PRODEXOR

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ho says democracy is dying? A record-breaking 40-plus countries, representing more than 40% of the world’s po[CENSORED]tion and an outsized chunk of global GDP, are due to hold national elections in 2024. The outcomes, taken separately and together, will help determine who controls and directs the 21st-century world. Casting lots in this multinational, multiparty democratic Super Bowl are some of the most powerful and wealthiest states (the US, India, the UK), some of the weakest (South Sudan), the most despotic (Russia, Iran) and the most stressed (Taiwan, Ukraine). Some elections will be open, free and fair, many less so. Some will not be free at all. Paradoxically, this unprecedented vote-fest comes at a moment when classic forms of liberal democracy are under existential attack from authoritarians and dictators such as China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, far-right nationalist-populist parties such as Fidesz in Hungary, and military coup plotters and Islamist militants from Venezuela to Chad. Global freedom declined for the 17th consecutive year, Freedom House, the independent, US-based watchdog, concluded in its 2023 report: “Moscow’s war of aggression led to devastating human rights atrocities in Ukraine. New coups and other attempts to undermine representative government destabilised Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Peru, and Brazil … Ongoing repression continued to diminish basic liberties in Guinea and constrain those in Turkey, Myanmar and Thailand, among others.” Yet the report said while 35 countries experienced declines in political rights and civil liberties, 34 saw overall gains. Autocrats were neither infallible nor unbeatable: “The effects of corruption and a focus on political control at the expense of competence exposed the limits of the authoritarian models offered by Beijing, Moscow, Caracas, or Tehran.” The principle of free speech, essential to fully functioning democracy, is also under attack, rights campaigner Jacob Mchangama argued in Foreign Policy magazine. “Even open democracies have imposed restrictive measures to combat a range of threats including hate speech, disinformation, extremism and public disturbances,” he wrote, citing increased EU online regulation and curbs on pro-Palestinian protests. Indian PM Narendra Modi’s nationalist BJP has already won three crucial state elections – strengthening his bid for a third term in office. Indian PM Narendra Modi’s nationalist BJP has already won three crucial state elections – strengthening his bid for a third term in office. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images The geopolitical and economic impacts of so many ballot box battles, occurring more or less at once, may combine to further destabilise an unstable world – for good or bad. It would be inspiring, for example, if voters kicked out Iran’s murderously misogynistic clerical conservatives in March’s parliamentary polls. But the fix is in. More than 25% of opposition candidates have already been disqualified. Many Iranians are expected to boycott the vote. That’s what happened last week in Egypt, where the former coup leader, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, barred his only credible opponent from standing against him for the presidency. Likewise, this month’s gerrymandered “patriots only” district elections in Hong Kong left voters asking why bother? Turnout was 27%, compared to 71% before China made a nonsense of the process. Yet the title of 2024’s most bogus election must go to Russia, with Belarus a possible close second. Putin has jailed, exiled or eliminated rivals; his bid for a fifth presidential term will be more imperial coronation than contest. His personal approval rating remains high after nearly 25 years at the top because many Russians know no other leader. The serfs were emancipated by Tsar Alexander II in 1861. Tsar Putin I is reversing the process. That said, some elections may produce genuine turning points. Unpredictable, volatile Pakistan and Bangladesh both go to the polls in 2024. And this spring’s general election in India, the world’s most populous democracy, is no foregone conclusion. Prime minister Narendra Modi’s hopes of a third term could be frustrated by a new, 28-party opposition coalition called INDIA – Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata party dominates in north and central India, while Modi himself is viewed as an electoral superstar, unlike Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition Congress party. Yet his unattractive, autocratic tendencies, reflected in curbs on independent journalism, mystery deaths of opponents abroad and the brutal army crackdown in Kashmir, will raise doubts about the poll’s fairness. A surprise Modi defeat could have strategic ramifications, hurting US attempts to woo India as an ally and counterweight to China. Support for the DPP’s presidential candidate Lai Ching-te at a campaign rally in New Taipei City, Taiwan, which goes to the polls in January 2024. Support for the DPP’s presidential candidate Lai Ching-te at a campaign rally in New Taipei City, Taiwan, which goes to the polls in January 2024. Photograph: Sam Yeh/AFP/Getty Images Next month’s elections in