The U.S. Arab Chamber supports Fifth Annual Arab American Day with the focus on the role of Arab women

H.E. Salah Sarhan, Arab League Ambassador to the United States.
photo: NUSACC©
 
300 business leaders and Diplomats attend event that celebrates Americans of Arab descent

(BMLTV) December 18, 2016, WASHINGTON , D.C. - For the fifth year in a row, the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC) supported Arab American Day, held under the auspices of the League of Arab States and the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Washington, DC.

Michael Goldsmith begins his new job as Deputy City Manager

Deputy City Manager Michael Goldsmith, Norfolk VA.
photo: abhi ahmadaeen/BMLTV©

(BMLTV) NORFOLK, VA - This past November City Manager Marcus Jones announced that Police Chief Michael Goldsmith had been promoted to the role of Deputy City Manager. Effective December 1, 2016, Chief Goldsmith will oversee the departments of Police, Fire, Emergency Operations and Neighborhood Development.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks at World Aids Day event

video: CCTV/AFRICA

(UNITED NATIONS) December 1, 2016-Speaking at a special event ahead of World AIDS Day, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon November 30 underscored the need to stop stigma and abuse against those living with the disease and to ensure that they receive the care, treatment and protection they are entitled to.

Ban said “hatred and bigotry spread disease and – as the founders of this movement taught – silence equals death.”

African Wildlife Foundation partners with Emmy-Award Winning Series to shed light on climate change crisis

The African Wildlife Foundation is leading a global effort to put a stop to the slaughter of
African elephants and other species. photo: billy dodson/AWF  

Years of living dangerously episode highlights the consequences of climate change to Africa’s wildlife 

(BUSINESS WIRE) WASHINGTON - On Wednesday, November 30, “Priceless” will be broadcast on the National Geographic Channel at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT . In the newest episode of the Emmy-Award winning program, actor and Years of Living Dangerously correspondent Aasif Mandvi sets off on a quest to understand just how much of a threat climate change poses to wildlife.

Virginia Space welcomes new board member appointments and leadership

Virginia Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne. Norfolk VA.
photo:  abhi ahmadadeen/BMLTV©

(BMLTV) NORFOLK, VA, November 29, 2016 -The Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority announced Aubrey Layne, Transportation Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, was elected as the new Chair of the organization’s board of directors.

Junior Olympian Track Star Sheppard sisters are the Sports Illustrated Kids 2016 SportsKids of the Year

The Sheppard sisters 2016 SportsKids of the Year.
photo: BUSINESS WIRE

(BUSINESS WIRE) November 24, 2016 - NEW YORK Time Inc. Sports Illustrated Kids has named Tai, Rainn and Brooke Sheppard, of Brooklyn, New York, the 2016 SportsKids of the Year.

The Sheppard sisters—aged 11, 10 and 9, respectively—were selected from among thousands of entries for overcoming substantial obstacles to qualify for this year’s AAU Junior Olympic Games and for each individually medaling in track and field events.

The Elizabeth Riverfest boast a significant turn out as participants take it to the bridge and back to paradise

Participants in the “live art event walk to the top of the South Norfolk Jordan Bridge during RIVERFEST 2016. photo: abhi ahmadadeen/BMLTV©.

(BMLTV) PORTSMOUTH VA., November 23, 2016 - Elizabeth RIVERFest, the area’s premiere environmental festival,reached new heights this year – literally. For the first time, participants walked to the top of the South Norfolk Jordan Bridge. Even more special, the walk turned into a live art event as participants carried 1,000 silhouettes of blue herons in honor of an internationally accomplished sculptor, debuting his “One Flock” installation of heron and human sculptures at the festival.

After completing outdoor environmental sculptures around the world, from Russia to France, Germany and Korea, Rob Mulholland of Scotland unveiled his first major installation in the US during Elizabeth River Project’s annual RIVERFEST.

Virginia Governor speaks at 3rd Annual Community Collaborations Reentry Summit

Gov. Terry McAuliffe speaking at 3rd Annual Community Collaborations Reentry Summit October 17, 2016,  at Old Dominion University’s Constant Convocation Center.
photo: abhi ahmadadeen/BMLTV©

(BMLTV) NORFOLK, VA November 21, 2016 - More than 300 professionals, reentry advocates and former offenders from Norfolk and/or their family members came together for the 3rd Annual Community Collaborations Reentry Summit mid October at Old Dominion University’s Constant Convocation Center.

Empire State Building goes purple for “World Prematurity Day”

photo: The Empire State Building image ® is a registered trademark of ESRT Empire State Building, L.L.C. and is used with permission.
 
(PRN-USN) NEW YORK, November 16, 2016 - The Empire State Building towers lit up with  purple light yesterday in honor of the 6th annual World Prematurity Day (WPD) tomorrow. Parent groups and organizations worldwide join together on WPD to raise awareness of the serious problem of premature birth.

DHL Couriers gear up for icy weather with a penguin’s help

photo: marketing/ DHL
 
Company’s “Safety First – Safety Feet” program enlists the expertise of a sure-footed creature

(BUSINESS WIRE) PLANTATION , FLORIDA, November 12, 2016 - A bird that doesn’t fly is helping a Big Yellow Machine that does.

DHL - sometimes nicknamed the Big Yellow Machine for its boldly colored aircraft and delivery vehicles—found a novel way to remind couriers of the care they must take when delivering packages in icy conditions. The company, the world’s leading international express services provider, enlisted the help of a penguin.

