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Despite pressure from some EU countries, the European Commission is still trying to prevent private companies from being excluded by default from the first international treaty on artificial intelligence. The Council of Europe (CoE), an international human rights body with 46 member states, is close to finalizing a treaty on artificial intelligence, human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The United States, home to some of the world's largest AI companies, has called from the beginning to exclude the private sector from the treaty, which would be binding on signatories if ratified. Although the United States is not a…
Sindiso Magaka was a proportional representation councilor in Umzimkulu local government when he was ambushed and shot. File photo by Gallo The Pietermaritzburg High Court has referred one of the four people charged with the murder of former African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) secretary-general Sindiso Magaka for psychiatric evaluation. This comes after four people accused of murdering Mr Magaka in 2017 – Sibonelo Myeza, Mbulelo Mpofana, Mlungisi Nkarane and Sibusiso Nchengwa – appeared in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday. It was conducted. In addition to murder, the suspects are also charged with attempted murder, criminal damage to property,…
Tavi Leoka.Photo provided How to trust economics. This was one topic of discussion at last week's Davos conference, where some very important people gathered to give their views on the state of the global economy. Broadly speaking, this discussion considered the current economic system itself, which in the wake of successive global shocks has come under increasing criticism for not providing for the least harmful interventions. Christine Lagarde reflected on how the European Central Bank (ECB) made wrong decisions in the wake of the recent inflation spiral and explained her wariness about the economic model. Economic models fail to predict…
Nigeria imports 63% of its medicines. This number was down from 70% in 2019. a■ As Nigeria battles an infectious disease, the clear reality of the urgent need for a self-reliant health system has surfaced. The recent global health crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic, has exposed the vulnerabilities of Nigeria's health sector. Nigeria, like other low- and middle-income countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, constantly faces challenges regarding the availability and access of medicines. Recognizing these challenges, governments in the region are increasingly turning to local pharmaceutical production as a way to address technology transfer, capacity building, and improved access to essential…
Sunday's fire comes less than six months after a major blaze in the city's Marshalltown neighborhood claimed the lives of 77 people. (Johannesburg EMS) A 30-year-old woman will appear in a Johannesburg magistrate's court charged with murder after two people were killed and four others injured in a house fire in Johannesburg city center over the weekend. Sunday's fire comes less than six months after a major blaze in the city's Marshalltown neighborhood claimed the lives of 77 people. Witnesses saw a woman throw paraffin at a two-story building on the corner of Commissioner Street and Nugget Street after an…
A grant worth more than R63 million over two years to the Johannesburg facility is currently being investigated by the Gauteng Department of Social Development.Photo: Masego Mafata Two organizations that received approximately R114 million in grants from the Gauteng Department of Social Development over the past two years are being investigated as part of an investigation into the department's funding of non-profit organizations. According to a media statement released after GroundUp last week revealed details of multi-million rand grants awarded to Beauty Hub Academy and Daracorp, the investigation has already led to the arrest of several agency staff. He has…
Pedestrians and vehicles pass through Makola Market in Accra, Ghana, on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. Photo: Ernest Ankomah/Bloomberg via Getty Images In the energy industry, the cheapest and dirtiest gasoline is referred to as “African quality.” This type of gasoline is banned in Europe because it contains high levels of toxic substances. However, major international oil traders such as Trafigura and Vitol continue to sell dirty fuel to West African countries despite proven risks to human health and the environment. In doing so, they are bypassing efforts to improve air quality in West African cities, a months-long investigation has found.…
In a major shift in South Africa's political dynamics, Police Minister Bheki Cele publicly condemned former president Jacob Zuma and accused him of leaking confidential information about the African National Congress (ANC). He issued a stern warning if the details were revealed. The smoldering conflict emerged in the wake of President Zuma's support for the newly formed Umkhonto Wesizwe party and his expressed dissatisfaction with current president Cyril Ramaphosa. Cele's accusation against Zuma Mr Cele's critical remarks were made to ANC members in Pinetown, where he highlighted his once close relationship with Mr Zuma during his exile. Looking back on…
Rise Mzansi A new political party in South Africa that quickly gained 200,000 supportersLed by visionary Songezhao Zibi, the party's core values focus on political reform, public safety, economic growth, inclusiveness, justice, tackling corruption and the climate crisis. The party plans to tackle issues such as unemployment and service delivery through a grassroots approach and community consultations. Rise Mzansi has attracted experienced members from other political parties and is a promising future, which could make a big impact on the political scene. Who is Rise Mzansi and what are their core values? Rise Mzansi is an explosively growing emerging political…
According to the Allianz Risk Barometer 2024, South Africa's business environment is on the brink of crisis, with rolling blackouts and aging infrastructure cited as key concerns. A bellwether of global business threats, this annual publication highlights the serious implications of these risks. It threatens a company's business continuity and financial health. Power outages and infrastructure failure: A recurring nightmare For the second year in a row, power outages and infrastructure failures have emerged as the biggest risks to South Africa's economy and businesses.of Allianz Risk Barometer highlights the urgent need for major investments in infrastructure resilience and the development…