self-ruling Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province, will provide a valuable demonstration of how highly democracy is still valued – when a determined people are allowed a real choice amid fierce external pressures. If Taipei’s pro-independence Democratic Progressive party wins again, an infuriated Beijing could move beyond the usual military threats. This in turn could quickly draw in the US and regional allies. Another seismic prospect, in terms of potential political earthquakes, is South Africa’s general election. For the first time since Nelson Mandela walked to freedom and the apartheid era ended 30 years ago in 1994, the ANC could lose its overall majority, undercut by challengers such as the Democratic Alliance. Odds are the ANC, in possible coalition with the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters, will cling to power. But the party looks set to be punished by voters for years of shameless corruption, leadership scandals, high rates of crime and unemployment, and its inability, literally, to keep the lights on – daily power cuts of up to six hours have become routine. A low turnout could seal the ANC’s fate. Disillusion with democracy is a much-discussed issue across all of Africa, the world’s fastest growing continent – as it is elsewhere. Comfort Ero and Murithi Mutiga of the International Crisis Group noted this month that seven African leaders were toppled by their own militaries between August 2020 and November 2023. These were among 13 successful coups in Africa since 2000, mainly in a “belt of instability” stretching from Niger to Sudan. Not all the leaders overthrown were po[CENSORED]rly elected. While all coups are essentially anti-democratic in nature, they have multiple causes. These include abuse of power, economic woes, corruption, Islamist insurgencies, rigged elections and personal rivalries. But it is clear that, far from being unwelcome, some recent coups, such as that in Mali in 2021, enjoyed substantial public support. Violent regime change was better, it seems, than no regime change at all. Most Africans “still have faith in democracy [yet] they have been desperate to rid themselves of regimes that purport to be democratic but often fail to deliver on democracy’s most basic promises”, Ero and Mutiga wrote. This conclusion surely has universal relevance. Meanwhile, the democracy show rolls on. Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, Rwanda, Namibia, Mozambique, Senegal, Togo and South Sudan are among the African countries holding elections in 2024. Wars and conflict demonstrably hamper ability to conduct and maintain democratic governance. Ukraine, for example, is due a presidential election by the spring. Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s five-year term is up. Yet although, under martial law, elections are suspended, a vote that acts as a safety valve to release internal tensions and po[CENSORED]r discontents would be a worthwhile exercise – even if Putin tried to bomb it. It would show democracy refuses to be killed. Israel may soon find itself in a similar predicament if, as prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu hopes and expects, the war in Gaza continues well into next year. Polls suggest Israelis, probably a majority, want to jettison Netanyahu’s hard-right coalition, which they blame for failing to prevent the 7 October attacks. No election is scheduled, but war or no war, grassroots pressure to hold one is likely to grow. Surveys indicate dissatisfaction with the present-day workings of democracy is a sentiment common throughout the nations of the west – meaning, principally, the US and Europe – even though they see themselves as democracy’s home ground. As in Africa, democracy itself is not the problem. It’s the way it is applied and practised. A recent Ipsos opinion poll in western countries found a widespread belief that current democratic systems favour the rich and powerful and ignore everyone else. Leftwing Morena party candidate Claudia Sheinbaum could become Mexico’s first female presdient in 2024. Leftwing Morena party candidate Claudia Sheinbaum could become Mexico’s first female presdient in 2024. Photograph: Felipe Gutierrez/EPA Around seven in 10 Americans said the state of democracy had declined in recent years, while 73% in France agreed. More than six in 10 people in the UK believed democracy was working less well than five years ago, according to the poll. Respondents in all but one of the countries surveyed, which also included Croatia, Italy, Poland and Sweden, agreed “radical change” was needed. Changed or not, Europe will see elections in 2024 in Austria, Belgium, Croatia and Finland, as well as for the European parliament in June. The pervasive fear is that they will produce more advances by nationalist-populist, anti-migrant, xenophobic parties of the far right, matching those seen recently in Italy, the Netherlands and Slovakia. In the UK, the problem is slightly different. Despite priding itself on a long democratic tradition, Britain has endured two unelected Conservative prime ministers in little more than a year. Bizarrely, it’s not certain the next UK general election will be held in 2024 at all. Mexico’s presidential election in June is certain to catch the eye when, breaking glass ceilings, two women candidates will compete for the top job. But