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  • Israel suspends plans for new West Bank settlements

    Israel suspends plans for new West Bank settlements

    {Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday abruptly halted a plan to explore the construction of nearly 24,000 new settler homes in the West Bank, just hours after his housing minister announced the controversial planning process.}

    In a statement issued Tuesday, Netanyahu said he had asked Housing Minister Uri Ariel “to reconsider” plans for potential construction of new homes for Jewish settlers noting that Ariel, a member of the pro-settlement Jewish Home Party, had drawn up the plan “without any advance coordination”.

    The Israeli leader’s strongly worded statement said the plan was “a meaningless step – legally and in practice – and an action that creates an unnecessary confrontation with the international community at a time when we are making an effort to persuade elements in the international community to reach a better deal with Iran.”

    The statement said Ariel had accepted the request.

    Amid mounting Israeli concerns over the international nuclear negotiations with Iran, which could result in the easing of sanctions, Netanyahu has stressed that pressure on Tehran should be increased, not eased, until Iran dismantles its nuclear programme.

    Israel is widely believed to have the only nuclear arsenal in the Middle East, although Israeli officials neither confirm nor deny the speculation. Netanyahu is concerned that any shift in the international community’s position on Iran could change the strategic balance in the region.

    Abbas gets on the phone to Kerry

    Shortly after the news of Housing Minister Ariel’s shock announcement broke earlier Tuesday, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas warned that the current stalled peace talks would effectively be over if Israel proceeded with the plan.

    According to the Israeli daily, Haaretz, Abbas discussed the issue with US Secretary of State John Kerry, Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi as well as members of the Middle East Quartet, which includes the US, the UN, the EU and Russia.

    Kerry had warned that Israel’s continued settlement construction raised questions about the Jewish state’s seriousness about pursuing peace, in an interview broadcast on Israeli and Palestinian TV last week.

    Responding to Ariel’s announcement on Tuesday, the US State Department said it was “deeply concerned” by the news and was demanding explanations from Israel.

    The contentious issue of settlement construction has been at the heart of the stalled Mideast peace process in recent years.

    The Palestinians want their state to include all the land captured by Israel in the 1967 war, which includes the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. But more than 500,000 Israelis now live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The settlements are considered illegal under international law and have been a deeply divisive issue between Israel and the international community.

    France 24

  • DRC, M23 urged not to exclude Political option

    DRC, M23 urged not to exclude Political option

    {The head of MONUSCO, Martin Kobler, has urged the Congolese government and the M23 to not exclude the political option despite the end of the war in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
    }

    Mr. Kobler made the call on Tuesday November 12 at Goma in North Kivu.

    He stressed Kinshasa and rebels have not agreed on the form of the document to be signed. “How to call this paper on the table: a statement Conclusion or agreement? That was the difference, but not the substance, “said the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in the DRC, Martin Koble .

    On Monday, November 11th in the evening, the Congolese government and representatives of M23 have not signed an agreement in Kampala as originally planned.

    Kinshasa had raised the issue of the title of the document to be signed, refusing to sign “an agreement.”

    The government delegation wishes to sign a “statement”.

    For Martin Kobler, this text was designed before the end of the war.

    “I believe that the agreement or the paper or document was designed to end a war. Now that the war has ended, must be a solution to reintegrate fighters of M23 , “said the head of MONUSCO.

    He called on all the parties; the M23, the government and the facilitator “take [into account] the steps and fill what was in the paper.

    In a statement released Monday evening from Entebbe, the envoys of the international community present in Kampala regretted that the two parties have not reached an agreement in Kampala.

    They noted that Kinshasa and the M23 “expressed no differences on important issues of the draft document” initialed but did not reach an agreement on the format.

    In an address on state television, the Congolese Head of State, Joseph Kabila, said Wednesday, Oct. 30 that the victories of the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) against the rebels of the M23 had not “for effect of nullifying the political and diplomatic options to restore lasting peace.”The Congolese army has been subjected to a series of rebels’ setbacks. On 5 November, it regained control of all occupied areas that the rebels had occupied for more than a year.

