IGIHE

Author: IGIHE

  • Receiving likes on Facebook won’t make you feel better,study finds

    {We’re in the social media age, and it’s obvious how people love to get lots of followers and likes on their posts on social media.}

    However, a 2017 study has found that receiving ‘likes’ on social media posts doesn’t make people feel better about themselves or improve their mood if they are down.

    These are the findings of a preliminary study presented at the British Psychological Society’s Annual Conference in Brighton on May 3, 2017, by Dr Martin Graff from University of South Wales.

    A total of 340 participants recruited via Twitter and Facebook completed personality questionnaires. They were also asked to say how much they agreed or disagreed with 25 statements relating to the ways people appreciate being valued on social media. For example ‘the attention I get from social media makes me feel good’ or ‘I consider someone popular based on the amount of likes they get’.

    Analysis revealed that participants who said they went out of their way to get more likes (such as asking others or paying) were more likely to have low self-esteem and be less trusting. The same was true of those who admitted deleting posts or making a picture their profile picture on account of the number of likes it received.

    The results also showed that receiving likes didn’t actually make people feel any better about themselves or make them feel better when they were down.

    Dr Graff said: “The proliferation of social media use has led to general concerns about the effects on our mental health. Although this is just a relatively small scale study the results indicate that the ways we interact with social media can affect how we feel and not always positively.”

    Source:Elcrema

  • Rwandans should have confidence in the Police – President Kagame

    {President Paul Kagame has commended Rwanda National Police’s performance in its last 17 years of existence, and challenged the force to perform to the best of its ability and ensure that the trust and confidence Rwandans have in them is sustained.}

    The Head of State made the remarks, yesterday, while presiding over the ‘Police Day’ to mark the 17th anniversary of RNP, held at Kigali Regional Stadium.

    In his strategic guidance, President Kagame said that for the police to sustain and further achieve public trust, confidence, professionalism, self-respect and discipline, they should always be define their values, which ultimately contribute to the country’s transformation process.

    “Rwandans should have trust, confidence and be part of their police,” the Head of State said.

    He added that Police can never deliver on its mandate if it operates in isolation.

    “Policing is made easier when there is partnership. Communities have to be involved, and indeed they have done so,” President Kagame said as he addressed a cheerful fully-parked stadium.

    The colourful ceremony attracted about 10, 000 RNP partners in policing drawn from across the country, including members of Community Policing Committees, Rwanda Youth Volunteers in Community policing, Anti-crime clubs from schools, commercial motorcyclists associations, Anti-crime Ambassadors mainly composed of local artistes, and members of District Administrative Security Support Organ (DASSO), among others.

    The Head of State recognized that 17 years is such a short time for any new institution but a lot has been achieved by the young force.

    “I commend you and wish you a happy 17th anniversary. I thank all Rwandans, who partnered with Police in ensuring rule of law and achieving the police mandate of ensuring a safety and crime prevention.”

    “Security is the foundation of the progress we have achieved to date and the welfare of our citizens…We know our past, our current and the future we want. Let us work together to uphold security in our nation, the region and our continent.”

    {{363 Officer Cadets commissioned}}

    Earlier on, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Johnston Busingye commissioned 363 Officer Cadets including 33 females of the ninth intake, who completed a 10-month Cadet Course, and conferred upon the rank of Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP).

    The graduands also include 20 from Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS).

    In his address, President Kagame congratulated the newly commissioned junior officers and challenged them that the pass-out is not an end itself but the beginning to put effective use the skills and knowledge they acquired for the good of Rwandans.

    “Optimize the knowledge you acquired during your training to execute your duties with distinction,” President Kagame advised the officers.

    RNP is currently undergoing reform which the President said that they are in line with the desire to make law enforcement more efficient and to serve the people better.

    Police Day was preceded by a month-long countrywide series of community development activities conducted under the context of ‘Police Week’.

    According to Minister Busingye, during this period, Police distributed solar home systems to over 3400 households and 20 health centers across the country.

