insert_link Africa Clothed pig carcasses are revealing the secrets of mummification – South African study provides insights for forensic scientists Establishing time-since-death is key in forensic investigations. gorodenkoff By Kara Adams, University of Cape Town and Victoria Gibbon, University of Cape Town It was the kind of task any competent seamstress has completed hundreds of times before: altering denim jeans and jerseys. But there was something different about this piece of work. Though our team of scientists were paying for it, we weren’t her ultimate customers – […] today27 May, 2024
insert_link Africa Nigeria has generated 5,000 Megawatts of electricity this month Nigeria has generated 5,000 Megawatts of electricity this month. It's the first time in three years the country's power sector has reached such an output. Reporting for us is Tesem Akende. today27 May, 2024
insert_link Africa Major global media still fails Africa, but bright spots emerge By Seth Onyango, via bird story agency Despite some progress, a clichéd and often stereotypical coverage of Africa persists among major global media outlets. However, there are notable exceptions like The Guardian, AFP, Al Jazeera, and Reuters, which are breaking the mould with balanced reporting of the continent. Findings from the University of Cape Town's Global Media Index for Africa (GMI) suggest that major news […] today23 May, 2024
insert_link Africa How elite riders are conquering Africa’s harshest terrains as mountain biking booms By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Mountain biking is surging in popularity across Africa, with global race organizers capitalizing on the continent's diverse terrains—from mountains to deserts—for bike racing events. Morocco has recently hosted what is arguably “one of the most gruelling ultra-mountain bike races,” the 2024 Škoda Titan Desert Morocco. The annual, 6-stage, 600km race across the desert was held between April 28 and May 3 […] today23 May, 2024
insert_link Africa Sweet sorghum is a hardy, nutritious, biofuel crop that offers solutions in drought-hit southern Africa Sweet sorghum ripening in Rwanda. Ari Beser/Getty Images By Hamond Motsi, Stellenbosch University The southern African region is battling with drought at present. This is the result of El Niño, a natural climate cycle characterised by changes in Pacific Ocean temperatures. It has effects on global weather patterns, particularly rainfall and temperature. The drought has hit the region’s agricultural productivity hard. Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have […] today23 May, 2024
insert_link Africa Tanganyika and Zanzibar: Tanzania’s 60-year-old union may need a restructure By Nicodemus Minde, United States International University On 26 April 2024, Tanzania celebrated 60 years of the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The union, which created the present-day United Republic of Tanzania, stands out among the longest lasting political arrangements of its kind in Africa, and has shaped the country’s construction of national identity. Nicodemus Minde, who has researched Tanzania’s politics, unpacks the union’s dynamics. […] today23 May, 2024
insert_link Africa The world is rushing to Africa to mine critical minerals like lithium – how the continent should deal with the demand By James Boafo, Murdoch University; Eric Stemn, University of Mines and Technology; Jacob Obodai, Edge Hill University, and Philip Nti Nkrumah, The University of Queensland Global demand for critical minerals, particularly lithium, is growing rapidly to meet clean energy and de-carbonisation objectives. Africa hosts substantial resources of critical minerals. As a result, foreign mining companies are rushing to invest in exploration and acquire mining […] today23 May, 2024
insert_link Africa Gunmen kill 40 in Plateau, Nigeria Over 40 people have been killed by gunmen in two communities in Nigeria's northern state of Plateau. The gunmen also injured several others and set many houses on fire. today22 May, 2024
insert_link Africa Kenya defends cost of jet for President Ruto’s trip Kenya's government has defended the cost of President William Ruto's trip to the US. The price of hiring the luxury private jet in which he and his delegation travelled is estimated to be $1.5m, according to Kenya’s private KTN TV station. More than 30 people, including a popular comedian, are reported to be accompanying the president, who landed in Atlanta, Georgia. Update Africa News reports that President Ruto and First […] today22 May, 2024
