African studies

Hyundai Pays Tribute to the African American Community in Commemoration of Black History Month

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 29, 2024

"As we celebrate Black History Month, let us honor the resilience, creativity, and invaluable contributions of Black leaders, innovators, and visionaries throughout history," said Randy Parker, CEO, Hyundai Motor America.

Key Points: 
  • "As we celebrate Black History Month, let us honor the resilience, creativity, and invaluable contributions of Black leaders, innovators, and visionaries throughout history," said Randy Parker, CEO, Hyundai Motor America.
  • Furthermore, we are committed to championing the voices of the African American community through dedicated financial commitments, strategic sponsorships, and active community engagement, all aimed at collectively shaping a brighter future together."
  • Hyundai's support to empower future generation of leaders extends beyond Black History Month and is a year-long commitment.
  • The Progress Project at Hyundai provided financial support to Black-owned business so they can foster growth in their community.

In Gaza, the underground war between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters in the tunnels is set to begin

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 8, 2023

When that happens, Israeli troops will begin a dangerous new phase of the military campaign against Hamas fighters in a densely populated urban terrain that includes closely packed buildings above ground and a troubling maze of tunnels below.

Key Points: 
  • When that happens, Israeli troops will begin a dangerous new phase of the military campaign against Hamas fighters in a densely populated urban terrain that includes closely packed buildings above ground and a troubling maze of tunnels below.
  • But on Oct. 29, 2023, the Israel Defense Forces said its troops had attacked Hamas gunmen in a tunnel and killed Hamas fighters who emerged from a tunnel to attack their positions in northwest Gaza.
  • And on Nov. 5, 2023, Israel reported that three Hamas fighters emerged from a hidden tunnel and ambushed Israeli troops behind what its forces had thought were the front lines.

Hamas plans a trap below ground

  • From news reports, researchers and both Israeli and Hamas sources, it seems clear that Hamas has systematically built a complex underground city fortified with strong defenses beneath Gaza.
  • Hamas fighters have reportedly lined the tunnels with transport rails to move rockets to locations where they can be launched from firing pads concealed by trap doors.
  • Even if only some of those claims are true, it is clear that Hamas has built a formidable subterranean fortress beneath Gaza City that is meant to be a trap for the Israelis as well as a refuge for Hamas.

Israel’s plans to defeat the tunnel fortress

  • In 2013, for example, Israeli troops unearthed a particularly large invasion tunnel that began nearly three-quarters of a mile (1 km) inside the Gaza border, and was 72 feet (22 meters) deep.
  • It burrowed under the border wall and was detected nearly 60 feet (18 meters) below the surface 1,000 feet (300 meters) inside Israel.
  • In 2014, Israeli troops fought underground during a 51-day ground invasion of Gaza waged to destroy some of the tunnels.
  • During that campaign, Israeli troops were surprised by the requirements of tunnel warfare, according to an analysis by the Rand Corporation think tank.
  • The Samur unit has been working for years to develop sensors that can detect underground tunnels, booby traps and explosives.


Brian Glyn Williams does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Global Times: China-South Africa friendship at new historical starting point: Xi

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 23, 2023

The Chinese leader also hailed the China-South Africa friendship which stands at a new historical starting point.

Key Points: 
  • The Chinese leader also hailed the China-South Africa friendship which stands at a new historical starting point.
  • During the meeting between Xi and Ramaphosa on Tuesday, Xi said this is his fourth visit to South Africa as Chinese President.
  • China is pleased about this and wishes South Africa even greater progress on its development path," Xi said.
  • Busi Mabuza, Chairperson of the South Africa Chapter of the BRICS Business Council, told the Global Times in Johannesburg that South Africa and China share a profound friendship.

Sudan's conflict has its roots in three decades of elites fighting over oil and energy

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Much of the international news coverage has focused on the clashing ambitions of the two generals.

Key Points: 
  • Much of the international news coverage has focused on the clashing ambitions of the two generals.
  • Specifically, that differences over the integration of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces into the regular army triggered the current conflict on April 15, 2023.
  • Drawing on this expertise, it is important to underline that three decades of contentious energy politics among rival elites forms a crucial background to today’s conflict.

How energy has shaped Sudan’s violent political economy

    • In the late 1990s, amid a devastating civil war, President Omar Al-Bashir’s military-Islamist regime announced that energy would help birth a new economy.
    • It had already paved the way for this reality, ethnically cleansing the areas where oil would be extracted.
    • This enabled it to weather internal political crises, increase the budgets of its security agencies and to spend lavishly on infrastructure.
    • That’s a phenomenal sum and testament to its belief that the dams would become the centrepiece of Sudan’s modernised political economy.

