On December 8th, The Gambia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a meeting with Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children. The discussion centered on child protection progress in The Gambia, addressing issues like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and maltreatment in schools. Ambassador Lang Yabou emphasized the government’s commitment to child
By Jessica Russ-Smith, Immaculate Motsi-Omoijiade & Michelle D. Lazarus Earlier this month, Australia’s long-anticipated National AI Plan was released to a mixed reception. The plan shifts away from the government’s previously promised mandatory AI safeguards. Instead, it’s positioned as a whole-of-government roadmap for building an “AI-enabled economy”. The plan has raised alarm bells among experts for its
By Andra B. Chastain Chileans have elected the most right-wing presidential candidate since the end of the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship over three and a half decades ago. In a runoff held on Dec. 14, 2025, José Antonio Kast, a Republican Party ex-congressman and two-time former presidential candidate, won just over 58% of the vote, while his opponent, Jeannette Jara,
By Liezl Human The City of Cape Town has approved a Rail Business Plan for devolving operation of the city’s Metrorail services from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) to the municipality. The City will now submit a memorandum to the National Department of Transport (NDoT) requesting that rail services be devolved. According
By Abhishyant Kidangoor A global system dubbed the “internet of animals,” which tracks wildlife via satellite, is one step closer to becoming a reality. Project ICARUS, an initiative that taps into advances in wireless sensor technology, has resumed operations after a three-year hiatus. In late November, a satellite carrying an ICARUS receiver was launched into