    “Police also linked about 600 homes to clean tap water, 700 people given universal medical insurance, and constructed or renovated over 60km of feeder roads,” said the Minister.

    Among other activities that marked the Police Week included the construction of 150 toilets and 30 kitchens, construction of two football pitches in Gasabo and Rutsiro, building and renovation of nine bridges and water channels, fighting armyworms on 46 hectares of plantations and held several anti-crime campaigns.

    With regards to what the force has achieved in the last 17 years, Minister Busingye said: “Rwanda is today among the safest countries in the world, communities are taking part in crime prevention and Rwandans are enjoying all their freedoms.”

    In line with the commissioning of the Cadet Officers, the Commandant of Police Training School (PTS), Commissioner of Police (CP) Vianney Nshimiyimana said that the officers covered both theoretical knowledge and practical skills including drills and duties, skill at arms, physical fitness and paramilitary training.

    Other include police operations and techniques, leadership, command and management, peacekeeping, law, road safety, community policing, gender and human rights, among others.

    “Considering the package they received and professional values instilled in them, there is no doubt that they will contribute a lot in making sure that people in Rwanda are safe, involved and reassured,” CP Nshimiyimana said.

    The coincided events were also attended by other senior government officials, local leaders and family members of the commissioned officers.

    The renowned youngsters – Imitavu – of Kirehe brought the fully-parked stadium to their knees with their art in poem, reciting Rwanda’s journey in security and development under the visionary leadership.

    Source:Police

  • MHC director suspended over office abuse accusations

    {The Prime Minister, Anastase Murekezi has suspended Director of Media Content, Research and Development at Media High Council, Ntwari Nathan over accusations of abuse of office.}

    The executive secretary of MHC, Peacemaker Mbungiramihigo has told IGIHE that Ntwari has been suspended for six months to enable investigations on the alleged accusations.

    MHC has explained that the letter suspending him from office was issued on 2nd June 2017 from the office of the prime minister.

    IGIHE has learnt that Ntwari is accused of embezzling funds meant to build capacity of journalists through registering ghost journalists on the list of trainings.

    Director of Media Content, Research and Development at Media High Council, Ntwari Nathan has been suspended.

  • Kagame urges RNP on discipline

    {President Paul Kagame has officiated at the 17th Anniversary of the Rwanda National Police (RNP) at Nyamirambo Stadium. }

    Kagame wished happy 17th anniversary to RNP and congratulated newly commissioned police officers.

    President Kagame has commended communities and organizations who work hand in hand with police to maintain security,fight crime and uphold the rule law and said that Police cannot achieve its mission on its own unless it works in collaboration with citizens.

    He highlighted that security ‘is the foundation of the progress we have achieved to date and wellbeing of our citizens’ and urged police to be characterized by discipline and hard work to achieve its mission.

    “We must be defined by values of discipline, self-respect, respect of others and hard work to develop our nation. We know our past and the future we want. Let us work together to uphold security in our nation and region,” he said.

    President Kagame greeting the Minister of Justice, Johnston Busingye and IGP Emmanuel Gasana
    President Paul Kagame,the Minister of Justice, Johnston Busingye , senior police ,RDF and RCS officers during the celebration of 17th anniversary of Rwanda National Police.

  • RNP graduates 364 officers, celebrates 17 years

    {Rwanda National Police (RNP) has celebrated 17 years since its inception , a ceremony that coincided with the graduation of 364 cadet officers including 33 females at Nyamirambo Stadium.}

    The officers that graduated began trainings on 31st August 2016.

    Twenty of the graduates are from Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS). The training, on commencement, attracted 370 trainees but seven of them didn’t complete on account of various disciplinary and health reasons.

    The ceremony has kicked off with presenting graduating officers to the Minister of Justice, Johnston Busingye and parade.

    Established in 2000, police has so far contributed a lot to maintain national security and involved in international peacekeeping missions.

    It was also involved in societal transformation activities where it connected citizens with off-grid electricity, availed safe water facilities among other activities carried out annually during the Police Week.