    Source: Radio Okapi

  • Android dominates 81 percent of world smartphone market

    Android dominates 81 percent of world smartphone market

    {A new IDC study shows Google’s operating system has a stronghold on the smartphone market, but Windows Phone is quickly moving up the ranks.}

    For the first time ever, Android has hit more than 80 percent market share for smartphone shipments worldwide.

    The new Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker was released on Tuesday by IDC, which detailed third-quarter numbers for all smartphone shipments worldwide. A total of 261.1 million smartphones were shipped during this quarter, 81 percent of which run Google’s operating system. A study by Strategy Analytics last month revealed nearly the same numbers, showing that Android gobbled 81.3 percent of the global smartphone market in the third quarter.

    There are several smartphone manufacturers that run Android on their devices. Of these vendors, Samsung gained the most market share. The Galaxy S4-maker ruled 39 percent of all Android smartphone shipments in the third quarter. The majority of the other vendors saw market share within the single digits or less.

    Not only must Google be giving itself a pat on the back, but Microsoft should also be pleased by the third-quarter numbers. During the quarter, Windows Phone shipments jumped 156 percent year-over-year. While Windows Phone market share is still small — less than 5 percent — these numbers do show that people are purchasing the smartphones at a rapid rate. Kantar Worldpanel ComTech reported similar numbers in September showing that Windows Phone is increasingly gaining in the world market.

    For Windows Phones, Nokia appears to be the smartphone maker of choice. A whopping 93.2 percent of all Windows Phones shipped in the third quarter were made by Nokia.

    “Android and Windows Phone continued to make significant strides in the third quarter. Despite their differences in market share, they both have one important factor behind their success: price,” IDC’s Mobile Phone team research manager Ramon Llamas said in a statement. “Both platforms have a selection of devices available at prices low enough to be affordable to the mass market, and it is the mass market that is driving the entire market forward.”Overall smartphone shipments were up 39.9 percent year-over-year in the third quarter. According to IDC, average smartphone selling prices have decreased as of late as demand for cheaper phones grows. The average price is now at $317, which is 12.5 percent lower than last year.

    One exception to the lower price is for large-screened smartphones, or phablets. The average phablet price is currently hovering around $443; however, this is still 22.8 percent lower than last year’s average phablet price of $573.

    “Almost all successful Android vendors have added one or more 5- to 7-inch phablets to their product portfolios,” IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker program director Ryan Reith said. “And Nokia’s recent announcement of the Lumia 1320 and 1520 put them in the category as well. In 3Q13, phablet shipments accounted for 21 percent of the smartphone market, up from just 3 percent a year ago. We believe the absence of a large-screen device may have contributed to Apple’s inability to grow share in the third quarter.”

    And, this brings us to Apple. While iOS does well in the US, it’s not as popular in the world market. In the third quarter, Apple held 12.9 percent of the market share, which is a 1.5 percent decline from last year. However, the company’s shipments were up from 26.9 million during last year’s third quarter to 33.8 million in this year’s third quarter. According to IDC, some of this market share decline could be due to soft demand in the weeks before the launch of the iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, and iOS 7 in September.

  • Arab-African Economic Forum to unblock trade and investment partnerships

    Arab-African Economic Forum to unblock trade and investment partnerships

    {The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Claver Gatete attended the first ever Arab-Africa Economic forum held in Kuwait city, Kuwait. The two day event precedes third Arab-Africa summit slated for November 19-20. }

    Dubbed “Beyond promises: Moving forward towards an effective Arab- Africa partnership”, the two day forum focused on development cooperation in infrastructure, transport and energy. It also explored ways to increase investments and trade between Arab and African countries.

    Speaking during the forum, Minister Gatete exhorted the Arab financing institutions to work more in financing regional development programs which will foster integration and enable inter-state trade.

