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WHO advocates for widespread newborn screening to detect congenital malformations
via Le Matin3 min read
The World Health Organization WHO is urging countries to accelerate the implementation of newborn screening programs to identify congenital malformations and diseases early. In a new report titled "Strengthening capacity for newborn screening, diagnosis and management of birth defects," the UN agency emphasizes that early diagnosis and prompt management are effective ways to reduce infant mortality and preventable disabilities. Approximately eight million children are born annually with a congenital malformation, accounting for about 8% of deaths in children under five. This issue is particularly critical in low- and middle-income countries, where nearly 90% of children with severe congenital malformations live, but access to screening and treatment is limited. The report highlights that conditions like congenital hypothyroidism, sickle cell disease, hearing impairments, and certain metabolic disorders can be effectively treated if diagnosed in the first days of life. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, states that no child should be deprived of a healthy future due to an undetected congenital condition. The WHO notes significant disparities in healthcare systems, with some countries screening for over fifty diseases while others have no screening at all. The organization recommends that each state begin by integrating screening for a priority condition relevant to its health context, then gradually expanding the program as technical and medical capacities g
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Must ReadHicham El Amrani discusses strategies to combat the malicious use of AI, particularly deepfakes, in the context of the 2026 elections. He emphasizes that no purely technical solution exists, advocating for a multi-layered approach centered on human analysis, monitoring, and methodology. The first layer involves automated forensic detection of synthetic content, though its effectiveness against real-world deepfakes is limited, with performance dropping by 45-50% in videos, audio, and images. This is due to an arms race where detection constantly lags behind generation. The second, more promising layer, focuses on certifying authentic content through standards like C2PA and Content Credentials, which embed cryptographically signed manifests into files. While adopted by major players like Adobe, Microsoft, and the BBC, its widespread adoption by device manufacturers and platforms is crucial for its full potential. The core of the defense, however, lies in monitoring and Open Source Intelligence OSINT. Monitoring acts as an early warning system, involving continuous, automated surveillance of platforms, filtering, anomaly detection, and real-time alerts to human analysts. Human qualification is irreplaceable for determining if a signal is noise, legitimate organic activity, or an operation requiring investigation. The goal is to detect operations before they go viral, as the window for effective action is often hours or minutes. OSINT then takes over for verification and attribut
Morocco's port infrastructure, exemplified by Tanger Med, has been a significant factor in attracting major industrial investments, such as Renault's production unit in 2007. According to Mahmoud Arbouch, principal economist at the Policy Center for the New South, Tanger Med's ability to quickly connect the production site to European markets was crucial for Renault, highlighting the importance of logistics in the automotive industry. This strategic advantage allowed Morocco to offer competitive costs and public incentives, alongside a robust logistics chain. Renault now exports approximately 400,000 vehicles annually, and Stellantis joined in 2019, making the automotive sector Morocco's leading exporter with nearly a million vehicles. New port projects like Nador West Med and Dakhla Atlantique are being developed with distinct specializations. Nador West Med focuses on energy, including hydrocarbons, natural gas, and liquefied natural gas, aiming to support new logistical, energy, and industrial activities in the Oriental region. Dakhla Atlantique is designed to support green hydrogen ecosystems and strengthen Morocco's Atlantic connection to Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, aligning with the African Continental Free Trade Area. These new ports are not just about increasing capacity but are linked to specific economic activities and regional orientations. Arbouch emphasizes that geographical location alone is no longer sufficient; competitiveness now relies on digitaliz
Morocco's goalkeeper Yassine Bounou further solidified his legendary status at the 2026 World Cup, despite the Atlas Lions' elimination in the quarterfinals against France. During the match, Bounou saved a penalty from Kylian Mbappé in the first half, contributing to a goalless first half despite French dominance. This save extended his record for the most penalties missed against a single goalkeeper in World Cup history. Bounou has now faced nine penalties in World Cup matches, with seven resulting in either a save or a missed shot by the opponent. This exceptional statistic places him ahead of other notable goalkeepers like Sergio Goycochea, Cláudio Taffarel, Danijel Subašić, and Dominik Livaković, who each had five. At 35 years old, Bounou's performance in this tournament, following his decisive saves against Spain in the 2022 World Cup round of 16 and against the Netherlands in the current edition, confirms his position as one of the greatest goalkeepers in World Cup history, particularly as a penalty specialist.