Pakistan blocks internet access on polling day

Pakistan blocks internet access on polling day

As Pakistan votes to elect a new government today, internet services have been suspended across the country due to 'heightened security concerns'. Pakistan's poll body claims the Election Commission did not instruct the government to cut off internet services. Hira Mustafa reports from Islamabad.

February 8, 2024 25

Environment

Global warming tops 1.5°C for the first time

The average global temperature has for the first time breached the 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels mark for an entire year - as 2024 saw the hottest January on record. Professor Morgan Hauptfleisch, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Natural Resources and Spatial Sciences at Namibia University of Science and Technology, reacts to the news. Meanwhile, other scientists say the world is now closer to breaching the […]

February 8, 2024 40

Entertainment

Rapper Kanye West lists Kenya, and Nigeria as tour venues

US rapper Kanye West has excited his fans in Kenya and Nigeria after listing the two countries among the potential concert venues for his new tour. According to the BBC, a tentative venue list shared on West's Instagram stories shows that the rapper plans to perform at Eko Energy City in Lagos and the Nyayo International Stadium in Nairobi. West also shared interest in performing at Egypt's Giza Pyramids.

February 8, 2024 27

World

UN Chief urges world peace amid ‘age of chaos’

The UN Secretary-General has outlined his priorities for 2024 in a speech at the General Assembly on Wednesday. Antonio Guterres has stressed the need for peace in the world saying the world is in an "age of chaos". Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations in New York.

February 8, 2024 22

Environment

UK’s opposition Labour Party scraps environmental pledge

The UK's opposition Labour Party is scrapping a flagship environmental pledge after months of uncertainty. It's stepping back from a promise to spend £28bn a year on green investment. Here’s Deputy political editor at the Financial Times Jim Pickard.

February 8, 2024 32

World

India silent on Haley’s allegations of close ties with Russia

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has accused India of not trusting the US, claiming New Delhi has strategically maintained a close relationship with Russia. India has not responded to Haley's comments so far.

February 8, 2024 23

World

UN chief pays tribute to late President Hage Geingob

United Nations Secretary-General has paid tribute to late President Hage Geingob during the Wednesday of the UN General Assembly’s 55th plenary meeting’s 78th session. The 82-year-old died in hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning, weeks after he was diagnosed with cancer. Antonio Guterres called Geingob a respected and principled statesman who dedicated his life to serving and developing his country. The UN chief called Geingob a prominent anti-apartheid […]

February 8, 2024 45

World

Russia’s next election is likely to put Putin in power for longer than anyone since Peter the Great

By Rod Thornton, King's College London Presidential elections will be held in Russia in March. It is inevitable that the incumbent president, Vladimir Putin, will win. Putin has been in power (whether as president or as prime minister) since 2000. If he wins again, and he serves his full six-year term, he will have been in power for 30 years, longer than any Russian or Soviet […]

February 8, 2024 12

Science & Technology

Canal+ bid for Multichoice comes as Netflix cedes African lead to Multichoice-owned streamer Showmax

By Seth Onyango, via bird story agency A major shake-up in the African streaming market is looming as Multichoice faces a takeover bid from French media giant, Vivendi SE’s Canal+. A tie-up could deal another blow to Netflix which lost its continental lead last November, relinquishing 5% of its share to its top rival Showmax, while Amazon Prime gained ground. Omdia Research data shows that Netflix in 2023 […]

February 8, 2024 50