toward year’s end, all eyes will turn to the US, whose presidential showdown between two old men, described as the most important of modern times, will be held in November. President Joe Biden divides the world crudely into rival democratic and autocratic camps. He says this is the defining struggle of the age. So if he fails to beat his likely Republican challenger, Donald Trump – a man who says he will not act as a dictator if elected but evidently cannot wait to do so – then many around the world, starting with Putin and Xi, may conclude it’s all up with democracy. A Trump victory – and the ensuing chaotic Jacobean-style revenge tragedy it will inevitably trigger –could permanently upend the international order, tipping the balance towards authoritarianism and dictatorship. If the US, “the city upon a hill”, ceases to fight for it, democracy will surely wither and die. Hello to you, dear reader from Egypt! When the former Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha delivered his New Year message back in 1967, he pulled the cord marked “truth bomb”. “This year will be harder than last year,” he declared. “It will, however, be easier than next year.” I mean … on the one hand: thanks for not sugar-coating it, Enver. On the other: way to kill the party buzz, you monster! I don’t want to murder the atmosphere (or indeed any dissidents) by reminding you of the news year you’ve just lived through – or by warning you of the news year you’re about to live through. It’s not big, it’s not clever, and it’s sure as heck not seasonal. But I will say, pointedly, that our reporting feels particularly necessary in dark times. If you can, please help support the Guardian on a monthly basis from just $2, so as to keep it open for everyone. I can’t tell you how much it would be appreciated. A free press is needed now as much as it has ever been – and on some days, more than it has ever been. In return for this support, I am formally* bestowing upon you the right to refer to yourself – in conversation, in the pub, and on any business cards you may care to have printed up – as “a newspaper baron”. Face it: if you pay to support a news organisation, then you ARE to all intents and purposes a newspaper baron. Just enjoy it! All the others do. With that, it simply remains is for me to wish you a very happy holidays, and a splendid new year. Goodness knows you’ve earned it. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/17/democracys-super-bowl-40-elections-that-will-shape-global-politics-in-2024

The New Year brings with it a spontaneous desire for change. It's the perfect time to make an appointment with your hairdresser and give yourself a much-needed makeover. Now is the time to act on that desire for a new look, starting with a stylish update to your hair colour. Your mane of hair reflects your unique personality changing shape and colour to reflect your myriad moods through your journey of life. So, be sure to wear your hair just as you like it because in 2024, your hair will take a stand, and the revolution will be vibrant, audacious, and uniquely yours! Looking for inspiration on what’s new? Don't worry we have got you covered. Scroll down to check out the hottest hair colour trends. (Also read: Planning to get inked on New Year? Check out 8 top tattoo trends set to make waves in 2024 )Looking for an edge to go with your sharp short bob or sleek pixie hair? Steel is the hair colour you can go bold with to make a statement. Not just women, men too are increasingly being drawn to the rugged charm of Steel. Match the steel with fitted tailored suits or casuals and make a splash! 2. Pastel Peach Peach Fuzz has been crowned ‘Color of 2024’ by Pantone. No reason why you shouldn’t rock Pastel Peach hair the whole year! After all, it’s the perfect shade to go with beachy waves, a messy bun or a slick straight bob. The dark-haired can pre-lighten their hair to enhance the peach shades and watch their hair transform with each level of fading. Red is making a powerful comeback in 2024, so celebrate the colour with Rich Bordeaux hair! This bold shade blends burgundy-red and brown oak that adds warmth and vibrancy to naturally dark hair. You can either go all ‘Rich Bordeaux’ or just tint streaks of your hair with this shade to look timelessly glamorous. 5. Ginger Spice This shade is for those who want a hair makeover but don’t want to give up on their stunning natural hair colour. For a Bright Ginger, don't forget to pre-lighten. A color-safe shampoo and conditioner will help you maintain the vibrancy of Ginger Spice highlights. Best suited with playful ponytails, high or low, or a carefree wolf cut to reflect your easygoing vibe. Golden Glaze looks great on dark Indian hair as it blends dark and warm golden with light brown tones. This shade complements nearly every Indian skin tone and looks great with open or tied hair worn for formal or casual outings. Occasional deep conditioning treatments will keep your hair looking healthy and luminous. Choose between a low-maintenance shadow root or a high-shine finish with Golden Glaze. Now that you’re on top of the hair-colour game for 2024, make sure to go and pick up your favourite shades and let your hair do all the talking for the year to come! https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/fashion/new-year-2024-from-pastel-peach-to-ginger-spice-6-hottest-hair-colour-trends-for-a-fresh-and-stylish-makeover-101702880358119.html

