insert_link Africa Ghana’s looted Asante gold comes home (for now) – Asante ruler’s advisor tells us about the deal By Rachel Ama Asaa Engmann, Rutgers University After 150 years, 39 artefacts that form part of Asante’s royal regalia are due to return to the Asantehene (ruler of the Asante people) in Kumasi, Ghana, in February and April this year. The Asante empire was the largest and most powerful in the region in the 18th century and controlled an area that was rich in gold. Many of the gold […] todayJanuary 31, 2024 9
insert_link Business / Economics IMF World Economic Outlook Update https://youtu.be/DB9yEOgE1Iw The IMF sees a runway to a ‘soft landing’ for global growth Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, head of the Fund’s Research Department said at the launch of the World Economic Outlook (WEO) Tuesday (January 30) in Johannesburg, South Africa. “The global economy continues to display remarkable resilience with inflation declining steadily and growth holding up. The chance of a soft landing as increased. But the pace of expansion remains slow and […] todayJanuary 31, 2024 21
insert_link World US and China Commit to Cooperating on Tackling Fentanyl Crisis The US and China are committing to work together on tackling the flow of fentanyl to the United States. It's seen as a rare sign of cooperation between the two global powers as they try to manage their ties.Patrick Fok reports. todayJanuary 31, 2024 29
insert_link World Biden says he has decided response to US attack US President Joe Biden says he has decided how to respond to the killing of three US service personnel in Saturday's drone strike. There are fears a US attack could widen the conflict in the Middle East - something Biden says he is not aiming for. Nick Harper reports from Washington. todayJanuary 31, 2024 41
insert_link World Musk’s Neuralink installs its first-ever ‘brain implant’ on human patient Elon Musk says his company Neuralink has for the first time implanted one of its devices into a human brain. Neuralink received approval to carry out clinical trials on humans last year. Ira Spitzer has more. todayJanuary 31, 2024 9
insert_link Namibia Iceland records its worst-ever score in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index Iceland drops two points in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index for 2023 from the previous year. Iceland scores 72 out of 100 possible points. This is in line with Iceland's long-term trend in the index. Iceland has lost six points in the last five years and ten points in the past decade. Iceland stands significantly apart from other Nordic countries in the index. Denmark scored the highest 90 points, […] todayJanuary 30, 2024 57
insert_link World Austria also pauses lifesaving support for UNRWA United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres has appealed to countries to reverse their UNRWA funding suspension. Several countries paused their funding to the aid agency following allegations that some UNRWA personnel were involved in the October 7th terror attacks in Israel. Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations. todayJanuary 30, 2024 11
insert_link World Trump slams “rigged” trial ahead of judge’s ruling Donald Trump says his civil fraud trial is rigged, a hoax and that the case against him should have been dismissed. His accusations come just days before a judge is expected to determine whether to block him from running a business in New York ever again. William Denselow reports. todayJanuary 30, 2024 16
insert_link Environment Ancient Roman wine production may hold clues for battling climate change Remnants of a mixed ‘alberata’ vineyard in Marche (Italy). Dimitri Van Limbergen, Author provided Dimitri Van Limbergen, Ghent University It is no secret that the Romans were heavy wine drinkers. Estimates put the average Roman male’s consumption at a litre or more of diluted wine per day. The drink was also a symbol of civilised behaviour, and widely used as a drug, medicine and ritual beverage. Winemaking was therefore a […] todayJanuary 30, 2024 21