugandan rebel army was useful in the proxy war with southern Sudan.  Northern Sudan did not have to rely on its own troops.  In 2005, the LRA shifted from Uganda to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and Sudan as well.

A new southern Sudanese government can have important regional implications that we are not even yet aware of.

50 Cent ‘Makes $8m After Promoting Company on Twitter’

By
admin
-
0
50 Cent

Rapper 50 Cent is said to have made more than $8 million in just two days, after using Twitter to promote a company he owns shares in.
The 35-year-old hip hop star, real name Curtis Jackson, helped boost the shares of money-losing marketing company H & H Imports after plugging it on the social networking site this weekend.
‘You can double your money right now. Just get what you can afford,’  Jackson tweeted about the Florida based company.
‘They are no joke get in now,’ he told his  3.8 million Twitter followers.

According to the New York Post, Jackson’s tweets increased his shares in the company to a value of $8.7m (£5.5m).
It is reported that Jackson received 30 million shares in H & H Imports last October and can cash in the stock as it rises.
However the rapper has since removed the tweets and wrote:  ‘I own HNHI stock. Thoughts on it are my opinion. Talk to financial adviser about it.’

He added: HNHI is the right investment for me it may or may not be right for u! Do ur homework.’

There is some speculation that the rapper could now be the subject of an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

However a representative for the SEc declined to comment, telling The Telegraph: ‘We never confirm or deny whether an investigation is ongoing.’

Jay-Z Hosts Star-studded New Year Party in Las Vegas

By
admin
-
0
Jayz and Beynce New Year Party

The champagne was in full flow as Jay-Z hosted a New Year party in Las Vegas which was bubbling with some of the biggest stars in the entertainment industry.

Joining the rapper was his wife Beyonce, along with Rihanna, Gwyneth Paltrow, her husband Chris Martin, Kanye West, Jennifer Lopez and Florence Welch.

Jayz and 50 Cent

The stars were out in force for the grand opening of The Cosmopolitan, a $3.9 billion hotel on the famous Strip.

The VIPs quaffed Armand de Brignac champagne, which cost a cool $300 a bottle.

The vintage drink, sometimes referred to as Ace of Spades in song lyrics, is a favourite among the hip hop crew and made an appearance in Jay-Z’s music video Show Me What You Got.

‘All the problems you were going through have been kicked out the door,’ Jay-Z told the crowd before collaborating with West on Homecoming, which also featured Chris Martin.

Ghana Auditions for Apprentice Africa

By
admin
-
0

The first Round of Interviews for The Apprentice Africa, a co-production of The Executive Group (TEG) and Storm, were held in Ghana held this past weekend at Golden Tulip Hotel. The Apprentice is one of the most globally recognized reality television franchises and since its launch in the US by Donald Trump, has been replicated in 23 countries around the world.

The panel auditioned over 50 short listed candidates for the first round interviews in two sessions. The panel was headed by Mr. Tony Oteng-Gyasi, CEO of Tropical Cable & Conductor Limited and the President of Association of Ghana Industries. Speaking after the auditions, Mr. Oteng-Gyasi said he was impressed with the qualities he saw in many of the candidates, and they made him feel optimistic about the future of Ghana’s young entrepreneurs. Other panel members included Panji Anoff, a local champion and founder of Pidgen Music, Michael Akindele, a producer for the show and principal partner of The Executive Group, who own the rights to The Apprentice Africa format.

Bank PHB, with its Headquarters in Nigeria, is the title sponsor for The Apprentice Africa. Bank PHB is using the Apprentice Africa platform to expand the scope of its “Inspired Brilliance” philosophy across the African continent and underline the bank’s new status as a global player and icon of banking excellence.

The Apprentice Africa is described as the ultimate 16-week job interview, where contestants compete in a series of rigorous business tasks from major companies across Africa, which will require both street smarts and intelligence to demonstrate that they are the best candidates for the job. In each episode, the losing team is sent to the boardroom, where the CEO and his advisors judge the job applicants on their performance in the task.

The Apprentice-Africa will showcase educated, intelligent and highly talented young Africans from within Africa as well as in the Diaspora. Casting is concurrently taking place in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, The UK and the US. Interested candidates can fill an application at www.theapprenticeafrica.com.

The Apprentice Africa producers seek to create a world-class, top-rated business reality show across the African continent and the Diaspora that has unequalled educational, leadership, management, entertainment, and market value. Who will succeed? Who will fail? And who will become The Apprentice for Africa?

For more information, please contact us at info@theapprenticeafrica.com

Isaac Danyi-Koranteng Named Winner of The Apprentice Africa!

