Andrew Anderson, autor en Africa news desk

Tired of AI, people are committing to the analog lifestyle in 2026

17

Jan

Analog Revival: A 2026 Response to AI Overload

As AI-powered tools take on more of our everyday responsibilities, a growing number of people are looking for opportunities to disconnect and reconnect with tangible experiences. This shift, widely known as the “analog lifestyle,” emphasizes easing the pace, embracing practical activities, and recapturing time away from screens and generative AI.The phenomenon is growing, even if hard to measure precisely. Hobbies traditionally seen as old-fashioned, such as knitting, painting, and crafting, are seeing a resurgence. Arts and crafts retailer Michael’s has reported a 136% increase in searches for “analog hobbies” over the past six months. Sales of guided craft kits rose…

El Salvador: CSR cases boosting youth employment and dual technical training

17

Jan

By Andrew Anderson

Social Responsibility

How CSR Drives Youth Employment & Dual Training in El Salvador

El Salvador faces a persistent challenge: a large cohort of young people seeking decent, stable work while the labor market demands more technical and digital skills. Youth unemployment and underemployment remain higher than adult averages, and many young people are classified as NEET (not in employment, education, or training). These trends contribute to social vulnerability, irregular migration pressure, and a mismatch between employer needs and available talent.What is dual technical training and why it mattersDual technical training combines classroom-based instruction from a technical institution with hands-on workplace learning inside a company. The model shortens the gap between theory and practice…

Why Venezuela’s opposition leader Machado is betting her political future on Trump

17

Jan

By Andrew Anderson

International

Machado’s Trump Gamble in Venezuela

Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado arrives in Washington amid tense negotiations over her country’s future. Her visit coincides with U.S. debates over Venezuela’s leadership following Nicolás Maduro’s removal from power.Machado’s arrival in the U.S. capital follows a volatile year in Venezuelan politics, marked by shifting power and uncertainty. Only a year earlier, she had been on the campaign trail in Caracas, working to rally citizens against Maduro as he entered a third term despite disputed election outcomes. Although her candidate, Edmundo González, was widely reported to have secured a clear victory, Maduro’s administration…

Meet the trusted diplomat tasked with turning the US-backed ceasefire into peace for Gaza

17

Jan

By Andrew Anderson

International

Gaza Peace Architect: Trusted Diplomat’s Ceasefire Transition

Bulgaria’s Nickolay Mladenov, a seasoned diplomat, has taken on one of the most challenging assignments of his career: overseeing the delicate implementation of a US-brokered plan to stabilize Gaza and guide its administration. His experience, relationships, and reputation will all be tested as he navigates the complex political terrain of the region.Mladenov’s journey to this point has been marked by decades of diplomatic service. Early in his career, he held key positions in Bulgaria’s government, including defense minister at 37 and later foreign minister. His international experience expanded with appointments to the European Parliament and as the UN’s Special Representative…

Trump and northeastern governors push for massive electricity auction to make tech giants defray costs

17

Jan

By Andrew Anderson

Economy

Tech Giants to Defray Costs? Trump & NE Governors Push Massive Electricity Auction

As electricity consumption rises rapidly throughout the United States, a fresh proposal has thrust the power usage of major technology companies into the spotlight, fueling a wider conversation about infrastructure, costs and accountability. What started as a technical review of grid capabilities has shifted into a political and economic issue with far-reaching national consequences.The administration of Donald Trump, joined by a coalition of northeastern state governors, has called on PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest power grid operator, to weigh the option of convening a special electricity auction aimed at securing fresh long-term energy supplies while shifting a greater share of…

Venezuela has a ton of oil. It also has something else America needs

17

Jan

By Andrew Anderson

International

Unlocking Venezuela’s Oil and Other US Interests

Venezuela’s vast natural wealth has once again entered Washington’s strategic calculations. Beyond oil, the country’s potential mineral resources are being framed as assets of national importance, even as experts warn that turning ambition into reality would be far more complex than political rhetoric suggests.When Donald Trump declared that U.S. companies would gain access to Venezuela’s oil reserves, attention quickly expanded beyond crude. Inside policy circles, the conversation has increasingly included minerals, metals and even rare earth elements believed to exist beneath Venezuelan soil. These materials are essential to industries ranging from defense and aerospace to clean energy and consumer technology,…

11

Jan

By Andrew Anderson

Investments and Business

Why Panama continues to attract real estate investors and how Oceana Santa María stands out

Panama has become one of Latin America’s most appealing spots for real estate investment, supported by its steady economy, advantageous tax benefits, and strategic position as a global commercial gateway. As international investors look for stable markets with strong expansion potential, Panama’s high-end real estate segment is drawing growing interest.According to insights featured on the Oceana Santa María website, the country is portrayed as an attractive setting for real estate investment, reinforced by political stability, a robust banking sector, and its adoption of the U.S. dollar. These advantages, along with Panama’s expanding infrastructure and strong overall quality of life, have…

A strategic guide to investing in luxury properties for discerning investors

11

Jan

By Andrew Anderson

Investments and Business

Strategic perspectives on investing in premium real estate assets

A new guide tailored for investors in luxury real estate presents essential tactics and proven practices for individuals aiming to enter or grow within the premium property sector. This detailed summary underscores how crucial thoughtful planning, solid market insight, and expert guidance are when pursuing opportunities in luxury real estate. Luxury properties remain highly sought after, not only for their exclusivity and lifestyle benefits but also for their capacity to offer lasting long-term value. Historically, high-end real estate has shown strong and consistent appreciation, providing investors with a dependable asset that often surpasses the performance of many other investment options over…

Benin: agricultural CSR advancing cooperatives and regenerative soil practices

10

Jan

By Andrew Anderson

Social Responsibility

Benin: Agricultural CSR’s Impact on Co-ops and Sustainable Soil

A brief look at Benin: its farming practices, community livelihoods, and the growing strain on soilsBenin's economy and social structure remain deeply anchored in agriculture, a sector responsible for about one-quarter of the country's GDP and employing most of its rural residents, thereby playing a pivotal role in reducing poverty, strengthening food security, and generating export revenue. Main crops encompass cotton, which stands out as a leading cash crop, along with maize, cassava, yam, cashew, groundnuts, palm oil, millet, and sorghum. Agricultural output is largely driven by smallholder farmers, who generally manage plots of under two hectares.This agricultural landscape faces…

10

Jan

By Andrew Anderson

Investments and Business

Why Panama remains a key destination for real estate investment in 2026

Panama continues to enhance its standing as a prime hub for international real estate investment, supported by its economic resilience, strategic geographic location, advanced infrastructure, and policies designed to attract investors. Recent insights featured on Oceana Santa María highlight how these strengths are driving increasing global attention toward Panama’s property sector and creating compelling prospects for both purchasers and long-term investors.Situated at the crossroads of North and South America, Panama functions as a major international hub with efficient air and maritime connections to key global markets. The country’s use of the U.S. dollar as legal tender further reinforces economic stability,…