Simon Allison
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Co-founder and International Editor @TheContinent_. 'Unrepentant dunderhead', according to @ProfJNMoyo.
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Articles by Simon Allison
As mathematicians grapple with AI, divisions are multiplying
This story first appeared as the cover story in Issue 4 of The Atlas, a new global publication by Coda Story and The Continent. Sign up to the newspaper here. In late July, at the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) in Philadelphia, the mathematician Jacob Tsimerman was awarded one of four Fields Medals – the highest honour in mathematics. A few hours later, Tsimerman announced that he was joining OpenAI.
As mathematicians grapple with AI, divisions are multiplying
5 hours ago For several months, Elon Musk’s xAI seemed to be falling behind OpenAI, Anthropic, Google’s Gemini, and the tier of AI companies just below them. Industry experts have recently reported that Musk’s Grok is well behind Claude, GPT, and Gemini in adoption. One metric people use is Apple App Store …
Darkness is losing its war with the light
Astronomy, our window into the rest of the universe, happens in the dark. Planets, stars and galaxies – all the mysteries of the cosmos – only reveal themselves at night. But the night sky may be getting much brighter, thanks to an American company with a plan to conquer darkness itself by sending 50,000 giant mirrors into space. What you are reading first appeared as a cover story for The Atlas, our new global publication with The Continent.
Working in a changed climate
Environmental breakdown is the defining challenge of our time and the legal profession must be ready, says John Sturrock Last week, I attended a showing at the EICC of a deeply shocking film entitled People's Emergency Briefing. We have become accustomed recently to focusing on AI and national security as real and imminent threats to our future. This film, presented by Chris Packham , reminds us that the biggest threat remains climate change and potential environmental catastrophe.
And in this corner… a well-prepared lawyer
Simon Allison says employment tribunals are like wrestling bouts I watched my first live wrestling match last fortnight as a guest in hospitality, which is probably the safest way to begin. Comfortable seat. Good view. Enough distance to observe that everyone else seemed entirely sure when cheering was required. The whole show looked remarkably convincing, particularly a wrestler named Jason Reed.
The new samizdat
Sections: While much of the media industry focused on the churn of headlines, we became increasingly interested in the undercurrents beneath them: the hidden systems, infrastructures and ideologies shaping events across borders and over time. Insights from the Coda newsroom on the global forces that shape local crises. Again and again, our reporting led us back to the same realization: for a long time, the struggle over information was understood primarily as a question of censorship or access.
Simon Allison, Author at Coda Story
Simon Allison is the co-founder of The Continent, Africa's most widely-read newspaper, and serves on the board of the International Press Institute.
The AI-powered ‘forever wars’ start now
Between them, the United States and Israel struck more than 2,000 targets within the first 24 hours of their war with Iran. For even the largest militaries, it is an almost impossible task to identify, select and then precisely locate such a high volume of targets. But the U.S. military had some help. Claude, the “next generation AI assistant” built by Anthropic, was used in the planning of ‘Operation Epic Fury’.
It's Christmas – so that out-of-office message means what it says
Simon Allison The closer we get to switching off, the harder it is to do it, says Simon Allison It's almost Christmas Eve. My out-of-office message is written. My laptop bag is by the door. I've promised myself that this year will be different. And yet, I know what's coming… The emails will start arriving….
Big Tech needs us more than we need them
Big Tech needs us more than we need them “In polluting their own platforms so comprehensively, Big Tech has handed us an opportunity to regain control over the means of distribution for news.” -ig-ech-needs-us-more-than-we-need-them In the early 20th century, Karl Marx argued that power flows from owning the means of production — the stuff you need to make things, like land and factories and tools. This is no longer the case.
The legend of Benjamin Mauerberger
His friends in Bangkok knew him as Ben Berger or Ben Smith, and didn’t pay much attention to what he did for a living – something in “finance”, he told them. He was rich, sure, but not super rich. His two teenage children went to an international school in the Thai capital; his second wife, Cattaliya Beevor, was a famous Thai model. But towards the end of the last decade, the family’s lifestyle began to change.
Even for the Oppenheimers, money can’t buy love - or power
Jonathan Oppenheimer is heir-apparent to Africa’s third-largest fortune. The Brenthurst Foundation was his attempt to turn that money into political influence. In July, after a screaming match at its head office, Oppenheimer shut it down. It had failed to deliver value for money.