On Friday a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Morocco killing more than 2,800 people and injuring thousands. Rescue efforts are still ongoing and the death toll is likely to rise as they continue. The epicentre of the quake was around 70 km southwest of Marrakech - a city po[CENSORED]r with international visitors. Experts have said that aftershocks from the earthquake are likely in the region for the next couple of days. At least 25 have already happened since Friday, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre.The earthquake's epicentre was high in the Atlas Mountains meaning the worst affected areas are in central Morocco. A majority of the deaths and rescue efforts are focused in remote mountain villages that are difficult to access. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that “due to the shallow depth of the event and its proximity to high po[CENSORED]tion centres, many buildings experienced severe shaking that can result in catastrophic failure”. The nearest tourist hub is Morocco's fourth biggest city, Marrakech where buildings have been damaged or collapsed due to the disaster. Most of the damage occurred in the medina - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest part of Marrakech. Its historic buildings were not constructed with earthquakes in mind. The Atlas Mountains are also a po[CENSORED]r trekking destination with reports of tourists sleeping in the streets in mountain villages following the disaster. While tremors were felt as far away as Spain and Portugal, much of the rest of Morocco remained unaffected. Po[CENSORED]r resort destinations Agadir and Essaouira only saw minor damage to buildings. Casablanca, Tangier and the capital city Rabat in the north of the country also escaped any significant damage from the earthquake. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its advice to travellers on 13 September warning people not to get involved in rescue efforts. “On Friday 8 September 2023 an earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck Morocco near Marrakech. Further aftershocks are possible. You should follow the advice of local authorities, and follow local media,” it said. "Morocco is coordinating the humanitarian response to the earthquake. Do not undertake any kind of search and rescue and/or humanitarian assistance work without explicit authorisation from the Moroccan government to do so. "Restrictions may be in place around areas of recovery work, and you may disrupt life-saving work by attempting to access these areas or provide assistance without permission." USGS has said it is likely that “smaller aftershocks”, below what it can detect and report, are likely to be felt in the region for weeks to come. The SETO group, which represents 70 of France's main travel tour operators, said on Saturday that it isn’t aware of any of its clients suffering due to the earthquake in Marrakech. Are flights still taking off and landing at Marrakech airport? Despite damage in the city from the earthquake, flights to Marrakech airport continued to operate even in the immediate aftermath with airlines closely monitoring the situation. EasyJet and British Airways added extra capacity with larger aircraft on flights to London on Saturday to accommodate passengers who wanted to come home early. Some operators are offering customers the chance to reschedule their travel. British Airways has said that passengers due to travel to or from Marrakech before 24 September can change their dates free of charge if they wish. If space is available, this also covers tourists who wish to come home early. Air France has also offered customers with flights planned to or from Morocco in "the coming days" the chance to modify or postpone their flights for free. The airline's services to and from Marrakech, Casablanca and Rabat are all operating normally. TUI and easyJet have also said that their schedules are operating as usual. The airlines have told customers to follow the advice of authorities and check the status of their flight before travelling. EasyJet says: "If you are scheduled to travel to or from Morocco in the next few days and wish to discuss your booking please contact our customer service team." All other major airports in Morocco are currently operating normally.Most hotels are still open with the obvious exception of those in the worst-hit areas of the Atlas Mountains that are unable to accept guests. For example, Kasbah Tamadot - a luxury hotel owned by Sir Richard Branson - is currently closed to assess the impact of the damage. It won't be taking any bookings until November 2023 with guests unable to stay offered alternative options at other Virgin Limited properties. "Our primary concern at this time is ensuring the safety and welfare of our team, their families and our guests, as well as the local communities," the hotel said in a statement on its website."As ever, our communities remain an incredibly important part of the Kasbah Tamadot family and our teams, despite many losing their homes themselves, have been delivering water and food supplies to local villages." If you have booked a stay in the Atlas Mountains in the coming weeks or months, it may be worth checking