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Showing posts from September, 2023

After October 24th, some Africans' access to WhatsApp will end.

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From the beginning on October 24, 2023, WhatsApp will no longer function on some older smartphones. The messaging software will stop working with Android 4.1 or earlier handsets and iPhones running iOS 11 or earlier. To continue using WhatsApp after October 24 you'll need an iPhone with iOS 12 or newer or an Android smartphone with OS 5.0 or above. Users of WhatsApp will receive a notification within the app urging them to update their devices. Older Android phones from brands including Sony, HTC, LG, and Motorola may be impacted, though the precise list of vulnerable phones in South Africa was not supplied. Older Android phones from brands including Sony, HTC, LG, and Motorola may be impacted, though the precise list of vulnerable phones in South Africa was not supplied. The operating system version of your Android phone may be found by going to  "Phone Settings" > "About phone" > "Software information."  After October, WhatsApp won't functi

Former First Lady of Gabon Accused of Corruption and Money Laundering

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Indimba Bongo Sylvia Ali Bongo Ondimba's ex-wife Valentin has been charged with money laundering, concealment, forgery, and using false documents. Additionally, she is accused of collaborating with her son Noureddine Bongo to exercise undue influence over her husband, which resulted in her being placed under home arrest. Different Gabonese people have different opinions about the accusations. Some people think justice should win out, while others wonder what part first ladies play in the nation's politics. The Bongo family remained in power for a very long time; Ali Bongo succeeded his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, who governed for more than 40 years. Many believed that the military takeover that toppled Ali Bongo's government marked the end of the "Bongo dynasty." Following a serious stroke in 2018, Ali Bongo's presidency had difficulties. He was deposed by the military because they believed his son and wife were influencing him. Even though he was initially p

US imposes sanctions on former Sudan foreign minister Ali Karti

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As punishment for allegedly impeding efforts to put an end to the Sudanese conflict, the United States imposed sanctions on the former foreign minister of Sudan, Ali Karti. Ali Karti was subject to penalties on Thursday, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, who claimed he was undermining efforts to stabilize Sudan. The Sudanese Islamic Movement is now led by Ali Karti, according to the Treasury Department, following the removal of former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The United States asserts that Ali Karti's activities hampered the Framework Political Agreement procedure and the former civilian-led transitional government, which ultimately led to the confrontation between the Sudanese army (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15, 2023. Ali Karti is still dedicated to Sudan's stability and the success of its armed forces, according to the Islamic Movement in Sudan, which has rejected the U.S. sanctions on him. Ali Karti and other Islamist

Capitec CEO Calls For ‘Privatization’ To Boost African Economy

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Gerrie Fourie, the CEO of Capitec, thinks South Africa has the ability to overcome its difficulties. In his opinion, the government and private sector should work together more to improve the state of the nation. Fourie recently voiced hope for Capitec's future in South Africa at a presentation. But he thinks the government needs to alter its strategy when discussing the nation's larger challenges. He explained that instead of interfering, the government need to let the private sector assist. Fourie underlined the significance of prompt action. Fourie emphasized that the government frequently views the private sector as a rival. He thinks they ought to collaborate as partners instead. Fourie believes that while the government may be concerned about losing control, the private sector can enhance services and benefit citizens. Fourie contends that the government should collaborate with the private sector to develop solutions because it lacks the expertise required to address the

Burkina Faso Successfully Rejects Coup Attempt; Four Arrested; 53 Killed in Rebel Clashes

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The intelligence and security agencies of Burkina Faso have stopped a plot to oust the military junta now in command of the nation, which is a big success. The military junta, or group of military commanders in charge of Burkina Faso, declared that some members of the armed forces and other people were preparing to overthrow the government, which may have resulted in turmoil in the country. In the midst of this coup attempt, there have been violent skirmishes between rebels and government soldiers. Sadly, the continuous bloodshed has claimed the lives of at least 53 soldiers and volunteers. This demonstrates the gravity of the situation and the danger the coup plotters pose. A well-known French news station has been suspended in Burkina Faso in response to a broadcast about the rebels. This ban is a result of measures to manage the dissemination of information about the attempted coup and any possible consequences. Rimtalba An officer implicated in the coup attempt has been arrested,

