Author: Ewang Johnson
Country overview:IOA has developed a wide-ranged understanding of Zambia through research and consulting on the country. Our political analysts note the pervasive continuation of government corruption, and our economic researchers have pointed to a lack of worker productivity as hindrances to economic growth. The landlocked country is rich in mineral wealth and enjoys other natural resources that if properly exploited will propel economic improvement. The education and health systems are under-financed and thus underdeveloped, with the latter facing a persistent problem with malaria in all Zambian provinces. A lack of rural employment is leading Zambia to becoming the world’s most…
Country overview:IOA’s history of conducting research and providing consulting services on Niger informs the insights we offer on all aspects of the country’s economy, politics and society. Our economists have noted that while the country possesses one of the world’s largest uranium deposits and has other mineral reserves, the largely impoverished population survives on subsistence agriculture. A military coup d’état in 2023 prompted international sanctions, leading to shortages in medicines and other suffering in 2024, as a defiant junta reduced national security and economic advantages by pulling out of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The regional body…
Country overview:IOA has conducted wide-spread research and consulting into Zimbabwe to assemble a thorough analysis of the country’s commerce, politics and society. Our researchers have real-time experience tracing the evolution of economic and political developments. A country with extensive resources and valuable human capital struggles against poor government leadership and corruption to realise its full national potential. Economic problems are directly linked to political malpractice and incompetence, leading to a diminishment in standards of living. A lack of economic freedom also constrains economic growth. Sanctions imposed because of the government’s poor human rights record are aimed at national leadership. Inflation…
A rare copy of the comic book that introduced the world to Superman and also was once stolen from the home of actor Nicolas Cage has been sold for a record $15 million. The private deal for “Action Comics No. 1” was announced Friday. It eclipses the previous record price for a comic book, set last November when a copy of “Superman No. 1″ was at sold at auction for $9.12 million. Source link
Country overview:IOA has focused considerable in-depth research and has undertaken consulting services on Nigeria to form a data-based understanding of the Giant of Africa. Our economists note that the populous country has historically Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria saw its nominal GDP revised downward in 2024 following significant naira devaluations and a rebasing of national accounts. Although domestic nominal GDP rose in naira terms, dollar-denominated estimates declined sharply, leading the IMF to place Nigeria’s 2024 economy behind Algeria, Egypt, and South Africa in size. The government is showing interest in the mining sector as a means to diversify the economy away…
These days, we see suffering streamed straight to our screens. Tragedy goes viral and real human pain is reduced to background noise. Every once in a while, though, a story reflects our society so clearly that it becomes impossible to look away. Francis Lawrence’s The Long Walk is one such story that hits close to home. Though it’s an adaptation of one of Stephen King’s earliest novels from nearly fifty years ago, The Long Walk remains eerily familiar today while telling a story of tenacity, human exploitation, friendship, and sacrifice.Although King may be best known for horror, some of his…
When the Clooney family were granted French citizenship, the news made headlines around the world. The US president weighed in on their choice, sparking a war of words; we learn more about the transatlantic row pitting Hollywood against la vie en France. Also, a new film about the British featherweight who became a giant of boxing brings “Prince” Naseem Hamed’s life and career to the big screen. Plus we take a closer look at the frozen landscape that helped Claude Monet refine his painting technique during a very cold snap. Source link
Although solid facts about Magellan’s life are limited, the narrative that often prevails is about his heroism. Diaz’s Magellan, on the other hand, takes an unflinching look at what we know about his treatment of his crew members aboard the Armada de Maluco, which included executing one of them for alleged sodomy and, as his paranoia mounted, marooning the priest, Pedro Sanchez de Reina. Mutinies were recurring, and in November 1520 one of the fleet’s five ships, the San Antonio, and its entire crew deserted the mission.Magellan may have felt compelled to deliver such severe punishments out of insecurity, because by fleeing his…
Country overview:IOA has extensive experience conducting research and consulting projects in Rwanda. The country is one of Africa’s great success stories, emerging from the chaos of the 1994 genocide to become the most stable and prosperous country in the Great Lakes region. Though Rwanda has much yet to accomplish in addressing poverty, the country has made great strides in expanding its service industries, including construction, financial services and tourism.Despite strong development progress, Rwanda remains entangled in conflict with the DRC, accused of backing the M23 rebels whose 2025 offensive displaced thousands. Peace efforts involving the US and regional mediators are…
British-Hungarian author David Szalay joins Eve Jackson on arts24 to discuss his controversial Booker Prize-winning novel “Flesh”, which follows István – a silent, violent and unsettling protagonist – from a bleak Hungarian housing estate to London’s super-rich elite. Szalay reveals why he called his book “risky,” how he made readers care about someone who says “OK” 400 times and what happens when Stormzy and Dua Lipa champion your work. Source link