Paris (AFP) – Media watchdog group Reporters Without Borders warned of declining government support for press freedom as it unveiled its annual world rankings on Friday, highlighting Argentina among the countries where the situation has deteriorated. The most challenging regions for press freedom remained the Middle East and North AfricaAdvertising Read moreNorway retained its top position, while Eritrea came last, taking over from last year's lowest-ranked country, North Korea. Among the most significant declines were Afghanistan, (which fell 26 places to 178th), Togo (down 43 to 113th) and Ecuador (down 30 to 110th). But the watchdog, known by its French acronym RSF, warned that politicians across a wide range of countries were targeting the media. "Some political groups fuel hatred and distrust of journalists by insulting them, discrediting them, and threatening them," it said.

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Valdosta, GA (31601)TodayA mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..TonightIncreasing clouds with showers arriving overnight. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.

Congo’s east has been plagued by violence since the 1990s, killing millions as struggles over national identity, ethnicity, and resources saw neighbouring countries invade and a myriad of armed groups spring up. Willy Ngoma, the Tutsi-led M23 military spokesman, told Reuters the town, in North Kivu, was under their control after they went after other armed groups in the region including the Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, which is composed of ethnic Hutus.

The African Tech Startup Forum (ATSF) is a pilot collaboration of 3 key international partners Catalyze, Ndarama Works, and Korea Startup Forum, supported by leading tech incubation training partner, UVU Africa. It is funded by the Korea Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) Trust Fund through the African Development Bank (AfDB)’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab. ATSF is a Market Access and Acceleration Program designed to prepare, train, expose, and connect African tech ventures with local and international opportunities. The incubation program, a cornerstone of the Forum, provides a nurturing environment for early-stage tech startups. Korea Startup Forum (KSF) was founded in September 2016 with 50 Startups to support the continuous growth of startups and build a robust startup ecosystem advocating the common interest.

Back to news listDabur India jumps after Q4 PAT rises 16% YoY to Rs 350 crDabur India added 3.30% to Rs 524.30 after the company’s consolidated net profit jumped 16.2% to Rs 350 crore in Q4 FY24 as compared with Rs 301 crore in Q4 FY23. Profit before tax stood at Rs 452.66 crore in Q4 FY24, up 14.24% YoY. EBITDA was at Rs 467 crore in Q4 FY24, registering the growth of 13.9% as compared with Rs 410 crore in Q4 FY23. EBITDA margin expanded to 16.6% in Q4 FY24 as against 15.3% in Q4 FY23. The India Business saw its key brands and products post category-leading growths with market share gains across 95% of the portfolio.

A senior US official has warned of an impending “large-scale massacre” in Sudan’s North Darfur region, echoing an earlier “deep concern” expressed by the UN Security Council over an imminent attack on the city of al-Fashir by a paramilitary group. The more than 2 million people in al-Fashir are “on the precipice of a large-scale massacre. This is the grim reality facing millions of people,” the US ambassador to the United Nations said earlier this week following a UN Security Council meeting on Sudan. UN Security Council has repeatedly expressed its concern over ethnically-driven killings against non-Arab groups in Sudan’s North Darfur after the RSF and its allies swept through four other Darfur state capitals last year. The Arab-dominated paramilitary RSF is made up of elements of the Janjaweed fighters who are blamed for carrying out a genocide in Darfur in the early 2000s.

While the country’s internet penetration is only at 35% – accounting for 36 million people – its telco sector is poised for rapid growth. By taking the learnings from other countries to avoid common pitfalls, Ethiopia can accelerate its digital transformation to the benefit of its large and diverse population. For more information about Itemate Solutions, please visit www.itemate.comAbout Itemate SolutionItemate Solutions is a leading provider of customised digital solutions and software platforms, serving clients across ten countries in Africa and the Middle East for over 18 years. Itemate’s mission is to provide reliable and cutting-edge digital solutions that increase our clients’ customer base profitably. Media contactPalesa MokitlePublic Relations Consultantp.mokitle@bdcomms.co.zaByDesign Communicationswww.bdcomms.co.zaThe post Enhancing Digital Transformation: Innovations and Obstacles in East Africa appeared first on African Media Agency.