Shortlist 2025
The wait is over – the One World Media Awards Shortlist is here! After weeks of careful consideration, our expert panel has selected three outstanding nominees in each of our 13 categories. Fifty judges from 29 countries reviewed 559 powerful entries to identify the very best journalism from across the global south. It wasn’t an easy task. Every story was judged on its overall excellence, as well as its relevance, substance, and impact.
Navigating the new world order
Notwithstanding the odd corruption scandal, and the country’s reputation for violent crime, South Africa’s leaders have spent most of the last three decades basking in international adulation. Nelson Mandela, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Desmond Tutu, multiracial democracy, Invictus: the story of the Rainbow Nation, and how it rose from the bitter ashes of history’s most sophisticated white supremacist state, is the model of what a peaceful political transition should look like.
Bill Gates plays God in Africa’s agriculture and gets it wrong
Africa has the fastest-growing population on the planet. There could be more than 2.4 billion people on this continent by 2050. Feeding them all is the single greatest policy challenge facing African leaders. The scale of the problem is daunting, given that we can’t even keep the existing population fed. Of the 1.5 billion people that live in Africa today, about 10% face severe food insecurity — that means they sometimes go entire days without eating a proper meal.
Bill Gates, Big Agriculture and the fight for the future of Africa’s farmland
Africa has the fastest-growing population on the planet. There could be more than 2.4-billion people on this continent by 2050. That is a lot of mouths to feed. Feeding them all is the single greatest policy challenge facing African leaders. The scale of the problem is daunting, given that we can’t even keep our existing population fed. Of the 1.5-billion people that live in Africa today, about 10% face severe food insecurity – that means they sometimes go entire days without eating a proper meal.
There’s an art to getting the best out of Gen Z enployees - Simon Allison
A different work ethic isn’t necessarily the ‘wrong’ one, suggests Simon Allison Gen-Zees are the new breed of worker. Born between 1996 and 2010, they think differently to other employees. They have grown up in the shadow of climate doom, fears of economic collapse and pandemic lockdowns. By the end of this year, it is expected Gen-Zees will form 27 per cent of our workforce, with that percentage growing steadily over the next decade.
Abiy Ahmed biography is an intimate, unsettling portrait of the man who would be emperor
Abiy Ahmed’s destiny was foretold by his mother. She was an unusual woman: an Orthodox Christian who married a Muslim coffee farmer from Oromia, settling down with him in Beshasha, a small town in central Ethiopia. Abiy was her fourth child, born just two years after the fall of Emperor Haile Selassie. She named him Abiyot, meaning “revolution” in Amharic, and from a young age would whisper in his ear that he was born to rule; that one day he would be king.
This is (still) ANC country
There are many good reasons for South Africans not to vote for the ANC. The oldest liberation movement in Africa has now led the government of South Africa for 30 years. Over time, its weaknesses have compounded, and been repeatedly exposed under the glare of media and civil society.
Africa’s biggest-ever media deal opens the door to far-right nonsense
Vincent Bolloré is no stranger to controversy. Described by Bloomberg as “the French Rupert Murdoch” who is in the process of “building his own right-wing media empire”, he has been implicated in at least one corruption scandal in West Africa. A successful businessman, Bolloré has used his money to buy media companies. His family company, the Bolloré Group, owns a controlling stake in Vivendi, which owns the French television giant Canal+.
Vote 2024 - The South African National Elections
The leader of Rise Mzansi said the Democratic Alliance leader was not credible or capable of becoming South Africa’s president This content is restricted to subscribers only. Join the M&G Community Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Nobel peace laureate: ‘More money in lies than in truth’
Maria Ressa is watching a video of herself being interviewed on the Stephen Colbert Show. On the screen, Ressa says: “Right now my number one source of income is a new automated crypto trading programme. It’s the biggest opportunity I see in my entire life to make a big fortune quickly.” In person, in a boardroom in a Johannesburg hotel, Ressa — the fearless Filipina journalist and 2021 Nobel peace prize winner — pauses the playback. “They did a good job, no?
Longlist 2024
Each year, the One World Media Awards celebrate the best journalism and documentary making from across the global south. This year, we are thrilled to have received more than 500 entries, from 117 countries. Our judges have spent hours looking through entries to find those stories that break through stereotypes, change traditional narratives and connect people across cultures. It was tough to narrow down the search in each category.
Winners 2024
Congratulations to all the winners of the One World Media Awards 2024! Celebrating the best journalism from the global south, more than 60 judges from 18 countries have chosen this year’s winners from more than 500 entries.
