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KFSH&RC Ranked Top Valuable Healthcare Brand in Saudi Arabia and Middle East

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — KFSH&RC tops the healthcare sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, recognizing it as the most valuable healthcare brand in these regions for the second year. According to the 2024 Brand Finance reports, it placed 9th in Saudi Arabia and 28th in the Middle East. Additionally, KFSH&RC stands out as the only hospital worldwide to be ranked among its country’s top ten most valuable brands.

The Brand Finance Report shows that KFSH&RC brand value increased by 31%, exceeding 5.6 billion Saudi Riyals, equivalent to USD 1.5 billion. This increase is the result of the hospital’s unwavering commitment to incorporating the latest medical technologies and treatments and providing specialized medical care that adheres to the latest international standards.

Reflecting on KFSH&RC’s global recognition, Mr. Muhannad Kadi, the Chief Corporate Communications & Marketing Officer, commented, “This accomplishment underscores the hospital’s dedication to achieving the highest quality standards and providing outstanding healthcare, as well as the significant value it delivers to its beneficiaries.” He emphasized that the hospital’s position among the top ten most valuable brands in Saudi Arabia not only highlights its effectiveness but also the positive impact of the ongoing transformations within the Kingdom’s healthcare sector.

Over the past year, KFSH&RC has achieved several notable milestones that have significantly contributed to its brand strength and reputation. These include conducting four ground-breaking experiments in space medicine, performing the World’s first fully robotic liver transplant, and launching a rapid whole genome sequencing analysis service available to all beneficiaries. Furthermore, KFSH&RC celebrated the successful treatment of 100 T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia patients, a testament to our advanced medical capabilities and dedication to patient care.

In line with Saudi Vision 2030 and its transformation programs, initiated by His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister—which aim to enhance the Kingdom’s global position and establish it as a healthcare hub—KFSH&RC has been ranked as the top Academic Medical Centre in the Middle East and Africa. It also secured the 20th spot globally for two consecutive years, 2023 and 2024, according to Brand Finance’s Global Top 250 Hospitals report. Additionally, it has been ranked among the top 250 Best Hospitals in the World by Newsweek Magazine.

For more information please contact:

Mr. Essam Al-Zahrani, Acting Media Affairs Head, 0555254429

Mr. Abdullah Alown, Senior Media Affairs Editor, 0556294232

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9110177

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INVNT GROUP and MSM Boost Partnership and Marketing Service Offerings in Motorsports Industry with Strategic Leadership Appointment

INVNT GROUP welcomes Roc Nation veteran, Luca Zanello, as SVP of Content Strategy

New York, NY, May 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Building on their successful partnership, INVNT GROUP and MSM (Media & Sport Management) enhance service offerings and commercial solutions tailored for talent and brands within the booming motorsports industry.

INVNT GROUP, the global brand storytelling agency portfolio, was named Best Global Media Agency at the 2023 Automotive Marcomm Awards by Autocar, for groundbreaking campaigns with Lamborghini, Formula E, General Motors, Lotus, Rolls Royce and more. Over four decades, MSM has built standout relationships between brands, drivers, teams, and championships at the pinnacle of motorsport, including sponsorships, hospitality, and events.

The partnership brings the appointment of Roc Nation music and entertainment veteran, Luca Zanello, as SVP of Content Strategy at INVNT GROUP, fortifying the global suite of award-winning capabilities and integrated services within the motorsports including strategy, partnerships, experiential, digital, Web3, content, and culture. Zanello reports into Scott Cullather, President and CEO of INVNT GROUP, and CEO of INVNT.ATOM.

“Motorsports have not only captured the global imagination but have accelerated the expansion of its cultural influence at unprecedented speed. Our evolving collaboration with MSM, and appointment of Luca, places us at the forefront, allowing us to deliver pioneering, bespoke solutions to the motorsports industry. We are committed to enhancing the connection between brands, talent, and partners with audiences worldwide through dynamic storytelling and groundbreaking experiences. Together, we are charging the future of motorsports, transcending the boundaries of the racetrack,” said Scott Cullather.

