By Shai Reshef, Founder and President, University of the People, USA Many people believe that when it comes to admissions, the more selective a university is the better it is. Higher education must evolve beyond this outdated notion that exclusivity equals excellence. This mindset restricts opportunities to a privileged few, reinforcing inequality and limiting societal progress. True excellence lies in promoting social mobility—creating pathways for all students, regardless of their (...) - World News / Cover Story ..read more

Htet Myat Thu and Win Htut Oo were executed during a raid carried out by 20 junta soldiers on Thu's house in Myanmar's southern state of Mon. The two journalists' bodies were cremated by the military on the spot. This shooting brings the total number of killed media professionals to seven since the coup d'état in February 2021. We again renew our call on the international community to step up pressure on the regime to cease its campaign of terror against reporters. Learn more here: (...) - World News / Cover Story ..read more

Africa's tourism sector is poised for an exciting ascent, and it has the potential to soar if it is propelled by visionary strategies and robust investments that harness the continent's unparalleled tourist allure. Amid the unprecedented changes of recent years, Africa's tourist appeal is greater than ever. With the right steps, it can offer more top destinations for today's tourists. The API Hospitality & Residences Forum is a pivotal platform for Africa's hospitality industry that is (...) - African News / Cover Story ..read more

AI is becoming a new member of society according to results from a new Kaspersky (www.Kaspersky.co.za) survey titled ‘Excitement, Superstition and great Insecurity – How global Consumers engage with the Digital World' (https://apo-opa.co/3WRj99J). The study also found that today artificial intelligence is taking on new roles in fields where it can succeed and be trusted by humans. Based on statistics from Similarweb (https://apo-opa.co/46WpO7u), ChatGPT, one of the world's most popular (...) - World News / Cover Story ..read more

Yellow Card (https://YellowCard.io/), Africa's leading stablecoin on/off ramp, has announced that it is integrating digital asset infrastructure provider Fireblocks to improve cross-border transactions for both businesses and individuals. By utilizing Fireblocks, Yellow Card seeks to remove obstacles for global corporate treasury, in accessing African markets, by offering secure and effective on-chain solutions. This includes leveraging Fireblocks' Wallets-as-a-Service (WaaS) which enables (...) - African News / Cover Story ..read more

By Bill Gates, Co-chair, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation More than one in four people don't have regular access to adequate food. Without enough nutrition during the first two years of life, you don't develop properly—physically or mentally. By tackling malnutrition, we can reduce one of the biggest contributors to childhood mortality. Here's the latest on the progress we're making, and how we can accelerate it: (...) - World News / Cover Story ..read more

The Madman By Constance Urdang At first, he wondered why he should be spared; Observed, of all the windows, none was barred, And every door swung open at a word. The garden welcomed him; the angel's sword Flowered before his eyes like Aaron's rod; At first he wondered that he should be spared. The beasts had grown so tame they hardly stirred; The wall uncoiled its length without a guard Where every door swung open at a word, And trees bowed low to offer all they had. The woman (...) - Literary Zone ..read more

As the mpox outbreak that has affected the Democratic Republic of the Congo and spread to neighbouring countries continues to grow, World Health Organization (WHO) is intensifying support to countries to scale up measures to curb the virus and save lives. On the advice of independent experts of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee, WHO Director-General has determined that the upsurge of mpox constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). The (...) - From the Editor's Keyboard ..read more

By Shai Reshef, Founder and President, University of the People, USA Higher education has the power to transform lives, open doors, and build a brighter future for individuals and society as a whole. However, accessibility remains a significant challenge for many disabled students. At UoPeople, we believe higher ed should be inclusive and accessible to everyone, regardless of physical or cognitive abilities. That's why we offer our courses online—there are many ways online learning can be (...) - World News / Cover Story ..read more

Following Galp's hydrocarbon discoveries in the Mopane Structure in the offshore Orange Basin earlier this year – estimated to hold at least 10 billion barrels of oil and gas equivalent – Namibia has cemented its reputation as Africa's premier exploration hotspot. Maggy Shino (photo), Petroleum Commissioner of Namibia's Ministry of Mines and Energy, will lead discussions on the country's evolution into a hydrocarbon producer and the status of existing high-profile discoveries by Shell and (...) - African News / Cover Story ..read more