Day: May 19, 2023

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Farmworker dies in house fire

The half-burned body of 47-year-old Peter Swartbooi was discovered on Farm Diamond in the Klein Aub area by his employer Thursday morning.

In a crime report released by the Namibian Police on Thursday, it is alleged that Swartbooi died in a house fire that is suspected to have been caused by a candle.

According to the crime report, the employer went looking for him at his house when he did not show up for work. He then saw the burnt house and found the deceased lying next to the bed.

The exact cause of the fire is still unknown and no foul play is suspected.

The next of kin have been informed as police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

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Dina Preston Band to perform in 5 Tunisian cities, May 22-27

With 27 world tours and performances in 44 countries, the Dina Preston Band are coming to Tunisia to give free public concerts and provide workshops on cultural entrepreneurship in Djerba, Gafsa, Kairouan, Sousse and Tunis, May 22-27.

The band will perform in l'Agora (Djerba), the El Kssar Youth Centre (Gafsa), the Aghlabid Basin (Kairouan), Place des Villes Jumelées (Sousse) and Bab El Bhar (Tunis), reads a U.S. embassy press release.

"This exciting tour is organised by the U.S. Embassy jointly with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Ministry Youth and Sports," the embassy added.

The Dina Preston Band is also collaborating with students from Tunisia88's nationwide network of music clubs on a song off their new release «When the World Calls Your Name.»

This project, a fusion of traditional Tunisian and American music, showcases how music can bring people from different backgrounds together to create something truly remarkable.

Led by Dina Preston-Ortiz and her husband, Don Ortiz, this talented group of musicians has received multiple awards, including the United Nations Protection Force and U.S. Task Force Provide Promise Distinguished Service Certificate.

The band's exceptional musicians - Henry Lara on drums, Ken Skaggs on pedal steel, and Mark Peotter on bass - bring unmatched talent and experience to the stage.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

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Over 70 trainees participate in national Microsoft Office Specialist certifications competition

Some 75 trainees representing 23 vocational training centres across the country are participating on Friday in the national Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certifications competition, organised at the SmartFurture seat in Ariana.

2,000 trainees representing 28 training centres participated in the regional qualifications which ran from April 24 to May 12, according to a press release issued by the Tunisian agency for vocational training.

The first two winners will participate in the international competition, due in the USA next summer, the same source said, specifying that the ten finalists will receive a grant.

According to the ATFP, the competition contributes to improving the level of vocational training in the field of office automation and helps build the capacity of the trainees and improve their knowledge of the tools provided by Microsoft in order to increase their employability.

Participants are assessed on their level of knowledge and skills in the use of Microsoft Office technologies and their ability to solve problems and apply concepts in the work environment, the press release points out.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

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Global Knowledge Index 2022: Tunisia ranks 19th out of 28 countries with high human development

Tunisia is ranked 19th out of the 28 countries with high human development and 82nd out of 132 countries in the Global Knowledge Index (GKI) 2022, according to data published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation.

According to the GKI, Tunisia enjoys multiple areas of strength, particularly in the rate of government funding per secondary student and the rate of government expenditure on secondary education.

Moreover, Tunisia ranked 9th in the rate of higher education researchers and 22nd in the Teachers in tertiary education, gender parity.

The results recorded in terms of information and communication technology rates demonstrated clear progress, enabling Tunisia the 2nd rank in terms of Tertiary graduates from ICT programmes.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

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Dams’ fill rate reaches 30.9% till May 15 (ONAGRI)

The average fill rate of dams nationwide stood at 30.9% from September 1, 2022 to May 15, 2023, reads the "Figures of the Month" newsletter published by the National Observatory of Agriculture (ONAGRI).

The Sidi Salem and Sidi El Barrak dams' fill rate reached 16.8% and 55.9%, respectively.

As such, the total stock of water in dams dropped by 39.6% to 703,4 million m3, compared to the average posted last year, and by 41.8% compared to the past 3 years.

The dams located in the north account for 94.4% of the overall stock, while those in the midland and Cap Bon account for only 4.9% and 0.55% of the water reserves, respectively.

ONAGRI's data further revealed that rainfall reported from September 1, 2022 to May 15, 2023 stood at 109.9 mm, i.e. a rainfall deficiency of 39% in south-eastern regions, and of 64% in south-western regions.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse