Russia under President Vladimir Putin has pioneered authoritarian tech: Last year, the Kremlin leader approved measures that would enable the creation of a "sovereign" Russian internet, able to be firewalled from the rest of the world.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation co-founder Bill Gates says that the US should shutdown the entire country for a short period of time to control the spread of the coronavirus and predicts that the number of cases will peak in late April.
Not even a nationwide lockdown could stop England's Instagrammers from flocking to a former limestone quarry in Harpur Hill, whose bright blue waters have earned it the nickname, "Blue Lagoon."
When Milan resident Antonia Mortensen was pulled over by police while driving recently, it wasn't for a traffic offense. It was to instruct her fellow passenger to sit in the back of the car and to check that both were wearing face masks.
Unseasonably warm weather, Champions League football and other major events, homes on the beach and the café culture: just a few of the factors that may have helped carry an insidious virus across southern Europe -- from country to country and city to city, from Italy to Spain and Portugal.
Faced with an unprecedented crisis, economists and investors are racing to understand the depth of the coronavirus recession and its aftershocks. The problem is, the datasets they'd typically rely on are practically useless.
One of the most famous stadiums in the world and a showpiece venue for the Rio Olympics is to be converted into a field hospital to treat patients infected with the novel coronavirus.
Yes, South Korea is tiny. The entire country, plus its northern neighbor, could fit inside Lake Michigan. But within that small country, something revolutionary was born that has taken the world by storm -- Korean pop, aka K-pop.
At some point, there will be movies about love in the age of coronavirus. For now, as people look for things to watch and entertaining distractions, we have to make do with what's available.
"Ozark" started out as a sort-of poor man's "Breaking Bad," but has found its own tense, twisty identity. Setting up a particularly juicy arc for its main characters played by Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, the third utterly binge-worthy season ranks as the Netflix drama's best yet.
The last Ebola patient being treated in the Democratic Republic of Congo went home from a treatment center on Tuesday, according to the World Health Organization, a significant step in the countdown to declaring an end to the world's second-deadliest outbreak of the disease.
The unique culture of nut-cracking chimpanzees has been selected for conservation by the UN, marking the first time an animal activity has been preserved by the international body.
A policeman died Friday of his injuries after two suicide bombers attacked a security post near the US embassy in Tunisia, the country's interior ministry said.
An Italian citizen who traveled to Lagos, Nigeria's economic nerve center, is the first confirmed case of coronavirus in sub Saharan Africa, according to the country's Health Ministry.
Lesotho's Prime Minister Thomas Thabane made a surprise appearance in a court in Maseru on Monday but will not be charged with murder and attempted murder until a constitutional question is settled, a magistrate ruled.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday bragged about the millions of people tuning in to view his daily press briefings on the coronavirus pandemic, saying on Twitter that his average ratings matched a season finale of "The Bachelor."
Fresh partisan divisions flared on Sunday on the next steps for the U.S. Congress in dealing with the coronavirus crisis, with the top House of Representatives Republican casting doubt on the need for more economic stimulus legislation while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signaled she plans to move forward with it.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Saturday he was postponing the state's April 28 presidential primary to June 23 as its number of coronavirus cases climbed to 52,318 and deaths to 728.
President Donald Trump offered a preview of his re-election campaign playbook last year when he visited the building site of a multi-billion-dollar cracking unit in western Pennsylvania, hailed as one of the largest construction projects in the country.
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Friday the House will set up a panel to oversee expenditures under the $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief law.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday approved a $2.2 trillion aid package - the largest in history - to help cope with the economic downturn inflicted by the intensifying coronavirus pandemic, and President Donald Trump quickly signed it into law.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday approved an unprecedented $2.2 trillion stimulus package to alleviate the economic devastation of the coronavirus pandemic and sent it to President Donald Trump to sign into law.
