Sunday Herald newspaper backs independence campaign

The Sunday Herald's decision to formally back independence comes as no surprise to anyone who has so much as glanced at the newspaper in recent months.

Its striking front pages have been consistently favourably to the "Yes" side of the argument, as have its star columnists, Ian Bell and Iain MacWhirter.

by James Cook - Scotland Correspondent, BBC News

But for supporters of independence, the title's case for "the chance to alter course, to travel roads less taken, to define a destiny" will still be warmly welcomed.The Sunday Herald has become the first newspaper publicly to back a "Yes" vote in the Scottish independence referendum.

The front page of the weekly title states "Sunday Herald says Yes" and is decorated with a giant thistle and saltires in a design by artist and "Yes" supporter Alasdair Gray.

The paper supported the SNP in the 2007 and 2011 Scottish Parliament elections.

It said it would remain balanced in its reporting.

An article on the newspaper's website said: "The Herald & Times Group, publisher of the Sunday Herald, The Herald and the Evening Times, is giving the titles' editors freedom to take their own editorial position on the constitution.

"The company is non-political and neutral.

"The Herald has not declared an opinion on the referendum question. It will be up to its editor to decide when and if to do so."

A spokesman for the pro-Union Better Together said: "This is not exactly a surprise. Anybody who has read the Sunday Herald since the campaign started would know that they favour breaking up the UK.

"Newspapers are perfectly entitled to back one side or the other, and we would expect a number of Scottish newspapers to support Scotland remaining in the UK."

Blair Jenkins, Yes Scotland chief executive, said: 'The Sunday Herald is the first national newspaper to endorse either side in the debate about our country's future and we are delighted that it has chosen to support Yes.

"The Sunday Herald's editorial is passionate, inspiring and, above all, a statement of common sense and irresistible logic."

The Sunday Herald sold an average of 23,907 copies each week in the second half of 2013, according to the latest circulation figures from the industry-owned Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC).

It claims to have a significant growing online readership, with 1.6m reading the Herald website monthly.

Source: bbc.com/news/uk-scotland

Japanese defense chief to visit Italy, South Sudan, Djibouti Placard Enlarge

Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera will visit Italy, South Sudan and Djibouti over six days from Tuesday, his ministry said Friday.

After meeting with his Italian counterpart Roberta Pinotti to discuss bilateral defense cooperation, Onodera will become the first Japanese Cabinet minister to visit South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, where fighting has been raging since December between government troops and forces loyal to the former vice president.

In the South Sudan capital Juba, Onodera will meet with Japanese Self-Defense Forces troops participating in U.N. peacekeeping operations and check local security conditions.

He will also hold talks with Hilde Johnson, special representative of the U.N. secretary general, who heads the U.N. Mission in the Republic of South Sudan.

In Djibouti, Onodera will meet with SDF troops stationed in the country for antipiracy operations in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia.

The government is considering Djibouti as a possible hub for the SDF peacekeeping operations in Africa and the Middle East.

Progress or Peril in Somalia? A Conversation with U.N. Special Representative for Somalia Nicholas Kay

Ambassador Nicholas Kay & Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Moderator

The Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, discussed the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia’s progress in executing key governance and security goals at the U.S. Institute of Peace on April 22, 2014.

Despite the optimism that surrounded President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s inauguration in 2012, Somalia has struggled to achieve key governance and security goals. A recent cabinet reshuffle and intensified al-Shabab militant activity in Mogadishu have raised more concerns about Somalia’s trajectory. With elections planned for 2016, rapid progress is required to bolster confidence in Somalia’s government and leadership.

To address these issues, USIP hosted a discussion with Nicholas Kay, the Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary-General for Somalia. As the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), Amb. Kay oversees a mission charged with providing policy advice to the federal government on a range of governance and security issues and coordinating international engagement. He provided an update on recent developments in Somalia and UNSOM’s progress in executing its mandate, as well as answered questions from the audience.

Featured Speakers:
Ambassador Nicholas Kay
Special Representative of the Secretary General for Somalia

Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Moderator
Special Advisor to the President, U.S. Institute of Peace

Johnnie Carson

Djibouti president departs for U.S.

Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh has set out on an official visit to the United States

ADDIS ABABA – Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh has set out on an official visit to the United States during which he is expected to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama, presidential adviser Najib Ali Tahir said on Friday.


"Horn of Africa issues will dominate the talks between presidents Guelleh and Obama," Tahir told Anadolu Agency.


"The two leaders will also touch on ways to enhance the already excellent relations between the two countries," he said.



Guelleh's visit comes at the invitation of the U.S. president, Tahir added.

Source: turkishpress.com

FILM KU SAABSAN TAARIIKH NOLOLEEDKII MARXUUM MAXAMED X IBRAAHIN CIGAAL SANADGUURADII 12AAD EE KA SOO WAREEGTAY GEERIDIISA.

