insert_link Africa Growing African vegetables on buildings can save space and feed cities – new study The Eco Green Wall is an example of a sustainable living wall system. Karen Botes Karen Botes, University of Pretoria As cities grow, more people need food. However, space for farming is limited in cities. Building facades can offer a solution for growing food. We asked landscape architect Karen Botes to tell us about her research – cultivating traditional African vegetables on walls. What are ‘living wall systems’ and why […] todayNovember 6, 2023 5
insert_link Health / Medical Bird flu could be eradicated by editing the genes of chickens – our study shows how By Alewo Idoko-Akoh, University of Bristol Recent advances in gene editing technology could potentially be used to create disease-resistant animals. This could curtail the spread of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu. In a recent gene editing study, my colleagues and I showcased the potential of gene editing to protect chickens from the threat of bird flu. This disease is caused by an ever-evolving virus that gets around numerous […] todayNovember 3, 2023 9
insert_link Opinion Pieces Social media content in times of war: an expert guide on how to keep violence off your feeds There are some practical ways to filter the amount of violent and graphic content you see on social media. Megan Knight, University of Hertfordshire Social media platforms are a great source of information and entertainment. They also help us to maintain contact with friends and family. But social media can also – and has, often – become a toxic environment for spreading disinformation, hatred and conflict. Most people can’t or […] todayNovember 3, 2023 7
insert_link Press Releases Sustained, Structured Conversation around Risks, Challenges, Opportunities of Artificial Intelligence Vital, Secretary-General Tells Safety Summit UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the United Kingdom AI [artificial intelligence] Safety Summit, November 2nd: The speed and reach of today’s AI technology are unprecedented. The paradox is that in the future, it will never move as slowly as today. The gap between AI and its governance is wide and growing. AI-associated risks are many and varied. Like AI itself, they are still emerging, and they demand new solutions. […] todayNovember 3, 2023 3
insert_link Local The reality of the medical aid fund industry: secrecy, abuse of public power and unregulated BACKGROUND The medical aid fund industry recently informed the public and private sector healthcare providers that medical aid funds are experiencing financial difficulties, in that the funds are experiencing higher than expected claims as from 2022 and are now using past reserves to honour claims. In a presentation by Dr Johann van Zyl, an advisor to the Namibian Association of Medical Aid Funds (NAMAF) the main driver of the recent […] todayNovember 2, 2023 9
insert_link Africa Africa’s Fashion Sector Primed for Global Leadership By Bonface Orucho via BirdAfricaNoFilter Africa’s young, innovative, and growing population, a rising middle class, rapid urbanization, and increased government support are some of the factors fueling the African fashion sector, according to a new UNESCO report. The report, 'The Fashion Sector in Africa: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities for Growth,' unveiled on October 26 during the 13th edition of the Lagos Fashion Week, shows that “the continent holds all the cards […] todayNovember 2, 2023 12
insert_link Africa Guyana Deserves to Develop its Oil and Gas, and so does Africa At a time when both African and Caribbean nations are making great strides towards developing recently discovered oil and gas reserves, countries whose development was driven by hydrocarbons are accelerating efforts to transition to a renewable energy future. This transition has seen wealthy nations establish a ‘green agenda,’ one which does not take into consideration Africa’s economic needs. The African Energy Chamber (www.EnergyChamber.org), therefore, strongly calls for an end to […] todayNovember 2, 2023 2
insert_link Africa Some African governments are spending millions to spy on their citizens – stifling debate and damaging democracy Tony Roberts, Institute of Development Studies Governments around the world use surveillance technology to monitor external threats to national security. Some African governments are also spending vast sums on mass surveillance of their own citizens. They are using mobile phone spyware, internet interception devices, social media monitoring and biometric identity systems. Artificial intelligence for facial recognition and car number plate recognition is another digital surveillance technology in their growing toolkit. […] todayNovember 2, 2023 8
insert_link Namibia End Crimes Against Journalists On the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, here is Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Hon. Emma Theofelus's official statement. https://youtu.be/J05nclkPB3E todayNovember 2, 2023 11