U.S. Representative Thomas Massie enraged President Donald Trump and leaders of Congress by trying to delay a planned Friday voice vote on a $2.2 trillion coronavirus economic rescue plan, drawing calls from the White House to throw him out of the Republican Party.
A massive federal spending bill aimed at deflecting the economic harm caused by the spreading coronavirus does not address the billions of tax dollars U.S. states stand to lose as major parts of the nation have shut down.
U.S. election officials looking to construct a safe voting system in a worsening coronavirus pandemic are confronting a grim reality: there may not be enough time, money or political will to make it happen by the November election.
Kenyans and friends of Kenya living in Oslo, Norway held prayers for Kenya to pray for the country and the victims of Nairobi‘s Westgate Mall terror attack that took place a week ago.
The hosts:
Oslo International Church, Association of Kenyans in Norway and Kenya Students Association in Norway.
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The important song for the day: ITS WELL WITH MY SOUL:
“It is encouraging that the Office of the Auditor General is of the view that the EEA and Norway Grants help to strengthen contact and cooperation between Norway and the beneficiary countries. I am pleased that the Office of the Auditor General notes that our approach has become more focused and targeted,” said Minister of Foreign AffairsEspen Barth Eide.
The Office of the Auditor General today presented its performance audit of the EEA and Norway Grants. The overall objectives of the EEA and Norway Grants are to contribute to reducing social and economic disparities in the EEA, and to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation between Norway and the beneficiary countries.
“The report provides a useful review of our work on the EEA and Norway Grants, and it endorses the changes the Ministry has initiated,” said Mr Eide.
The EEA and Norway Grants have become an instrument of Norwegian foreign policy, and they help to promote social and democratic development in Europe.
“The contribution we make through the Grants acts as a door opener and it creates forums and cooperation on a scale that would otherwise have been impossible,” said Mr Eide.
The Office of the Auditor General’s report supports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ introduction of a new administrative model for the Grants. The report concludes that this has helped to promote a more focused approach, and that performance management has improved and cooperation between Norway and the beneficiary countries has been strengthened.
At the same time, the Office of the Auditor General recommends that the ongoing work on performance management should be further strengthened, that administration and the provision of technical assistance should be followed up, and that the administrative model should be assessed in terms of its ability to meet the need for controls and ensure good performance.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will make active use of the investigation in its ongoing work to further develop the administration of the Grants. Quality assurance and performance management will continue to have high priority.
“It is important for Norway to be able to carry out controls and influence how the EEA and Norway Grants are used. We have therefore increased our capacity to carry out controls and engage in risk management. In order to achieve this, we had to use some of the funds to cover the costs of administration and technical assistance,” Mr Eide said.
The Office of the Auditor General’s report and recommendations will be followed up in various forums, including at a risk management seminar in Oslo next week that will gather representatives from all the beneficiary countries and Transparency International.
The official inauguration of Egebergparken (park) will take place on the 26th of September. International artists will grace the occasion. This fantastic park with famous artwork, remodelled is the brainchild of Mr Christian Ringnes.
A new report of developing countries’ debt owed to Norway, was presented in Oslo yesterday. “Norway is the first country in the world to have carried out an independent audit of debt agreements. We are doing this to make sure that we are living up to our responsibility as a lender to developing countries,” said Minister of International Development Heikki Eidsvoll Holmås.
Unmanageable debt burdens are one of the fundamental causes of poverty in developing countries. While the international community gives USD 141 billion in aid to developing countries annually, the developing countries pay back USD 464 billion each year to their creditors. Many of the debt agreements were entered into when economic, political and social conditions were uncertain.
“Although the solvency of many countries, such as Brazil, is improving, the debt burden is hampering development in some poor countries. These countries are having difficulty servicing old debt agreements made on unfavourable terms. We now want to address this,” said Mr Holmås, who referred to the first creditor-initiated debt audit as a milestone in Norwegian and international debt policy.
