
Namibia's new president names first Cabinet, appoints first female vice president
WINDHOEK — Namibia's newly elected President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced her first Cabinet on Saturday, naming Lucia Witbooi as the country's first-ever female vice president.
The appointments mark a historic moment, making Namibia the only African nation with both a female president and vice president.
At the swearing-in ceremony in Windhoek, President Nandi-Ndaitwah administered the oath of office to 14 ministers, including eight women, and seven deputy ministers.
She expressed confidence in her new administration, stating, 'I have no doubt that we will deliver on what the people of Namibia have mandated to do.'
The president emphasized that tackling poverty would be a central focus of her government, announcing that the functions of marginalized and disability affairs would be transferred to the office of the vice president to ensure increased visibility and action.
'These functions must receive the attention they need,' she said, urging the public to support the Cabinet in carrying out its mandate.Key appointments include Elijah Ngurare as prime minister and Selma Ashipala-Musavyi as minister of international relations and trade

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Arab News
4 days ago
- Arab News
Marcos orders all CEOs of Philippine government-owned corporations to quit
MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered all ranking executives of government-owned and controlled corporations to resign, days after asking his Cabinet members to step down. All appointed chairpersons, CEOs, directors, trustees, and members of governing boards of government-owned and controlled corporations were asked to 'immediately submit their respective courtesy resignations to the President through the Office of the Executive Secretary,' according to a notice from the Governance Commission for GOCCs, which was released on Wednesday. The move follows Marcos' request last week for his government members to render their resignations as he attempted to address the public's dissatisfaction over his administration's performance. Most of his Cabinet secretaries have either immediately submitted their resignations or expressed their readiness to do so. 'This process is part of a rigorous and ongoing evaluation of government performance not only at the Cabinet level but across the entire bureaucracy,' Lucas Bersamin, executive secretary of the Philippines — the head and highest-ranking official of the Office of the President — told reporters on Thursday. 'The people expect results, and the president has no patience for underperformance. In line with this, the president has also instructed the heads of government-owned and controlled corporations to submit their courtesy resignations. He has further indicated that senior officials will likewise be included in the continuing review.' Marcos' decision to reshuffle the Cabinet and leadership of state-owned corporations follows his allies' failure to secure a majority of contested Senate seats in the May 12 midterm elections, raising questions about his weakened mandate for the remaining three years of his term, which ends in 2028. The son of the late Philippine dictator who was overthrown in 1986, Marcos won the presidency by a landslide in 2022 after campaigning on a message of national unity and presenting himself as a candidate of change. Public support for the 67-year-old leader has, however, dropped sharply this year, with Pulse Asia surveys showing his approval rating falling to 25 percent in March, from 42 percent in February. The survey showed that a majority of Filipinos disapproved of the Marcos administration's handling of the most pressing issues, including controlling inflation and combating corruption, with disapproval rates at 79 percent and 53 percent, respectively. The bureaucrats and executives affected by the president's decision will continue in their roles unless and until the Office of the President issues further directives or formally acts on their resignations. 'All these people who offered their courtesy resignations are expected to continue performing their functions, discharging their duties until their replacements have been appointed,' Bersamin said. 'And that is expected of all public servants; no one abandons because that is part of the obligation of a public servant.'