Winners 2025
Congratulations to all the winners of the One World Media Awards 2025! Celebrating the best journalism from the global south, more than 50 judges from 20 countries have chosen this year’s winners from more than 500 entries.
Shortlist 2024
For a piece of media, including film, radio, digital or print, made by a student as part of a journalism or filmmaking course at a university or film school that deals with stories, topics or issues in, about or related to the global south.
World court agreed that Israel is on the wrong side of history
The International Court of Justice has found that Israel’s actions in its war in Gaza fall under the scope of the Genocide Convention. It has issued a series of provisional orders to prevent genocide from taking place. The highly anticipated judgment in the case that South Africa brought against Israel was delivered on Friday in The Hague. The court’s ruling was significant on three fronts. The first is legal.
South Africa said that Israel is on the wrong side of history - and the World Court agreed
Simon Allison The International Court of Justice has found that Israel’s actions in its war in Gaza fall under the scope of the Genocide Convention. It has issued a series of provisional orders to prevent genocide from taking place. The highly anticipated judgment in the case that South Africa brought against Israel was delivered on Friday in The Hague. The court’s ruling was significant on three different fronts. The first is legal.
Abiy’s port in a storm
In the last week of 2023, Somaliland’s president Muse Bihi took a short flight to neighbouring Djibouti. After a long and difficult year, he needed a win. He did not get one there. Bihi leads one of the most politically unique – and diplomatically sensitive – places in the world. Somaliland declared its independence in 1991, and has governed itself ever since. It has its own flag, currency, and national anthem.
El atleta Oscar Pistorius sale de la cárcel tras cumplir nueve años por asesinar a su pareja
El atleta Oscar Pistorius salió de prisión en libertad condicional tras cumplir nueve años de cárcel por asesinar a su novia, Reeva Steenkamp, según informó el Departamento de Servicios Penitenciarios de Sudáfrica. Pistorius –exatleta paralímpico y olímpico– mató a tiros a su novia de 29 años, modelo, a través de la puerta cerrada de un baño el día de San Valentín de 2013. Estará sometido a supervisión correccional hasta que termine su condena en 2029.
El atleta Oscar Pistorius sale de la cárcel tras cumplir nueve años por asesinar a su pareja
El atleta Oscar Pistorius ha salido de prisión en libertad condicional tras cumplir nueve años de cárcel por asesinar a su novia, Reeva Steenkamp, según ha informado el Departamento de Servicios Penitenciarios de Sudáfrica. Pistorius –exatleta paralímpico y olímpico– mató a tiros a la modelo de 29 años a través de la puerta cerrada de un baño el día de San Valentín de 2013. Estará sometido a supervisión correccional hasta que termine su condena en 2029.
Oscar Pistorius released on parole after serving nine years for murder of Reeva Steenkamp
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Oscar Pistorius released on parole after serving nine years for murder of Reeva Steenkamp
Oscar Pistorius has been released from prison on parole, after serving nine years in prison for murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, South Africa’s correctional services department has said. Pistorius – a former Paralympic and Olympic athlete - shot the 29-year-old model dead through a locked bathroom door on Valentine’s Day in 2013. He will be subject to correctional supervision until his sentence ends in 2029.
Investigation of the cytotoxicity induced by cannabinoids on human ovarian carcinoma cells
1 INTRODUCTION Ovarian cancer is the deadliest among gynecological cancers. There are approximately 7500 new cases every year and approximately 35% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer survive for 10 years.1 The majority of cases are diagnosed at stage 4. The rate of relapse is high and is around 2 years.
The world is brutally indifferent to the DRC's democracy
As far as the health of the planet is concerned, there are two reasons why the Democratic Republic of Congo matters. First: Beneath its vast land mass lies the world’s largest deposits of cobalt. This rare blue-grey metal is an essential component of the lithium-ion batteries that are supposed to power the green energy revolution. At our current level of technology, going from fossil fuels towards things like solar power and electric vehicles depends on a steady supply of cobalt.
The world is brutally indifferent to the DRC’s democracy
As far as the health of the planet is concerned, there are two reasons why the Democratic Republic of Congo matters. First: Beneath its vast land mass lies the world’s largest deposits of cobalt. This rare blue-grey metal is an essential component of the lithium-ion batteries that are supposed to power the green energy revolution. At our current level of technology, going from fossil fuels towards things like solar power and electric vehicles depends on a steady supply of cobalt.
