Luanda to host Angola-Russia Joint Commission Meeting in April

 Luanda- Russia’s minister of Foreign Affairs Sergev Lavrov has announced a Joint Commission Meeting between his country and Angola for April to identify new areas of cooperation.

Russia’s top diplomat announced this on Tuesday in Luanda at the end of a meeting between the delegations of Russia and Angola, as part of his visit to Angola. 

According to him, the States expect to focus on the fields of energy, telecommunications, information technologies, geology and mines, space and agro-industry.

Sergey Lavrov said he hoped that the Joint Commission meeting could take place at the end of April in Luanda, having praised the historical and friendly relations with Angola.

The launch of the Angolan satellite Angosat 2, last October, said the Russian minister, makes it possible to open new lines of cooperation not only in the space domain, but in other areas of technology.

As for the meeting between Angolan and Russian delegations, he noted that the parties agreed to speed up cooperation in the field of atomic energy and raise the number of scholarships from 150 to 300 students in his country.

The heads of diplomacy of Angola Teté António and Russia Sergey Lavrov corroborate the need to expand the UN Security Council, with candidates from Africa and Latin America.

The Russian diplomat said that he appreciates Angola's efforts towards regional peace, having underlined that his country accepts, in principle, African solutions to matters on the African continent.

He noted that the Russia-Africa summit should take place in July, in Saint Petersburg. Meanwhile, the Angolan Minister of Foreign Affairs urged a negotiated solution and a ceasefire in the war against Ukraine.

Sergey Lavrov accuses West of using Ukraine for destabilising Russia and colonising the Russian peoples living in that country. 

Teté António said that cooperation with Russia should meet Angola's development needs. 

He stressed that the exploration of the diamond sector requires innovative solutions given the strategic importance of this ore (diamond) for the national economy.

Angola and Russia have had privileged relations since October 8, 1976, the date on which the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation was signed in Moscow, at the time capital of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

On 16 November 2004, the two countries signed in Luanda an agreement for the re-launch of cooperation in the economic and technical-scientific domains and, the following day, created the intergovernmental commission for economic, technical-scientific and commercial cooperation.

Currently, cooperation is most significant in the sectors of energy, geology and mining, higher education, staff training, defence and security, telecommunications and information technologies, fisheries, transport, finance and banking.

By this time, it is estimated that at least 1,000 Russians are living in Angola, while 1,500 Angolans reside in Russia.

Health minister hails doctors’ relentless work

 Luanda – Angolan minister of Health Sílvia Lutucuta welcomed Thursday the medical class for the sacrifices made in favour of a better service offered to the entire population.

The minister was speaking Thursday in Luanda, ahead of National Doctor’s Day, celebrated on 26 Jan., under the motto "Doctors united, confident, using lives to save lives".

Sílvia Lutucuta stressed the commitment to continue focusing on the professional class to maintain the resilience of the health sector.

The minister acknowledged that there is still much to be done in the health units to offer excellent conditions to all professionals, both nationals and foreigners, who side by side share the challenge of saving lives.

In order to iron out these difficulties, the minister mentioned the investments made by the Executive in infrastructure at all levels.

As example, she mentioned the construction of the new hospitals, hiring of new doctors, as well as the implementation of specialised and continuous training.

The minister took the advantage to reiterate the commitment of the Ministry of Health (MINSA) to improving working conditions, focused on primary health care, as well as valuing professionals and providing quality access to health services in all places and times.

India opens its market to African countries - Ambassador

 Luanda - Indian ambassador to Angola Pratibha Parkar said Thursday in Luanda that her country gives great importance to Africa, whose territory it has allocated, between 1996 and 2021, an accumulated investment of US$73.9 billion.

 

By Manuel Jerónimo 

In an interview to ANGOP, regarding the strategy of this Asian giant for the presidency of the G-20, started on 21 December 2022, the diplomat said that Africa is in the priorities of the foreign policy of her country, which opened its market to the African States. 

The diplomat said that cooperation with African States is based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, solidarity and mutual benefit, in line with the principles of 'Africa-owned' and 'Africa-led' development. 

She also said that India is among the top five investors in Africa, with bilateral trade reaching $89.5 billion between 2021 and 2022. 

"Thanks to the Duty-Free Tariff Preference System (DFTP), which extends duty-free access to 98.2 per cent of India's total tariff lines, the Indian state has opened its market to African countries. So far, thirty-three African LDC countries have been entitled to get benefits under this scheme," She said. 

During the talk, she also reiterated the cooperation relationship with Angola, which she considers cordial, and expressed interest in expanding it to new areas, such as agriculture and food processing, diamonds and the mining industry, as well as health and telecommunications. 

"India and Angola share solid technical and educational cooperation," she said, adding that this year alone thirty Angolan students have been sent to India to attend UG/PG and higher education courses at renowned local universities. 