The audit report has been carried out by Deloitte under commission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It covers 34 debt agreements with seven countries: Egypt, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan and Zimbabwe. Most of the agreements are between 20 and 30 years old. The debts have a total value of almost NOK 1 billion, and when interest on overdue payments is added to this, the total amount is almost four times as much. The report shows that the agreements were largely concluded in accordance with the previous rules and regulations, and partially in accordance with the current rules and the UNCTAD principles. However, it also identifies weaknesses in some of the agreements, which the Government will examine more closely.
“We are once again demonstrating that we are leading the way when it comes to international debt policy, which was a goal for the current coalition Government. We have cancelled almost NOK 7 billion in debts owed to Norway by developing countries over the last eight years, and this has helped the countries to release national resources for poverty reduction. I am pleased that Norway is setting new standards for using the UNCTAD Principles on Promoting Responsible Sovereign Lending and Borrowing, and I urge other countries to follow suit,” said Mr Holmås.
Mr. Philippe Laurent a man of French nationality, opens up to African Press International in a Oslo hotel where he is holed up since the 10.07.2013 fearing for his life. He says he is in danger because he is a whistleblower, who has worked against corrupt officials in high places in his native land France, and in Cambodia where he has been working for the last 4 years as the Secretary General in charge of Cambodian Airports. He represented The French Vinci company.
He says he admires the wanted American whistleblower, (turned fugitive in the eyes of the US government), Mr. Edward Snowden, who has now been granted temporary refugee status in Russia. According to him, Mr Snowden, a man Laurent says he knows, has done the right thing by exposing what the US government under President Barack Obama has been doing – spying electronically on citizens of other countries. Mr Laurent also claims that he has knowledge about American Shane Todd’s death in Singapore, saying it was murder, not suicide as has been claimed by investigating authorities.
Could this man be taking people for a ride by sensationally claiming to know what he does not know? Are these allegations to be ignored? Wisdom dictates that any allegation, – and especially as serious as these, should not be ignored without a thorough investigation.
“One on One with Frenchman Philippe Laurent” Interview Part 2 of 2
Mr Philippe Laurent, The Frenchman searching for justice says his life is in danger. He says he has been victimized by the French intelligence. Now he is on the run in search for justice. At present he is temporarily staying in Norway. Mr Laurent says he wants the Norwegian authorities to protect him from the French intelligence, who he believes are out after him – supported by NSA and the CIA.
It is, however, difficult to understand why he thinks CIA and NSA are involved in this sinister affair, if as a whistleblower he has only targeted French and Cambodian corrupt leaders. When asked to explain this, Mr Laurent says he has evidence to back his case and is willing to reveal everything when he gets people who are interested is saving his life.
In our interview, he asks the Norwegian authorities to help him by saving his life. He tells African Press International that he has not lived with his wife and children for 5 years fearing he will be picked and assassinated.
The question here is whether he is speaking the truth or just making up his story. On this, Mr Laurent says, he is a strong fighter against corruption and will continue to do so even if it means loosing his life. The question that needs to be answered is why a man with a good job as Secretary General in charge of all Cambodian Airports, should leave it and escape from Cambodia to seek refuge in Norway if he is not telling the truth.
He arrived in Norway from Cambodia on the 10th of July 2013. Speaking to African Press International Mr Laurent says the French intelligence tried to have him jailed by the Cambodian police after turning to be a whistleblower on corrupt personalities in France and Cambodia.
In his search for protection, Mr Laurent has contacted, among others, the following;
Now while in the Norwegian capital Oslo in search of protection to save his live, he has contacted
On realising that nothing is forthcoming from them, he has taken direct contact with Oslo District Court‘s President Mr Geir Engebretsen (sorenskriver) and has filed his case there – seeking to be heard.
So far, he has received a reply from The National Criminal Investigation Service, NCIS, as evidenced here below in their communication:
From: petter.dyhre (at) politiet.no To: ph.laurent (at) live.com Date: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 09:05:16 +0200 Subject: Your emails of 16 July
Dear Mr Laurent,
Kripos (The National Criminal Investigation Service, NCIS) has received your email and attached documents.