    “Africa is ready to do business with the rest of the world. I urge Africa- Arab development institutions to devise new financing instruments to support Africa’s ambitious transformation programs,” Minister Gatete said.

    Forum explored opportunities in Africa and Arab regions that could trigger and promote collaboration between African States, the Arab region and the world at large. It focused primarily on how the private sector actors from Africa and Arab can forge sustainable partnerships with a view to enhancing trade and investment relations between the two sides. The event featured national and regional project portfolios with regional investment and export trade opportunities that require international partnerships.

    “We need to explore investment opportunities together with ways and means to enhance and promote development cooperation as well as facilitate trade among Arab and African countries,” H.H. Sheikh Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the State of Kuwait said.

    The forum acquainted the private sector of the available opportunities to expand public private partnerships, investments and commercial activities in Arab and African countries.

    The forum attracted public sector leaders, Arab, African, regional and international organizations, specialized Arab and African institutions, Arab and African intellectuals, leaders of prominent private sector establishments as well as civil society in both Africa and the Arab world.

  • US ‘to name Nigeria’s Boko Haram terrorist group’

    US ‘to name Nigeria’s Boko Haram terrorist group’

    {The US State Department will designate Boko Haram, the Nigerian Islamist group responsible for the 2011 bombing of the UN headquarters in Abuja, as a “foreign terrorist organisation”, congressional sources said on Tuesday.}

    The US State Department will formally designate the Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram as a “foreign terrorist organisation” on Wednesday, congressional sources and others briefed on the matter said.

    The designation is significant because it directs US law enforcement and regulatory agencies to block business and financial transactions with Boko Haram, which is fighting to impose Islamic law in northern Nigeria and has ties to al Qaeda. Boko Haram means “Western education is sacrilege”.

    The move makes it a crime under US law to provide “material support” to the group.

    Boko Haram and other splinter Islamist groups are seen as the biggest security threat in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and top oil exporter.

    In one of the group’s most recent attacks, fighters dressed as the military shot and hacked to death 19 motorists after blocking a highway in the northeast of the country. In August 2011, the group bombed the UN headquarters in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, killing 24 people.

    In May this year President Goodluck Jonathan expanded a military campaign against the group and last month said his forces had killed 74 of the suspected militants in an air assault.

    FRANCE 24

  • “Ndi Umunyarwanda” started in Higher Learning Institutions in Rwanda

    “Ndi Umunyarwanda” started in Higher Learning Institutions in Rwanda

    { ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda’ program now is being conducted in universities and High Learning institutions of Rwanda starting from November 4th, 2013 at Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST).}

    The Students of former Kigali Institute of Science and Technology ( KIST), Kigali Health Institute and National University of Rwanda( NUR) Kigali campus met last week discussion the reality of ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda’ Program strengthening the unity and peace among Rwandans through telling factual testimonies.

    Kayisire Callixte, staff at Ministry of Youth and ICT (MYICT), said that ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda’ was initiated to recognize the values of Rwandan culture which strengthened the ties between them.

    “The program was put in place to brace the unity and reconciliation among Rwandans, which is different from unreliable ethnic labels” said Kayisire.

    Kayisire stressed that the history of Rwandans have to be told as it was happen, the time and the location of that authentic past.

    Honorable Edouard Bamporiki said that Ndi Umunyarwanda meaning ‘I am Rwandan’ is found in the Government policy of Unity and Reconciliation that after the 1994 genocide , Rwanda has realized its true identity “Ubunyarwanda “

    “It is through our responsibility as Rwandans that we must bring back values of our accurate identity which were lost” said Bamporiki.

    Rurangwa Denis, the member of Arts for Peace organization, witnessed what he saw in 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, saying that it is the real moment for Rwandans to perceive the background of the history in order to avoid the awful actions of the past.

    The youth said that the Rwandan history must be taught in schools in order to conserve our true story from today ‘generation to generations to come.