South Sudan secedes

    • Then, in 2011, South Sudan seceded – along with three-quarters of Sudan’s oil reserves.
    • Sudan was also plagued by power cuts as the dams proved very costly and produced much less than promised.
    • Both the Sudan Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces deepened their involvement in Sudan’s political economy.

Soaring fuel, food and fertiliser prices

    • This brought together Sudan Armed Forces, Rapid Support Forces and a civilian cabinet.
    • Inflationary pressures worsened as food and energy prices rose.
    • It also strengthened a growing regional black market in which fuel, wheat, sesame and much else was illicitly traded across borders.

Overlapping crises

    • Amid these overlapping energy, food and political crises, Sudan’s Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces have been violently competing for control of the political economy’s remaining lucrative niches, such as key import-export channels.
    • Both believe the survival of their respective institutions is essential to preventing the country from descending into total disintegration.
    • In view of such contradictions and complexity, there are no easy solutions to Sudan’s multiple crises.

Innovators, Investors, and World Leaders Will Converge in Silicon Valley to Discuss the Future of Africa at the African Diaspora Investment Symposium

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 13, 2023

SILICON VALLEY, Calif., March 13, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The African Diaspora Network (ADN) will host the eighth edition of the African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS23) from March 22 - 24, 2023 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View California. This year, ADIS explores the theme - Future Ready Africa, with discussions around trending innovations, blueprints for the future, and the interconnectedness of sectors such as climate change, healthcare, finance, education, and agriculture.

Key Points: 
  • African Diaspora Network Hosts African Diaspora Investment Symposium in Silicon Valley from March 22 -24, 2023
    SILICON VALLEY, Calif., March 13, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The African Diaspora Network (ADN) will host the eighth edition of the African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS23) from March 22 - 24, 2023 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View California.
  • This year, ADIS explores the theme - Future Ready Africa, with discussions around trending innovations, blueprints for the future, and the interconnectedness of sectors such as climate change, healthcare, finance, education, and agriculture.
  • "Africa must plan for a sustainable recovery and reimagine its path forward.
  • The symposium will also recognize exemplary individuals who have made remarkable contributions to Africa and the African diaspora community through the Barka Awards and the African Diaspora Luminaire Awards.

Ardmore Shipping Appoints a New Director to the Company's Board

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 9, 2023

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Jan. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE: ASC) ("Ardmore" or the "Company") today announced the appointment of Mr. James Fok to the Company's Board of Directors as a Class III director, and he is expected to serve on the audit and nominating committees.

Key Points: 
  • HAMILTON, Bermuda, Jan. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE: ASC) ("Ardmore" or the "Company") today announced the appointment of Mr. James Fok to the Company's Board of Directors as a Class III director, and he is expected to serve on the audit and nominating committees.
  • James Fok has more than 20 years of experience as a financial and strategic advisor to corporations and governments, with particular expertise in Asian cross-border capital markets transactions and mechanisms.
  • From 2012 until 2021, he served as a senior executive at Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), playing a major role in a number of landmark capital markets internationalization initiatives.
  • Previously, Mr. Fok served as an investment banker at multiple bulge bracket firms in both Europe and Asia, focusing on the financial services sector.

Morgan State University's Philosopher and 'Cosmocitizen' Launches a Book to Give a New Soul to the World Economy at the Assisi 2022 Global Event with Pope Francis

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Pope Francis invited young economic scholars and change makers from more than 100 countries "to give a soul to the economy and contribute to a new season of economic thought and practice."

Key Points: 
  • Pope Francis invited young economic scholars and change makers from more than 100 countries "to give a soul to the economy and contribute to a new season of economic thought and practice."
  • The event organizers (EoF) invited Dr. Zekeh Gbotokuma, Morgan's philosopher and advocate of #Cosmoportism to join the Book Corner, where inspiring authors will exhibit their books and chat with the participants.
  • OBAMANOMICS AND FRANCISCONOMICS: A Call for Poverty Alleviation, Fairness, and Welfareis the title of Gbotokuma's 505-page book.
  • These are critical economics theories by two global leaders, the 44th POTUS Barack Obama and 266th Sovereign Pontiff Pope Francis.

TaTaTu Auctions Off Autographed Photo of Morgan Freeman for 106,001 TTU Coins Which is Equivalent to 26,500 USD in Digital Auction

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Users earn TTU Coins by spending time on TaTaTu and by engaging viewing, sharing, and earning likes on content.

Key Points: 
  • Users earn TTU Coins by spending time on TaTaTu and by engaging viewing, sharing, and earning likes on content.
  • The partnership provides TaTaTu exclusive products featuring celebrities for the TaTaTu ecommerce store, auction, and more.
  • The more TTU Coins earned, the better the chance at winning an auction in the TaTaTu platform.
  • TaTaTu offers its community auctions, giving users a chance to win must-have prizes by bidding using TTU Coins.