Nigeria uploads first-ever digital voter roll, with hundreds of dead people and toddlers registered
As soon as Nigeria’s first-ever digital electoral register was uploaded on to the internet people began noticing problems. Amateur digital sleuths uncovered numerous voter cards that appeared to have photos of children on them. Others on the preliminary list seemed to have registered more than once, simply by changing their...
49 African presidents, AU head arrive in Washington for the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit
Several African heads of state have travelled to the US for a three-day summit starting on Tuesday that Washington says “will underscore the importance of US-Africa relations and increased cooperation on shared global priorities.” President Joe Biden will host 49 top African officials at the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit, including Moussa...
United Nations likens fragile situation in eastern DR Congo tinderbox after rebels kill 131 civilians
Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains a tinderbox with the United Nations (UN) reporting at least 131 civilian deaths from M23 rebel attacks in late November. The attacks were on Kishishe and Bambo villages in Rutshuru territory of North Kivu. Preliminary investigation by MONUSCO has 17 women and 12...
England’s loss to France didn’t dampen Three Lions players and fans, who want Southgate to stay
As he arrived back in the UK from Qatar amid World Cup heartache, he said he will “reflect and review” his position. But it sparked a huge outpouring of support for Southgate to lead the Three Lions to Euro 2024 victory in Germany in 18 months. Midfielder Declan Rice said,...
Iran hangs more rioters after Revolutionary Court finds them guilty of ‘Enmity against God’ crime
Iran has carried out its second public execution linked to the nearly three-month wave of antigovernment protests. Majid Reza Rahnavard was hanged in the city of Mashhad, the country’s judiciary said. He was convicted of stabbing and killing two members of the security forces. The first execution linked to the...
Changing attitudes: How catalytic mechanisms make desired behaviour automatic and easier
Reduce the cost of electricity after 6pm and let customers know about the cost savings potential. Cost-conscious people do their laundry and run their dishwashers in the evening and the power company defers the need to build a new power plant by reducing the peak demand. It’s voluntary, so compliance...
Why organisations are opting for catalytic mechanisms to tamp down negative energy
For years I’ve been fascinated by something that Jim Collins labelled “catalytic mechanisms” in a 1999 Harvard Business Review article. The article, titled Turning Goals into Results: The Power of Catalytic Mechanisms, described how to powerfully influence people in organisations to change their behaviour – easily, permanently and nearly effortlessly....