Getafe vs. Athletic Bilbao Football Game Contains Drama

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Something extraordinary occurred in a recent soccer match between Getafe and Athletic Bilbao. The English player Mason Greenwood, who is on loan from Manchester United to Getafe, was given the opportunity to start for Getafe for the first time. Due to a suspension with his former team, he hadn't started a game since January 2022. The game was very exciting. Six minutes into the game, Athletic Bilbao took the lead when Yuri Berchiche converted a free kick. They were really close to scoring again when the goalpost was struck . But this is where things got interesting: Athletic Bilbao player Oihan Sancet took a chance. The referee had to show him a red card after he kicked an opponent while attempting to win a header, forcing him to leave the field of play. In the 51st minute, Getafe capitalized on this predicament to score. Gaston Alvarez scored via a header after the ball deflected off Inaki Williams as a result of Mason Greenwood's corner kick. Williams, though, atoned for his

One Piece: South Africa's Surprising Netflix Sensation

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In South Africa, a Netflix series called "One Piece," which is based on a well-liked Japanese manga, has achieved enormous success. It's been renewed for a second season because of its popularity, which is fantastic for manga supporters. "One Piece" is not your normal television series . Actually, it is based on the most well-known manga series from Japan, also known as "One Piece." There are a lot of excited fans waiting for this TV version of this manga, which has sold more than 500 million copies worldwide since it was first published in 1997. The amazing thing about "One Piece" is that it brought together thinkers from both Japan and the United States. Eiichiro Oda, the author of the original manga, actively participated in directing the cast and characters. To make the series the best it could be, the US team concentrated on storytelling. This show stands out because, unlike most anime adaptations, it is made in English. This partnership

Aspirations vs Realities: A 10-Year Review of South Africa’s Progress

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People gave many African administrations lots of time to fulfill their promises of bringing progress and ending poverty. The outcomes, however, did not match expectations. South Africa made big plans for the future in 2012. By 2030, they aimed to reduce poverty and inequality while creating more jobs and raising investment capital. Ten years later, they checked on how things were doing and found that they weren't going well. Three of their goals have improved, but not as much as they had planned, while only one has remained the same and five have gotten worse. The nation's economy, or how much money it earns, did not expand as quickly as they had hoped. There are currently more unemployed individuals than ever before, which is a major issue because people need jobs to make money and live well. Investment, or when people and businesses spend money to improve the nation, decreased rather than increased. They expected it to represent 30% of the nation's wealth, but it only doe

Will Spotify use AI to translate all podcasts into African languages?

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Spotify, a well-known website for listening to music and podcasts, has a new function that uses powerful computer technology to translate podcasts into several languages. In this manner, you can listen to a podcast in your native tongue and still hear the creators' original voices. Even if it only hears someone for a little period of time, this clever technology can make their voice sound exactly like theirs. In contrast to typical translations, which often involve changing the voices, Spotify believes that this will make listening to podcasts feel more natural. For instance, if an English-language podcast was first produced, it is now available in a variety of other languages, including Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, and more, with the same persons speaking in their respective voices. At start, Spotify is only doing this for some English- and Spanish-language television programs. German and French are soon to be added. These translated shows are available on the Spotify app, and more wil

Spar's Future Prediction Following SAP Trouble, IT Chief's Resignation

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  A large South African retailer of food and other goods, Spar Group Ltd., is having difficulty. They invested a sizable sum of money—roughly $95 million—in a computer program called SAP that was meant to help them manage their business more effectively.  But instead, it brought up a lot of issues. They lost a lot of money, nearly $95 million in sales, since they couldn't get the merchandise to their stores in time. Mark Huxtable, their top IT employee, left his position due to personal reasons. He was in head of their company's technological division. However, Spar is working to address the computer system problems, and things are gradually getting better in their stores. Spar has other issues prior to this. Due to problems with the way they were managing the business, they lost its CEO and chairman early this year. Food, groceries, and even building supplies are all sold by Spar Group Ltd. Different retail brands, including SUPERSPAR, SPAR, KWIKSPAR, and others, are available

Kenya offers assistance in fighting gang violence in Haiti.

