World News

The Life of the Super-Rich in Central Africa

Published

2 weeks ago

March 12, 2023

Many millionaires live in the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the world’s poorest countries. This film depicts some of those who have made fortunes amid the chaos, including musicians, mining bosses, entrepreneurs and preachers. The DRC is rich in raw materials, but only a few profit from its natural resources.

While 60% of Congo’s inhabitants live on less than $1.25 per day, businessmen, artists, former rebel leaders and evangelists are reaping the rewards of economic growth. In the capital, Kinshasa, these new rich live in safe and luxurious enclaves, while children toil in coltan mines in the eastern part of the country. Fally Ipupa has made his money with music. Others rely on their business acumen, like Patricia Nzolantima, who founded a taxi company and aims to give more opportunities to women. With 3,000 mine workers, Cooperamma is the largest employer in North Kivu, in the east of the DRC.

Managing director Robert Seninga says his coltan mines are extremely well-run, yet safety standards are poor. Coltan, a globally coveted mineral, is used in cell phones and other devices. It’s both a blessing and a curse for the Congo. It makes some rich, but for others it means death. The region still suffers from ethnic and factional conflicts, with money from illegal coltan smuggling financing new violence. It’s a vicious cycle. [April 22, 2021: The former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Joseph Kabila, in a letter to DW dated 16 April 2021, has rejected as false an estimate in the (aforementioned) documentary that he had amassed a fortune estimated at some 13 billion euros during his tenure in office. Kabila also claimed no sources had been cited supporting this report. The estimate was first published in “Forbes” magazine by American investigative journalist Richard Miniter in June 2014.

World News

Biden to meet with Trudeau’s political rival on Canada visit

Published

5 days ago

March 23, 2023

Micheal Gambo

According to a senior administration source, President Joe Biden wants to meet briefly with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s main political challenger during his official visit to Canada, which begins on Thursday.

According to the person, Biden will meet with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who was chosen last year to lead the party’s quest to unseat the Liberals and Trudeau. It is fairly uncommon for a visiting US president to meet with the opposition leader in Canada.

As part of the welcoming ceremony on Thursday, Biden is also slated to meet and greet all opposition leaders.

Biden is visiting close friend Canada this week to demonstrate solidarity on Ukraine and the environment, but the duo are unlikely to reach an agreement on harder trade conflicts.

Biden will be in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, on Thursday and Friday to address Parliament and meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Traditionally, US presidents make their first overseas trip to Canada, but due to delays, including COVID-19, Biden has already visited nearly 20 other countries. He did, however, have his first bilateral meeting with Trudeau as president, although digitally.

Tech

Saudi & UAE Financiers Interested in Making Investments in SpaceX

Published

5 days ago

March 23, 2023

Micheal Gambo

According to persons familiar with the conversations, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s investment fund and an Abu Dhabi-based firm are seeking to invest in a multibillion-dollar fundraising round for Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

According to the article, the fundraising round is estimated to value the rocket manufacturer at over $140 billion.

According to Space Capital, SpaceX raised $2 billion in 2022 and $2.6 billion in 2020.

According to the article, the business and Morgan Stanley executives told investors that Saudi Arabia’s Water and Electricity Holding Company, part of the country’s sovereign wealth fund, and the United Arab Emirates’ Alpha Dhabi are part of the investment round.

Tech

TikTok to be removed from Scottish parliament phones and devices

Published

1 week ago

March 20, 2023

Micheal Gambo

According to Sky News, TikTok will be deleted from Scottish Parliament phones and devices because to security concerns.

According to an email, members of the Scottish Parliament and employees were “strongly” instructed to delete TikTok, including from personal devices used to access the Scottish Parliament’s IT systems.

Alan Balharrie, CIO and group head of digital services, wrote: “After discussions with the National Cyber Security Centre, we are strongly advising that all members, members’ staff, parliament staff and contractors’ staff remove the TikTok app from any device currently used to access the Scottish Parliament’s IT systems.

“This includes personal devices and SPCB-issued devices.

“We are giving this advice based on a precautionary approach and the best information available to us at this moment given the concerns around the information the TikTok application can collect from devices.

“We consider this advice to be proportionate and necessary given the situation as we currently understand it.

“We will continue to liaise with cyber security partners including the National Cyber Security Centre and this advice will be kept under review.”

In a speech to parliament on Thursday, Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden announced the removal of TikTok from UK government phones.

He stated that the app’s usage of government data and information “could” pose a concern.

Mr Dowden added that while TikTok use is “limited”, banning it is good cyber “hygiene” – and brings the UK in line with the US, Canada and the EU.