Author: Ewang Johnson
As tensions between Pakistan and India escalate once again, the recent communique issued by the United Nations rings with urgency: we cannot afford another conflict. In a time marked by global instability and the increasing normalization of pre-emptive or retaliatory military action, the stakes could not be higher. The justification of force, once the last resort, is now emerging as a dominant narrative among governments. The recent military response to terror attacks was executed with focus and proportionality, deliberately framed with a non-escalatory and responsible posture. Yet, amid this measured response lies a deeper concern: a troubling trend toward conflict as…
This week, arts24 welcomes acclaimed trumpet player Yazz Ahmed. Throughout her career, the jazz musician has blended Arabic and Western sounds. Her new album “A Paradise In The Hold” takes us to the shores of Bahrain, where local folklore and Fijiri – the music of the pearl divers – are brought to life through gorgeous scales, percussion and voices. Yazz Ahmed tells Marjorie Hache about the stories and work that went into her fourth album. We also take a look at new music by Maneskin’s Damiano David, rapper Chuck D and electronic pop artist MØ. Source link
Getty Images(Credit: Getty Images)In May 1943, a specially formed RAF squadron embarked on a daring moonlit mission – but its success came with a heavy cost. In 1976, the BBC spoke to one of the airmen who made it home alive.Throughout the month of April 1943, Jack Buckley practised low-level night-flying and navigation for a top-secret mission as part of Royal Air Force 617 Squadron. Operation Chastise’s security was so tight that no one in the hastily formed squadron – made up of 133 airmen from the UK, US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand – actually knew what they were training…
A significant portion of the impoverished live in rural areas, primarily employed in agriculture. Despite agriculture’s vital role in GDP, it remains underfunded. A study analyzing ten African countries found that external financing for agriculture yields the highest impact in reducing poverty. Additionally, reducing non-agricultural spending and reforming tax policies can further boost agricultural investment. Countries like Angola and Malawi saw considerable poverty reduction through strategic investments. The study emphasizes the importance of combining external and domestic financing to drive sustainable, inclusive growth in agriculture and other sectors. The Conversation Source link
Ethiopia is poised to lift its longstanding ban on foreign property ownership, aiming to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and stimulate economic growth. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced the government’s finalization of new legislation to permit foreign individuals and entities to own real estate, a significant shift from the previous policy rooted in the 1974 communist revolution. This reform is part of broader efforts to liberalize the economy, including opening the retail sector to international players. While the move is expected to enhance Ethiopia’s appeal to global investors, experts caution that the full impact may take time to materialize. Business…
Ghanaian leaders from private equity, securities, and pensions sectors have launched a collaborative “Compact” to boost local institutional investments in venture capital and private equity. Signatories include firms like Deloitte, EY, KPMG, Aruwa Capital, and the Venture Capital Trust Fund, alongside regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Pensions Regulatory Authority. The initiative aims to diversify pension portfolios into high-growth, locally managed funds, promoting economic resilience and job creation. Emphasizing the importance of domiciling fund vehicles in local currencies, the Compact seeks to foster sustainable development and financial inclusion across African markets. Disrupt Africa Source link
West Africa’s economic landscape in 2025 showcases contrasting fortunes. Ivorian companies have experienced significant growth, with four entries in the regional rankings and the BRVM stock exchange reaching a record $36 billion market capitalization. In contrast, Nigerian firms face challenges, notably due to the naira’s devaluation. Dangote Cement’s market value has declined from $11.2 billion in 2022 to $5.3 billion, and BUA Foods has also seen a decrease. Airtel Africa, though listed in Nigeria, has benefited from broader regional expansion, increasing its value from $5 billion to $7.8 billion. African Business Source link
Like humans, chimpanzees drum rhythmically – and two subspecies living on opposite sides of Africa even have their own signature styles, according to a study published Friday in Current Biology. The findings lend new weight to the theory that the essentials of music were present before our evolutionary split from chimpanzees 6 million years ago. Source link
Alina PyazokOne of the most controversial entries in the Eurovision song contest is Espresso Macchiato by Estonia’s Tommy Cash. It mocks Italian stereotypes, and there have been calls to ban it.The track by Estonian rapper and singer Tommy Cash is the country’s entry into the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, which takes place next week. When its inclusion in the competition was announced, some reacted with bemusement, and others with outrage, especially in Italy, due to the way Cash seems to mock the country with his faux-operatic, broken Italian accent and deployment of Italian stereotypes. “I love anything trashy,” Cash tells the…
Zambia has taken a major step to safeguard its food security and regional agricultural trade following the commissioning of a refurbished and fully equipped Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Service (PQPS) laboratory at Nakonde One Stop Border Post (OSBP). The newly rehabilitated plant health lab on the border with Tanzania, will accelerate the screening of maize imports and safeguard national food supplies following what is touted as the country’s worst drought in four decades (in 2023/2024). The drought severely impacted maize production and left nearly half the population at risk of food insecurity, adversely affected 84 of its 116 districts across several provinces,…