with your travel provider to see if your accommodation is still accepting visitors. What happens if I choose to cancel my holiday to Morocco? Travelling to a destination that is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis can put extra strain on resources. For this reason, travellers may be looking to cancel their holiday or leave Morocco early. Though flights are operating as normal, some airlines including British Airways and easyJet are giving customers the chance to discuss their booking with their customer services team. This may allow you to rebook, postpone or even change the destination of your flight. If you have a trip to Marrakech or the Atlas Mountains booked in the next couple of weeks, accommodation and tours may also be an issue. UK Foreign Office advice stops short of warning against visiting the region but advises travellers to “check with your accommodation provider/tour operator to confirm arrangements before departure in case of disruption or damage resulting from the earthquake”. It's best to contact your travel agent or tour operator as they are likely to offer flexibility for postponing or rebooking your holiday. If your trip is booked for areas outside of the affected regions, however, you will need to check with the companies you plan to travel with. They are unlikely to offer you the same flexibility, as services are operating as normal and cancelling could mean you won’t https://www.euronews.com/travel/2023/09/11/morocco-earthquake-is-it-safe-to-travel-and-are-flights-to-marrakech-cancelled

Engadget staffers test and review tons of gadgets every year, and we also buy a lot of things for ourselves. In 2023, some of us upgraded our at-home coffee-making setup, splurged on fancy keyboards and digital pianos and even made our homes a bit smarter with things like app-controlled litter boxes. But there are plenty of other things we've bought and loved this year that have yet to make it on the site. Here, our staff takes a look back at the things they've personally purchased this year that they want to gush about a bit more before 2023 is up. https://www.engadget.com/what-we-bought-our-favorite-gadgets-of-2023-140016145.html?src=rss

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia election officials said Wednesday that they would need six to nine months to install new software and hardware to update the state’s voting system to protect against security flaws, pushing back against calls to update the system before the 2024 election cycle. “It’s really not an upgrade,” state Deputy Elections Director Michael Barnes said of the work needed on 30,000 voting machines. “This really would require us to fully rebuild the system.” Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has said the state must wait until 2025, but critics continue to pile on, with Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and the state Republican Party joining the chorus in recent days. They say waiting until after next year’s presidential election would leave the voting equipment open to attack.A group called the Coalition for Good Governance has been suing to throw out the state’s electronic ballot marking system. The coalition and the Morgan County Democratic Committee asked the State Elections Board on Wednesday to let counties use hand-marked paper ballots when county officials believe there’s been a security breach. The board rejected that proposal as beyond its legal authority but created a committee to propose rules or laws for reporting security breaches.Barnes told the board Wednesday that the state’s poll pad system, which poll workers use to check in voters and provide them with ballots coded to electronic cards, is incompatible with the new software. Barnes also said counties will need to obtain new computer equipment. State Elections Director Blake Evans told the board that the state will pilot the new system during some city elections in November, assuming poll pad compatibility problems are solved. Barnes said the state has to start designing ballots for the March presidential primary in December, meaning it would have roughly only a one-month window to install software and new hardware after the November pilot. The vulnerabilities in the Dominion Voting Systems equipment were identified by J. Alex Halderman, an expert witness in the coalition’s lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Georgia’s election system. Halderman has said there’s no evidence the vulnerabilities were exploited to change the outcome of past elections. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency last year published an advisory based on those findings that urges election officials to take steps to mitigate the risks “as soon as possible.” One issue is a computer forensics team hired by allies of former President Donald Trump who traveled to Coffee County in south Georgia in January 2021. They accessed voting equipment and copied software and data. Evidence shows that material was uploaded to a server and accessed by an unknown number of people. “Voters can’t wait. America can’t wait,” Jeanne Dufort of the Morgan County Democrats told the board Wednesday in arguing for her proposal. “The path to the 2024 presidential election runs through Georgia. It is unfathomable why anyone would refuse to protect our elections if they had the power