
The United States Government expressed its appreciation for the President of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi, for his engagement in the peace talks with The Mouvement Du 23 Mars (M23) and end the eastern DRC crisis. On Friday Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi to discuss the eastern DRC crisis. The U.S State Department in its statement indicated that Secretary Blinken thanked President Tshisekedi for his commitment to the Luanda Process, led by Angolan President João Lourenço, and for his willingness to engage in talks on December 15, and reiterated the U.S. position that M23 and Rwandan Defense Forces must cease hostilities and withdraw from their positions in eastern DRC. “The Secretary encouraged President Tshisekedi to move forward on plans to neutralize the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda armed group. The Secretary welcomed President Tshisekedi’s collaboration with former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta who has offered his good offices on mediation with M23,” it said. The conflict between the Congolese government and the M23, a rebel movement largely drawn from Congolese communities of Rwandan origin, took place in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in areas close to the Rwandan and Ugandan borders between early 2012 and late 2013. It was the product of a failed 2009 peace deal between the DRC and an earlier rebel group, which formed the nucleus of the M23 backed by the Rwandan Defense Forces. Drivers of the conflict in the minerals rich African country One research on the conflict shows that There were three overarching drivers for the M23 conflict. The first was the M23 claim that it represented the particular and legitimate grievances of Congolese of Rwandan origin, notably Tutsi communities in North Kivu. These included the protection of Tutsi from violence, especially from the Forces Democratiques pour la Liberation de Rwanda (FDLR), the return of Congolese Tutsi refugees from camps in Rwanda, and the resolution of long-standing uncertainty over their status as Congolese citizens. Many of these issues had been reflected in the terms of the March 23 2009 peace deal. The M23 agenda expanded over the course of the conflict, moving beyond its original, locally-rooted demands, to positioning itself as the champion of all Congolese people against a corrupt and dysfunctional state, notably after the group took the important town of Goma in November 2012, and briefly expressed the intention to extend their rebellion across the DRC. These two linked agendas were put forward interchangeably at different times by the M23 itself, and by its sympathizers. According the latest UN report , M23 has been responsible for carrying out mass killings of civilians, as well as raping women and children throughout various regions of the DRC. Several reports indicate that M23 fighters have carried out 46 rapes against women and girls, the youngest of which was 8 years old. “In addition to reports of sexual violence, M23 has also carried out extensive forced recruitment campaigns of children into the ranks of the group. It is estimated that M23 has carried out the forced recruitment of 146 young men and boys in the Rutshuru territory alone in eastern DRC since July 2012. Some of the victims have been as young as 15 years old. The atrocities committed by M23 against the civilian population of the DRC, as well as M23’s forced recruitment campaign, and being the recipient of arms and military assistance has dramatically contributed to instability and conflict within the region and in some instances, violated international law.” Post navigation
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Workday forecasts fourth-quarter subscription revenue below estimates as client spending weakensMobile internet is revolutionizing global connectivity, with some nations racing ahead in speed and reliability while others strive to catch up. As of 2024, Middle Eastern and Asian countries dominate the rankings for the fastest mobile internet, showcasing how investments in digital infrastructure are reshaping global communication. In October 2024, the number of internet users worldwide surged to 5.52 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of 151 million. Mobile internet is central to everyday life, enabling access to communication, business, and information. However, mobile internet speeds vary significantly across regions, reflecting disparities in infrastructure and investment. Top 10 Countries with the Fastest Mobile Internet According to the Speedtest Global Index, the UAE claims the top spot globally with a median mobile speed of 442 Mbps, thanks to advanced 5G networks and robust digital infrastructure. Qatar ranks second at 358 Mbps, followed by Kuwait with speeds of 264 Mbps. European nations like Bulgaria (172 Mbps) and Denmark (162 Mbps) round out the top five. Other countries in the top 10 include South Korea (148 Mbps), China, Netherlands, Norway (139.58 Mbps), and Luxembourg. South Korea’s extensive 5G coverage and China’s rapid 5G expansion have firmed their positions among the global leaders. India Ranks 25th Worldwide India, home to over 900 million internet users, ranks 25th worldwide for mobile internet speeds. India has made notable progress with a median download speed of 100.78 Mbps, an upload speed of 9.08 Mbps, and a latency of 30 ms. However, challenges persist, specifically in bridging the urban-rural divide and expanding infrastructure in underserved regions. As mobile internet usage grows, the race to improve speed and accessibility remains critical. Countries like the UAE set benchmarks for connectivity, inspiring others to invest in technological advancements. For India and other emerging economies, overcoming infrastructural hurdles will be key to driving digital transformation and staying competitive in the global landscape.
The Fine Gael leader was asked about the controversy in the first question posed during the second and final TV leaders’ debate of Ireland’s General Election campaign. Mr Harris apologised over the weekend for his handling of the discussion with Charlotte Fallon while canvassing in Kanturk in Co Cork on Friday evening. The Taoiseach was accused of dismissing concerns that Ms Fallon raised about Government support for the disability sector during the exchange filmed by RTE in a supermarket. Mr Harris rang Ms Fallon on Saturday and said he unreservedly apologised for the way he treated her, however focus has since shifted to Fine Gael’s interactions with the national broadcaster about the social media video. At the outset of Tuesday’s TV debate, co-host Miriam O’Callaghan directly asked the Fine Gael leader whether a member of his party contacted RTE to ask for the clip to be taken down. “I have no knowledge of that whatsoever, because this clip was entirely appropriate,” said Mr Harris. “It was a very important moment on the campaign. “And RTE and indeed many media outlets have been with me throughout the campaign, covering many interactions that I’ve had with many, many people right across this country.” The Taoiseach said the approach by his team member was part of the “normal contact that happens between party politics and broadcasters on a daily basis”. Mr Harris’s partner-in-government in the last coalition, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, said he was not aware of the approach to RTE by Fine Gael. “I didn’t realise this had happened,” he said. “I think Simon has given his explanation to it. I’m not sure it’s as normal or as usual. I just get on with it every day. But, again, I think, you know, I’m not au fait with the details behind all of this, or the background to it. “The video didn’t come down, and it was seen by many, many people. “And I think it illustrates that out there, there are a lot of people suffering in our society. “Notwithstanding the progress we’ve made as a country, a lot of people are facing a lot of individual challenges, and our job as public representatives and as leaders in travelling the country is to listen to people, hear their cases, to understand the challenges that they are going through in their lives. “And when we go about in election campaigns, we have to open up ourselves to criticism and to people calling us to account.” Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald had earlier in the day described reports of the Fine Gael approach to RTE as “chilling”. However, at the start of the debate, she was asked about a media-focused issue related to her own party, namely the controversial manifesto proposal for an independent expert review of RTE’s objectivity in its coverage of the war in Gaza and other international conflicts. Mr Harris previously branded the proposal a “dog whistle to conspiracy theorists” while Mr Martin said it was a “dangerous departure”. Ms McDonald defended the idea during the RTE Prime Time debate on Tuesday. “Politics and politicians should not try to influence editorial decisions or try and have clips taken down because they are inconvenient to them,” she said. “There has to be distance, there has to be objectivity. But I would say I am struck by the very defensive reaction from some to this (the review proposal). “The BBC, for example, a peer review looked at their coverage on migration. Politicians didn’t put their hands on it, and rightly so. “I think in a world where we have to rely on quality information, especially from the national broadcaster, which is in receipt of very substantial public funding, that has to be the gold standard of reliability. I think peer reviews like that are healthy.”
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