BEIJING | Xinhua | In 2023, experts, scholars and specialists from various fields have shared their opinions with Xinhua on China’s diplomacy, global hotspots as well as international relations, enriching the column through insightful contributions and engaging dialogues. The following are some of the highlights of their insights on China-U.S. …
Read More »Natural gas-fueled four-wheelers are popping up across Africa
Natural gas-powered vehicles are becoming increasingly popular across Africa thanks to supportive policies, infrastructure development and heightened investor appeal. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Several African nations are taking advantage of their ample natural gas reserves to introduce gas-powered four-wheel vehicles to their roads. Nigeria, the African nation with …
Read More »Xinhua’s top 10 world news events in 2023
BEIJING | Xinhua | The following are the top 10 world news events in the year 2023 selected by Xinhua in a chronological order: 1. Generative AI accelerates industrial transformation The number of monthly active users of ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, reached 100 million in January. Generative AI …
Read More »How Mama D entered into the world record books
Royco simmers with Mama D to Cookathon Guinness World Record Kampala, Uganda | PATRICIA AKANKWATSA | A few minutes to 10 am on the morning of Thursday, December 28, a countdown that would get Uganda another outstanding recognition in the World Guinness Records started. Professional chef, Dorcus Bashema Kirabo alias …
Read More »Maputo Port: A privatisation success story
Privatised 20 years ago, the Maputo Port’s success offers a model for African ports seeking efficiency and growth, with growth likely to continue, according to investors. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Two decades after Mozambique privatised its only international harbour, the Port of Maputo is recording remarkable progress, both …
Read More »UAE’s post-oil ambitions steer a multibillion-dollar push into African freight
Sheikdom ramps up multi-billion dollar investment in Africa’s freight industry, positioning itself as a logistics and trade behemoth in a post-fossil-fuel era. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | United Arab Emirates-based companies and funds are doubling down on a foray into Africa’s freight and logistics scene. Earlier this year, Emirati …
Read More »The futility of waste management
COMMENT | SARAH NEWMAN | When the world leaders gathered in Dubai for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), the United Arab Emirates unveiled the world’s highest-capacity waste-to-energy (WTE) facility. The plant is designed to process two million metric tons of municipal waste annually, producing enough electricity to power 120,000 …
Read More »Christmas in the West gets less Christmassy amid dogged inflation, rising insecurity
BEIJING | Xinhua | Another Christmas has come and gone, replete with families and friends exchanging gifts beside a crackling hearth, sharing stories under a Christmas tree and enjoying traditional holiday meals. Others weren’t so fortunate, receiving church handouts, curling up in a subway station to avoid the cold or …
Read More »Kenya Airways expands codeshare deal with South African Airways
NAIROBI | Xinhua | Kenya Airways (KQ), the country’s national carrier, said Thursday it has expanded its codeshare partnership with South African Airways (SAA), the flag carrier airline of South Africa, to include direct flights from South Africa to South America. Kenya Airways said customers will now experience a seamless …
Read More »Ugandan president says no COVID-19 testing for NAM, G77+China delegates
KAMPALA | Xinhua | Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has said there will be no compulsory COVID-19 testing for delegates arriving in Uganda next month for the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Group of 77+China summits. In a brief message posted Thursday night on his social media handle on X, formerly …
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