insert_link Africa Locals slam Zimbabwe for turning a blind eye to Chinese miner’s violations By Tatenda Chitadu At the end of November last year, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Sinomine Resource Group chair Wang Pingwei walked into a lithium processing plant, construction hats firmly on. With a crowd of policymakers, company workers and press looking on, they hailed the mining group’s $300 million investment into processing plants. The facilities will process the ore that the company unearths at its Bikita mine and […] todayApril 2, 2024 13
insert_link Lifestyle Holi: what the clouds of colour in the Hindu festival mean Dibakar Roy|Unsplash Rina Arya, University of Hull Holi is one of the most vibrant and fun festivals in the Hindu calendar. It’s practised across India (though mainly in the north), Nepal and throughout south Asian diasporic communities. The date of Holi varies in accordance with the lunar calendar but the festival often takes place in February or March. In 2024, it’s celebrated on March 25. People gather together to throw […] todayApril 2, 2024 23
Africa Somalia plugs 5G into its economic rebound By Seth Onyango, bird story agency Somalia has received its first 5G installation, cranking up a series of reforms to revamp its economy after joining the East Africa Community (EAC). Hormuud Telecom Somalia Inc., its largest telco, rolled out faster internet speeds last month, signalling budding growth in the country's digital services industry. "As Somalia strides towards stability, the launch of 5G services by Hormuud Telecom emerges as […] todayApril 2, 2024 10
insert_link Africa Africa begins licensing crypto as verified transactions hit US $117 billion By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency Regulators in Africa are taking steps to bring crypto entities under official oversight as treasuries seek to blunt fiscal risks amid a surge in demand for digital assets. Authorities in South Africa and Nigeria, the continent's most 'crypto-ready' countries, are leading the continent's efforts to place crypto dealers under a licensing regime to protect consumers against money laundering and terrorism-related risks. […] todayApril 2, 2024 11
insert_link World Fasting is a key part of Ramadan, but for many Muslims, climate change is making food scarce all year By Nasya Bahfen, La Trobe University Every Ramadan, volunteers at Westall Mosque and OneSpace in Melbourne hold free weekly iftars (communal dinners to break the fast in Ramadan). This year, volunteers say numbers are up. To cut down on the resulting landfill, attendees are asked to bring their own reusable food containers and water bottles. In dedicated bins, bottles and cans are collected and recycled under the […] todayApril 2, 2024 12
insert_link Environment Protected products: what makes lamb from South Africa’s Karoo and France’s Mont Saint-Michel so special By Johann Kirsten, Stellenbosch University A meal or food shopping experience can be more interesting and enjoyable when you know more about a particular product, like what region it came from and the culture that shaped it. Knowing what makes the food “unique” can improve the tasting experience. Think about drinking an ice-cold glass of “real” Champagne from France or the satisfaction of serving your dinner guests […] todayApril 2, 2024 15
insert_link Africa Digital trade protocol for Africa: why it matters, what’s in it and what’s still missing By Franziska Sucker, University of the Witwatersrand In February 2024, African heads of states adopted a draft protocol to regulate digital trade within the continent. This significant yet challenging course for Africa’s digital economy fits into the broader trade agreement, designed to create a single continental market for free movement of goods, services, capital and people. Franziska Sucker explains the protocol, why it matters and what still […] todayApril 2, 2024 5
insert_link World Malta Urges the ICC to Hurry Up Its War Crimes Probes in Palestine Ambassador Vanessa Frazier of Malta detailed to the press her country’s plans presiding over the Security Council in April 2024. Frazier is one of five women envoys in the Council, and she successfully led a resolution calling for a pause in fighting in Gaza in November by focusing on the plight of children. “Children are affected more in Gaza, and as women, it affects us too,” she said in […] todayApril 2, 2024 9
Africa Wind energy to help clean South Africa’s dirty carbon “hotspot”. By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Private wind energy projects for commercial and industrial purposes are ramping up the uptake of wind energy in South Africa while complementing clean energy's solar dominance to provide power for industries. Construction recently commenced on three wind sites to power Sasol’s Secunda industrial complex in Mpumalanga. The project is led by a consortium that includes Italian renewable energy developer Enel Green […] todayApril 2, 2024 16