  • Over 1000 nurses, midwives fail accreditation exams, cite malice

    {Nurses and midwives have expressed concern over the standards of accreditation tests which are not related to their profession, leading to massive failures from joining the association of nurses and midwives, limiting their employment opportunities and or promotion.}

    The accreditation tests are prepared by the Association of Nurses and Midwives. In the results released last week, only 171 (13%) of the 1231 practitioners passed to join the association.

    The exams were attended by nurses and midwives that completed the first university degree (A1).

    Nurses and midwives who talked to the media attributed the failure to malice and complicated examinations beyond their education level.

    “They gave us tough exams beyond our education level that we all left the room complaining,” said Mushimiyimana Angeline who has been a nurse for 20 years.

    “We performed well at our respective schools but the accreditation exams were very complicated,” said another nurse with 14 years of service.

    Others expressed frustrations that the accreditation examinations are not related to the country’s curricula suspecting them to be copied from internet. They prayed thatacquiring accreditation in the association of nurses and midwives should be based on experience other than written exams.

    The Secretary General of nurses and midwives, Julie Kimonyo explained that the accreditation exams are picked from schools’ curricula.

    “A patient can’t select who to cure him/her. All patients must be cured by professionals with adequate knowledge and skills who can’t put their lives at risk. Such exams are prepared from their curricula and are related to their career,” he said.

  • Mukaruliza presents credence to COMESA Secretary General

    {Mukaruliza Monique, the High Commissioner of Rwanda to the Republic of Zambia and Permanent Representative to COMESA has presented her letters of credence to COMESA Secretary General Sindiso Ngwenya. }

    Her Excellency Mukaruliza has since pledged unwavering commitment as permanent Representative to COMESA in putting her efforts to collaborate with the Secretariat to ensure that COMESA programmes are implemented in Rwanda and other member states by using her experience from the East African Commission (EAC).

    “Rwanda is a member of COMESA enjoying the fruits of the various programmes being implemented by COMESA in our country ranging from trade facilitation for cross border trade and Climate change mitigation programmes,” Mukaruliza said.

    She said Rwanda believes in the power of regional integration and it’s no wonder programmes like Cross Border Trade facilitation have changed the lives of the citizens of the country adding that it is also one way of increasing intra COMESA region trade.

    Rwanda also trades in leather products within the COMESA region as well as other regional economic blocks like EAC where the country is also member.

    She appreciated the facilities that COMESA has put in place like the tripartite arrangement among EAC-SADC and COMESA which she said “if implemented shall facilitate the free movement of goods and services, business people as well as free movement of labor across the region and result in accelerated development of the member states as well as the region at large.”

    Accepting her letters of credence, Secretary General SindisoNgwenya appreciated the role Rwanda plays in fostering the regional and continental integration agenda sighting many programmes that Rwanda is hosting under COMESA.

    The Secretary General made an assurance that the secretariat shall work together with the Permanent Representative to ensure that dreams of the fore father of having a fully integrated Africa be realized by implementing programmes that work towards achieving that goal.

    The Secretary General said Rwanda’s economy is flourishing because of the visionary leadership of his excellence Paul Kagame the President of the Republic of Rwanda who has propelled the country from era of genocide to becoming one of the fastest growing economies on the continent.

    “We are happy that Rwanda is hosting our Upper Airspace Programme funded by the African Development Bank AfDB called the Communication, Navigation, Satellite and Air Traffic Management Programmes (CNSATM) and shall now start implementation as the just ended Directors of Aviation meeting in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe have agreed on all the aspects of implementation,” Ngwenya said.

    He said the COMESA region air space shall become more secure now that programmes is starting the implementation phase which will see COMESA manage its own air space and improve on the management of the upper air space and improve on the safety of the air space through integration with the lower air space.

    “Quiet a good number of accidents happen during landing and takeoff and not in the upper air space and its for this reason that your signing of Credentials shall fast-track the implementation of the programme so that as a region our people can start reaping the benefits that comes with it,” He said.

    The secretary General also said that COMESA is implementing many trade facilitation programmes that have enabled Small scale cross border traders to trade free with reduced cost of doing business.