By
admin
-
0

History was made at the grand finale of The Apprentice Africa as Isaac Dankyi-Koranteng, the amiable gentleman from Ghana was named by Biodun Shobanjo as the first winner of The Apprentice Africa. He beat his erstwhile teammate and rival, Eunice Omole to the title after 18 weeks of fierce competition. In this post-victory interview he granted James Amuta, he revealed the emotions behind his participation in the competition. Enjoy the excerpts of this exclusive interview:

James Amuta: How did you feel in that split second after Biodun Shobanjo announced your name…just before he added ‘you’re hired’?

Isaac Dankyi-Koranteng: It felt like I was in a desert… I felt I was all one… and everything was moving too fast…like in the movies where you have the ominous soundtrack creeping up behind you… my heart was just thumping… because it could have been “you’re fired” or “you’re hired”… Even the final show in Donald Trump’s The Apprentice has no standard rules… it could be ‘you’re fired’ or ‘you’re hired’.

James Amuta: So how did you feel when you heard him announce you as winner?

Isaac Dankyi-Koranteng: I felt an explosion of joy within me… but I was able to maintain my composure and had to control myself from shouting and jumping because I was grossly elated!

James Amuta: How did you feel knowing that your wife was in the audience, and Biodun Shobajo’s decision could have swung in any direction?

Isaac Dankyi-Koranteng: For my wife, I was praying that she’d be able to take it cool with whatever was the outcome… I was worried for my wife. For me I was okay… I could have been able to stomach the disappointment… you know ‘no shaking’ [he laughs]

James Amuta: What are your expectations – knowing that as the winner of The Apprentice Africa, you’d be working with seasoned masterminds like Biodun Shobanjo and Francis Atuche?

Isaac Dankyi-Koranteng: I see it as a million chances in one to really learn a lot from two men I admire so much, Biodun Shobanjo and Francis Atuche. This is the kind of experience every young man would dream of… the $200, 000 does not really matter but the experience is what is most important…

James Amuta: How will you employ your new found status, wealth, and fame to impact of the lives of Africans?

Isaac Dankyi-Koranteng: I have two projects I wish to embark on… first is a youth development initiative for which I’m collaborating the other 17 contestants, everybody is on board…we’ll see how best we fast-track things… we really want to inspire and empower young Africans to believe first in God and then in themselves and move on to greater heights. Secondly I have a personal project…a charity project… where I intend to set up a ‘hearts foundation’ because the heart is the greatest gift you can give to somebody, and it’s the greatest love you can show…I wish to help people in Africa with heart conditions acquire the best medical attention and surgical transplants available in the world

James Amuta: Isaac, as a friend, tell me …what was your trick …what was your strategy for winning this competition?

Isaac Dankyi-Koranteng: My watch word was “be yourself”, my trick was just simple…being myself…I believe in being very passionate in everything I do… I never do anything if I’m not passionate about it. Secondly, the discipline I received from my parents… because once I believe in a cause I give it my 100%: I was brought up initially by two teachers, and with the course of time, one of them became a Reverend minister of the Presbyterian Church which upheld the discipline of the child… that I can say was the reason why I never stepped on anybody’s toes in TAA house… I got along perfectly with everyone…you are a witness to this, James.

James Amuta: Tell us about your decision to embark on this 18-week long voyage in search of the ultimate job? And how tough it was?

Isaac Dankyi-Koranteng: I realized that if you’re holding onto something small and you need to grab a bigger share, you first of all have to let go of that small thing…if you believe in yourself you should be able to dare… to grab a strong link, you must first of all let go of the weak link. I’ll talk about my journey to TAA in details in the book I’m writing… Coming to The Apprentice Africa, I had only one motive and that was to win…I was so confident… my friends encouraged me; when I told them I was going in for the competition, they asked me what the grand prize was and I said $200, 000 per annum job, and when they asked what the second prize was I said nothing – and they said ‘that’s a risk, but with belief you can do it, just go’  then I came to the house with the mindset that no matter what happened that I needed to leave the house honorably if I should be fired… I always prayed against being fired unnecessarily or as a weak link – or disgraced in the house…

James Amuta: Any last words for entrepreneurs in Africa, and wannabe candidates for TAA 2?

Isaac Dankyi-Koranteng: See, believe, and come conquer.

The Apprentice Africa Installs State of the Art Production Facilities

By
admin
-
0

It goes without saying that with the pedigree of the producers and the production company behind the international reality hit TV show, The Apprentice Africa, only the highest quality should be expected.

For one, the show will be edited and post produced in what will arguably be the most advanced broadcast post production facility in West Africa. IBST Limited, a division of Storm Media & Entertainment Group is the broadcast facility company commissioned to provide facilities for the show, and is currently installing in its Ikeja GRA offices a suite of dedicated facilities which include 4 x Avid Adrenaline HD Editing Suites and a host of other ancillary post production facilities for audio and video special effects.