Saudi Gazette
5 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Cabinet emphasizes highest standards of services to ensure pilgrims' comfort and safety
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — The Saudi Council of Ministers on Tuesday emphasized the highest standards of efficiency, quality, coordination, and integration among relevant authorities while implementing the annual plan for the Hajj pilgrimage season of 2025. Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Cabinet session in Jeddah on Tuesday. While reviewing the Hajj plan, the Cabinet noted that the Kingdom's efforts aimed to ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims, supported by the extensive development projects and advanced infrastructure, which enhance all aspects of service and facilitate the performance of Hajj rituals for pilgrims from all around the world. The Cabinet expressed the pride of Saudi Arabia, its leadership and people, in the honor of serving the Two Holy Mosques and receiving millions of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and visitors. This reflects the Kingdom's pioneering Islamic role and longstanding commitment since its unification by the late King Abdul Aziz. The Cabinet prayed to God Almighty to enable pilgrims to complete their rituals in peace and return safely to their homelands. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary stated that the Cabinet reviewed the content of recent talks and meetings between the Kingdom and various countries aimed at strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation on regional and international issues. The Cabinet also discussed the Kingdom's participation in the recent summits between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as with China. These engagements reaffirmed the Kingdom's support for international initiatives promoting sustainable development and regional stability, contributing to a prosperous future for all nations. The Cabinet welcomed the announcement of a new oil discovery in the neutral zone between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. It described the development as a positive step that enhances cooperation in the energy sector and reflects the success of joint exploration and development efforts. The Cabinet reviewed regional and international developments, reiterating the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to support the Palestinian cause. It called for an end to the war on the Gaza Strip, the facilitation of humanitarian aid, and the cessation of violations by Israeli occupation authorities of international laws and norms. The Cabinet praised the launch of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition's regional program for Sahel countries, inaugurated in Mali. The initiative aims to strengthen cooperation among member states in combatting terrorism and its financing through joint action and the exchange of expertise. On the domestic front, the Cabinet lauded the transformative initiatives under the Health Transformation Program, which have enhanced the quality and comprehensiveness of healthcare, improved preventive and traffic safety measures, and advanced digital health services in line with the objectives of Vision 2030. The Cabinet also acknowledged the Kingdom's recent achievements and high rankings on global indices, including its second-place position among G20 countries in the UN International Telecommunication Union's 2024 ICT Regulatory Tracker. The Council affirmed that the Kingdom remains committed to comprehensive and sustainable development through economic diversification, optimization of its competitive advantages, stimulation of local and foreign investment, empowerment of Saudi citizens, and the creation of job opportunities across various sectors. The Cabinet approved the organization of the General Authority for Food Security. It endorsed amending the organization of housing support, as stated in the decision. The Cabinet adopted a mechanism for integrating the roles of relevant entities in monitoring non-ionizing radiation. The Council approved the establishment of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and the Marshall Islands at the level of non-resident ambassador, and authorizing the minister of foreign affairs or his deputy to sign the draft protocol in this regard. It authorized the minister of foreign affairs or his deputy to sign a draft agreement between Saudi Arabia and China regarding the exemption of airline crew members from entry visas. The Cabinet approved a memoranda of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the cultural field between the Saudi Ministry of Culture and each of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Tunisia, the Ministry of Culture of Russia, and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Benin. The Cabinet approved an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Kosovo in the field of air transport services. It approved a MoU between the General Authority for Competition of Saudi Arabia and the Competition and Antitrust Council of Iraq for cooperation in promoting competition and combating monopolistic practices, and another MoU of cooperation on development cooperation between the Saudi Fund for Development and the Italian Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.


Argaam
6 days ago
- Argaam
Cabinet approves amending housing subsidy regulation
The Saudi Cabinet, in a meeting chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, approved a number of decisions, including the amendment of the housing subsidy regulation. Moreover, the Cabinet gave a nod to the General Food Security Authority (GFSA) regulation, SPA reported. The Cabinet lauded the transformative initiatives under the Health Transformation Program, which have enhanced the quality and comprehensiveness of healthcare, improved preventive and traffic safety measures, and advanced digital health services in line with the objectives of Vision 2030. The Cabinet also acknowledged the Kingdom's recent achievements and high rankings on global indices, including its second-place position among G20 countries in the UN International Telecommunication Union's 2024 ICT Regulatory Tracker. Additionally, the Cabinet affirmed that the Kingdom remains committed to comprehensive and sustainable development through economic diversification, optimization of its competitive advantages, stimulation of local and foreign investment, empowerment of Saudi citizens, and the creation of job opportunities across various sectors.