ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | Scientists have found new but tentative evidence that a faraway world orbiting another star may be home to life. A Cambridge team studying the atmosphere of a planet called K2-18b has detected signs of molecules which on Earth are only produced by simple organisms. This is the …
Read More »Africa CDC, WHO update mpox strategy
As outbreaks persist, strategy focuses on controlling outbreaks, while expanding vaccination ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | Africa CDC and WHO have updated their Joint Continental Response Plan for the mpox emergency as the disease continues to affect new areas. The revised strategy focuses on controlling outbreaks, while expanding vaccination coverage and transitioning …
Read More »African cuisine gains global popularity
It is considered healthy, full of big flavours, and contains many superfoods FEATURE | THE INDEPENDENT | African cuisine is experiencing a major surge in global popularity, with West African food in particular recognised as the “top culinary trend”, according to Open Table, the San Francisco-based online restaurant-reservation service company. Africa’s …
Read More »Foreign tech firms are exploiting Africa’s data workers
Key steps needed to protect these data workers on the continent ANALYSIS | MOHAMMAD AMIR ANWAR | Data workers in Africa often have a hard time. They face job insecurities – including temporary contracts, low pay, arbitrary dismissal and worker surveillance – and alarming physical and psychological health risks. The …
Read More »US tariffs will make global trade shrink, says WTO
The world trade body previously expected global goods trade to expand by 2.7% in 2025 but it now forecasts it will fall by 0.2% ANALYSIS | CHARLOTTE EDWARDS | The World Trade Organization (WTO) has forecast that global trade will fall this year because of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs. It …
Read More »Artists are like gods
Just like the gods who have the supernatural powers to make plenty out of scarcity, artists have the ability to create with their imagination what captures their audience’s attention ART | DOMINIC MUWANGUZI | Have you ever looked at a work of art and found yourself wondering what was the artist …
Read More »Afreximbank posts $973.5 million profit
The lender also continued to expand its continental footprint, with Libya and Somalia joining its list of African member states, bringing the total to 54 ANALYSIS | THE INDEPENDENT | Africa’s multilateral lender, Afreximbank, reported a 29% surge in net income to $973.5 million for the full year 2024, defying global …
Read More »Social media bad before sleep?
Study compares it with watching TV, movies, or reading on a mobile device ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | A new Norwegian study finds that one hour of screen time at bedtime results in a 59% higher risk of insomnia and 24 fewer minutes of sleep. The findings indicate that social media use …
Read More »Boda boda bikes are deadly polluters
Study models how going electric could save lives Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Data collected by Makerere University Kampala scientists from a network of over 45 AirQo monitors in Kampala since 2018 indicates that overall, the city areas particulate matter levels are about five times over World Health Organisation guidelines. …
Read More »Kwibuka 31: Remember–Unite–Renew
The 31st remembrance of the Genocide against the Tutsi renews a global commitment to `Never Again’ COMMENT | JOSEPH RUTABANA | This April, as the world joins Rwandans in commemorating Kwibuka31, the 31st remembrance of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, we are called not only to reflect on the horror …
Read More »