NEWS ANALYSIS

A surge in construction activity in Africa is drawing a new breed of investors eyeing mass timber – and the carbon-trapping forests needed to support it – as a sustainable building alternative to traditional concrete and steel. Wooden buildings like the engineered timber construction planned for the world’s tallest wood …

Africa is blessed with an abundance of cultural and natural sites, with many recognised by UNESCO. These sites often represent major tourism opportunities. Here, bird story agency lists the top ten African countries with the highest number of protected World Heritage Sites. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY  |  A UNESCO …

Madagascar, known to many through the celluloid fantasies of Hollywood, finds an authentic voice in Marie Kolo SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Our national anthem is not, I like to move it,” declared Marie Kolo, her words echoing a deep-seated desire to uplift the true image of her country, …

ANALYSIS | THE INDEPENDENT |  With Christmas day around the corner, you and your friends are already loosening the belt and buckle to the dining table for lots of food. As you cheer with your friends and relatives, you are reminded to ensure that you don’t waste food if you …

Africa is making significant strides towards closing gender gaps across key areas: economic participation, education, health, and political empowerment, according to the World Economic Forum. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Namibia is among a select group of nine nations globally that have successfully closed over 80% of their gender …

Higher inflation will reign in Christmas spending after a post-Covid splurge last year, but Cameroonians and Zimbabweans will still be extremely generous with Christmas gifts, decorations and food this year, according to an annual report SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | African households will focus on gifts and decorations as …

WASHINGTON | Xinhua |  The bombshell Colorado ruling begs the question of whether former U.S. President Donald Trump’s presidential ambitions will be thwarted. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court of the state of Colorado — all seven of its justices appointed by Democratic governors — banned Trump, a Republican, from running …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  On Monday, a section of the public took to social media to decry what they called unnecessary government expenditure after watching videos and pictures of the Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among handing overt luxurious vehicles to four former speakers of parliament. Those who …

NANCHANG | Xinhua | Despite external pressure and internal difficulties, China’s economy has achieved a recovery and made solid progress in high-quality development in 2023, noted the annual Central Economic Work Conference held last week. Among various factors propelling growth, consumer spending is playing an increasingly important role, accounting for …

BRUSSELS | Xinhua |  More than two months into the Israel-Hamas conflict, violence in the Middle East has no end in sight and Europe as a neighbor is still struggling to unify around a call for ceasefire in Gaza. The European Union (EU) summit ended December 15  without a much-expected …