Nelson Mandela: 10 years later
On 5 December 2013, Nelson Mandela, the first President of South Africa to be elected in a fully representative democratic election, died at the age of 95. This year, South Africans commemorate ten years without the legendary statesman. On 5 December 2013, Nelson Mandela, the first President of South Africa to be elected in a fully representative democratic election, died at the age of 95. This year, South Africans commemorate ten years without the legendary statesman.
Preclinical Evaluation of Zn(II) Self‐Assemblies with Selective Cytotoxic Activity Against Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Ovo
Introduction Metallosupramolecular chemistry is the use of preprogramed poly-dentate ligand systems that upon coordination to metal ions self-assemble into predictable structures by means of directional information encoded within both the metal ion (Mn+) and ligand (L) precursors.
South African anti-migrant ‘vigilantes’ register as party for next year’s polls
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South African anti-migrant ‘vigilantes’ register as party for next year’s polls
An anti-migrant vigilante organisation in South Africa has registered as a political party and plans to contest seats in next year’s general elections. Operation Dudula, whose name means “to force out” in Zulu, wants all foreign nationals who are in the country unofficially to be deported. The party, which first emerged in Johannesburg’s Soweto township after riots in 2021, claims to have widespread support, with a formal presence in seven of South Africa’s nine provinces.
Grief and anger after Johannesburg blaze that killed at least 74
South African authorities were on Friday still searching for clues behind the cause of the most deadly fire in the country’s history, with at least 74 people confirmed to have died and dozens more being treated in hospital. About 400 people are thought to have lived in informal settlements in the building at 80 Albert Street in central Johannesburg, which relied on illegal electricity connections for power and had no emergency exits. It is owned by the City of Johannesburg.
In Zimbabwe, State Coercion, Voter Apathy Pave Way for Mnangagwa Reelection
Despite a struggling economy, incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa is the strong favorite in Zimbabwe's upcoming election.
In Zimbabwe, State Coercion, Voter Apathy Pave Way for Mnangagwa Reelection
Despite having little to show from his first full term in office, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa is the strong favorite to win an election Wednesday that has so far failed to catch anyone’s imagination. When Mnangagwa overthrew Robert Mugabe in a military-backed coup in 2017, he was hailed by some—including large crowds of celebrating Zimbabweans—as the savior of the country’s democracy.
The Arms Dealer Behind the African Peace Mission to Ukraine - Global Research
Disclaimer: The contents of this article are of sole responsibility of the author(s). The Centre for Research on Globalization will not be responsible for any inaccurate or incorrect statement in this article. The Centre of Research on Globalization grants permission to cross-post Global Research articles on community internet sites as long the source and copyright are acknowledged together with a hyperlink to the original Global Research article.
The arms dealer behind the African peace mission to Ukraine
Yoweri Museveni, infamously, manages his own Twitter account. Uganda’s 78-year-old president knows how to craft a viral tweet, but he does make the occasional mistake. On 5 June, Museveni met on Zoom with six fellow African presidents. They were discussing their proposed mission to mediate Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
African researchers warn against AI hype
Prompt this computer programme to describe itself and it says it is “just like talking to a knowledgeable friend”. Released by San Francisco-based company OpenAI in November, ChatGPT mimics human conversation, instantly responding to anything you type into its chatbox. It can tell you a joke and compose song lyrics; it can draft your presentation notes and offer relationship advice. You think of “it” but it refers to itself in the first person — “I”.
African Union leader charged with sexual assault
The president of the Pan-African Parliament, Fortune Charumbira, has been charged with sexual assault by police in Zimbabwe’s Masvingo province. According to the docket, Charumbira is accused of sexually assaulting his 27-year-old niece on two occasions this year. The Pan-African Parliament is the legislative body of the African Union.
Russia losing scramble for Africa
NEWS ANALYSIS When Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, visited South Africa, eSwatini, Angola and Eritrea last week, he dwelt at length on the historical ties between Russia and the African continent. The Soviet Union — the superpower that President Vladimir Putin appears intent on resurrecting — played an active role in supporting liberation movements in this part of the world. For that reason, doors here will always open to representatives from Moscow.
Re: Microsoft To Do now supports auto population of tasks due today in the My Day list!
We are excited to announce that Microsoft To Do now supports auto population of tasks due today in the My Day list! With this new feature, your tasks will automatically appear in My Day on their due dates. This will help you stay on top of your priorities and stay organized throughout the day. This is in addition to the existing capability in which you can add tasks manually in My Day. To access this new feature, simply open your Microsoft To Do app and click on the My Day list.
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