The real rewards of beachcombing

Residents of Langaville's Ext 8 came together to clean up their neighborhood due to ongoing service delivery issues, forming the Ext 8 Forum. The group cleared clogged stormwater drains, removed overgrown vegetation in the park, and addressed safety concerns such as hidden knives and drug-related litter. The forum received support from volunteers and local businesses, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining a clean and safe community environment. Full Article

Africa's mobile telecom market is highly competitive, with the top five operators controlling most of the market, but over 150 players are competing. Fierce competition has led to aggressive price cuts, reducing data costs significantly, but slowing investment in infrastructure. Despite high video consumption, only 320 million of 1.1 billion people use mobile internet in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the need for increased infrastructure investment to meet rising digital demand by 2030. Full Article

Travelling off the beaten path offers a unique and immersive experience, allowing you to see destinations through the eyes of locals and discover hidden gems. However, it requires thorough research and planning due to limited information available and potential challenges such as lack of direct transportation. Utilizing a local guide, prioritizing safety, and being cautious are essential for a successful off the beaten path adventure. Full Article

On February 1, 2025, Ambassador Sergei Terentiev of Belarus met with Sudan's Minister of Finance and the Director General of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development to discuss enhancing Belarusian-Sudanese relations in trade, economy, and finance. The parties emphasized cooperation in agriculture, food security, industry, and water resources, aiming to strengthen ties between the two countries' specialized authorities, with a focus on revitalizing contacts. The meeting was facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of...

Rebels known as M23, backed by Rwanda, are seizing large parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo to protect ethnic Tutsis, who were victims of a 1994 genocide. However, experts believe the main motivation is the control of Congo's valuable minerals used in electronic devices. Ruth Maclean of the New York Times details how the rebels and Rwanda are benefiting financially from the ongoing conflict in the region. Full Article

January 2025 marked the beginning of Trump's second term, characterized by a focus on capitalism and big money, leading to market volatility and new all-time highs before a significant pullback. The portfolio consists mainly of ETFs like VTI, VGT, and VCR, with minimal investments in single-name stocks and no real estate holdings. Fixed income investments were made in treasury bills, but with decreasing returns anticipated due to FED rate cuts, the focus remains on stock...