    Rwanda struggles to overcome the scars of ethnic division and ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda’ campaign is a necessary step towards healing not only for survivors who have had to move on without being asked for forgiveness, but also for the youth, children of genocide perpetrators or even those who are not, live with the guilt of what was done in the name of all Hutus.

    Now the youth from all private higher learning institutions and University of Rwanda are being given details on the program and call upon to take part in it; the agenda will reach all institutions and Universities in the Country.

    NYC

  • Security Council authorizes temporary boost for African Union force in Somalia

    Security Council authorizes temporary boost for African Union force in Somalia

    The United Nations Security Council today authorized a temporary boost for the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia of over 4,000 troops and an expanded logistical package so it can maintain basic security and respond to the evolving threat from Al-Shabaab insurgents.

    In a unanimously adopted resolution, the Council extended the deployment of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) – which was created in 2007 – until 31 October 2014.

    It also requested the AU to increase AMISOM’s force strength from 17,731 to a maximum of 22,126 uniformed personnel, and decided to expand the logistical support package provided to the force by the United Nations.

    The Council underlined that the increases in force strength decided in the resolution “are to provide a short-term enhancement of AMISOM’s military capacity,” for a period of 18 to 24 months and as part of an overall exit strategy for AMISOM, after which a decrease in the Mission’s force strength will be considered.

    Both Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the AU had recently recommended enhancements for the Mission, including helicopters and other enablers, so that it can combat the insurgency in the Horn of Africa nation, which is trying to move past decades of fighting and advance peace and development.

    In yesterday’s resolution, the 15-member Council also took note of the Secretary-General’s intention to deploy an appropriate UN Static Guard unit to strengthen security at the compounds of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), which was set up in June to support the Government and the people of the country in their quest for security and prosperity.

    Meanwhile, it agreed with Mr. Ban that conditions in the country “are not yet appropriate” for the deployment of a UN peacekeeping operation, and requested him to keep progress against the benchmarks set for such a move under continuous review.

    The Council also urged increased collaboration between the AU, UN and the Federal Government of Somalia, “including on a comprehensive approach to peace, security and development which integrates political, security, peacebuilding and development activities, recognizing that none can succeed in isolation.”

  • Vote “This Week” On Draft to Defer Kenya ICC, “Disrespecting Africa”?

    Vote “This Week” On Draft to Defer Kenya ICC, “Disrespecting Africa”?

    UNITED NATIONS, {After the Security Council met Tuesday on the African Union’s draft resolution for the UN Security Council to defer the International Criminal Court’s Kenya proceedings for a year, Rwanda’s Ambassador Gasana said the resolution will be put to the vote “this week.”}

    Another Security Council member told Inner City Press it would be Friday, rejecting the argument that the issue could instead be referred to the ICC’s Assembly of State Parties — “we’re not members!”

    They’re in a tough spot, the argument continued, having to disrespect Africa while “using” it.

    Inner City Press put this question to November’s Council president Liu Jieyi, who replied that China is not a member of the ICC and is only considering this in terms of the draft Security Council resolution.

    Western Ambassadors leaving didn’t speak. US Ambassador Power left at 5:14 pm, saying goodbye but offering no comment.

    The mood going in was more jocular. French Ambassador Araud bantered with a scribe who name-dropped about Iran, then disappeared. During most of the meeting, the stakeout consisted of media from South Africa and Benin, then Al Jazeera. Western wires and one “TV” belatedly showed up — then tried to ask all the questions.

    An hour and a half, the spin that emerged that was “one member” inside had suggested not putting the draft resolution to a vote, to not “humiliate” the African Union ministers who came, offering instead “a paper” which would refer to the Assembly of State Parties meeting.

    But earlier one of the African sponsors of the draft said this was the last chance, they were going to put it to the vote later this week. They knew the vote count. So what could this offer, called condescending, change?

    Inner City Press on Monday asked Kenya’s Permanent Representative Macharia Kamau about the timing. Thursday or Friday, he replied. “It’s sad,” he told Inner City Press exclusively, “it’s a very simple issue, the Security Council would lose nothing. They’d grant the request of forty nine [heads of state or] the whole of Africa, and be back here in twelve months.” He said there might be headlines for one day after such a deferral, calling it “knee jerk.”