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Heavy rain ravaged swathes of Kenya, killing at least 180 people, destroying homes, and forcing hundreds of thousands to displace. The torrential rains triggered numerous floods since March sweeping whole villages in Kenya as well as in neighboring Tanzania and Burundi. The death toll in Kenya was the highest as critical infrastructure like roads and bridges have also been destroyed by floods. Natural reserves, such as the Masai Mara, have also been ravaged by floods that stranded tourists and locals. A report by Africa Climate Foundation estimates losses from drought or floods at 3 to 5% of GDP at least.

Chef Ali El Bourji from Atlantis Dubai is invited to present authentic Dubai cuisine in Sanya, Hainan province. Arabic executive chef Ali El Bourji from Atlantis Dubai was invited to present authentic Dubai cuisine in Sanya, featuring delicacies such as chicken tagine, authentic Lebanese fattoush salad. "A Bite in Two Cities" is a tourism marketing and promotion event jointly launched by Sanya Tourism Board, Atlantis Sanya, Atlantis Dubai and Dubai Tourism Board. It is also an important step of the Sanya Tourism Board to innovate overseas tourism marketing and promotion models. Cao Minglong, president and chief operation officer of Fosun Tourism Group, which owns Atlantis Sanya, said: "Over the past six years, Atlantis Sanya has been committed to delivering innovative content and excellent services, providing our guests with a spectacular experience and upgrading tourism consumption in Sanya.

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress party finds itself in uncharted political territory as it approaches national and provincial elections on May 29. Accustomed for so long to operating in a comfort zone of one-party dominance, the ANC now confronts a more challenging electoral landscape. Among the many problems the ANC currently faces, one stands out: the emergence of the newly created Umkhonto we Sizwe, or MK, Party. In the surprise of the campaign, the MK Party will contest the elections with former President Jacob Zuma at its head. Surveys of voting intentions show a steep fall in support for the ANC after a long period of poor governance and endemic corruption.

The world’s first prototype of 19.3-meter wooden wind turbine blades has been installed on an existing wind turbine in Breuna, Germany. German wooden wind turbine blade manufacturer Voodin Blade Technology announced the installation which uses laminated veneer lumber (LVL) as a material. Wooden wind turbines are a more sustainable solutionThe usual lifecycle of wind turbine blades is 20 to 25 years. The wooden wind turbine blades are a more sustainable solution and raw material than the currently used composite materials. The first prototype blades have been installed on an existing wind turbine in Breuna, Germany, near the city of Kassel.

Countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have increased their solar energy capacity in 2023 by 23% year-on-year, with Egypt one of the standout nations. The Middle East Solar Industry’s (MESIA) Solar Outlook Report 2024, said the region is experiencing a growing focus on renewable energy, particularly solar PV. Egypt, Morocco lead the wayStill, there has been a focus on investing in renewable energy projects. Solar energy investors have achieved a competitive rate of two US cents per kWh, while wind energy projects stand at 2.45 cents per kWh. TunisiaThe government is investing over a billion dollars in renewable energy projects, intending to reach 1,700MW of renewable energy production capacity by 2025.

(You can now subscribe to our(You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channelDabur India on Thursday reported 16% growth in its consolidated net profit at Rs 350 crore for the quarter ended March 2024. The quarter saw the oral care business swell by 22% with the toothpaste business reporting a 23% jump.The digestives business led by a strong performance of Hajmola, ended the quarter by reporting a growth of 16%. while the Turkey business was up 39% and the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) markets posted a growth of 6.3%. "We've ended the year with a steady performance underscoring the power of the Dabur's brands. We have been investing heavily behind our brands, which increased by 33%, to drive demand and also sustain the growth momentum.