    Mukaruliza Monique

  • Facebook reveals AI use to block ‘terrorist content’

    {US company says technology used to block child pornography pressed into service to address spread of propaganda online.}

    Amid growing pressure from governments, Facebook says it has stepped up its efforts to address the spread of “terrorist propaganda” on its service by using artificial intelligence (AI).

    In a blog post on Thursday, the California-based company announced the introduction of AI, including image matching and language understanding, in conjunction with it already-existing human reviewers to better identify and remove content “quickly”.

    “We know we can do better at using technology – and specifically artificial intelligence – to stop the spread of terrorist content on Facebook,” Monika Bickert, Facebook’s director of global policy management, and Brian Fishman, the company’s counterterrorism policy manager, said in the post.

    “Although our use of AI against terrorism is fairly recent, it’s already changing the ways we keep potential terrorist propaganda and accounts off Facebook.

    “We want Facebook to be a hostile place for terrorists.”

    Such technology is already used to block child pornography from Facebook and other services such as YouTube, but Facebook had been reluctant about applying it to other potentially less clear-cut uses.

    In most cases, the company only removed objectionable material if users first report it.

    Facebook and other internet companies have faced growing pressure from governments to identify and prevent the spread of “terrorist propaganda” and recruiting messages on their services.

    Government officials have at times threatened to fine Facebook, which has nearly two billion users, and strip the broad legal protections it enjoys against liability for the content posted by its users.

    {{Efforts welcomed}}

    Facebook’s announcement did not specifically mention this pressure, but it did acknowledge that “in the wake of recent terror attacks, people have questioned the role of tech companies in fighting terrorism online”.

    It said Facebook wants “to answer those questions head on” and that it agrees “with those who say that social media should not be a place where terrorists have a voice”.

    The UK interior ministry welcomed Facebook’s efforts, but said technology companies needed to go further.

    “This includes the use of technical solutions so that terrorist content can be identified and removed before it is widely disseminated, and ultimately prevented from being uploaded in the first place,” a ministry spokesman said on Thursday.

    Among the AI techniques being used by Facebook is image matching, which compares photos and videos people upload to Facebook to “known” terrorism images or video.

    Matches generally mean that either that Facebook had previously removed that material, or that it had ended up in a database of such images that the company shares with YouTube, Twitter and Microsoft.

    {{New techniques}}

    Facebook is also developing “text-based signals” from previously removed posts that praised or supported terrorist organisations.

    It will feed those signals into a machine-learning system, over time, will learn how to detect similar posts.

    In their blog post, Bickert and Fishman said that when Facebook receives reports of potential “terrorism posts”, it reviews those reports urgently.

    In addition, it says that in the rare cases when it uncovers evidence of imminent harm, it promptly informs authorities.

    The company admitted that “AI can’t catch everything” and technology is “not yet as good as people when it comes to understanding” what constitutes content that should be removed.

    To address these shortcomings, Facebook said it continues to use “human expertise” to review reports and determine their context.

    The company had previously announced it was hiring 3,000 additional people to review content that was reported by users.

    Facebook also said it will continue working with other tech companies, as well as government and intergovernmental agencies to combat the spread of “terrorism” online.

    Government officials have threatened to fine Facebook over content posted by users

    Source:Al Jazeera

  • Otto Warmbier suffered brain damage in N Korea

    {Family says Otto Warmbier has been in a coma since March 2016, shortly after being sentenced to 15 years of hard labour.}

    An American university student who was returned to the US this week after being held in North Korea for 18 months, has a severe brain injury and is in a state of “unresponsive wakefulness”, doctors say.

    Otto Warmbier, 22, has been in a coma since March 2016, shortly after he was sentenced to 15 years of hard labour in North Korea, according to his family.

    He arrived in the US on Tuesday and is stable but “shows no sign of understanding language, responding to verbal commands or awareness of his surrounding”, said Dr Daniel Kanter, medical director of the neuroscience intensive care unit at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, on Thursday.

    “He has not spoken,” Kanter said.