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Aden Duale, Kenya's defense minister, has promised to send troops to help Haiti combat its rising gang violence problem. Following a defense pact that specifies their cooperation for the following five years, Kenya and the U.S. made this promise. Kenya's choice to lead a multinational force to assist and train Haitian police in an effort to restore order to a country decimated by gang violence exemplifies Kenya's commitment to international peacekeeping. The widespread gang dominance of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, has resulted in kidnappings, violence, and the removal of many. Ariel Henry, the prime minister of Haiti, requested assistance from abroad in October of the year prior, with support from the US and the UN, to stop the violence. The mission's deployment, however, has been complicated by delays. Despite the widespread support for current action, some activists are concerned that previous missions may have had negative effects. They emphasize the signi

France Withdraws Troops and Ambassador from Niger Amid Coup Fallout

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In response to the recent coup that deposed Niger's elected president, French President Emmanuel Macron has made an important decision to withdraw French troops from the country and recall the French ambassador. This is a setback for France's African policy , as it follows similar troop withdrawals from Mali and Burkina Faso in recent years in response to coups in those nations. At the request of African governments, France had committed hundreds of troops to the region, largely to confront terrorist groups. In recent weeks, tensions had been rising between France and the former French territory of Niger. Since the July coup, France has stationed around 1,500 troops in Niger.  The French government had refused to remove its ambassador in response to the junta's demands, claiming that they did not accept the authority of the coup leaders. In a publicly broadcast interview, Macron disclosed that he had spoken with deposed leader Mohamed Bazoum and told him that France had dec

Wildfires cause South African farmers to lose more than 1 Billion Rand.

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  Farmers in South Africa have lost more than 1 billion Rand in animals and crops as the consequence of massive fires.  Over 1.2 million hectares of land have been damaged by these fires, which have devastated areas of the Northern Cape, Free State, North West, and Limpopo since mid-August.  Farmers have been devastated by the fires, which have destroyed grazing areas, livestock, including sheep and cattle, and wild animals. Several animals had to be set to death.  To help the impacted farmers, the agricultural nonprofit Agri SA has requested donations. They underline that more assistance is required despite having previously given out roughly 1.6 million Rand from a relief fund.  These challenges have loaded farmers with an estimated debt of up to R205 billion, making it difficult for them to offset losses caused by bushfires.  The fires are also  a threat to food security, although the nation's food supply is expected to remain stable appreciation to bumper harvests of corn, sun

Charles Granville has passed away. What should you know about him?

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Charles Granville, well-known for his part in the long TV series Tinsel, passed away unexpectedly, and the Nigerian film industry, known as Nollywood, mourns his loss. On September 23, 2023, Charles Granville's passing was announced in a Facebook post. The actor passed away from a medical condition, according to his friend Umanu Elijah. According to reports, he passed away on September 21, 2023. Continue reading for more information on this late actor. Facts about Charles Granville Charles Granville was more than just an actor. He was also a well-known musician, songwriter, and director. Do you realize he served as the chairman of the Advisory Committee on Arts and Entertainment as well? He was in this established position since he had a variety of skills. The late actor excelled in academic as well. He earned his doctorate from Highstone International University in California, USA, in 2022.  Do you realize that the actor firmly believed in world peace? In order to further peace i

The Ghanaian Uprising: A Call for Change

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  Recent three-day protests in Ghana under the hashtag #OccupyJulorbiHouse have demonstrated how angry and frustrated the populace is with the political and economic climate of the nation. The protesters desire change and progress in addition to a higher standard of living, stable economic conditions, and responsible leadership. The "Fix the Country" campaign, which gained popularity in 2021, served as inspiration for these protests. A recent three-day march that ended on September 23, 2023, was a result of it. Ghanaians protested in the streets to voice their wish for a better country.  Rising living expenses and what they perceived as a decrease in moral standards among the leadership discouraged them. These protests were motivated by their sincere need for fundamental needs and confidence for a better future. Deep-seated economic problems are at the heart of these protests. Many Ghanaians' living standards have been impacted by the country's economic difficulties.

Niger's Junta Charges UN Chief with Blocking General Assembly Participation

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  As Niger's military junta accuses UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of restricting their participation in the 78th General Assembly session, tensions are growing at the UN. This dispute comes from a difference of opinion regarding official credentials. The argument is centered on official documents that were presented in conflict by the previous administration and the Nigerian junta that is currently in power . The intended representative for Niger at the assembly was Bakary Yaou Sangaré, who previously served as the country's UN ambassador and is currently the foreign minister.  The junta asserts that Guterres rejected their list of authorized officials and approved the request to expel Niger's permanent representative to the UN made by the former foreign affairs minister. The United Nations follows to established processes when a member state's credentials contradict. The nine-member Credentials Committee, which examines and makes recommendations regarding the r

Analysis of South Africa's surveillance laws, RICA vs Section 205

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Following a case made by amaBhungane, the Constitutional Court of South Africa has ruled that some provisions of the RICA (Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act) are unconstitutional. The proposed measure to alter RICA, South Africa's surveillance statute, is currently up for comment in the parliament. The bill's objective is to deal with court orders. These decisions require sending notifications following surveillance, increasing the independence of RICA judges , and introducing safeguards for covert surveillance warrants. Privacy groups are concerned, however, because the bill just addresses the court's specific directives and passes up the option to make more significant changes. The "section 205 loophole" is one matter of serious concern. The state is now able to acquire sensitive communication data without the protections of RICA thanks to Section 205 of the Criminal Procedure Act. It has been app

What Can We Expect From the Tech Exhibition at the Microsoft Surface Event in 2023?