    He contrasted it, “if we’d come here asking for war, or to send a ‘war lord’ to The Hague, there’d be consensus.”

    Macharia Kamau paused and said, “The Security Council is not a destination for solutions.” He said others would realize that too, whenever they had an issue before the Council.

    Inner City

  • Government of Rwanda and Kuwait Fund sign Frw 8.5 Billion Agreement

    Government of Rwanda and Kuwait Fund sign Frw 8.5 Billion Agreement

    {The Government of Rwanda and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) signed a US$ 12.7 million (approximately Frw 8.5 Billion) financing agreement for the construction of the Munini hospital in Nyaruguru district, Southern Province.}

    The Project aims to support the social development of the Southern Province of Rwanda, by meeting the increasing demand for health services and improving the quality of health care services in the Nyaruguru District.

    The three year (2014-2017) project comprises the construction of the new Munini District Hospital with capacity of 300 beds. It also includes the supply of medical and auxiliary equipment and the consultancy services for design, supervision of construction and procurement.

    Speaking after the signing event in Kuwait City where he has been attending the Arab-Africa economic forum, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Claver Gatete noted that construction of the Munini hospital would not only bring closer quality health services to Nyaruguru sector but also provide employment opportunities to nurses and doctors.

    “Health is one of the underlying factors in the quest for a middle income economy by 2020 and hence very crucial that Rwandans access health services,” Minister Gatete said.

    This project is expected to not only serve the people of Nyaruguru district but also people from the neighboring districts of Gisagara, Nyamagabe and Huye.

    Abdulwahab Ahmed Al-Bader the director general of Kuwait Fund acknowledged the existing cooperation between the financial institution and Rwanda. He noted that Rwanda’s proper use of aid and hailed its remarkable progress.

    “We are ready and committed to continue to support Rwanda going forward and we are assured that the people of Rwanda will stand to benefit from this partnership,” Mr. Abdulwahab Ahmed Al-Bader said.

    Kuwait Fund supports several projects in Rwanda including the concluded US$ 10 million Rehabilitated Ngororero-Mukamira Road project, expansion and rehabilitation of the Integrated Polytechnic Regional Center, with financing amounting to approximately US$ 14.2 million. This is an ongoing project that aims to boost Rwanda’s efforts in developing Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET).

    The fund is also financing Construction of Rubengera-Gisiza Road, Lot 6 of the Kivu Belt multinational road, with financing approximating to US$ 14.4 million. It is an ongoing project which upon completion will boost trade and tourism along the belt.

  • UN Envoys Urge DRC To Sign Kampala Peace Deal

    UN Envoys Urge DRC To Sign Kampala Peace Deal

    {United Nations envoys and their diplomatic counterparts have voiced regret that peace talks between the M23 rebel group and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) could not be concluded on Monday evening. }

    The joint statement by the Secretary-General Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region, Mary Robinson, his Special Representative for DRC, Martin Kobler, United States Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region and the DRC Russ Feingold, African Union Special Representative Boubacar Diarra, and European Union Senior Coordinator for the Great Lakes region Koen Vervaeke comes nearly a week after the group welcomed the announcement by the M23 that it is ending its bloody insurgency against the DRC Government.

    The talks in the Ugandan capital of Kampala were aimed at reaching a final and principled agreement that ensures the disarmament and demobilization of the M23 and accountability for human rights abuses.

    “The Envoys note that the parties have expressed no differences on substantive points within the draft document. However, agreement on the format has not yet been reached. Despite a change in the military situation, it is important that there be a political conclusion to the dialogue,” said the statement.

    “The Envoys further emphasize that any solution must allow the pursuit of accountability for those who have committed war crimes, crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, including those involving sexual violence and recruitment of child soldiers, and other gross violations of human rights.”