The partnership aims to deliver strategies within the motorsport domain, leveraging both INVNT GROUP and MSM’s deep rooted motorsports network and industry expertise.

Enrico Zanarini, Founder and CEO of MSM, expressed: “This is more than a partnership expansion; it’s how we redefine motorsport marketing. With MSM’s deep history in the motorsports industry, and INVNT GROUP’s storytelling expertise, we are poised to deliver exciting and unexpected engagement programs that resonate deeply with fans and stakeholders alike.”

Luca Zanello, commenting on his new role, added, “Joining this dynamic team during a transformative era in motorsports is truly exhilarating. We are redefining the limits of motorsports engagement by introducing comprehensive programs that blend traditional approaches with cutting-edge digital and experiential strategies. Our goal is to unite and excite fans globally, offering them novel and captivating experiences that not only entertain but also deepen their connection to the sport.”

This strategic allegiance is a significant milestone in the evolution of motorsport marketing and the overall industry, promising next-generation strategies and enhanced engagement for clients, brands, partners, and audiences across the globe.

ABOUT INVNT GROUP

INVNT GROUP™ represents a growing portfolio of complementary disciplines designed to help forward-thinking brands and organizations everywhere, impact the audiences that matter, anywhere.

Headed by President and CEO, Scott Cullather, INVNT GROUP amplifies globally with offices in New York (HQ), Sydney, London, Singapore, Dubai, San Francisco, Stockholm, Mumbai, Detroit, and Washington D.C.

The GROUP consists of the founding, live brand storytelling agency, INVNT; brand strategy & creative-led culture consultancy, Meaning; production studio & creative agency, HEVĒ; live events for colleges and universities, INVNT Higher Ed; digital innovation agency, INVNT.ATOM; creative multimedia experience studio, Hypnogram, and live entertainment production company, ITP Live. For more information visit: https://invntgroup.com/

ABOUT MSM

MSM is a leader in the world of motorsport and has been fostering standout relationships between brands, drivers, teams and championships for over 40 years.

The team specializes in individual and corporate management, offering clients their expertise across the marketing mix. MSM is active in sponsorship facilitation, commercial opportunity development and execution, client representation, tailored hospitality offerings, and managing bespoke events on and off track. Having spent four decades in the most innovative sporting environment, MSM has developed an approach that is tailor-made for partners to unlock their full potential.

MSM’s deep insight and unparalleled know-how enable their partners to connect with both new and existing audiences in an authentic way, while also delivering measurable commercial impact. For more information, https://msmgroup.com

Attachment

Jhonathan Mendez de Leon
INVNT GROUP
Jmendezdeleon@invnt.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9110107

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Syrians Seek UN Rights Ruling Against Russia for 2019 Hospital Attacks

Open Society Justice Initiative Files Complaint to the UN Human Rights Committee

New York, May 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Russian Federation has been accused before the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva of carrying out a deliberate attack on a hospital in Syria—in a legal action that highlights Moscow’s repeated use of military force against health care facilities in Syria, where its forces have been supporting the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

A complaint before the Committee, filed on May 1, focuses on a series of air strikes on Kafr Nabl Surgical Hospital in Idlib province on May 5, 2019.

It accuses the Russian Air Force of killing two civilians and endangering the lives of all those working in and using the hospital at the time—medical practitioners, patients, support staff, and visitors.

The complaint has been brought before the Committee by a Syrian man whose two cousins were killed by the attack, and by Hand in Hand for Aid and Development, the humanitarian NGO that was supporting the hospital at the time. Hand in Hand is representing the interests of the patients of the hospital.

The applicants are represented by lawyers of the Open Society Justice Initiative, with Professor Philip Leach, professor of human rights law at the UK’s Middlesex University as co-counsel.

The evidence being presented to the Committee includes a detailed account of the Russian Air Force attack on the hospital at Kafr Nabl, and on three other hospitals near Kafr Nabl in just 12 hours on May 5-6, 2019. There was no fighting near the hospital at the time of the attack, which lay in opposition-controlled territory some 20km away from the front line.