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 Microsoft is organizing a unique event called the Surface Event where new products will be introduced. Their Surface series of gadgets, which includes laptops and tablets, will be the main focus. Microsoft will be showing some of its most recent technological developments and new ideas at this event. For us tech lovers, seeing and learning about Microsoft's newest devices and features will be a major deal at this event. During the event, we might also learn about software improvements, like as new features for Windows and Office. Both the hardware and software sectors value this special event. The Surface Event is expected to begin at 4 PM CAT (Central African Time) on September 21, 2023. Sadly, Microsoft won't be live streaming the event, so you can't watch it from your home. But don't worry excessively! It will still be visible to you. The event's recorded version is posted on the Surface YouTube account of Microsoft. The event recording is also available on the

Will  2023 set a new record for power outages in South Africa?

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  South Africa is dealing with a major problem with regular power cuts , and the situation is worsening. According to a recent research, by mid-October 2023, the total time without electricity might be twice as long as it was in 2022. According to energy expert Pieter Jordaan's evaluation, South Africans have already gone 61.5 days without power this year. That equals to 1,476 hours of darkness. In comparison, there were 34.6 days of blackouts in 2022, totaling around 830 hours. If the current conditions continue, South Africa might go without power for 86.1 days in 2023, or about a quarter of the year. Although there have been a few days with less power outages recently, the whole situation is terrible. "Load shedding" is when power is purposely reduced to avoid a total power system failure. Eskom, the state-owned electricity utility, has been doing this due to a variety of difficulties, including insufficient servicing and infrastructure challenges. Recently, there was

Guinea's Junta Leader Addresses the United Nations, Criticizing Western Involvement in African Coups

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  Recently, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, who got the presidency of Guinea following a coup in 2021, addressed at the UN about the rise in military coups across Africa. He underlined the significance of addressing the underlying causes of these instances. The conventional understanding of coup leaders was questioned by Colonel Doumbouya. According to him, the actual issue is when leaders alter the law so they may hold onto power forever. He urged with world leaders to uphold these deeds because they are harmful to Africans. Eight military coups took place since 2020 in nations in West and Central Africa , including Niger and Gabon. This raises concerns for the stability of Africa. According to Doumbouya, coups arise when politicians don't fulfill their promises, grow lazy in politics, and change the rules to stay in power, which affects the people. Colonel Doumbouya objected to foreigners, such as Western nations, for interfering in African politics. He claimed that Africans are fed up

Over 1,200 children have died as caused by measles and hunger in Timbuktu.

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 The historic city of Timbuktu is in an uncertain situation. Since more than a month ago, the city has been under siege by jihadist groups connected to Al-Qaeda . This indicates that the residents have been trapped with little food and increasing danger. These threats was not first taken seriously by many people. They believed it was simply an effort to scare them. But now they see it's a serious issue. It's highly dangerous to get to Timbuktu. The terrorist group's head issued a warning that they would attack any trucks trying to pass. Traveling to the city is extremely risky because of the many armed militants that are present there. Even the Niger River, which was once a means of transporting supplies, is now unsafe. A ferry was attacked in September, and many unarmed civilians died. As a result, using the river to get to the city was impossible. Because there were attacks nearby, the only airline that flies to Timbuktu has stopped services. Timbuktu is experiencing an i

Why was the Burna Boy concert canceled in South Africa?

