Elections are fundamental to democracy but their financial implications are escalating. Between now and 2027, many African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Congo, will hold elections. This is at a time when the rising cost of politics and campaign spending is rapidly changing the electoral landscape across the continent, with implications for democracy’s health. Campaigns,…
The escalating costs of elections in Africa foster corruption and fiscal irresponsibility, undermining democracy and enabling elite control over politics, with dire consequences for public welfare. Elections are fundamental to democracy, but their financial implications are escalating. Between now and 2027, many African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Republic of the Congo, will hold elections….
Department of Transport minister Barbara Creecy. (Image source: GCIS) The political principals in the Department of Transport (DOT) have welcomed the ruling setting aside the driving licence card machines tender awarded to French firm IDEMIA. This week, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria declared that the tender was irregular, invalid, unlawful and unenforceable. As…
Forecasting fossil fuel demand in this age of unprecedented geopolitical and economic uncertainty coats crystal balls with a layer of coal dust, and in the short term projections could be raised as financial taps to the sector reopen. This past Christmas it seems Santa had an abundance of coal to dish out to those who…
Abuja — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned the world is at a critical turning point, urging global leaders to redirect priorities from war to peace as military spending reaches unprecedented levels. In his New Year video message, Guterres said the international community is grappling with deepening chaos and uncertainty marked by growing divisions,…
Lucid Motors gets rave reviews from critics. But it’s sorely lacking customers. That’s a problem the company can’t afford. The Arizona-based EV maker has top-shelf tech, deep-pocketed backers, and highly praised cars. However, it has struggled to meet production targets, and has been unable to steal the spotlight away from established luxury brands with century-old…
OpenAI has warned that its upcoming AI models could pose a “high” cybersecurity risk, as their capabilities advance rapidly. The AI models might either develop working zero-day remote exploits against well-defended systems or assist with complex enterprise or industrial intrusion operations aimed at real-world effects, the ChatGPT maker said in a blog post. As capabilities…
Reddit has launched a challenge in Australia’s highest court against the nation’s landmark social media ban for children. The online forum is among 10 social media platforms which must bar Australians aged under 16 from having accounts, under a new law which began on Wednesday. The ban, which is being watched closely around the world,…
New York — With more than three weeks still to go to the end of the year, the number of journalists and media workers killed worldwide in 2025 already equals 2024’s record figures, data gathered by the Committee to Protect Journalists shows. Led by Israel’s attacks on journalists in Gaza, Iran, and Yemen, the number…
South Africa’s shift towards online retail accelerated over the Black Friday weekend, with consumers directing a greater share of their spending to e-commerce platforms than ever before. Standard Bank said online sales by its customers rose 75% year on year, contributing 23% to total retail sales over Black Friday weekend, including Cyber Monday, with value…
