Two LUCHA activists, a driver, a photographer and a student, were released the next day. But the prominent LUCHA activists, Fred Bauma and Bienvenu Matumo, remained detained. And for Congolese activists and their allies in the international human rights community, their latest arrests invoke a worrying sense of déjà vu. LUCHA represents a generation of activists that resists being silenced and has inspired an upswing of pro-democracy and human rights activism. His government has failed to tackle systemic impunity and backslid on human rights including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.

Companies pay a 3% commission on each item purchased on the platform. While courier and delivery services will be handled directly by the merchants’ third-party courier partners, Zandaux facilitates a channel of communication between the buyer and seller. Zandaux has done a lot of groundwork on the site, including marketing and signing up local businesses. Emerging technologies − such as artificial intelligence and machine learning – are being used to support user experience and security. Zandaux uses third-party payment services but aims to build its own payment infrastructure.

Red Energy, a commercial solar energy specialist, is introducing a game-changing solar solution to South Africa: SigenStor, an AI-optimized 5-in-1 energy storage system, the first of its kind in Africa. Selected as one of the few approved installers for SigenStor, Red Energy reaffirms its dedication to delivering cutting-edge solar solutions and top-quality installations to South African businesses. This partnership allows Red Energy to provide state-of-the-art solar solutions, addressing prevalent challenges in the local market. SigenStor seamlessly integrates into residential and commercial solar installations, addressing critical concerns such as battery safety, installation efficiency, system integration, and overall system intelligence. The safety features are unparalleled with 5 layers of battery system protection, including internal fire suppression.

Top 6 restaurants on Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 list50 Best this week unveiled its new list of the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2024, celebrating the dining destinations that excel in the hospitality industry throughout the region. Orfali Bros Bistro Dubai’s Orfali Bros Bistro nabbed the overall top spot. Founded by brothers Mohammad, Wasim and Omar, Orfali Bros feature dishes with a “certain nostalgia and whimsy.”Tresind Studio Dubai’s Tresind Studio, boasting two Michelin stars, presents tasting menus showcasing fusion Indian cuisine. Moonrise Moonrise, the Omakase restaurant atop Eden House, offers a Japanese dining experience featuring meticulously crafted sushi, sashimi and seasonal dishes showcasing premium ingredients. Khufu’s Khufu’s in Egypt prides itself on its avant-garde fusion cuisine, marrying global flavors with locally procured ingredients.

The Algerian intelligence services have organized a trip to Dublin for Head of Polisario militia Brahim Ghali and his meeting with President Michael D. Higgins of Ireland. They were counting on this meeting to trumpet a shallow diplomatic success after suffering setbacks in Sahel, Africa, the Arab world, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The Irish President received on Thursday Brahim Ghali, described as secretary-general of Polisario and nothing else, dealing a hard blow to the separatist group and the Algerian junta. “President Michael D. Higgins receives Brahim Ghali, secretary-general of Polisario, on a courtesy call,” said the Irish presidency on its official website in a brief statement. Neither the Presidency of Ireland nor the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs issued a press release on “Benbatouch” trip to Dublin.

Senegal’s Constitutional Council, the country’s top election authority, ruled on Thursday that the president’s postponement of a presidential election scheduled for 25 February and its rescheduling for 14 December was unconstitutional. The Constitutional Council therefore voided the decree signed by President Macky Sall that postponed the presidential election, according to a judgement approved by seven members of the body. “The constitutional council, noting the impossibility of organizing the presidential election on the date initially planned, invites the competent authorities to hold it as soon as possible,” it added. Meanwhile, at least three people have died and scores more have been arrested in the ensuing protests against the delayed presidential elections. So far, Macky Sall did not immediately make any public comments in reaction to the Constitutional Council’s ruling.

Pre-seed venture capital (VC) fund and accelerator Catalyst Fund has announced investments totalling US$1.8 million in nine early-stage climate tech startups across Africa, taking its total portfolio to 19 companies driving climate adaptation and resilience on the continent. Catalyst Fund is a pre-seed VC fund and accelerator backing high-impact tech startups that seek to improve the resilience of underserved, climate-vulnerable communities. Disrupt Africa revealed six of those earlier this week – Tolbi, NoorNation, Thola, Zebra CropBank, Scrapays, and Medikea – and Catalyst Fund has now confirmed those and three more. This marks Catalyst Fund’s second round of investments focused explicitly on startups building resilience to climate change on the African continent. “We are thrilled to invest in these nine new ventures bringing innovative climate-smart solutions to the communities that need them most,” said Maelis Carraro, managing partner at Catalyst Fund.

Kenya’s EV sector continues to gather pace, with the announcement of a partnership that will set up a plant to assemble and distribute electric motorcycles. Electric vehicle manufacturer Autopax Kenya, and Kofa, a sustainable energy solutions company based in Ghana, signed the agreement during the Africa Tech Summit in Nairobi this week. State media reported that Autopax Kenya, which brought the Autopax AirEv YETU electric vehicle used by President William Ruto at the environment summit in Kenya last year, is looking to provide mobility solutions for the Kenyan market. Electric motorcycles to transform boda-boda industryThe two companies said electric motorcycles would save the country’s boda-bodas (two- and three-wheel motorcycle taxis) up to 30% in operating costs. Kenya: e-mobility is increasing despite lack of policy support – NPOESI Africa reported last year that Roam launched multi-purpose electric motorcycle charging stations in Kenya.