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  Burna Boy, a popular Nigerian musician, was supposed to perform in Johannesburg, South Africa, on September 23 , 2023. Unfortunately, the show had to be canceled. Are you curious as to why the show was canceled ? Are there any fresh Burna Boy concert dates in South Africa? Burna Boy show canceled in South Africa The Burna Boy concert that was supposed to take place at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on September 23, 2023, has been cancelled by Ticket Pro of South Africa. On Saturday, the Burna Boy After Tour was supposed to start in South Africa. However, because of low ticket sales, the Burna Boy concert was canceled. In a statement, Ticket Pro stated, “This decision comes as a result of careful consideration and assessment of various factors, including the lack of ticket sales. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause for those who have already purchased tickets.” What is the new date for Burna Boy's concert? The Burna Boy concert has been rescheduled for December 16

Who killed Mohbad?: Youths protest against the murder of Nigerian Singer Mohbad

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  MohBad, also known as Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba , was a renowned rapper and singer from Nigeria. He unfortunately died in Nigeria on September 12, 2023, for reasons that are yet unknown. He was buried in Lagos, the largest metropolis in Nigeria. Numerous celebrities and MohBad's fans have demanded justice since his untimely death, and there have been protests in his honor. People are interested in finding out what happened to MohBad, who might have been charged, and whether justice can be done. Youth protests Mohbad’s death On Tuesday, young people gathered at the Okeletu bus stop in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria, to show their anger about MohBad's death. They called out for justice, screaming, "We need justice for MohBad." They believed the singer's death was strange and demanded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding it. Protesters also asked that the Nigerian government arrest Naira Marley and Sam Larry. Some demonstrators expressed their grief

What Comes Next After Google Brings the Pixel Game Dashboard to Chromebooks?

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With its Chromebooks, Google has introduced a brand-new gaming feature known as "Game Dashboard." The Google Pixel Phone originally had this feature, and now Chromebooks have access to it as well. Game Dashboard The Game Dashboard is an excellent feature for  PC gamers  that can be used while using other applications on your Chromebook. It includes features like screenshot capturing and key mapping customization for games. While gaming, you can also have a toolbar on the left side of the screen. However, the Chromebook version of the Game Dashboard isn't as advanced as the one on Pixel phones. It may improve in the future, though it presently lacks essential features. For example, you are unable to turn on Do Not Disturb Mode, record and share your games, or monitor your FPS. Users of Pixel Phones can already access these functionalities, but Chromebook users are currently excluded from this. Improvements & Upgrades According to reports, Google is working on upgrading

Who is the first finalist for BBNaija All Stars?

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 Big Brother Naija All Stars, popularly known as Season 8, will have its grand finale on October 1, 2023. The winner of BBNaija All Stars will be revealed and will get a N120 million grand prize.  Contestants are giving it all they have to reach the finals as it draws near. One of the most watched reality series in Nigeria is BBNaija 2023, which also attracts viewers from other African nations. People are waiting to find out who will make it to the BBNaija All Stars finals and who will win. So what happened during Week 8 of BBNaija 2023? Ikechukwu Sunday Okonkwo, more commonly known as Cross, is the first BBNaija All Stars finalist. But there's a twist to how he got to the finals. Cross reportedly bought his way into the BBNaija All Stars Final. On Sunday, Big Brother made eviction immunity available for purchase, and Cross decided to purchase it in order to secure his spot in the BBNaija All Stars Final. How Cross qualified for the final of BBNaija All Stars: Cross purchased evic

What can we expect as Nigeria strengthens its commercial connections with South Africa?

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  The current president of Nigeria, Chief Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu, intends closer diplomatic and economic ties with South Africa. In order to address the economic issues facing the African continent, Nigeria and South Africa want to establish a strong partnership.  What can South Africans and Nigerians expect in the future? Can the two nations expand their trade relations? What was said by Bola Tinubu?  During the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Bola Tinubu met with Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa, in New York. They discussed about developing Nigeria's and South Africa's diplomatic and economic ties. Bola Tinubu said during their conversation that Africa should share a similar understanding of the several billions of funds provided by international development finance institutions, special banks, or their components. According to reports, the president of Nigeria said, "You can't have a strong democracy when people lack knowledge and are suffe

Global Concerns Grow as the EU Suspends WFP Funding in Somalia

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  A United Nations (UN) investigation that found many problems with the utilization of food aid caused the European Union (EU) to temporarily stop funding the World Food Programme (WFP) in Somalia. Concerns have been raised about the Somalians who have been in need of aid as the result. The European Commission, which is a part of the EU, gave the WFP in Somalia roughly $7 million last year. However, the organization received almost $1 billion in total donations. We don't yet know if other EU nations will discontinue providing aid. Speaking on behalf of the European Commission, a man by the name of Balazs Ujvari claimed that although they had not received formal word that their money had been stopped, they had been very serious about putting an end to fraud, dishonest and other criminal behavior so might have been stopped too. They made the decision to stop donating money when the U.N. investigated the circumstances and found that many people were stealing food that should have gon