Gilgit: World Water Day 2019!
BY ISMAILIMAIL POSTED ON MARCH 27, 2019
Gilgit Serena Hotels celebrated World Water Day 2019 with students of New Era Public School (NEPS) Hussainabad colony Jutial Gilgit. This year’s theme was “Leaving no one behind”
The main objective of the celebration was to give students awareness and highlight the importance of water and water resources in our daily life and how we can preserve it.
According to global statistics, there are around 2.1 billion people currently living without safe water at home across the globe, out of which, 80% of the people live in rural areas.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, rivers, glaciers, and snow are the main resources of water. Some of the world largest glaciers Baifo, Baltoro, and Batura are located in this region, but almost all drinking water systems are contaminated with organic and inorganic pollutants. The main source of water pollution in this region is domestic and commercial waste. Enormous amounts of waste from homes and restaurants enter the river directly, and water pumps lift the river water from the river to several locations.
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Based on this year’s theme and occasion of World Water Day 2019, Students of NEPS performed different types of activities, like egg painting, drawing on chart and made presentations that delivered the message through their activities.
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Principal of New Era Public School specially Thanked management of Serena Hotels for choosing their school for such type of activities, and for creating awareness in students about this dire situation. Students were rewarded by gifts for best presentation based on today’s theme.
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Access to clean water is our right. Conserving water, and being responsible today will help to ensure clean water supply for future generations.
Source: Gilgit Serena Hotels Press Release
Photos at:
https://ismailimail.blog/2019/03/27/gil ... -day-2019/
Serena Hotels receives ecotourism award and other news
7 luxurious hotels loved by royalty
(CNN) — From the British Windsors to the Aga Khan to Monaco's House of Grimaldi, privacy and discretion is paramount for royals when traveling. First-class hospitality, personalized service and luxury amenities are also essential, so it takes a truly remarkable hotel to capture their hearts.
With far-flung and glamorous destinations from Grenada to Gstaad on their radar, and private jets at their disposable, the world is their oyster.
Travel in the royals' regal footsteps with seven of their favorite places to stay:
Kampala Serena Hotel, Uganda
Uganda, fondly known as the Pearl of Africa, has been welcoming royal dignitaries for years with Kampala Serena Hotel hosting the likes of the Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Japan, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, and Mswati III, King of Eswatini and head of the Swazi royal family.
Surrounded by 17 acres of manicured water gardens, the resort is a peaceful sanctuary in the heart of Uganda's vibrant capital, Kampala. With architecture and design influenced by the country's cultural and natural heritage, the 188 guests rooms and suites are elegantly furnished boasting an impressive collection by local artisans.
High-profile guests praise the exceptional service, as it's impossible to leave this much-loved flagship Serena resort without being enchanted by the genuine warmth of Ugandan hospitality.
More...
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/hote ... index.html
(CNN) — From the British Windsors to the Aga Khan to Monaco's House of Grimaldi, privacy and discretion is paramount for royals when traveling. First-class hospitality, personalized service and luxury amenities are also essential, so it takes a truly remarkable hotel to capture their hearts.
With far-flung and glamorous destinations from Grenada to Gstaad on their radar, and private jets at their disposable, the world is their oyster.
Travel in the royals' regal footsteps with seven of their favorite places to stay:
Kampala Serena Hotel, Uganda
Uganda, fondly known as the Pearl of Africa, has been welcoming royal dignitaries for years with Kampala Serena Hotel hosting the likes of the Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Japan, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, and Mswati III, King of Eswatini and head of the Swazi royal family.
Surrounded by 17 acres of manicured water gardens, the resort is a peaceful sanctuary in the heart of Uganda's vibrant capital, Kampala. With architecture and design influenced by the country's cultural and natural heritage, the 188 guests rooms and suites are elegantly furnished boasting an impressive collection by local artisans.
High-profile guests praise the exceptional service, as it's impossible to leave this much-loved flagship Serena resort without being enchanted by the genuine warmth of Ugandan hospitality.
More...
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/hote ... index.html
Mountaineer Sirbaz Khan climbs world’s 12th highest mountain
Mountaineer Sirbaz Khan has successfully climbed the summit of the world’s 12th highest mountain Broad Peak (8,047 m)without using supplementary oxygen. He completed his summit on the July 12 at 2:25 pm. The expedition was accompanied by four climbers in total – twofrom Nepal and one each from US and Germany.
Serena Hotels has been supporting Sirbaz Khan on his ‘Mission Summit 14’. He aims to summit all 14 highest peaks above 8000m without oxygen. This was hisfourth consecutive successful summit after K2 (8,611m), Nanga Parbat (8,126m) and Mount Lhotse (8,516m).
“It is a great privilege for us to supportSirbaz Khan on his expedition. We have been supporting talent to promote adventure tourism where needed and try to bring diverse experiences to our community through our various initiatives,” Serena Hotels CEO Aziz Boolani said.
The Adventure Diplomacy Initiative by Serena aims to encourage human engagement with nature in ways that test physical prowess, endurance and commitment, with mountain activities being a core part of these activities. This initiative kicked off when the Adventure Diplomacy Group (ADG) was set up comprising seven diplomatic missions to support the Pakistani mountaineer siblings, Samina and Mirza Ali Baig. SaminaBaig is the first Pakistani as well as the first Muslim woman to climb the highest peaks in all seven continents.
https://dailytimes.com.pk/435033/mounta ... -mountain/
Mountaineer Sirbaz Khan has successfully climbed the summit of the world’s 12th highest mountain Broad Peak (8,047 m)without using supplementary oxygen. He completed his summit on the July 12 at 2:25 pm. The expedition was accompanied by four climbers in total – twofrom Nepal and one each from US and Germany.
Serena Hotels has been supporting Sirbaz Khan on his ‘Mission Summit 14’. He aims to summit all 14 highest peaks above 8000m without oxygen. This was hisfourth consecutive successful summit after K2 (8,611m), Nanga Parbat (8,126m) and Mount Lhotse (8,516m).
“It is a great privilege for us to supportSirbaz Khan on his expedition. We have been supporting talent to promote adventure tourism where needed and try to bring diverse experiences to our community through our various initiatives,” Serena Hotels CEO Aziz Boolani said.
The Adventure Diplomacy Initiative by Serena aims to encourage human engagement with nature in ways that test physical prowess, endurance and commitment, with mountain activities being a core part of these activities. This initiative kicked off when the Adventure Diplomacy Group (ADG) was set up comprising seven diplomatic missions to support the Pakistani mountaineer siblings, Samina and Mirza Ali Baig. SaminaBaig is the first Pakistani as well as the first Muslim woman to climb the highest peaks in all seven continents.
https://dailytimes.com.pk/435033/mounta ... -mountain/
Sustainable Tourism in Northern Pakistan
Pakistan is a richly diverse country with varying cultures, dialects and traditions across the length and breadth of its terrain. The same terrain is peppered with historically significant socio-cultural assets. Unfortunately, many of these assets and heritage properties have fallen into disrepair, due to the lack of financial resources and understanding of the significance of preserving the past.
Against this backdrop of immensely beautiful heritage sites and apparent disinterest, the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), particularly the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), have played a vital role in the restoration of a number of heritage projects in northern Pakistan. Committed to sustainable development, AKTC has restored Altit Fort, Baltit Fort, Shigar Fort, Khaplu Palace and the Wali’s Residence, and handed over these assets to Serena Hotels Pakistan to ensure that the properties are well taken care of and appreciated, as Serena Hotels – part of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development – offer opportunities for sustainable heritage tourism.
Preserving heritage sites, working with local communities and promoting economic activity through sustainable tourism have become hallmarks of the Serena Hotels approach, leading to the betterment of the communities in which each property is located.
Gallery at:
https://www.akdn.org/gallery/sustainabl ... n-pakistan
Pakistan is a richly diverse country with varying cultures, dialects and traditions across the length and breadth of its terrain. The same terrain is peppered with historically significant socio-cultural assets. Unfortunately, many of these assets and heritage properties have fallen into disrepair, due to the lack of financial resources and understanding of the significance of preserving the past.
Against this backdrop of immensely beautiful heritage sites and apparent disinterest, the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), particularly the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), have played a vital role in the restoration of a number of heritage projects in northern Pakistan. Committed to sustainable development, AKTC has restored Altit Fort, Baltit Fort, Shigar Fort, Khaplu Palace and the Wali’s Residence, and handed over these assets to Serena Hotels Pakistan to ensure that the properties are well taken care of and appreciated, as Serena Hotels – part of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development – offer opportunities for sustainable heritage tourism.
Preserving heritage sites, working with local communities and promoting economic activity through sustainable tourism have become hallmarks of the Serena Hotels approach, leading to the betterment of the communities in which each property is located.
Gallery at:
https://www.akdn.org/gallery/sustainabl ... n-pakistan
Mara Serena Safari Lodge launches its solar power plant
20 December 2019, Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya - Serena Hotels in partnership with Mettle Solar OFGEN have transformed a third property, Mara Serena Safari Lodge in Kenya, into a fully solar powered property. The inauguration of the Mara Serena solar power plant demonstrates Serena Hotels commitment to be the ‘Full Scale Solar Pioneers’ in the East African hospitality sector.
The solar power plant constructed by Mettle Solar OFGEN has an output of 640kWp with 1400kWh of storage utilising TESLA Lithium-ion batteries. This provides capacity to supply
Mara Serena Safari Lodge’s total energy requirements.
Mr. Mahmud Jan Mohamed, Managing Director, Serena Hotels says, “This is an exciting and sustainable approach to addressing our energy needs, aligning our established dedication in
environmental stewardship that has been in existence for over four decades.”
Mettle Solar OFGEN has implemented similar off-grid solar systems in other Serena properties including Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge (2017) and Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge (2018). Additionally, the firm commissioned two grid-tied hybrid solar systems in early 2018 at Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp and Sweetwaters Serena Camp. The approximate cumulative environmental impact of these initiatives is as follows:
Total installed capacity: 1,760kWp with 3,900kWh of storage.
Total green energy produced to date: 2,771 MWh.
CO2 avoided: 1,949 tonnes.
Trees that would need to be planted to extract the said CO2 within 10 years: 155,950 trees.
Kilaguni Serena, Amboseli Serena and now Mara Serena, all built in the 1970s within National Parks/Game Reserves are not only a ‘one-of-a-kind getaways’, but a leading-edge example of how clean, renewable energy independence can be successfully achieved through the installation of off-grid Solar PV systems, even in such challenging safari locations.
Mr. Francois Van Themaat, Managing Director, Mettle Solar OFGEN says, “We are proud to be part of this transformational sustainability project in the East African hospitality industry, particularly with Serena Hotels playing a leading role. The use of natural resources such a solar is being embraced as it is one of the most sustainable ways to preserve the ecosystem.”
All Serena’s programmes are aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set out by the United Nation Development Program. The Solar Power Plant aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals - SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 13: Climate Action; and SDG 15: Life on Land.
The demand from eco-travelers is growing and Serena continues to adapt its business best practices model to meet the ecological travel experiences and expectations of today’s guest.
Serena’s intention is to continue the implementation of these and other sustainability initiatives. These will be in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement as it continues to be part of transitioning Eastern African economies into low carbon economies.
https://www.akdn.org/press-release/mara ... ower-plant
20 December 2019, Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya - Serena Hotels in partnership with Mettle Solar OFGEN have transformed a third property, Mara Serena Safari Lodge in Kenya, into a fully solar powered property. The inauguration of the Mara Serena solar power plant demonstrates Serena Hotels commitment to be the ‘Full Scale Solar Pioneers’ in the East African hospitality sector.
The solar power plant constructed by Mettle Solar OFGEN has an output of 640kWp with 1400kWh of storage utilising TESLA Lithium-ion batteries. This provides capacity to supply
Mara Serena Safari Lodge’s total energy requirements.
Mr. Mahmud Jan Mohamed, Managing Director, Serena Hotels says, “This is an exciting and sustainable approach to addressing our energy needs, aligning our established dedication in
environmental stewardship that has been in existence for over four decades.”
Mettle Solar OFGEN has implemented similar off-grid solar systems in other Serena properties including Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge (2017) and Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge (2018). Additionally, the firm commissioned two grid-tied hybrid solar systems in early 2018 at Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp and Sweetwaters Serena Camp. The approximate cumulative environmental impact of these initiatives is as follows:
Total installed capacity: 1,760kWp with 3,900kWh of storage.
Total green energy produced to date: 2,771 MWh.
CO2 avoided: 1,949 tonnes.
Trees that would need to be planted to extract the said CO2 within 10 years: 155,950 trees.
Kilaguni Serena, Amboseli Serena and now Mara Serena, all built in the 1970s within National Parks/Game Reserves are not only a ‘one-of-a-kind getaways’, but a leading-edge example of how clean, renewable energy independence can be successfully achieved through the installation of off-grid Solar PV systems, even in such challenging safari locations.
Mr. Francois Van Themaat, Managing Director, Mettle Solar OFGEN says, “We are proud to be part of this transformational sustainability project in the East African hospitality industry, particularly with Serena Hotels playing a leading role. The use of natural resources such a solar is being embraced as it is one of the most sustainable ways to preserve the ecosystem.”
All Serena’s programmes are aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set out by the United Nation Development Program. The Solar Power Plant aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals - SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 13: Climate Action; and SDG 15: Life on Land.
The demand from eco-travelers is growing and Serena continues to adapt its business best practices model to meet the ecological travel experiences and expectations of today’s guest.
Serena’s intention is to continue the implementation of these and other sustainability initiatives. These will be in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement as it continues to be part of transitioning Eastern African economies into low carbon economies.
https://www.akdn.org/press-release/mara ... ower-plant
Serena engaging local community
The Serena Group is more than a collection of hotels. This film explores how it is an engine for economic development in local communities – and has been for over the last 40 years. Serena provides employment to 4,000 East Africans and gives priority and training to over 2,000 local suppliers and companies, while engaging the local community in ways that help households to achieve better health and greater economic independence.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMIJxr9501I
The Serena Group is more than a collection of hotels. This film explores how it is an engine for economic development in local communities – and has been for over the last 40 years. Serena provides employment to 4,000 East Africans and gives priority and training to over 2,000 local suppliers and companies, while engaging the local community in ways that help households to achieve better health and greater economic independence.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMIJxr9501I
SERENA
L’inauguration de l’hôtel Serena (5 étoiles) est prévue le 15 septembre 2020 en ville de Goma.
C’est un premier hôtel dans la ville touristique construit sur les normes internationales.
Serena Hotels est une société hôtelière qui exploite des hôtels et des complexes hôteliers haut de gamme en Afrique de l’Est, en Afrique australe et en Asie du Sud.
Serena comprend une collection de 36 complexes de luxe, lodges de safari et hôtels, situés en Afrique de l’Est et en Asie centrale et du Sud.
Cet hôtel offre une vue sur le lac Kivu depuis ses 109 chambres, un salon d’affaires et une salle de réunion exceptionnels pour les voyageurs d’affaires, une piscine olympique accessible aux familles et les meilleurs forfaits spas de la ville.
Il faut noter que le mini-sommet quintipartite organisé au cours de ce mois de septembre par le chef de l’Etat Félix Tshisekedi entre les présidents du Rwanda, Burundi, Ouganda, Angola et la République Démocratique du Congo se tiendra dans l’hôtel Serena de Goma.
L’inauguration de l’hôtel Serena (5 étoiles) est prévue le 15 septembre 2020 en ville de Goma.
C’est un premier hôtel dans la ville touristique construit sur les normes internationales.
Serena Hotels est une société hôtelière qui exploite des hôtels et des complexes hôteliers haut de gamme en Afrique de l’Est, en Afrique australe et en Asie du Sud.
Serena comprend une collection de 36 complexes de luxe, lodges de safari et hôtels, situés en Afrique de l’Est et en Asie centrale et du Sud.
Cet hôtel offre une vue sur le lac Kivu depuis ses 109 chambres, un salon d’affaires et une salle de réunion exceptionnels pour les voyageurs d’affaires, une piscine olympique accessible aux familles et les meilleurs forfaits spas de la ville.
Il faut noter que le mini-sommet quintipartite organisé au cours de ce mois de septembre par le chef de l’Etat Félix Tshisekedi entre les présidents du Rwanda, Burundi, Ouganda, Angola et la République Démocratique du Congo se tiendra dans l’hôtel Serena de Goma.
Google translation of the above article.
New postPosted: Sep 10, 2020 01:58 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
SERENA
The inauguration of the Serena Hotel (5 stars) is scheduled for September 15, 2020 in the city of Goma (City in the Democratic Republic of the Congo).
It is a premier hotel in the tourist town built to international standards.
Serena Hotels is a hotel company that operates upscale hotels and resorts in East Africa, Southern Africa and South Asia.
Serena comprises a collection of 36 luxury resorts, safari lodges and hotels, located in East Africa and Central and South Asia.
This hotel offers views of Lake Kivu from its 109 rooms, an exceptional business lounge and meeting room for business travelers, an Olympic-size swimming pool accessible to families and the best spa packages in town.
It should be noted that the quintipartite mini-summit organized during this month of September by the head of state Félix Tshisekedi between the presidents of Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo will be held in the Serena hotel from Goma.
New postPosted: Sep 10, 2020 01:58 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
SERENA
The inauguration of the Serena Hotel (5 stars) is scheduled for September 15, 2020 in the city of Goma (City in the Democratic Republic of the Congo).
It is a premier hotel in the tourist town built to international standards.
Serena Hotels is a hotel company that operates upscale hotels and resorts in East Africa, Southern Africa and South Asia.
Serena comprises a collection of 36 luxury resorts, safari lodges and hotels, located in East Africa and Central and South Asia.
This hotel offers views of Lake Kivu from its 109 rooms, an exceptional business lounge and meeting room for business travelers, an Olympic-size swimming pool accessible to families and the best spa packages in town.
It should be noted that the quintipartite mini-summit organized during this month of September by the head of state Félix Tshisekedi between the presidents of Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo will be held in the Serena hotel from Goma.
https://zoom-eco.net/a-la-une/rdc-felix ... na-a-goma/
RDC : Félix Tshisekedi va inaugurer l’hôtel Serena à Goma
on 11 septembre 2020
By La Rédaction
En marge de l’organisation prochaine du mini-sommet sous-régional quintipartite qui se tiendra dans cette ville, le Président Congolais Félix Tshisekedi va inaugurer l’hôtel Serena. Selon certaines sources, cette inauguration pourrait intervenir le 15 septembre 2020.
RDC : Félix Tshisekedi va inaugurer l'hôtel Serena à GomaEn effet, c’est dans cet hôtel que se tiendra le mini-sommet dont les équipes d’avance des Présidents conviés sont déjà arrivés dans la ville touristique de Goma.
Cet hôtel cinq étoiles offre une vue sur le lac Kivu. Il comprend 109 chambres, un salon d’affaires, et une salle exceptionnelle pour les voyageurs d’affaires, une piscine olympique accessible aux familles.
Ce premier hôtel construit dans les normes internationales est le produit de Serena Hôtels. Serena Hôtels est une société qui exploite les hôtels et complexes hôteliers haut de gamme en Afrique de l’Est, en Afrique Australe et en Asie du Sud. Il comprend une collection de 36 complexes de luxe, lodges de safari et hôtels, situés en Afrique de l’Est, en Asie Centrale et du Sud.
Un hôtel qui sera lancé dans une période marquée par la Covid-19, où le secteur du tourisme et hôtelier est l’un des plus touchés au Monde.
Harris KASONGO
RDC : Félix Tshisekedi va inaugurer l’hôtel Serena à Goma
on 11 septembre 2020
By La Rédaction
En marge de l’organisation prochaine du mini-sommet sous-régional quintipartite qui se tiendra dans cette ville, le Président Congolais Félix Tshisekedi va inaugurer l’hôtel Serena. Selon certaines sources, cette inauguration pourrait intervenir le 15 septembre 2020.
RDC : Félix Tshisekedi va inaugurer l'hôtel Serena à GomaEn effet, c’est dans cet hôtel que se tiendra le mini-sommet dont les équipes d’avance des Présidents conviés sont déjà arrivés dans la ville touristique de Goma.
Cet hôtel cinq étoiles offre une vue sur le lac Kivu. Il comprend 109 chambres, un salon d’affaires, et une salle exceptionnelle pour les voyageurs d’affaires, une piscine olympique accessible aux familles.
Ce premier hôtel construit dans les normes internationales est le produit de Serena Hôtels. Serena Hôtels est une société qui exploite les hôtels et complexes hôteliers haut de gamme en Afrique de l’Est, en Afrique Australe et en Asie du Sud. Il comprend une collection de 36 complexes de luxe, lodges de safari et hôtels, situés en Afrique de l’Est, en Asie Centrale et du Sud.
Un hôtel qui sera lancé dans une période marquée par la Covid-19, où le secteur du tourisme et hôtelier est l’un des plus touchés au Monde.
Harris KASONGO
Opening of Serena in Goma, RDC
It looks like the Summit was scheduled for 13th and the President of RDC was to open the Serena officialy on 15th of September. However the president of Burundi torpedoed the meeting as he wanted to go to USA on 15th and the Serena meeting of the 5 African leaders was postponed.
Were to attend the summit: Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Paul Kagame from Rwanda, Evariste Ndaishimiye from Burundi, Joao Lorenso from l'Angola and the host President Félix Tshisekedi of RDC.
It looks like the Summit was scheduled for 13th and the President of RDC was to open the Serena officialy on 15th of September. However the president of Burundi torpedoed the meeting as he wanted to go to USA on 15th and the Serena meeting of the 5 African leaders was postponed.
Were to attend the summit: Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Paul Kagame from Rwanda, Evariste Ndaishimiye from Burundi, Joao Lorenso from l'Angola and the host President Félix Tshisekedi of RDC.
Google translation of the article..Admin wrote:https://zoom-eco.net/a-la-une/rdc-felix ... na-a-goma/
RDC : Félix Tshisekedi va inaugurer l’hôtel Serena à Goma
DRC: Félix Tshisekedi to inaugurate Hotel Serena in Goma
on September 11, 2020
By La Rédaction
On the sidelines of the forthcoming organization of the quintipartite sub-regional mini-summit to be held in this city, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi will inaugurate the Hotel Serena. According to some sources, this inauguration could take place on September 15, 2020.
DRC: Félix Tshisekedi will inaugurate the Serena Hotel in Goma Indeed, it is in this hotel that the mini-summit will be held, whose advance teams of invited Presidents have already arrived in the tourist town of Goma.
This five-star hotel offers a view of Lake Kivu. It has 109 rooms, a business lounge, and an exceptional room for business travelers, an Olympic swimming pool accessible to families.
This first hotel built to international standards is the product of Serena Hotels. Serena Hotels is a company that operates upscale hotels and resorts in East Africa, Southern Africa and South Asia. It comprises a collection of 36 luxury resorts, safari lodges and hotels, located in East Africa, Central and South Asia.
A hotel that will be launched in a period marked by Covid-19, where the tourism and hotel sector is one of the most affected in the world.
So far only President Museveni of Uganda has announced his presence to the Summit at the new date of 20 September 2020. Others are yet to confirm.Admin wrote:Opening of Serena in Goma, RDC
It looks like the Summit was scheduled for 13th and the President of RDC was to open the Serena officialy on 15th of September. However the president of Burundi torpedoed the meeting as he wanted to go to USA on 15th and the Serena meeting of the 5 African leaders was postponed.
Were to attend the summit: Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Paul Kagame from Rwanda, Evariste Ndaishimiye from Burundi, Joao Lorenso from l'Angola and the host President Félix Tshisekedi of RDC.
It has been postponed again as it has been announced the Summit will now be by Video conference so it is not probable that the president of RDC will come to Goma for the opening of the Serena in the absence of the Summit. But it is also improbable that the new Serena Goma will open in the absence of Prince Amyn. So we have to wait and see.
Four killed, 12 injured in blast at Quetta’s Serena Hotel
It occurred in the parking lot
SAMAA | Noor Ul Arifeen - Posted: Apr 21, 2021 | Last Updated: 4 hours ago
At least four people were killed and 12 others wounded in a blast at Quetta’s Serena Hotel Wednesday night, the Balochistan health authorities confirmed.
"The blast took place in the parking of Serena Hotel," Liaquat Shahwani, the Balochistan government spokesperson, told SAMAA TV.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed confirmed the casualties in the blast.
“We have taken this seriously,” he said. “It came at a time when the Chinese ambassador was staying at the hotel but it has been foiled.”
Rescue teams reached the spot and shifted the injured persons to hospitals.
Mobile phone footage from the scene showed several vehicles in flames and ambulances rushing to the spot.
A heavy contingent of security forces reached the site and secured a perimeter around the site.
The nature of the blast had yet to be ascertained.
The bomb disposal squad was called in and a search for the perpetrators was on in the vicinity.
Watch video at:
https://www.samaa.tv/news/2021/04/blast ... ena-chowk/
https://www.dawn.com/news/1619534
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56834937
It occurred in the parking lot
SAMAA | Noor Ul Arifeen - Posted: Apr 21, 2021 | Last Updated: 4 hours ago
At least four people were killed and 12 others wounded in a blast at Quetta’s Serena Hotel Wednesday night, the Balochistan health authorities confirmed.
"The blast took place in the parking of Serena Hotel," Liaquat Shahwani, the Balochistan government spokesperson, told SAMAA TV.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed confirmed the casualties in the blast.
“We have taken this seriously,” he said. “It came at a time when the Chinese ambassador was staying at the hotel but it has been foiled.”
Rescue teams reached the spot and shifted the injured persons to hospitals.
Mobile phone footage from the scene showed several vehicles in flames and ambulances rushing to the spot.
A heavy contingent of security forces reached the site and secured a perimeter around the site.
The nature of the blast had yet to be ascertained.
The bomb disposal squad was called in and a search for the perpetrators was on in the vicinity.
Watch video at:
https://www.samaa.tv/news/2021/04/blast ... ena-chowk/
https://www.dawn.com/news/1619534
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56834937