insert_link Lifestyle Anger, sadness, boredom, anxiety – emotions that feel bad can be useful A bad feeling can trigger behavior that leads to something better. Rawpixel/iStock via Getty Images Plus Heather Lench, Texas A&M University Remember the sadness that came with the last time you failed miserably at something? Or the last time you were so anxious about an upcoming event that you couldn’t concentrate for days? These types of emotions are unpleasant to experience and can even feel overwhelming. People often try to […] todayFebruary 9, 2024 31
Africa Tanzania’s elections are vulnerable to state abuse – urgent law reforms are needed By Aikande Clement Kwayu, Tumaini University Makumira Tanzania’s electoral law reform is overdue for an overhaul. This was made most apparent by the 2019 local elections and the 2020 general elections. The results were big wins for the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM): 99% of local authorities, 98.9% of parliamentary seats and 84% of the presidential vote. These margins of victory were contested. The United Nations, research […] todayFebruary 9, 2024 17
insert_link Entertainment Books: folklore and fantasy combine in Langabi, a supernatural historical epic from Zimbabwe By Gibson Ncube, Stellenbosch University In 2023, award-winning Zimbabwean author Christopher Mlalazi published a new book, Langabi: Season of the Beast. He’s the author of novels like Running with Mother (2012), Dancing with Life: Tales from the Township (2012) and They are Coming (2014). His books grapple with diverse social and political issues in Zimbabwe. As a scholar of African literature, including speculative fiction, I have […] todayFebruary 9, 2024 15
insert_link Africa The rise of African prophets: the unchecked power of the leaders of Pentecostal churches By Josiah Taru, Rice University Over the last 20 years there’s been an unprecedented increase in charismatic Pentecostal prophets – or men of God as they’re called in Pentecostal parlance. Across Africa their unchecked influence has spread into social, economic and political institutions. Pentecostalism is one of the fastest-growing strands of Christianity on the continent. In Zimbabwe, for example, the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministry claims its membership […] todayFebruary 9, 2024 41
insert_link Africa Nigeria’s street food: tasty but toxic? Expert shares advice to make it safer By Helen Onyeaka, University of Birmingham In the lively streets of Nigeria’s cities, where delicious street food is a daily delight, a wide variety of food can be bought and consumed instantly. From the sizzling suya snack in Abuja to the aromatic jollof rice in Lagos, street food has become an integral part of Nigerian life. However, beneath these enticing flavours lies a critical question of public safety […] todayFebruary 9, 2024 22
insert_link World Russia’s next election is likely to put Putin in power for longer than anyone since Peter the Great By Rod Thornton, King's College London Presidential elections will be held in Russia in March. It is inevitable that the incumbent president, Vladimir Putin, will win. Putin has been in power (whether as president or as prime minister) since 2000. If he wins again, and he serves his full six-year term, he will have been in power for 30 years, longer than any Russian or Soviet […] todayFebruary 8, 2024 10
insert_link Science & Technology Canal+ bid for Multichoice comes as Netflix cedes African lead to Multichoice-owned streamer Showmax By Seth Onyango, via bird story agency A major shake-up in the African streaming market is looming as Multichoice faces a takeover bid from French media giant, Vivendi SE’s Canal+. A tie-up could deal another blow to Netflix which lost its continental lead last November, relinquishing 5% of its share to its top rival Showmax, while Amazon Prime gained ground. Omdia Research data shows that Netflix in 2023 […] todayFebruary 8, 2024 41
insert_link Business / Economics South Africa’s $26.3 million new mining fund sets stage for exploration boom By Bonface Orucho, via bird story agency South Africa is charting a new course for its mining industry, betting on local and junior miners to identify and unlock greenfield mines as the country pursues higher sector prosperity. The country has introduced a new US$26.3 million (R500 million) mining exploration fund for local and junior miners, aiming to tap into the rising global demand for minerals. South Africa’s […] todayFebruary 8, 2024 18
Africa Zambia hits a copper jackpot from an AI-powered exploration By Bonface Orucho, via bird story agency Zambia’s mineral portfolio has received a major boost with the discovery of the largest copper deposits ever recorded in the country. Through an official statement on the social media site X, on February 5, 2023, KoBold, an American startup backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, announced the discovery of vast copper deposits at their Mingomba mine in northern Zambia. “Mingomba […] todayFebruary 8, 2024 4