NCIS is a central support agency, with expertise in criminal investigation and forensic services, and an advisory body to central authorities. NCIS main mission is to render support to local police districts. NCIS do not normally receive reports directly from the public. When filing a complaint is has to be done to the nearest police station. When reading your documents our impression is that this information is not intended for investigation by the Norwegian police. When it comes to residents permit in Norway, you have as EU citizen wide opportunities. The easiest is to register with the nearest police station, and you will receive the necessary information.
Interview with the creator of The Urban Legend, Mr Josef Tzegai Yohannes:
The Creator of The Urban Legend – Mr Joseph Tzegai Yohannes, Norway:
Mr Yohannes has achieved his goal – creating a black super hero, and now he says the sky is the limit when it comes to how far he intends to make the black super hero known wordwide through his comic books titled THE URBAN LEGEND.
In this clip below; you can see NRK (Norway´s national TV) follow me at Comic Con in San Diego 2012 with the superhero i created called “The Urban Legend” where i am trying to get a distribution deal. It was fun being at the Comic-Con and getting so much amazing response for a superhero i have created.
Just wait and see how big of an impact my superhero “THE URBAN LEGEND” will make on the world!
Thanks to Håvard Bråthen (producer of this episode), Sohail Farman and Kamilla Johnson (camera).
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When Dead Prez was in Oslo, they got an exclusive issue of the worlds newest and most amazing superhero “THE URBAN LEGEND”. They loved “The Urban Legend” and they really embraced it. Dead Prez and “The Urban Legend” is going to do something amazing for the kids in Africa….watch out in the future…THE URBAN LEGEND is ready to take on the world….
Wyclef Jean fikk litt av en overraskelse da han fikk en utgave av verdens nyeste superhelt “The Urban Legend”. Vi var helt sjokkert fda han fortalte oss at han allerede hadde hørt om superhelten “The Urban Legend” og ville møte skaperen av “The Urban Legend.”
Many fans of the Urban Legend the Super hero would like to see success and mainly expecting a hit in the African Continent and anywhere else populated by those who would like to have a black super hero in their lives.
The festival was a great success. There were many visitors and the musicians and other actors kept their word – performance of excellence to the satisfaction of the audience.
http://www.africanpress.me/ – Director Tone Winje, The Arts Festival of North Norway in her office in Harstad on the 28th of June 2013
Participants came from all over the country to listen to musicians from many parts of the world including Africa, South America and Europe. It was spectacular for the audience to meet musicians and to enjoy their performance of high quality.
The organizers of the festival did not disappoint either.
The management, led by their Director Tone Winje and the many volunteers, were geared well and remained in the right gear throughout the week-long festival. All of them were ready at all times to help and guide the guest whenever necessary.
The Director using the Norwegian language address the children and parents during the opening of the children’s activities at the Festival.
Kenya defeated the British colonialist after waging freedom war led by the MAU MAU group. The British gave in 1963 granting the Kenyan‘s self-rule in 1.June 1963. Full Independence was achieved on the 12th December 1963.
The party was organised by the Association’s Board members. Many Kenyans and friends of Kenya attended the celebration that went on throughout the night, until the early hours of Sunday morning.
The party was a great success, thanks to the Association’s Board Members who ensured that everything ran smoothly.
Interview with Mr Makosir – Chairman of the Association:
Mr Fred Makosir is the Chairman of the Association of Kenyans in Norway. Here, he speaks to API during Kenya’s Self-rule Day (Madaraka Day) celebrations held in Oslo, Norway on the 1st of June 2013.
The Kenyans and friends danced the night out enjoying the freedom that was achieved through hard work. Many fighters died for Kenya to gain independence.
Part 1
Part 2 – Competition – beer drinking…….
Kenya’s first president was Jomo Kenyatta followed by Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki and now the fourth was elected on March the 4th this year 2013. He is president Uhuru Kenyatta who is the son of the first president Jomo Kenyatta.
