insert_link Africa Malawi farming experiment shows how simple changes can boost maize yields and improve soil By Alan Dixon, University of Worcester Malawi’s increasingly unpredictable rainfall and higher than usual temperatures are causing problems for smallholder farmers. Soil erosion has increased, causing soil fertility and water availability to decline. Crops often fail. Farmers are already struggling financially. Many farm only one crop: maize. They can’t easily afford chemical fertilisers that would boost the soil’s fertility and sustain yields. Agriculture accounts for just […] todayJune 13, 2024 6
insert_link Namibia Diamond industry growing, despite new industry players https://youtu.be/F8LsNudVJcY By Josia Shigwedha, via News on One With emerging industries in the energy sector such as oil and gas, the diamond industry’s position as a key contributor towards the growth of the sector and economy could be at stake. But this may not be the case as the Namibia Diamond Trading Company (NDTC) Chief Executive Officer, Brent Eiseb, stated that the intake of the precious gemstones for […] todayApril 24, 2024 14
insert_link Africa Ghana’s new vehicle tax aims to tackle pollution – expert unpacks how it’ll work and suggests reforms By Theophilus Acheampong, University of Aberdeen Ghana has introduced an annual carbon levy on vehicles and industrial emissions. It’s only the third African country to introduce an explicit carbon tax, after South Africa and Mauritius. The tax is intended to address harm associated with vehicle emissions. But it has prompted a pushback from various citizens, civic and consumer groups. The Conversation Africa’s Godfred Akoto Boafo spoke […] todayFebruary 16, 2024 7
World NATO showcases spending hikes in riposte to Trump By Max DELANY Brussels, Feb 14, 2024 (AFP) - NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday 18 of the alliance's 31 countries are set to hit its defence spending target this year, after Donald Trump threatened to encourage Russia to attack members not coughing up enough. The Republican White House frontrunner was widely rebuked after saying he would not defend NATO members who had not met their financial obligations, in […] todayFebruary 14, 2024 5
insert_link World US GDP grows but voters remain dissatisfied at economy The US economy grew 4.9% last quarter, new figures show — that's lower than recent estimates, but still the fastest pace of expansion since the fourth quarter of 2021. The Bureau of Economic Analysis said the rise "reflected increases in consumer and government spending." From Washington, Benji Hyer reports. todayDecember 22, 2023 5
Paying it forward: Kenyan coastal doctor Bashrahil Mohammed Mafudh has made it his life’s work to care for the most vulnerable in his community, at no cost.