February 2024 – Page 83

Africa: Intelligence Doesn’t Make You Immune to Conspiracy Theories – It’s More About Thinking Style

[ad_1] Over the last two decades, and in particular over the last five years, there has been a growing scientific interest in conspiracy theories and people who believe in them. Although, some may think belief in such stories is linked to intelligence, research is beginning to show that how people think could be more important. Scientists agree that having a measure of skepticism about official accounts of events is healthy and important, but conspiracy theorising can lead to dangerous consequences […]

February 2, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: The Surprising Reason Why Insects Circle Lights At Night – They Lose Track of the Sky

[ad_1] It's an observation as old as humans gathering around campfires: Light at night can draw an erratically circling crowd of insects. In art, music and literature, this spectacle is an enduring metaphor for dangerous but irresistible attractions. And watching their frenetic movements really gives the sense that something is wrong - that instead of finding food and evading predators, these nocturnal pilots are trapped by a light. Sadly, centuries of witnessing what happens have produced little certainty about why […]

February 2, 2024 1

Japan

Japan’s historic moon landing was right on target

[ad_1] Japan made history last month when it became the fifth nation to soft land on the moon. What’s more, they landed it close to their target, a feat that could be a gamechanger for space travel. Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez. On this episode: Joel Tansey: Articles | X Tomoko Otake: Articles | X Gabriel Dominguez: Articles | X Read more/Watch more/Play more: Get in […]

February 2, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: ‘We’re Drowning in Plastic – We Need More Plastics Treaties’

[ad_1] From January 23 to 25, South Africa hosted the first in-person meeting of international Plastics Pacts with twelve (of the fourteen) national and regional Plastics Pacts meeting. The Plastic Pacts are an example of a Public-Private Partnership (often called a Voluntary Agreement) which have been adopted by many nations ahead of the United Nations Global Treaty to end plastic pollution. Pact members include major fast moving consumer goods brands, packaging companies, producers, traders, processors, academia, trade associations, NGOs, and […]

February 2, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: DRC and Guinea Revel in Unexpected Surge to Last Eight At Africa Cup of Nations

[ad_1] In a tournament of surprises that have run from acid trip translucence into the zany, Democratic Republic of Congo versus Guinea in the quarter-finals ranks as pure psychedelia. Neither outfit were spectacular during the pool stages. Guinea drew with Cameroon, scraped past Gambia 1-0 and lost quite ploddingly to Senegal to muster four points and a place in the last-16 as one of the four best third-placed teams. DRC drew all their three games in Group F to progress […]

February 2, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: As Africans Enter Busy Political Year, Scepticism Marks Weakening Support for Elections

[ad_1] Trust in national electoral commissions continues to decline. Key findings Three-fourths (75%) of Africans support fair, open, and honest elections as the best way to choose their leaders, including 50% who "strongly agree" with this view (Figure 1). o More than six in 10 citizens support elections in all surveyed countries except Lesotho, where a majority (54%) favour other methods for choosing leaders. Support for elections ranges up to about nine out of 10 citizens in Liberia (92%) and […]

February 2, 2024 1

Africa

Africa: In Africa, Witch Branding Destroys Elderly Women’s Lives

[ad_1] Abuja — One day in October 2020, Serah Akpan, 70, was seated in her house at Boki Local Government in Cross River, southern Nigeria, when she heard the murmurings of irate youth outside. Before she could grasp what was really happening, they had broken into her house, bundled her outside, and threatened to kill her for allegedly being a witch. "They started cutting me with a cutlass. I was bleeding and crying, but no one cared at that point. […]

February 2, 2024 2

News

Africa: Thrills and Spills As Afcon 2023 Enters Quarterfinals

[ad_1] As Elephants rise and Lions fall, the AFCON's jungle proves no team is safe from the ambush of an upset. With the quarterfinals set, which team will be left standing in Africa's most unpredictable tournament? Football fans at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have been treated to a thrilling rollercoaster of excitement, drama, and unexpected twists. The 34th edition of the tournament, currently being held in Ivory Coast, has witnessed electrifying atmospheres in the stands, with fans donning […]

February 2, 2024 2

Entertainment

Ethiopian Protest Music – the Songs of Hachalu Hundessa Reveal the Struggles of the Oromo People

[ad_1] The Oromo are the largest ethno-national group in Ethiopia, accounting for over 40 million people or more than one-third of the population. However, they have been politically oppressed, economically exploited and culturally marginalised under successive Ethiopian regimes. Since the 1960s, the Oromo have sought self-determination through various forms of resistance, such as armed struggle under the banner of the Oromo Liberation Front. Music has played a key role in the Oromo resistance movement. As is the case in many […]

February 2, 2024 2