to act.” Charlene McGowan, the chief lawyer for secretary of state’s office, downplayed risks. “This equipment has now been safely used for the past four years and in two statewide elections,” she told the board. She and other election officials argue that any attacks are “operationally infeasible” because people would have to physically access large numbers of voting machines. “The impact of any potential attack is limited to a single device at a time,” McGowan said. Former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, the lieutenant governor and the state Republican Party all attacked the decision of Raffensperger, a fellow Republican, in recent days. The state Republican Party earlier this month rolled out a platform demanding hand-marked and hand-counted ballots, as well as letting individual counties opt out of using Dominion machines. The platform is fueled by disproven Trump-backed conspiracy theories that machines were used to steal the 2020 election from Trump. “It’s unacceptable that our state’s top elections official has failed to address known vulnerabilities in our voting machines for two years,” said Loeffler, who now funds a conservative political group. “But it’s incomprehensible that he has now announced, to every criminal and malign foreign actor, that the security flaws will not be fixed for another two years.” Although Raffensperger won his Republican primary against a Trump-backed opponent, Trump continues to attack him. “The recent politicized attacks criticizing the security of our system are being made by those who want to sow distrust in the integrity of our elections and cast doubt on the accuracy of the results,” McGowan said Wednesday. —- An earlier version of this story incorrectly attributed a quote to Marilyn Marks. It was said by Jeanne Dufort. https://apnews.com/article/georgia-elections-voting-machines-update-cb73ea08e0473f3f117eb2ebabf67a16

show of the year, every year. Just look at the name! Taiwan’s trade show is where computer vendors large and small unveil their latest, greatest gear ahead of the crucial back to school and holiday shopping seasons. If CES is where the industry showcases its vision for the future, Computex keeps it real. Product cycles for the world’s biggest chip vendors made this Computex feel somewhat muted. Intel and AMD skipped keynotes all together, while Nvidia spent two hours talking about AI rather than games. With no new CPUs or GPUs on tap, the usual barrage of fresh PCs packing new tech slowed to a trickle this year, as the next generation already arrived earlier this year. But that gap also provided fresh opportunities. With laptops and chips taking a backseat, innovative peripherals flourished at Computex 2023, bolstered by exciting new software that promises to let you do even more with hardware. Which reveals got us deeply, personally excited? This is the best hardware and software of Computex 2023. Giddy up. There’s a definite trend in PC building this year, something we’re calling the War on Cables. And while we’re still months away (at least) from new motherboards, cases, and even graphics cards designed to get cables tucked away from your central tower build, Corsair’s cooling solution should be out this summer. The iCue Link system lets you daisy chain multiple fans, AIO coolers, and even coolant reservoirs along a single cable line. The system can manage disparate cooling and lighting duties from its central hub, all accessible in Windows via the iCue software. I love the way that multiple adjacent fans don’t even need cables, they just snap together with electrical contacts like LEGO blocks. The only downside is that it’s a proprietary system, so you’ll need to go all-in on Corsair-branded hardware to see the benefit. https://www.pcworld.com/article/1937288/best-of-computex-2023-the-most-intriguing-and-innovative-pc-hardware.html

You may be tired of hearing about how stacked 2023 was for videogames. It's hard to argue with a year that gave us a long-awaited Diablo sequel, a pretty great Star Wars game, surprise hits in Dave The Diver and Dredge, and critical darlings in Alan Wake 2 and friggin' Armored Core 6. Oh, not to mention an RPG so good we gave it our highest review score in 16 years. Well I didn't play most of those games. While my peers were gushing about a funky musical number in Alan Wake 2 and starting third playthroughs of Baldur's Gate 3, I was pouring over patch notes and installing updates for shooters people stopped talking about a long time ago. It was a great year for new games, but a fantastic year for the comeback. They just kept coming up in 2023. For as much as we've seen the live service model produce troubled, unfinished shooters at launch, it's worth acknowledging when studios are allowed to put in the work and turn things around based on feedback. The year's FPS comeback stories ran the gamut: we had a slow burn of updates that finally culminated into something special, monumental patches that transformed good games into great ones overnight, and one comeback that's just getting started, but looking bright. Let's talk about the year in comebacks, what went wrong with these shooters at launch, and how far they've come.We had a good time with Battlefield 2042 at launch, but it was clear DICE's vision for a Battlefield with bigger maps and hero-like "Specialist" abilities hadn't quite hit the mark. The maps were huge and pretty, but sometimes empty and boring. DICE evolved the class system by essentially throwing it out and letting any character use any gadget, which killed any semblance of teamwork. The consensus was that Battlefield 2042 was OK for what it was, but didn't really feel like classic Battlefield. Over the next year and a half, DICE would change that. The studio started by chipping away at the little things—in 2022 a proper scoreboard arrived, along with voice chat and the option to text chat with the enemy team. Then it tackled maps: several of 2042's sprawling battlefields were reined in to minimize downtime and pieces of cover were added to expanses of nothing to give infantry players a fighting chance. A classic variant of Conquest with a 64-player cap was another welcome addition. But for my money, Battlefield 2042 didn't fully click until this year, when DICE reworked the class system into a surprisingly effective merger of classic class-exclusive abilities and individual Specialist gadgets. Seasons 4 and 5 were a big turnaround for the punching bag FPS of 2021, and things are going so well that a Season 6 is coming. https://www.pcgamer.com/2023-was-a-great-year-for-games-but-an-even-better-year-for-the-comeback/

Palestinian

Reflecting on recent years, the constitutional amendments endorsed by the Egyptian Parliament in 2019 not only provided General El-Sisi with a golden opportunity for a third term but were also meticulously designed to favor him in the imminent 2024 presidential election. Today, nearly four years later, these amendments have resurfaced in the minds of Egyptians, echoing their desire for new leadership and drawing the attention of global powers advocating for the restoration of political democracy—largely absent since El-Sisi’s ascent to power in 2014. Despite El-Sisi, who transitioned from a military background to politics through a coup against former President Mohammed Morsi, being well-positioned to secure victory in the upcoming election, skepticism persists, particularly among global powers like the United States, who perceive El-Sisi as being distant from democratic ideals. Undoubtedly, U.S. concerns about El-Sisi are grounded in tangible issues, ranging from the perceived lack of democratic practices in Egyptian politics to freedom of the press, and the suppression of political dissent. The absence of many democratic principles in Egypt is evident, manifested through restrictions on political freedoms, widespread censorship, and the stifling of opposition voices. Hence, arguably, today, the challenges to democratic values in the Egyptian political landscape surpass the aforementioned description under El-Sisi’s leadership. The historical context of Egyptian elections unveils a troubled history characterized by mani[CENSORED]tions in election results. Previous instances of contested outcomes and allegations of electoral irregularities have left a lasting imprint on both the international community and the United States. Consequently, these experiences and the practices employed by the El-Sisi regime cast doubt on the anticipated election results, further deepening U.S. skepticism toward the El-Sisi regime. In the arena of human rights, hundreds of advocates, individuals from both secular and Islamist backgrounds, along with various segments of Egyptian society, are often incarcerated as perceived adversaries of the state. Such people facing scrutiny endure serious consequences, including court-imposed travel restrictions, asset freezing, and a disqualification from holding public office in the Egyptian government for several years. In the lead-up to the Egyptian election, global attention is riveted on how these concerns will shape unfolding events, spanning a spectrum of expectations from hope to skepticism. The United States, a pivotal global observer, maintains a watchful gaze, delicately balancing optimism with wariness. The focus revolves around whether the democratic aspirations of the Egyptian people will resonate in the electoral process, fostering progress and political evolution. Amidst the intricate dance of global powers in the diplomatic arena, there’s a shared acknowledgment that the outcome carries implications beyond Egypt, reaching into broader regional stability and international relations. The intricacies surrounding El-Sisi’s leadership and the historical roots of Egyptian politics add layers to this anticipation. Lingering doubts and skepticism, notably from influential actors like the United States, underscore the complexities in play. The imminent election stands at a pivotal crossroads, where the people’s aspirations intersect with global geopolitical dynamics, marking a decisive moment in Egypt’s political narrative. Only as the electoral saga unfolds will the world discern whether it heralds a transformative chapter or deepens the shadows of doubt on the international stage. https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2023/12/08/shadows-of-doubt-decoding-egypts-political-climate-and-global-concerns-ahead-of-the-2024-election/