FILM KU SAABSAN TAARIIKH NOLOLEEDKII MARXUUM MAXAMED X IBRAAHIN CIGAAL SANADGUURADII 12AAD EE KA SOO WAREEGTAY GEERIDIISA.

 

Ethiopia: Kerry Backs Journalists Ahead of World Press Freedom Day

Cape Town — United States Secretary of State John Kerry has spoken out publicly against the Ethiopian government's use of anti-terrorism laws "as mechanisms to be able to curb the free exchange of ideas."

His criticism came as campaigners for journalists' rights marked World Press Freedom Day, which is observed on May 3, by focusing attentionon the plight of Ethiopian journalists and bloggers who are under arrest and in prison.

Ahead of his current trip to east and central Africa, Kerry told  allAfrica in an email interview  that he planned to raise restrictions on press freedom and freedom of expression in Ethiopia with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. "This is an issue I feel very passionately about," he told AllAfrica.

At a news conference in Addis Ababa on May 1, he said he had made it clear to Ethiopian officials "that they need to create greater opportunities for citizens to be able to engage with their fellow citizens and with their government by opening up more space for civil society."

He added: "I shared my concerns about a young Ethiopian blogger that I met last year, Natnail Feleke, who, with eight of his peers, had been imprisoned. And I firmly believe that the work of journalists, whether it's print journalists or in the internet or media of other kinds, it makes societies stronger, makes them more vibrant, and ultimately provides greater stability and greater voice to democracy... It's a testament to the strength of our friendship with Ethiopia that we can discuss difficult issues, as we do, even when we disagree on one aspect of them or another."

Challenged by an Ethiopian questioner over whether he was merely paying "lip service" to the issue, or whether he was "seriously concerned" about recent arrests, Kerry replied: "We are concerned about any imprisoned journalist here or anywhere else.... And we believe that it's very important that the full measure of the constitution be implemented and that we shouldn't use the Anti-Terrorism Proclamations as mechanisms to be able to curb the free exchange of ideas.

"And in my meetings with all public officials, I will always press the interests of the political space being opened up and being honored. And so we have previously called for the release of these individuals, and that is the policy of our government, and it's a serious policy."

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the New York-based advocacy group for journalists' rights, has named three African journalists - from Ethiopia, Egypt and Eritrea - among 10 "emblematic cases" of journalists around the world who are "silenced by authorities in retaliation for their work."

The Ethiopian journalist named by CPJ is Reeyot Alemu, whose case AllAfrica raised with Kerry. She was arrested in a 2011 crackdown on opposition, reports CPJ, and is serving five years' imprisonment on "trumped-up terrorism charges". Recent reports suggest that she is being denied adequate medical attention after breast surgery.

(The Egyptian journalist named by the CPJ is Mahmoud Abou Zeid, a freelance photographer detained while covering clashes between security forces and Muslim Brotherhood supporters last year. He remains detained. The Eritrean is Dawit Isaac, the founder of what was Eritrea's largest newspaper, who was jailed in 2001. No information has been released by his authorities about where he is and what his condition is.)

In another initiative,  the CPJ has issued an appeal  specifically for Ethiopian journalists who have been arrested and imprisoned.

"The actions of Ethiopian leaders," says the CPJ, "take Africa backwards to the dark days of apartheid and one-party rule, invoking an Orwellian reality of official deception, secret surveillance, and a disregard for honest voices speaking truth to power."

The CPJ urged campaigners to post messages on their websites and to support the most recently arrested journalists and bloggers on blogs and social media accounts, using the hashtag #FreeZone9Bloggers.

WAR DEGDEG AH: MAXKAMADA GOBOLKA MAROODI-JEEX OO XUKUNTAY EEDAYSANAYAASHII LOO HAYSTAY GABADHII MAYDKEEDA GODKA LAGU AASAY

Hargaysa - Maxkamada Gobolka Maroodi Jeex ayaa maanta xukun ku riday gabadhii dishay marxuumad Ruqiya Siciid Ayaanle oo Muddo laba bilood ka hor ah lagu Dilay Guri ku yaala Hargeysa oo God lagu aasay

waxay Maxakmadu Dil toogasho ay ku xukuntay 4 ka mid ah Qoyskii Gabadha dilay oo kala ah  hooyadii  Qoyska  Muuna Maxamed Cabdilaahi,  ina  Faadumo Cali 37Jir ah, waxa Maxkamadu waxay ku xukuntay Qisaas Dil ah, Maxamed Axmed Cabdi, ina Muuna Maxamed Waxay Maxkamadu ku xukuntay Qisaas Dil ah, Sakariye Axmed Cabdi ina Muuna Maxamed oo 19Sanno jir ah, Waxay Maxkamadu ku xukuntay Qisaas Dil ah, Farax Axmed Cabdi Ina Muuna Maxamed 19Jir ah, waxay Maxkamadu ku xukuntay dil, Afartaasi waxay maxkamadu ku xukuntay Dil, waxa kale oo  ay Maxkamadu ku xukuntay Hana Cabdi Salaam Ismaciil, ina Muna Maxamed 17 Todoban jir ah, waxay maxkamadu ku xukuntay 10Sanno Xadhig ah.