In the North of Norway? One will not quickly realise that, due to the type of mixed music by the re-known Norwegian DJ 99. When he plays, you do not want it to end. When he plays you want to dance the night out. When he plays African music, Caribean music and other culturally tasty music you will not know he is a white man from Norway because of the way he mixes the stuff for the revellers to enjoy. He is simply – amazing and you will not regret to be where he is playing because he does it in the spirit of music. Meaning – he is inside the music itself.
DJ 99 Mr Guttorm Andreasen, an international ambiance and magnificent man reigned at Ludo bar/concert hall – hosting his club night “CLUB KWASSA KWASSA”
Norwegian Andreasen known from the NRK programme WASABI, plays heavy, sweaty, extremely danceable and happy butt-wagging music from Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Balkans, Asia and even more.
Interview with Guttorm Andreasen during the night party at the Arts Festival of North Norway 2013
We apologise the poor lighting – The video was filmed late at night inside the club when the lights were dimmed for the benefit of the guests.
The people dance the night out to all sorts of world music brought to them by amazingly qualified DJ 99!
The audience enjoy music Club Kwassa Kwassa brought and mixed for them by DJ 99 Norwegian Guttorm Andreasen who has specialised in how to mix world music with variety of rich cultures.
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In addition to playing radio shows, the Oslo-based DJ 99 has performed at festivals and clubs in the likes of Barcelona, Sevilla, London, Bishkek and Sofia, not to mention most Norwegian clubs and festivals, from Blå and Oslo World Music Festival to Nattjazz in Bergen and Insomnia in Tromsø.
This is a DJ to count on as we experienced his knowledge in world music mix at the Arts Festival of North Norway to the pleasure of music lovers.
Club Kwassa Kwassa was no doubt a mover of audience at the Festival this year. Those who were present at the dance told API that they hope the DJ will be around next year during the Jubilee festival.
The members of the public got what they expected when they rolled in to the concert hall in Harstad city center. They were not disappointed by Kari Bremnes and Ketil Bjørnstad, who wholeheartedly delivered good music performance.
Their concert “Separation” – in Norwegian “Løsrivelse” had a full house when the two performed Monday. It has scored high in popularity at the Festival so far.
Those who attended the concert were privileged to experience a band that worked at its very best offering excellent rhythms. A number of the songs, such as Scream left room for thunderous guitar solos that could easily lift the roof off the building.
The concert’s intense performance and technicality at its best – very good artistic moves to say the least, will be remembered by those in attendance!
Norwegian Silje and Joseph Wol Ali Mongok from South Sudan babtised their baby-boy on the 2nd of June 2013 in Oslo. The two parents were excited throughout the ceremony that brought together many invited guests.
The two, happy and very proud to be parents, held a get together party at Lilleborg Church after the babtism was done.
The Norwegian police got a rude shock this morning around 9 am. A man said to be from East Africa took himself to the police station in Asker, a town at the outskirts of Oslo City and told the police that he had just killed his ex-wife.
The couple had recently separated and were no longer living in the same house. The man went to the ex-wife’s house where he committed the crime. The two have two children but the two kids were not in the house at the time. Reports confirm that the children were in the nursery school nearby when the act was committed.
In the recent past, 6 murders of this nature has taken place in the country. It is reported that the couple had a tag of war on who should get custody of the children.
The Norwegian child welfare department has now taken the chidren for placement.
Mr Fred Makosir is the Chairman of the Association of Kenyans in Norway. Here, he speaks to API during Kenya’s Self-rule Day (Madaraka Day) celebrations held in Oslo, Norway on the 1st of June 2013.
The party was organised by the Association’s Board members. Many Kenyans and friends of Kenya attended the celebration that went on throughout the night, until the early hours of Sunday morning.
The party was a great success, thanks to the Association’s Board Members who ensured that everything ran smoothly.