Luxury safari outfitter African Travel Inc. (ATI) has announced the launch of its new 2024 brochure offering authentic wildlife and cultural encounters across 16 destinations in Africa, including new destination Morocco “We are thrilled to unveil our new 2024 brochure and we are excited to introduce the enchanting realm of Morocco as our newest destination with its ancient traditions and stunning landscapes,” says Sherwin Banda, President of African Travel, Inc.“We will also support our Moroccan MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® EXPERIENCES to help protect those traditions and cultural interactions in a meaningful way for our guests, local partners and the local communities we visit.”Also offered by The Travel Corporation’s touring brands, ‘MAKE TRAVEL MATTER EXPERIENCES’ are excursions that benefit wildlife conservation or local communities. There are 90 of these contained within the new African Travel Inc. brochure.Each conscious travel experience is carefully chosen for the positive social or environmental impact they have for the communities ATI explores as well as for their guests who experience them. These experiences are designed to directly advance the Sustainability Development Goals set by the United Nations. Guests are invited to discover Morocco’s cultural treasures, centuries-old traditions and culinary delights on the new 10-day Discover Morocco and 12-day Flavors of Morocco. In Marrakech, both itineraries offer an interactive cooking class, conducted by talented local chefs. Guests will follow the chef’s demonstration and prepare their own savoury meal using traditional cooking tools with aromatic herbs and spices. Also in Morocco, travellers will enjoy a meaningful MAKE TRAVEL MATTER EXPERIENCE with a visit to the Marjana Argan Co-operative in the southwest region of the country, owned by more than 80 local women. Clients will learn more about the life of these Berber women who use only traditional methods of making argan oil. They will have the opportunity to purchase the women’s quality products and make a positive economic impact. Adventure seekers will discover extraordinary wildlife experiences on ATI”s new 10-day Delta, Rivers and Falls safari through the heart of Botswana’s and Zambia’s beautiful landscapes. They will witness a stunning aerial view of the Okavango Delta as they arrive at their sustainable luxury lodge, Atzaro Okavango, via a scenic helicopter flight. The camp’s knowledgeable guides offer guests memorable sightings of leopards, cheetahs, lions, elephants, hippos, gazelles, and buffalo. Clients will enjoy staying at camps which support conservation, education of local children and community empowerment. In Livingstone, they will have an opportunity to tour the Maunga clinic, visit a school and participate in a lunch program serving local kids. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience includes a donation to support the local community. https://www.travelpulse.ca/news/tour-operators/morocco-a-new-destination-as-african-travel-inc-launches-2024-brochure

In what is almost certainly the most unexpected news of the day, Dacia has announced that it plans to enter the Dakar Rally in 2025, and its T1+ cars will be driven by Sébastien Loeb and Cristina Gutiérrez Herrero. This makes us very happy indeed. And the good news doesn’t stop there, because the Dacia factory outfit will be teaming up with none other than Prodrive for the development of its cars. Just imagine – the dune-bashing Dacia could look something like the lovechild of a BRX Hunter and a Duster. The cars will run on synthetic test fuel supplied by Aramco too, and nine-time world rally champion Loeb and Extreme E champion Herrero – who also has seven Dakar rallies under her belt – will begin testing in 2024. We’re told that the cars will compete in the 2024 Rallye du Maroc as a test event before joining the World Rally-Raid Championship for the 2025 season. That’ll culminate with a run at the Dakar, where Dacia will go up against things like the all-conquering https://www.topgear.com/car-news/motorsport/dacia-teaming-prodrive-crack-dakar-rally

The race for one of the African tickets to the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup continues today with Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets tackling their Moroccan counterparts in their second game of the competition. A win for Nigeria in today’s game in Constantine will guarantee the Golden Eaglets passage to the quarterfinals, which is a game close to the U-17 World Cup. Nigeria defeated Zambia 1-0 in Group B’s opening game, while Morocco beat South Africa 2-0. So the battle is also for the leadership of the group. As a 12-nation tournament, the first two top-placed teams in each of the three groups will advance to the quarterfinals, alongside the best two third-placed teams. The quarterfinal matches will produce the four semifinalists, who will also automatically qualify as Africa’s representatives at this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup finals. In charge of the match is Malian referee, Ousmane Diakate, who will be assisted by Queency Clodia Victoire from Mauritius and Cape Verde’s Djêry Gomes Lopes, while Ben Amisy Tsimanohitsy from Madagascar will serve as fourth official. Eritrea’s Negash Teklit Negassi is the match commissioner with Raphael Evehe Divine from Cameroun as referee assessor, while Gabonese Eric Otogo Castane will be general coordinator. https://guardian.ng/sport/golden-eaglets-battle-morocco-for-quarterfinals-ticket/