Peter Beck, Managing Engineer, Fibretroopers Limited from the UK is currently overseeing the installations and confirms that the current installation after completion will have a fully Fibre-networked post production environment based on a server /client model with capabilities to store more than 700 hours of High Definition video on the servers installed in the facility. The Avid Adrenalins, which have the capability of editing High Definition Video and Film, are also being currently configured for the installation and are being run through their final tests.

Managing Director of Storm Vision (the show Producers) and Executive Producer The Apprentice Africa, Remi Ogunpitan, further highlights that the Apprentice Africa being such a high content show required that four edit suites be available for work running concurrently with the media being available on the Video servers over the network to all the editors at a click of a mouse. This also allows editors collaborate and share editing tasks, as well as being a great time saving process which a tape environment does not provide. “Our facility will now allow us to share postproduction tasks seamlessly and efficiently” he stated, with visible excitement.

The Apprentice Africa will be transmitted across Africa on free to air channels as from March 2008 and part of the installation takes into consideration multi format requirements of broadcasters in Africa. Ingestion and Master transfers onto final transmission copies will be available in Betacam SP, HDV, DVCam, DV and DVD formats.

The most fascinating element of the postproduction installation by Fibretroopers for IBST Limited, includes additional Pro Tools Audio for Video Final Mix suites, 1 x Video Special effects workstation using the Adobe Suite of Software on a Matrox Digisuite and dedicated VTRs in all major tape formats.

Storm Vision during the production will also have access to the newly acquired addition to the IBST facility, which is the mobile 6 HDV Camera Mobile Production Unit, which comprises all the major components of a 6 camera Outside Broadcast Van. This mobile production unit is fitted with a 6 input HD Vision Mixer, Talkback, Audio and Video monitoring, and is fully Serial Digital in full functionality. The Sony HVR Z1 cameras are rigged either to be used as ENG Cameras, or Studio cameras with manual focus and zoom for the boardroom scenes. 2 x Glidecams have also been acquired for a free flow and an out-of-the-box approach to the filming of the show.

Lindon Rankin, one of the show Producers who is working with the Nigerian team, emphasises that the facilities being utilized for the show will help bring to screens across Africa compelling content. In his words, “I am not only impressed by the design of the equipment, but more importantly by the varied scope of coverage and creative scope the equipment will provide the production team, from acquisition to post production”.

Viewers across Africa are looking forward to this show and, thankfully, it would seem that the producers are gearing up to produce a high quality and first-rate TV programme.

1...181920Page 20 of 20

Top Stories

uganda roads

14 Best Tips For Traveling Safe In Uganda

East Africa admin - 0
Discover 14 best tips to travel safely in Uganda. Is it safe to travel to Uganda for a holiday? Here is everything you need...
Sub Saharan Africa

Has Recent Sub-Saharan African Growth translated into Improved Living Conditions?

Economy admin - 0
By Andy McKay High rates of African growth reported in many Sub-Saharan African countries raises concerns about living standards for ordinary African people, with many...
Peace and Business Report

Peace is Good for Business – Entrepreneurship and Violent Conflicts in Africa

Economy admin - 0
By Tilman Brück, Wim Naudé and Philip Verwimp Arms flows to sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa) are small, at only 1.5 % of the total...
Thought Leadership

Why Every Organization Should Invest in Thought Leadership

News admin - 0
By Daniel W Rasmus Thought leadership is not a science. It is difficult to measure its effects on sales, but large organizations continue to develop...
Self Drive in Africa

5 Things Not to Do on Self Drive While in Africa

Tips admin - 0
Do you have any plans to embark on self-drive trip in Uganda or Rwanda and you are not sure which things not to do?...
Oil Drilling in Uganda

Uganda’s Oil Wealth: Development Prospects and Potential Dutch Disease Effects

East Africa admin - 0
By Lawrence Bategeka and John Mary Matovu Uganda’s development prospects were greatly enhanced by the country’s discovery of oil deposits in 2006. However, the desired...
Self Drive in Kenya

Best Things to See on Self Drive in Kenya

Travel admin - 0
Kenya is a dream destination with an incredible mix of natural wonders. Aside from Kenya’s natural parks, wildlife safaris, snowy mountains, endless grasslands, and...
Ideal Uganda Safari

Exploring Uganda, The Pearl of Africa

East Africa admin - 0
For many years Uganda has been ranked among the best tourist destinations in the world. Gifted by nature, Uganda is endowed with beautiful scenery,...
Self Driven Africa

Key Benefits of Self Driving in Rwanda

Tips admin - 0
It has been more than a year that people across the country are staying indoors mostly and going out only when they have some...
Gorilla Safari

Go Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Africa

Travel admin - 0
Of the most popular wildlife viewing experiences in the world, encountering the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat in Uganda and Rwanda is the...

Newspaper is your news, entertainment, music fashion website. We provide you with the latest breaking news and videos straight from the entertainment industry.

Editor Picks

Latest News

Popular Categories

© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv