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Lisbon, 30 April 2013 – The shortlist of nominees for the 2013 cycle of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture was announced today at the Palacio das Necessidades (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The 20 nominees for the US$ 1 million prize range from a modern high rise apartment block to the revival of traditional building techniques. Shortlisted projects, which are selected by an independent Master Jury, are located in Afghanistan, Austria, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Rwanda, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Thailand and Yemen. The shortlist includes:

Aiglemont, France, 26 April 2013 -- His Highness the Aga Khan today announced the engagement of his eldest son, Prince Rahim Aga Khan, to Ms. Kendra Spears of Seattle, Washington, the United States.

The Aga Khan, who is the Spiritual Leader or Imam of the global community of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, said he was delighted to announce the engagement.

Son of Prince Aly Khan and Princess Tajuddawlah Aly Khan, the Aga Khan was born on December 13, 1936, in Geneva. He spent his early childhood in Nairobi, Kenya, and then attended Le Rosey School in Switzerland for nine years. He graduated from Harvard University in 1959 with a BA Honors Degree in Islamic history.

His Highness the Aga Khan and Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga yesterday launched a major project to return the Nairobi City Park to its lost glory when they witnessed the signing of an agreement to rehabilitate the facility.

The East Africa Community now has a permanent place to call home following Wednesday’s opening of its office complex in Arusha, Tanzania.

Presidents Kibaki, Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi officiated at the colourful ceremony attended by The Aga Khan, who is the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

Rwandan President Paul Kagame was represented by Prime Minister Pierre Habumuremyi, while Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni was represented by his Minister for State for East African Affairs, Mr Shem Bagaine.