Takeda donates 1 billion yen as an exclusive partner to the United Nations Foundation for "Global Measles Vaccination for Children" program

photo: World Health Organization South-East Asia Region

Aiming at vaccinating 5.4 million children in approximately 40 developing countries

(BUSINESS WIRE) November 5, 2016 - OSAKA, Japan -Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited today announced that Takeda will exclusively support “Global Measles Vaccination for Children” by the United Nations Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign. The initiative aims to provide measles vaccination to at least 5.4 million children in approximately 40 developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America over 10 years. We have donated one billion yen (9698860.0000 US dollar) to the United Nations Foundation to implement the program.

United Front Justice Coalition files complaint with Whitehouse against FBI Director James Comey

Official White House photo: by Pete Souza

October 28, 2015

President Barack Hussein Obama
Vice-President Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr.

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
NW Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President and Vice-President:

This is an official request upon your office to remove the FBI Director James Comey from office. There are no statutory conditions on the President’s authority to remove the FBI Director. He has exhibited irresponsible and reckless behavior in his deliberate actions and shown that he does not have the good judgment needed to fulfill the responsibilities of this office. Under his leadership the Citizens of America have been subjected to undo election stress and confusion due to his lack of regard for the laws of our country.

Netizen Report: As protests rage in Ethiopia, Zone9 bloggers return to court

Zone9 bloggers left to right: Abel Wabela, Zelalem Kiberet, Mahlet Fantahun, Atnaf Berahane, Befeqadu Hailu, Natnael Feleke. photo: via Martin Ennals Awards

The Advox Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world

(GLOBAL VOICES) ETHIOPIA, October 26, 2016 - As protests rage over land rights and ethnic discrimination, bloggers and independent journalists in Ethiopia appear to be losing ground in their struggle to exercise free expression. Alongside other recent arrests, four members of the Zone9 bloggers collective, who spent 18 months in prison on terrorism-related charges from 2014-2015, returned to court on October 21 following an appeal by the public prosecutor. Their case was adjourned yet again, with a new court date scheduled for November 15.

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Federal government must think big, aim high and act boldly by investing in mental health innovation and the economy

photo: abhi ahmadadeen/BMLTV©

(CNW) Toronto , October 21, 2016 - In today's digitally interconnected world, we must look to new innovations to address some of the greatest challenges of our time such as mental illness. As a strong partner at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, Canada is well-positioned to lead in the global fight against mental illness. It's why the government must move its bold innovation agenda from words to action, says APEC Digital Hub at UBC chief financial officer Phil Upshall.

First distinguished Presidential Fellow named

 
Yoani Sanchez named first Distinguished Presidential Fellow, one of the University of Miami's 100 Talents, an initiative launched by UM President Julio Frenk at his inauguration.
photo: University Of Miami

(PRNewswire/ USNewswire) Coral Gables, Florida, Oct. 20, 2016 - Cuban independent journalist Yoani Sánchez, a brazen defender of free speech and founder of 14ymedio, the island's first independent daily digital news platform, has been named a Distinguished Presidential Fellow at the University of Miami, making her one of the 100 Talents, an initiative introduced during UM President Julio Frenk's inauguration.

As part of the 100 endowed talents, an initiative that seeks to enrich the curriculum and enhance the academic reputation of the University, Sánchez will teach a non-credit course in the spring 2017 semester, give academic lectures and participate in events with members of the faculty and student body. "It is an honor to welcome Yoani Sánchez to our University as a Distinguished Presidential Fellow," said Frenk.

Threatened with suspension over its rights record, Maldives up and quits the Commonwealth

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2011. The Queen and state leaders.

photo: flickr/The Commonwealth, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

 
(Global Voices) On 13 October, the Maldives government announced that the country will leave the Commonwealth of Nations, an intergovernmental organisation of 53 member states that were mostly former territories of the British Empire. In 1982 Maldives joined this elite group of countries who share values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

The decision comes as the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, a rotating group of foreign ministers from eight member states, convened a meeting in September and discussed Maldives's lack of progress in resolving a protracted political crisis. The meeting has put Maldives on a watch list and warned that if there is no sign of substantive progress across the priority areas before the next meeting in March 2017, the group would consider suspending the country from the Commonwealth.

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Child marriage takes a brutal toll on Syrian girls

Child marriages are on serious incline in Syria leaving it hopelessfor many of the girls who are taken as brides by men far more their age. photo: buzzfeed

(UNFPA) April 14, 2016 - Child marriage has long been a concern in parts of Syria. But since the conflict started three years ago, the numbers of child marriages have increased. Many people are now displaced and living in cramped shelters. The majority of them are unemployed, and families are spending their meagre savings just to survive. Many have come to believe that their daughters will be better protected and provided for if they are married off.

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Secretary-General, Marking Day of Reflection on Rwanda Genocide, says healing, reconstruction essential amid threats to peace, security in Great Lakes Region

Today is the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda, marking 22 years since the start date of the genocide in which more than 800,000 people were systematically murdered over a period of just 100 days. photo: united nations

(United Nations) April 7, 2016 - Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda, observed on 7 April:

In 1994, more than 800,000 people were systematically murdered throughout Rwanda.
The vast majority were Tutsi, but moderate Hutu, Twa and others were also targeted. On this Day, we remember all who perished in the genocide and renew our resolve to prevent such atrocities from ever being repeated, anywhere in the world.