The complaint draws on a wealth of video and audio recordings made at the time, as well as eyewitness accounts that point to direct Russian Air Force involvement in coordinating and executing the attacks. The material includes observations of Russian aircraft in the area at the relevant time, and audio recordings of communications between a Russian pilot and Russian ground control, authorizing the release of aerial munitions and confirming that the aerial munitions had been dropped, at the precise times that strikes were captured on video. Some of the material included as evidence in the complaint was used by the New York Times in a special report published on October 13, 2019.

Fadi al-Dairi, the director of Hand in Hand, said: “The Russian air force attack on Kafr Nabl hospital was a well-documented atrocity that was part of a systematic assault on hospitals and healthcare facilities in opposition-held territory in Syria in 2019. The coordinates of the hospital had been shared with Russia by the UN under the UN Deconfliction Mechanism. Syrians are looking to the Human Rights Committee to show us some measure of redress by acknowledging the truth of this brutal attack, and the suffering caused.”

James A. Goldston, executive director of the Justice Initiative, said: “This complaint before a preeminent international human rights tribunal exposes the Russian government and armed forces’ deliberate strategy of targeting healthcare in clear violation of the laws of war. It must remind us all that attacks on protected healthcare facilities—whether in Syria, Sudan, Ukraine, or the Gaza Strip—are an abomination that must never be normalized.”

The complaint is being supported by expert analyses prepared by Syrian Archive and Physicians for Human Rights. Physicians for Human Rights has documented 604 attacks against medical facilities in Syria since 2011, the overwhelming majority conducted by Syrian and Russian forces.

Houssam al-Nahhas, MD, Middle East and North Africa Researcher for Physicians for Human Rights, said: “Widespread and systematic attacks on health care in Syria are part of a strategy implemented by the Syrian and Russian governments, devastating the country’s health care system. Despite the seriousness of these crimes, no perpetrators have ever faced accountability. We hope this landmark case helps to end the impunity for attacks on health care in Syria and serve as a warning to perpetrators in other conflicts around the world.”

The Geneva-based Human Rights Committee is a body of 18 independent experts that monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which has been signed by 173 countries. Under the ICCPR’s Optional Protocol, which the Russian Federation signed in 1990, individuals can bring complaints against signatory states before the Committee over rights violations.

The complaint accuses the Russian Federation of perpetrating a clear and serious violation of International Humanitarian Law by deliberately attacking a protected medical facility, in breach of the Right to Life under the ICCPR. The attack killed two brothers and endangered the lives of everyone working in and using the busy hospital. The hospital was operating normally at the time of the attack and neither Russia nor Syria provided any warning before the attack. This is not the only time the facility was targeted: Kafr Nabl Hospital was attacked 13 times between 2014 and 2019.

From a legal perspective, a decision against Russia would provide significant new jurisprudence on the extraterritorial obligations of States in armed conflict, and would pave the way for progressive decisions from other human rights bodies and courts.

The Open Society Justice Initiative is part of the Open Society Foundations, and pursues strategic litigation on a range of issues including advancing human rights and advancing the rule of law. Its work on Syria has included supporting efforts to bring top Syrian officials and leaders to trial before national courts in Europe for crimes against humanity committed in Syria.

Communications
Open Society Foundations
(212) 548-0378
media@opensocietyfoundations.org

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9109977

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May Day: I will prioritise welfare of workers, abolish compulsory retirement age as President – Sam Ankrah


Dr. Sam Ankrah, an Independent Presidential Candidate and Leader of Alternative Force for Action (AFA) says he will prioritise the welfare and well-being of workers if elected as the President of Ghana in December.

‘As we celebrate this day, I want to emphasise the urgent need for fair labour practices, improved working conditions, and a commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all workers.

‘As the leader of Alternative Force for Action (AFA) and a presidential candidate in the upcoming 2024 elections, I pledge to prioritise the welfare, and well-being of workers if elected President of Ghana.’

Dr Ankrah said this in a message to commemorate this year’s Workers’ Day celebrations.

He said his administration would ensure compulsory pension schemes for all workers and abolish compulsory retirement age, allowing workers to choose when to retire with dignity.

