insert_link Namibia IPPR calls for action on Whistleblower Protection Act On 11 July 2024, as the world observes 'African Anti-Corruption Day' under the theme “Effective Whistleblowers Protection Mechanism: A Critical Tool in the Fight Against Corruption,” the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has called on the government to urgently implement the 2017 Whistleblower Protection Act. Graham Hopwood, Executive Director of IPPR, stressed the need for establishing the Whistleblower Protection Office without delay. Hopwood highlighted recent Afrobarometer findings indicating […] todayJuly 11, 2024 19
insert_link Business / Economics Global e-commerce skyrockets to $27 trillion Did you know that the energy required for Bitcoin data mining reached 121 terra watts last year? That’s more than the amount consumed by most small countries. Daniel Johnson from UN news has more. Meanwhile, new data from 43 countries, representing about three-quarters of global GDP, show business e-commerce sales grew nearly 60% from 2016 to 2022, to reach $27 trillion. todayJuly 11, 2024 14
insert_link Africa 80% of Zimbabwe transactions in USD Zimbabwe must take the necessary steps to end its reliance on the dollar and increase the use of its own currency, Information Secretary Nick Mangwana said. “The benefits of de-dollarisation far outweigh the costs, making it an urgent imperative for Zimbabwe to break free from the US dollar grip,” Mangwana said in an opinion piece published in the Herald newspaper. Bloomberg reports that more than 80% of Zimbabwe’s transactions are denominated […] todayJuly 11, 2024 20
insert_link Health / Medical Health Ministry strengthens genomic surveillance The Ministry of Health and Social Services, supported by the Robert Koch Institute, is hosting a two-day workshop titled 'Strengthening Integrated Genomic Surveillance through greater capacities in national public institutes. The workshop, according to the Health Ministry’s Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, will identify opportunities, needs, and challenges for the implementation of integrated genomic surveillance into the public health system in the country. todayJuly 11, 2024 21
insert_link Environment Mercury to hit 50 in parts of Iraq Temperatures across parts of Iraq are expected to top 50 degrees Celsius on Thursday. Iraq’s meteorology and seismology organisation announced that temperatures are set to reach 50 degrees Celsius, prompting a public holiday on Thursday in several provinces. William Denselow reports from Baghdad. Thursday is a workday in Iraq; however, public offices and most businesses are closed on Friday and Saturday. According to the organization’s forecasts, eight provinces will […] todayJuly 11, 2024 22
insert_link World NATO addresses Ukraine membership NATO leaders have promised an 'irreversible path' towards Ukraine's membership of the military alliance. At a leaders' summit in Washington, the US confirmed American-built F16 fighter jets are being transferred to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands. It marks Keir Starmer's first international summit as UK Prime Minister - and he also held talks at the White House with President Biden. todayJuly 11, 2024 13
insert_link Africa Ugandan Tik Toker jailed for insulting President A Ugandan court has sentenced a 24-year-old man to six years in prison for insulting the president and the first family through his video posted on TikTok. The BBC reports that Edward Awebwa was charged with hate speech and spreading "misleading and malicious" information against President Yoweri Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, and son Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is the head of the military. todayJuly 11, 2024 9
insert_link 2 Africa CRAN attends 25th Africa Telecommunications Union Administrative Council The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia represented Namibia at the 25th Session of the Africa Telecommunications Union Administrative Council in Kinshasa from 8 to 10 July 2024. CRAN spokesperson Mufaro Nesongano says that over the three-day session, the Council reviewed the financial, technical, administrative, and other activities of the Union. todayJuly 11, 2024 20 2
insert_link Namibia ECN concerned over low voter turnout The Electoral Commission of Namibia has registered 823,761 eligible Namibians since the General Registration of Voters began on 3 June 2024. The highest numbers were recorded in Khomas, Ohangwena, and Omusati regions. ECN spokesperson De Wet Siluka says there was a slight improvement in turnout in early July but expressed concern over the overall low turnout. Namibians will vote in the Presidential and National Assembly elections on 27 November 2024. todayJuly 11, 2024 25