Regarding the G-20 presidency, she acknowledges that her country has taken over at a time when the world is simultaneously grappling with geopolitical tensions, economic slowdown, rising food and energy prices and the long-term adverse effects of Covid-19. 

"India is aware that at this time the world is looking at the G-20 with hope. At the time of assuming office, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured that the G-20 presidency will be inclusive, ambitious, decisive and action-oriented," She said. 

Russia’s minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov ends visit to Angola

 Luanda – Russia’s minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov, returned to his country on Thursday, after a 48-hour working visit to Angola at the invitation of the Angolan minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António.

At the 4 de Fevereiro International Airport, the Russian diplomat received farewell greetings by the Head of the Angolan mission, Téte António, also by the Russian Ambassador to Angola, Vladimir Taratov, and by the Ambassador of Angola to Russia, Augusto da Silva Cunha, among other officials.

 

Sergey Lavrov, who arrived in Luanda on Tuesday, was received in audience by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, and met with his Angolan counterpart, Téte António.

 

In the framework of his work visit to Angola, the head of the Russian diplomacy, on Wednesday laid a wreath on the sarcophagus of the first President of Angola, Agostinho Neto.

 

During the visit, both countries expressed interest to boost business relations, with the main focus on the fields of manufacturing, agribusiness, fisheries, energy as well as geology and mining.

 

Angola and Russia plan to hold the Fourth Meeting of the Bilateral Intergovernmental Commission, to be held in Luanda from 17 to 21 April.

 

Angola and Russia have had privileged relations since October 8, 1976, the date on which the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation was signed in Moscow.

 

On 16 November 2004, the two countries signed in Luanda an agreement for the re-launch of cooperation in the economic and technical-scientific domains and, the following day, created the intergovernmental commission for economic, technical-scientific and commercial cooperation.

 

Currently, cooperation is most significant in the sectors of energy, geology and mining, higher education, staff training, defence and security, telecommunications and information technologies, fisheries, transport, finance and banking.

 

In 2019, the Head of State, João Lourenço, made his first visit to the Russian Federation and had a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and in the same period, there were talks at the highest level between both countries delegations aiming to strengthen and widen bilateral cooperation.

 

Meanwhile, by the second half of 2019 trade between Angola and Russia stood at USD 26 million, which represented a drop of 40% from the previous period.

 

A constant factor in these relations is that the Russians sell much more than they buy from Angola. Angola´s export basket to Russia is mainly based on wood and its by-products, scrap metal and precious stones.

 

On the other hand, among the top ten Russian export products are goods, military services, electrical equipment, its components, books, graphic industry products, fuels, minerals, crude oil by-products and fertilizers.

 

Russia sets cooperation as priority with Angola

 Luanda - Russian Federation announced its availability to maintain cooperation with Angola, with a view to developing bilateral relations in different fields.

The Russia’s stance was announced by that country’s minister of Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, while speaking to the press at the end of a meeting with the Angolan President, João Lourenço.

The almost two-hour audience, focused on common interest and the international events, with stress to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

“We had a long and consistent dialogue. We discussed our bilateral relations in detail”, said Sergey Lavrov.

He explained that during the talk they outlined the guidance to be followed toward the implementation of strategic cooperation between the two countries in various domains.

As for the conflict in Ukraine, Sergey Lavrov slammed the West trend to use colonialist methods.

Cooperation ties

Privileged relations between Angola and Russia date back since October 8, 1976, the date on which the countries signed Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in Moscow, at the time capital of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

On 16 November 2004, the two countries signed, in Luanda, an agreement on re-launch of cooperation in the economic and technical-scientific domains.

On the following day, they created the intergovernmental commission for economic, technical-scientific and commercial cooperation.

Currently, the cooperation is most significant in the sectors of energy, geology and mining, higher education, staff training, defence and security, telecommunications and information technologies, fisheries, transport, finance and banking.

By this time, it is estimated that at least 1,000 Russians are living in Angola, while 1,500 Angolans reside in Russia.

Russia is members of a group of 61 countries covered by the procedures for simplifying administrative acts for the granting of tourist visas.

In 2019, the Angolan President João Lourenço visited to Russia, where he held a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

In the same period, the two countries delegations held high level talks on the strengthening and expanding bilateral cooperation.

However, until the second half of 2019, trade between Angola and Russia stood at US$26 million.

There was a 40% drop compared to the previous period.

17-year-old boy arrested for impregnating 10 women

 The young man had been hired to produce women and children in a factory to produce children for sale.

To listen in English click here: https://youtu.be/rD444pGyYPo

• More than 10 women were rescued in the police operation, already pregnant.

• The illegal factory to produce children for commercial purposes was raided by the police after being tipped off by the citizens.