Dr Ankrah stated his commitment to decent earnings and a dignified life for all workers, and the promotion of safety by ‘banning the carrying
of heavy loads on human heads…’

He promised to provide tricycles for ‘Kayayo’ workers to alleviate their burden and improve their working conditions.

‘Introduction of apprenticeship programmes to develop skills, enhance employability, and foster innovation,’ he said would be key in his government.

Dr Ankra also said he would invest in human capital development through training, capacity building, and education.

He called for concerted efforts towards building a more equitable, just, and prosperous Ghana for all, promising to foster patriotism, ethical standards, and national unity among workers.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Pay workers’ pension contributions, TUC appeals to government


The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has urged the government to address the delays in the payment of pension contributions of workers to improve their welfare during retirement.

This was contained in a statement by the trades unions and read by Madam Felicia Kraja, Northern Regional Secretary of TUC at this year’s May Day celebrations in Tamale.

Madam Kraja said government owed the public sector second-tier schemes pension contributions to the tune of almost one billion Cedis as well as the first-tier contributions to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust

This year’s celebration was on the theme: ‘Election 2024: The Role of Workers and Social Partners in Securing Peaceful Election for National Development’.

Madam Kraja urged the government to come up with a way forward to address the situation.

She further urged the government to address the current intermittent power outages, which he indicated was affecting workers productivity and the country’s economy.

Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu, Northern R
egional Minister, urged labour unions to devote more time to their work to improve productivity to better the conditions of service for their members.

He advised workers to avoid lateness, absenteeism, pilfering and laziness, and said such acts affected productivity and the country’s development.

He gave assurance that the government was working together with the Security Services and the Electoral Commission to ensure fair, transparent, and peaceful elections this year.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Krachi West Agric Department sensitises farmers, stakeholders on PFJ Phase II


The Department of Agriculture in the Krachi West Municipality of the Oti region, has sensitised farmers and stakeholders on the second phase of government’s Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme.

The second phase involved the cultivation of 11 crop varieties that the government will supply to farmers in addition to NPK and urea fertilisers.

Mr Atta Adusei, Krachi West Municipal Director of Agriculture, addressing the durbar, said the sensitisation aimed at educating the farmers and other stakeholders about the new policy of the Government of Ghana.

He said the second phase of the PFJ programme required that all the farmers needed was land for cultivation because the government was ready to assist them with inputs such as seeds and fertilizers.

Mr Adusei noted that 11 commodities government intended to give to farmers were maize, rice, soya bean, pepper, onions, tomatoes, cassava, plantain, sorghum, and millet seeds adding that ‘government will also supply fertilizers such as NPK and urea to farmers’
.

He said the government would also support farmers with tractors during the period and encouraged all the youth to take good advantage of the policy of the government.

Mr Adusei also advised all interested persons to utilise the opportunity since everything would be on credit while Agric officers in the Municipality were ready to assist farmers with all their agronomic practices.

He said farmers needed to register with the Department of Agriculture, adding officers would go to their various houses to undertake the registration processes.

The farmers were elated about the second phase of the programme and believed with the assistance of the government and the Department they would benefit from it as well as yield bountifully.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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GAF investigating soldier’s murder at Kasoa Millenium City


The Ghana Armed Forces says it is investigating the shooting incident that took the life of a soldier, Lance Corporal Michael Danso, on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at Millennium City, Kasoa.

A statement issued and signed by Brigadier General Eric Aggrey-Quashie, Director General, Department of Public Relations, GAF, said the investigation found that the shooting was a result of a land dispute at the Millennium City, for which the Police had earlier advised all parties to stay off the property until the issue was resolved.

It said the deceased escorted Lance Corporal Omar Rahman, who owned a half plot of land at the Millennium City, when he was shot by an alleged land guard named one Benlord Ababio.

The statement said L/Cpl Rahman who was informed that some persons were working on the said piece of land, went there with the deceased and another colleague soldier, L/Cpl Ametus Matthew, to the site where they confirmed the information.

Rahman and his colleagues upon reaching the land, stopped the people from w
orking and proceeded to the Millennium City Police Station to report the issue.

Whilst at the Police Station, the acclaimed owner of the land arrived with two others alleged to be land guards who confronted the soldiers and fired at the deceased who was then trying to park his vehicle.