    He said Warmbier was breathing on his own, but “he has not engaged in any purposeful movements or behaviours. He has spontaneous eye opening and blinking”.

    Warmbier, from Wyoming, Ohio, was arrested for trying to steal an item bearing a propaganda slogan, North Korean media reported.

    He was visiting North Korea with a tour group.

    At a news conference before his trial, a weeping Warmbier said he had made “the worst mistake of my life” and pleaded to be released.

    On Thursday, North Korea said that it had released Warmbier “on humanitarian grounds”.

    His father, Fred Warmbier, said the family was proud of him, calling him “a fighter”.

    Warmbier’s parents were told their son was given a sleeping pill soon after his trial in March last year but never woke up.

    {{Botulism and sleeping pill}}

    A Washington Post newspaper report said the parents were told he may have been infected by botulism while in the North Korea jail system.

    The elder Warmbier said he did not believe North Korea’s explanation that the coma resulted from botulism and a sleeping pill.

    US doctors said they found no evidence of active botulism, a rare, serious illness caused by contaminated food or a dirty wound.

    Kanter said Otto Warmbier suffered “extensive loss of brain tissue in all regions of the brain”.

    Doctors said his injuries are consistent with respiratory arrest cutting off oxygen to the brain, but they do not know what caused it.

    The developments come amid tensions with the US following a series of missile tests by North Korea, focusing attention on an arms build-up that Pentagon chief Jim Mattis this week described as “a clear and present danger to all”.

    A state department spokeswoman said in Washington, DC that Warmbier’s release followed “quiet diplomacy”, at US President Donald Trump’s suggestion.

    University of Cincinnati doctors say Warmbier 'shows no sign of understanding language'

    Source:Al Jazeera

  • Mevlut Cavusoglu pushes efforts to end Qatar dispute

    {Foreign minister says, after holding talks in Qatar and Kuwait, ‘problem can’t be solved with embargoes and sanctions’.}

    As the rift between Qatar and the Saudi-led bloc enters its second week, Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkey’s foreign minister, has said that Qatari authorities does not want the diplomatic crisis to continue.

    Cavusoglu held talks in Kuwait with his counterpart Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Sabah on Thursday to push mediation efforts aimed at resolving the dispute.

    While saying an eagerness to resolve the crisis was seen in meetings with Qatari officials, Cavusoglu said Qatari officials are seeking proof of the accusations levelled against their country.

    “We share our views to resolve this problem and remain impartial, but we say what is wrong without hesitation,” he said on his return to Ankara from Kuwait on Thursday.

    “What is the problem, what are the accusations and what are the evidence? We must lay these out in order to solve this problem,” he said.

    “This problem can’t be solved with embargoes and sanctions that go too far.

    “We need to solve this problem as soon as possible by going through a process of easing the crisis without further escalating tensions.”

    Cavusoglu was expected to visit Saudi Arabia on Friday and share Turkey’s “sincere views” on the crisis during a meeting with Saudi officials.

    Qatar is facing an economic and diplomatic boycott by Saudi Arabia and its regional allies.

    They accuse Qatar of “funding terrorism”, fomenting regional unrest and cosying up to their enemy Iran, all of which Qatar denies.

    In response to an accusation that Qatar stands by Iran, Cavusoglu said these allegations were untrue, adding that no country in the region opposed Iran’s practices as firmly as Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

    Side by side

    Cavusoglu said Qatar stood beside the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Yemen, and also stood by Saudi Arabia when its embassy was attacked in Tehran last year.

    He said Turkey too does not view the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas as terrorist organisations.

    Speaking on Qatar’s $12bn deal with the US to buy F-15 fighter jets, Cavusoglu said “just like other country, like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt … it is natural for Qatar to buy airplanes or parts necessary for its own defence”.

    The Saudi-led blockade imposed against Qatar raised fears of a food crisis in Qatar, as most of its supplies come from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

    But the shortages have eased with Turkey and Iran shipping in meat, fruit and vegetables.

    Cavusoglu is expected to visit Saudi Arabia on Friday

    Source:Al Jazeera