insert_link Business / Economics Cape Town to mint 6,100 new millionaires in projected wealth boom By Seth Onyango, via bird story agency Cape Town is forecast to become the fourth fastest-growing wealth hub per capita among the BRICS states, according to new insights from Henley & Partners (H&P). The picturesque city is forecast to add 6,100 millionaires over the next ten years, over and above the current 7,400, representing an 85% jump. "It is currently benefiting from the ongoing ‘semigration’ of large numbers […] todayFebruary 1, 2024 23
insert_link Africa Ties that bind: Closely-related players who made AFCON 2023 a family affair By Joel Omotto, via bird story agency In the history of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a number of closely-related players have graced the tournament with six siblings winning the trophy. Ethiopians Italo and Luciano Vassallo won it together in 1962, Congolese brothers Albert Bwanga and Robert Kazadi were part of the 1974 winning team, Cameroonians Andre and Francois Biyik claimed the crown in 1988 while […] todayFebruary 1, 2024 14
insert_link Entertainment Wetlands are superheroes: expert sets out how they protect people and places By Jacqueline L Raw, Nelson Mandela University In the past, wetlands were often seen as undesirable landscapes – waterlogged areas that were difficult to navigate, impossible to build on or farm, and a source of pests such as mosquitoes. But the view on wetlands has shifted as we have learnt how important these ecosystems are for essential “services”. They purify water and provide habitats for plants and animals. […] todayFebruary 1, 2024 22
insert_link Opinion Pieces Houthi militant attacks in the Red Sea raise fears of Somali piracy resurgence By Samuel Oyewole, Federal University, Oye Ekiti Renewed attacks on ships by suspected Somali pirates since November 2023 have fuelled fear of a new threat of piracy off the east coast of Africa. The area at risk stretches from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. At least four ships have been hijacked off the Somalia coast since November 2023. Concern has risen […] todayFebruary 1, 2024 5
insert_link Africa African countries are struggling with high debt, demands to spend more and collapsing currencies: the policy fixes that could help By Jonathan Munemo, Salisbury University Highly indebted African countries are facing stark trade-offs between servicing expensive debt, supporting high and growing development needs, and stabilising domestic currencies. Government debt has risen in at least 40 African countries over the past decade. As a result, some are experiencing a bad combination of high debt, elevated development spending needs amid budget shortfalls, and unfavourable exchange rate pressures. These issues have become […] todayFebruary 1, 2024 4
insert_link South Africa Garbage piling up in Cape Town townships as extortion gangs drive out City contractors Samora Machel residents say they have been using this part of Oliver Tambo Drive as a dumping site because their rubbish bins has not been collected for months. Photos: Sandiso Phaliso By Sandiso Phaliso via GroundUp On almost every corner in Samora Machel, Philippi East and Browns Farm in Cape Town, rubbish is piling up. There is so much rubbish that some streets, such as Hart Lane and Oliver Tambo […] todayFebruary 1, 2024 29
insert_link World Guyana, Leading the UN Security Council, Is Not Giving Up on a Ceasefire in Gaza Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, permanent representative of Guyana, photographed at the country’s mission to the UN, Jan 22, 2023. “We would very much like to see a ceasefire for the people to receive the necessary humanitarian aid,” she said about Gaza in an interview. “We are not at that point yet, and that is really regrettable.” JOHN PENNEY/PASSBLUE By Damilola Banjo via PassBlue The United Nations Security Council’s continuing failure to agree […] todayFebruary 1, 2024 4
insert_link Environment Tropical forests share similar mix of common and rare tree species, study shows A flowering tree in the Amazon rainforest canopy. Photo credit: Rhett A. Butler By Liz Kimbrough via Mongabay A new study has for the first time identified the most common tree species in the tropical forests of Africa, the Amazon and Southeast Asia — and their similarities have surprised scientists. “The [study] shows some uncanny similarities among the world’s great tropical rainforests,” said tropical ecologist Bill Laurance, a co-author of […] todayFebruary 1, 2024 36
insert_link Environment Why monkeys attack people – a primate expert explains Witsawat.S/Shutterstock Tracie McKinney, University of South Wales Wildlife tourism thrives on our fascination with animals and primates are particularly attractive animals to tourists. With their human-like faces, complex family dynamics and acrobatic antics, they are a joy to behold. But recent stories have emerged that portray monkeys in a more sinister light. Reports of “monkey attacks”, “devil monkeys”, or even “face-ripping, bone-biting monkeys” have become common in the media. Have […] todayJanuary 31, 2024 14