STATS HIGHLIGHTSRecord Sutherland double powers Australia to highest Test totalby Roshan Gede • Last updated onAnnabel Sutherland smashed a stroke-filled 210 against South Africa © BCCIAnnabel Sutherland smashed a stroke-filled 210 in the ongoing Test against South Africa Women at the WACA, Perth, helping Australia register the highest-ever team total in Women's Tests. 76 - South Africa's 76 in the first innings is their lowest all-out total in the format. 499 is the highest lead taken by a team after first innings in a Women's Test, a new record, surpassing 459 by England (503/5d) against New Zealand (44 all-out) in Christchurch in 1935. 8 instances of seamers bagging all 10 wickets in a Women's Test innings, Darcie Brown (5/25), Sutherland (3/19) and Tahlia McGrath (2/4) contributing to the most recent one during South Africa's 76 all-out. Dismissed for 99 in Women's TestsPlayer Team Opponent Ground, Year Alyssa Healy Australia (W) South Africa (W) Perth, 2024 Ellyse Perry Australia (W) England (W) Nottingham, 2023 Jess Jonassen Australia (W) England (W) Canterbury, 2015 Jill Kennare Australia (W) India (W) Mumbai WS, 1984 Betty Snowball England (W) Australia(W) The Oval, 1937© CricbuzzTAGSRELATED STORIES

Salesforce introduces Slack AI, an integrated AI experience in Slack, empowering users with guided AI search, channel recaps, thread summaries, and upcoming digests. Slack CEO’s Denise Dresser, highlights the transformative potential of Slack AI, emphasizing its role in empowering customers to work smarter, faster, and more innovatively. By harnessing AI capabilities within Slack, users can streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and focus on driving real innovation and growth. Slack AI operates within Slack’s secure infrastructure, upholding stringent security practices and compliance standards. Partner Ecosystem: Partners are contributing to Slack’s AI capabilities, offering upgraded AI-powered apps for enhanced functionality.

In a significant agricultural shift, North Maharashtra's summer onion cultivation has experienced a 40% decrease across its four districts: Nashik, Dhule, Nandurbar, and Jalgaon. Traditionally planted between November and January, with harvesting commencing in March, this year's cultivation concluded with a stark reduction in acreage. This downturn, attributed to inadequate monsoonal rainfall, has significant implications for both local farmers and the market. Summer onions, known for their extended shelf life of over six months, are typically stored by farmers to leverage better pricing. This strategic storage fulfills market demand during the May-October period, when fresh onion crops are scarce.

Countries in East Africa are increasing investment in solar energy projects, notably in Rwanda and Tanzania, with Uganda looking to increase electricity access in rural areas. Rwanda’s total on-grid installed solar energy is 12,050MW which it gets from three solar power plants: Jali power plant generating 0.25MW, Rwamagana Gigawatt generating 8.5MW, and the Nasho solar plant generating 3.3MW. Investment in renewable energy projects across the regionThe Partner States reported that investments in wind and solar energy infrastructure were underway – from Burundi’s solar mini-grids to Kenya’s wind and solar projects. Kenya: Renewable energy sector expansion on the cardsThe bloc has embarked on various initiatives in an effort to tap into the potential of renewable energy and energy conservation. These include:Review of national renewable energy laws;Implementation of energy management regulations;National strategies and standards for energy efficiency and renewable energy; andPromotion of energy efficiency and conservation.

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An announced visit by Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares to Algiers never took place, due to what Spanish media ascribe to the conflicting agenda of Tebboune. According to analysts, the visit could have signaled a rapprochement between the two countries after Algiers protested at the sovereign decision of Madrid to back Morocco on the Sahara issue. Albares conditioned his visit on a meeting with president Tebboune, the latter declined and insisted that Albares meets his foreign minister Ahmed Attaf. Algeria has in late 2021 reduced gas flows to Spain when it halted the flow through the pipeline crossing Morocco. It then threatened to cut gas exports to Spain altogether if Madrid sells Algerian gas to Morocco.

The Islamic State extremist group poses a rising threat amid political instability in West Africa and the Sahel and remains intent on carrying out attacks abroad, the U.N. counter-terrorism chief said Thursday. Vladimir Voronkov reiterated U.N. findings that IS continues to pose a significant threat to international peace and security, especially in conflict zones, despite significant progress by U.N. member nations in countering the threat. The group has also increased operations in its former strongholds in Iraq and Syria as well as Southeast Asia, Voronkov said. Voronkov, who heads the U.N. Office of Counter-Terrorism, said countering the threat of terrorism in Africa remains a priority for his office. The Islamic State group broke away from al-Qaida over a decade ago and attracted supporters from around the world.