A 17-year-old boy is reported to have been detained by the police in Nigeria for impregnating more than 10 women.

According to a Nigerian news agency, PUNCH, the Rivers State Police Command in Nigeria uncovered and shut down the operation of a baby factory in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre local government areas of the state.

Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the illegal operation and ten pregnant girls have been rescued.

According to the police, the teen and 29-year-old Chigozie Ogbonna were recruited by this group which opened a factory to produce children for commercial purposes.

"The leader of the syndicate, Peace Alikoi who is 40 years old, would then take care of the children and pay the mothers N500,000 (KES 138,406). Some babies were also sold. The police have also arrested 30-year-old Favor Bright in connection with the operation," Punch reported.

The police were tipped off about the operation and acted quickly based on the information and raided two houses of the Igwuruta and Omagwa communities where the victims were kept.

The victims, most of whom were pregnant, were rescued and taken into custody for further investigation.

The police have also found a Honda Pilot Jeep from the leader of the syndicate. "All the victims admitted that they were lured into child trafficking because of the need to face some financial challenges," Iringe-Koko, the police coordinator told Punch.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department and efforts are being intensified to track down and arrest the buyers of children who have already been sold.

"We will not rest until all those involved in this heinous act are brought to justice and held accountable for their actions," Iringa-Koko added.

Meta To Restore Donald Trump’s Instagram And Facebook Account Two Years After Ban

 Meta Platforms Inc (META.O) said Wednesday it will reinstate former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts in the coming weeks, following a two-year suspension after the deadly Capitol Hill riot on January 6, 2021.

The restoration of his accounts could provide a boost to Trump, who announced in November he will make another run for the White House in 2024. He has 34 million followers on Facebook and 23 million on Instagram, platforms that are key vehicles for political outreach and fundraising.

His Twitter account was restored in November by new owner Elon Musk, though Trump has yet to post there.

Free speech advocates say it is appropriate for the public to have access to messaging from political candidates, but critics of Meta have accused the company of lax moderating policies.

Meta said in a blog post Wednesday it has “put new guardrails in place to deter repeat offenses.”

“In the event that Mr. Trump posts further violating content, the content will be removed and he will be suspended for between one month and two years, depending on the severity of the violation,” wrote Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, in the blog post.

The decision, while widely expected, drew sharp rebukes from civil rights advocates. “Facebook has policies but they under-enforce them,” said Laura Murphy, an attorney who led a two-year long audit of Facebook concluding in 2020. “I worry about Facebook’s capacity to understand the real world harm that Trump poses: Facebook has been too slow to act.”

The Anti-Defamation League, the NAACP, Free Press and other groups also expressed concern Wednesday over Facebook’s ability to prevent any future attacks on the democratic process, with Trump still repeating his false claim that he won the 2020 presidential election.

Others said it was the right decision.

Jameel Jaffer, executive director at the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University and a former ACLU official, defended the reinstatement. He had previously endorsed the company’s decision to suspend Trump’s account.

“The public has an interest in hearing directly from candidates for political office,” said Jaffer. “It’s better if the major social media platforms err on the side of leaving speech up, even if the speech is offensive or false, so that it can be addressed by other users and other institutions.”

The decision to ban Trump was a polarizing one for Meta, the world’s biggest social media company, which prior to the Trump suspension had never blocked the account of a sitting head of state for violating its content rules.

The company indefinitely revoked Trump’s access to his Facebook and Instagram accounts after removing two of his posts during the Capitol Hill violence, including a video in which he reiterated his false claim of widespread voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election.

It then referred the case to its independent oversight board, which ruled that the suspension was justified but its indeterminate nature was not. In response, Meta said it would revisit the suspension two years after it began.

Meta’s blog post Wednesday suggested it may reactivate other suspended accounts, including those penalized for their involvement in civil unrest. The company said those reinstated accounts would be subject to more stringent review and penalties for violations.

Whether, and how, Trump will seize upon the opportunity to return to Facebook and Instagram is unclear.

Trump has not sent any new tweets since regaining his account on Twitter, saying he would prefer to stick with his own app Truth Social. But his campaign spokesman told Fox News Digital last week that being back on Facebook “will be an important tool for the 2024 campaign to reach voters.”

In a post on Truth Social, Trump responded to his reinstatement on Meta apps, saying: “Such a thing should never again happen to a sitting President, or anybody else who is not deserving of retribution!” He did not indicate if or when he would begin posting on Meta platforms again.

Representative Adam Schiff, a Democrat who previously chaired the House Intelligence Committee, criticized the decision to reinstate him.

“Trump incited an insurrection,” Schiff wrote on Twitter. “Giving him back access to a social media platform to spread his lies and demagoguery is dangerous.”

Source: Reuters

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