Tourism

Colonial statues in Africa have been removed, returned and torn down again – why it’s such a complex history

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Wednesday, March 13, 2024

It also ignited debates about historical symbols of oppression, such as statues of figures associated with racial injustices.

Key Points: 
  • It also ignited debates about historical symbols of oppression, such as statues of figures associated with racial injustices.
  • These debates presented colonial statues in Africa as having been contested and toppled for many years, ever since African states gained independence.
  • As a scholar of African heritage, I recently published a study examining colonial statues and how they have been regarded in postcolonial Africa.

Colonial statues at independence (1950s-1980)

  • As African countries gained independence from the 1950s to the 1980s, colonial statues faced three main fates: recycling; defacement or toppling; and on-site preservation.
  • Recycling involved relocating statues from former colonies to former colonial metropolises.
  • The reasons for these repatriations were multiple and included the desire to keep alive memory of colonial times and to feed colonial nostalgia.
  • Some African leaders at independence were pro-Europe, having been educated there or having worked there during colonial times.

The empires strike back (1990s-2000s)

  • It’s easy to see why: the millions of US dollars in aid that Belgium gives the DRC every year.
  • However, this statue of Livingstone can also be seen as an international event, linked to colonial monuments built with France’s cooperation.
  • This is notably the case of the 2006 Savorgnan de Brazza memorial erected in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of Congo.

Renewed contestations (from the 2010s)

  • Such protests have accelerated in recent years and have become more visible, thanks to social networks.
  • The most famous case is the Rhodes Must Fall movement.
  • This movement opposed neoliberal economic systems which had failed to respond to fundamental change, especially in areas such as education.

A complex issue

  • While acknowledging successes in removing colonial statues, it is important not to overlook the substantial support for (neo)colonial monuments all over Africa.
  • Such support can be explained by pressure from former colonial powers and the links of elites with these countries.


Sophia Labadi has received funding from the Humboldt Foundation and the Fritz Thyssen Foundation.

EQS-News: Villeroy & Boch: Villeroy & Boch successfully mastered challenging market conditions

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Wednesday, March 13, 2024

using the same exchange rates as for the previous year, declined by 7.5 % year-on-year in the 2023 financial year.

Key Points: 
  • using the same exchange rates as for the previous year, declined by 7.5 % year-on-year in the 2023 financial year.
  • The Villeroy & Boch Group successfully increased its EBIT margin from 9.7 % to 9.9 % in the 2023 financial year despite the challenging market environment.
  • Villeroy & Boch also invested in reducing the gas consumption of kilns in Merzig.
  • The challenging economic conditions seen in the past year are generally expected to continue in 2024.

TRON DAO at MIT Fintech Conference and host Tron Builder Tour MIT Stop

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Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Geneva, Switzerland, February 26, 2024 – At the MIT Fintech Conference on February 23, hosted at the MIT Samberg Conference Center, the TRON DAO team made an appearance.

Key Points: 
  • Geneva, Switzerland, February 26, 2024 – At the MIT Fintech Conference on February 23, hosted at the MIT Samberg Conference Center, the TRON DAO team made an appearance.
  • Additionally, the TRON Builder Tour held an event at MIT venue, with over 90 attendees.
  • Highlighting its foray into Bitcoin Layer-2 development, the TRON DAO team discussed this cutting-edge project at the TRON Builder Tour event.
  • Through its active participation in both the MIT Fintech Conference and the TRON Builder Tour, TRON DAO continues to drive forward the blockchain industry, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to innovation, education, and collaboration.

EQS-News: Harvard Business School Launches Tony Elumelu Foundation Case Study

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Wednesday, March 13, 2024

At a time of renewed geopolitical interest in Africa, and an increasing questioning of traditional development finance models, Harvard Business School today released a case study examining the role and impact of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) ( https://www.TonyElumeluFoundation.org ), and its unique approach to catalysing entrepreneurship in Africa.

Key Points: 
  • At a time of renewed geopolitical interest in Africa, and an increasing questioning of traditional development finance models, Harvard Business School today released a case study examining the role and impact of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) ( https://www.TonyElumeluFoundation.org ), and its unique approach to catalysing entrepreneurship in Africa.
  • The case study recognises challenges the Foundation faces, and its responses, as it developed its mission, since founding in 2010.
  • Tony Elumelu, who spoke at Harvard said, “TEF is creating economic hope and opportunity for African entrepreneurs.
  • Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

The Global Selection of 'Hainan Tourism and Cultural Excellence TOP 10' Now Opens

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Wednesday, March 13, 2024

HAIKOU, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 26 February 2024 - On 23rd February, the Hainan Free Trade Port, located in the south of China, officially launched the global selection of "Hainan Tourism and Cultural Excellence TOP10".