Realizing that one of the soldiers accompanying L/Cpl Rahman had been shot, the police disarmed and arrested the person who fired the weapon.

The statement said the body of the deceased soldier had since been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital morgue.

The GAF condemned the attack and extended its empathy to the soldiers’ family, colleagues, friends, and loved ones, as it worked with the police to conduct further investigations.

It said the public would be informed of the outcome of the investigations in time.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Organised Labour urged to actively participate in Ghana’s electoral processes.


The Western Regional Minister, Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, has tasked Organised Labour to actively participate in the electoral processes to help shape the socio-economic discourse of the country.

He added that as Social Partners, it was important for them to talk to one another and their community members on the need for a peaceful election in 2024, for Ghana to continue to be the beckon of Democratic governance in Africa.

The Minister said, ‘Your participation in the electoral process can help shape the discourse and as social partners, you also have a crucial role to play in securing peaceful elections. Without peace, there can be no meaningful and sustainable development.’

At the Regional May Day parade at Ghana Secondary Technical School Park in Takoradi in the Western Region, Mr Darko-Mensah noted the contributions of workers in promoting productivity and growth in the Ghanaian economy.

He said: ‘We have gathered here to honour and recognise the workers for their efforts and commitment which ha
ve contributed to the development of the Western Region and the country as a whole.’

He assured that road projects in the region which were at different stages of construction would be completed by end of this year to bring relief to residents and workers alike.

Meanwhile, 25 organised workers’ groups defied early morning showers to mark May Day celebrations.

These included Teachers and Educational Workers Union of TUC, GRIDCO Workers Union, GBC Twin -City Radio, Timber, and Woodworkers Union, Maritime and Dockworkers Union, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and Health Service Workers Union and Railway Workers Union (RWU).

Placards and banners displayed read ‘Help us to protect our rail lines,’ ‘Enough of the COVID-19 excuses and ‘Workers need electricity (power) to work with’, the excited workers sang and danced to ‘jamma’ songs and went round the GSTS park to solidarise with their leadership.

The Chairman, Regional Council of Organised Labour, TUC, Western Region, Brother Charles Kofi Thompson,
appealed to the government to speed- up work on different road projects in the Western Region especially Takoradi, to reduce the long hours workers spent to work stressing ‘workers deserve better conditions.’

‘The road construction needs to be done to redeem loss of time, and low productivity and incomes,’ he added.

Most of the Workers the GNA spoke with prayed the government to fix the current economic challenges in the country to give peace of mind to the Ghanaian worker.

As part of the celebrations, 13 workers were honoured for their hard work, meritorious services and contributions to productivity and unionism.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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May Day: Life International Church salutes gallant workers


The Right Reverend Dr Gordon Kisseih, General Overseer of the Life International Church, has commended organised labour and all workers in Ghana for their invaluable contributions towards the country’s socio-economic well-being.

‘The sacrifices made by the working people of Ghana towards nation-building and progress are worthy of commendation,’ he said.

Rt. Rev. Dr Kisseih, also the First Vice President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday ahead of the May Day celebration.

This year’s celebration is on the theme: ‘Election 2024 – The Role of Workers and Social Partners in Securing Peaceful Elections for Nation- Building.’

‘As a working class we need peace to continue to work and earn our livelihood since in the absence of peace we cannot attend to our work,’ he said.

‘It is in the light of this that the importance of the theme adopted by organised labour in this year’s celebration cannot be over-emphasised.’

Rt. R
ev. Dr Kisseih urged workers to stay away from any person or group who would want to influence them to act in ways that could undermine the peace and stability of the country in this year’s election.

He called on the Government to adopt and implement sustainable and realistic policies to create the needed jobs for the youth.

‘It is the firm belief of the church that employment creation, and by extension economic development, cannot be successful in an atmosphere of industrial unrest, disagreements and misunderstanding at both the enterprise and national levels.’

Rt. Rev. Dr Kisseih appealed to social partners to deepen the culture of dialogue and consultations in the collective desire to build a harmonious industrial relations environment, which was a prerequisite for investment attraction.

Source: Ghana News Agency