Waxaanu sahrcigu dhigayaa in qofkii 18 Jir ka yar aan lagu xukumin Dil, Kalsoon Xaaji Baxnaan Xirsi, waxanu u celinay Xoriyadeedii, Cabdi Salaan Ismaciil Maxamed oo ah ninkii qabay Muna waxa uu joogay maalintii falku dhaceyey Berbera, sidaasi daradeed xoriyadiisi waanu u soo celinay, Maxmaed Xassan Cabdi oo lagu eedeynayey in uu booliska Majaro habaabiyey oo uu yidhi marxuumadu waxay joogta oo aan ku arkay Magaalada Kalabadh ee gabiley sidaasi daradeed waxaanu ku xukunay Hal Sanno oo xadhig ah.

Xukunkan ayaa saaka wuu ku dhawaqay Gudoomiyaha Maxkamada Gobolka Hargeysa Faysal Maxamed Cabdilaahi (Faysal dhaga dhago ).

Standard Bank to open Ethiopian office

BY PHAKAMISA NDZAMELA,

STANDARD Bank, Africa’s largest bank by assets, will open a representative office in Ethiopia this year, its latest annual report noted, which could create a platform into Africa’s second-most populous nation and stretch its footprint to 20 African countries.

Establishing a presence in Ethiopia, with a population of about 92-million people and which is second in size only to Nigeria, with about 174-million people, will pave the way for Standard Bank to seek opportunities for establishing banking activities in that country.

When asked about Standard Bank’s plans in Ethiopia, a spokesman for the bank offered little insight on Wednesday, saying only: "We are in the process of finalising the details."

According to data from the National Bank of Ethiopia, the country’s central bank, there are 18 private banks and three state-owned banks. The banking system is dominated by government-owned banks, which include the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia and Development Bank of Ethiopia.

Bank ownership in Ethiopia has historically been closed to foreign ownership, meaning only Ethiopians are allowed to own and operate financial institutions, according to the National Bank of Ethiopia’s website.

The opening of a representative office by Standard Bank raises questions about whether the bank is moving in anticipation of the future liberalisation of Ethiopia’s banking sector. Togo-headquartered Ecobank opened a representative office in Ethiopia last year, saying this was "ahead of the anticipated deregulation of the banking sector" there. Ecobank estimated the unbanked population at about 80-million people.

The establishment of an Ethiopian representative office comes after Standard Bank opened a representative office in Côte d’Ivoire late last year.

The office in Cote d’Ivoire has allowed Standard Bank to co-ordinate financing for commodity transactions without needing to have a banking licence in that country. The bank has used its network of banks and partnerships outside of that country to complete deals.

Among South African-headquartered banks with businesses in Africa, Standard Bank’s geographical footprint on the continent is unrivalled, with Barclays Africa Group in second place.

Including South Africa, Barclays Africa Group has operations in 13 African countries, as well as representative offices in Namibia and Nigeria. However, other South African banks such as FirstRand have repeatedly indicated that their plans were to have a presence in key African growth markets and not in as many countries.

Standard Bank, excluding South Africa, has about 3.8-million customers, 557 branches and 1,223 ATMs, according to its latest annual report. Barclays Africa Group, excluding South Africa, has about 2.5-million customers in its Africa operations, 485 branches and 1,162 ATMs, according to its latest annual report.

FANAANKA CAALAMIGA AH Pharrell Williams OO HARGEISA KA TUMAY HEESTIISA CAANKA AH EE HAPPY: We Are Happy From Hargeisa Pharrell Williams

 We Are Happy From Hargeisa Pharrell Williams 

Pharrell Williams' infectious hit, "Happy," has become an international pop anthem, with millions around the world clapping along, moving and grooving, and doing their own happy dances.

The Oscar-nominated song, featured on the "Despicable Me 2" soundtrack and now the lead single on his new album, "G I R L," is beyond catchy with its cheerful rhythm and chorus. TheYouTube video, the world's first 24-hour music video, has been viewed more than 160 million times, spurring countless parodies.

We Are Happy From Hargeisa Pharrell Williams Happy 

China to Build "Dubai-like" City in Kenya

The Nairobi Sunday Nation reported earlier this month that Chinese investors plan to build outside Nairobi a $750 million "Dubai-like" city that is intended to be a major shopping destination for Chinese projects.  The Kenyan Construction Business Review questions if it is possible to build a project of this magnitude for $750 million in a piece published on 23 April 2014 titled "Can China Build 'Dubai' in Machakos for Sh65 bn?" by Danson Kagai.

China's Premier Li Keqiang is scheduled to visit Kenya, Ethiopia, Angola and Nigeria from 4-11 May 2014.  He may use the occasion of the visit to Kenya to announce officially this major new project.