Key Points: 
  • HAIKOU, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 26 February 2024 - On 23rd February, the Hainan Free Trade Port, located in the south of China, officially launched the global selection of "Hainan Tourism and Cultural Excellence TOP10".
  • The initiative aims to showcase the excellence of Hainan's tourism and share the story of China's holiday paradise with a global audience.
  • Launched by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province, this initiative will highlight various themes such as Coastal Scenic Highway, marine tourism, duty-free shopping, recreation and health tourism, rural tourism, rainforest tourism, intangible cultural heritage tourism, and more.
  • Upon the conclusion of the voting period, the top ten tourism products with the highest votes will be honoured as this year's "China's Hainan Tourism and Cultural Excellences".

Orascom Development Announces Leadership Changes in Europe To Support Region’s Next Chapter of Growth

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Wednesday, March 13, 2024

To drive ECOBOS's next phase, Maher Maksoud will prioritize advancing this development as CEO of ECOBOS and Orascom Development plans to bring in more investors to join the venture.

Key Points: 
  • To drive ECOBOS's next phase, Maher Maksoud will prioritize advancing this development as CEO of ECOBOS and Orascom Development plans to bring in more investors to join the venture.
  • Maksoud's invaluable contributions to Luštica Bay since his appointment as its CEO in 2020 are deeply appreciated.
  • Simultaneously, Raphael Krucker, CEO of Andermatt Swiss Alps, will take on the additional role of CEO of Luštica Bay.
  • Omar El Hamamsy, Group CEO of Orascom Development, stated: "Since taking the helm at Orascom Development in 2020, I am proud of the significant progress Orascom Development has made on our transformational journey from a family-owned business to a global institution.

AGTech Announces Second Interim Results Ended December 31, 2023, Revenue Increases 69% Year-on-Year

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Wednesday, March 13, 2024

AGTech Announces Second Interim Results Ended December 31, 2023, Revenue Increases 69% Year-on-Year

Key Points: 
  • AGTech Announces Second Interim Results Ended December 31, 2023, Revenue Increases 69% Year-on-Year
    (Hong Kong, February 23, 2024) – AGTech Holdings Limited (“AGTech” or the “Group”, HKEX stock code: 8279) today announced its second interim results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.
  • • EBITDA of the Group for the 12-Month Period was approximately HK$39.5 million (Twelve months ended December 31, 2022: Negative EBITDA of approximately HK$37.7 million).
  • The profit for the 12-Month Period was approximately HK$29 million (12 months ended December 31, 2022: loss of approximately HK$131 million).
  • The change from operating loss to profit was mainly due to: (1) the increase in total revenue; (2) the increase in net finance income.

'Bonjour! Chine Soleil Hainan' international image exhibition and Hainan Tourism and Cultural Promotion Event Held in Paris, France

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Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Chine Soleil Hainan" international image exhibition and Hainan Tourism and Cultural Promotion Event took place in Paris, France.

Key Points: 
  • Chine Soleil Hainan" international image exhibition and Hainan Tourism and Cultural Promotion Event took place in Paris, France.
  • Chine Soleil Hainan" international image exhibition and Hainan Tourism and Cultural Promotion Event
    The event featured various exhibition areas, including Sunny Island, Rainforest Elves, Recreation and Health Sanctuaries, Shopping Paradises, and Hainan Culture.
  • In 2023, Hainan welcomed over 90 million domestic and international tourists, marking a significant 49.9% increase from the previous year.
  • Recently, efforts to promote foreign tourism to Hainan continue, with a focus on creating special tourism products tailored to international visitors.

Dalata Hotel Group PLC: 2023 Preliminary Financial Results Announcement

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Wednesday, March 13, 2024

The new lease is conditional on the receipt of a grant of planning for a 216-bedroom extension to be developed by Dalata.

Key Points: 
  • The new lease is conditional on the receipt of a grant of planning for a 216-bedroom extension to be developed by Dalata.
  • Our Regional Ireland and UK portfolio performed broadly in line with January / February 2023.
  • After exceeding revenue of €500 million in 2022, the Group has grown revenues further to over €600 million in 2023.
  • Today, we are launching the refreshed Dalata brand which reflects what Dalata is all about – engaged teams passionate about our hospitality and customer service.

EQS-News: MARKET STUDY: PROPERTY CRISIS? IN MALLORCA, PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE - LUXURY PROPERTIES INCREASED IN PRICE BY 13 PER CENT IN 2023 AND BECAME MORE SCARCE

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

The luxury segment remains the price driver with an increase of 13 per cent.

Key Points: 
  • The luxury segment remains the price driver with an increase of 13 per cent.
  • In the luxury segment, the market is almost empty and experts do not see an end to the price increases.
  • CRES therefore expects property prices to continue to rise in the low single-digit percentage range in the coming years.
  • Porta Mallorquina Real Estate presents the 10th edition of the annual market study "Holiday Property Market Mallorca".