APO International

 International Women’s Day, observed on 8 March, was enthusiastically celebrated in the Northern Red Sea and Southern Regions under the theme “Women: Emancipation for All-Rounded Development.” At a celebratory event held at Massawa Stadium, Ms. Jimia Mohammed Raki, head of the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW) in the Northern Red Sea Region, highlighted the vital role and participation of women in national development programs. She called for enhanced engagement […]

 Rain lashes the ground in northern Zambia, but the mission presses on. It’s a Wednesday in January, and the showers that drench this region—bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo to the north and east—have done little to dampen the resolve of four epidemiologists. They are here on a 14-day mission, working urgently to contain simultaneous outbreaks of cholera, mpox, and measles. With a combined 40 years of expertise, Dr. Abiodun Kolapo and Tesfa Getanew—both from […]

 For many women in Cameroon, childbirth remains a significant health risk. Despite medical advancements, the country continues to have one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the region. In 2020, an estimated 438 women per 100,000 live births died from pregnancy-related complications, according to the World Bank’s Gender Data Portal. While maternal mortality declined slightly to 406 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022, progress has been slow, and maternal health challenges persist. Limited access […]

 Kagera, a critical border region in Tanzania, serves as a gateway connecting multiple countries, including Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda. Its strategic position makes it highly vulnerable to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. With the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in Tanzania and concurrent outbreaks such as Ebola in Uganda, Mpox in the DRC and Burundi, cross-border public health collaboration has never been more urgent. This urgency prompted the Tanzania Ministry of Health, with support from the East, Central, and […]

 President Cyril Ramaphosa has been saddened by the violent death of renowned medical doctor, author and black consciousness intellectual and activist Dr Gomolemo Mokae. Dr Mokae, 61, was found dead in his Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, home on Wednesday, 5 March 2025, after he had last been seen on February 28. President Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the family, friends, neighbours, patients and comrades of Dr Mokae who was a former […]

 The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has by Proclamation declared Wednesday, March 12, 2025 as the “109th Decoration Day” and it is to be observed throughout the Republic of Liberia as a National Holiday. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Proclamation is in consonance with an Act of the Legislature, which was passed on October 24, 1916 declaring the Second Wednesday in March of each year as “Decoration […]

 President John Dramani Mahama paid a working visit to Bamako, Mali on Saturday, where discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, addressing regional security concerns, and fostering economic growth. Mr Mahama noted that the visit underscored the enduring friendship between the two nations, built upon a foundation laid by their founding fathers, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and President Keita. The visit continues President Mahama’s efforts to engage with neighbouring countries and strengthen […]

 The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms the attack on a helicopter affiliated with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and on South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Upper Nile State, which resulted in the death of a member of the international force and several government troops, in addition to the injury of two crew members. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs […]

 Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Finance Mr. Ahmed Kouchouk. The Spokesman of the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, stated that the meeting reviewed the state’s financial performance indicators, as well as the key features and targets for the budget of the upcoming fiscal year 2025-2026. The new budget proposal includes an increase in allocations for the social protection programs “Takaful” and […]