Author: Staff Writer

U.S. scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine for their revolutionary discovery of microRNA, a tiny molecule that plays a critical role in gene regulation. Their work has greatly expanded our understanding of how multicellular organisms grow and develop, explaining how cells, despite…

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to two groundbreaking scientists, U.S. physicist John Hopfield and British-Canadian Geoffrey Hinton, for their pioneering work in machine learning. Their discoveries have laid the foundation for the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI), a technology that is transforming industries across the…

In Nigeria, the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and the National Identification Number (NIN) serve important, though distinct, roles in the country’s identification and financial systems. The need for both systems and the ongoing discussions about their harmonization have raised questions about their purpose and whether there will be a unified…

African startups raised a total of $138 million in September 2024, encompassing equity, debt, and grants, according to a report by Africa: The Big Deal. While this amount falls slightly below the average of $159 million per month recorded over the past year, the number of startups securing significant investments…

Access Bank has achieved a significant milestone in its strategic expansion across Africa by securing a provisional banking license from regulatory authorities in Namibia. The bank’s entry into Namibia marks another step forward in its commitment to strengthening intra-African trade and enhancing its banking network across Southern Africa. Boosting Namibia’s…

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is reinforcing its role as a leading crypto-friendly jurisdiction by introducing significant changes to its Value-Added Tax (VAT) regulations. In a move that reflects the country’s progressive stance on digital assets, the UAE’s Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has exempted cryptocurrency transfers and conversions from VAT,…

Google is testing a new feature that displays verified check marks next to certain businesses in its search results. This initiative is aimed at helping users identify legitimate businesses while avoiding potentially harmful fraudulent websites. The move comes as part of Google’s ongoing efforts to improve trust and security for…

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform industries and reshape the job market, new career opportunities are emerging that focus on leveraging AI technologies. Here are eight of the most promising careers that have arisen from the growing influence of AI, along with their global remuneration estimates: 1. AI/Machine Learning…

Djibouti has recently initiated a groundbreaking approach to combat malaria with the launch of its first full season of pilot releases of Friendly Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes in Djibouti City. This move represents a significant advance in the development of sustainable, targeted solutions to control the disease-spreading Anopheles stephensi, a highly…

Gilead Sciences, Inc. has announced a significant move to broaden access to HIV prevention treatments by striking licensing agreements with six pharmaceutical manufacturers. These deals will enable the production and distribution of generic versions of Gilead’s investigational HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir, in 120 countries, primarily those with high HIV incidence…

Meta Platforms Inc., Facebook’s parent company, has introduced a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool called Movie Gen, which allows users to generate or edit videos using simple text prompts. This move positions Meta in the growing race for AI supremacy, competing with other tech giants like OpenAI and Google. Movie…

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into education is no longer a distant vision but a rapidly approaching reality. Over the next 15 years, AI is poised to fundamentally reshape how schools and universities function, altering the very fabric of education as we know it. From personalized learning to AI-driven…

The Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, is taking significant steps to advance Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country. Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani recently announced the launch of a $1.5 million initiative aimed at supporting AI development, which will take place on October 7th in…

OpenAI has secured a significant financial boost by establishing a $4 billion revolving line of credit from leading global banks, including JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley. This credit facility adds to OpenAI’s recent $6.6 billion fundraising, providing the company with access to over $10 billion in liquidity.…

AMAKA Studio has successfully raised $2 million in seed funding, marking a major milestone in its mission to empower Black and African creators worldwide. The funding round was led by Equitane, formerly known as Africa Transformation and Industrialization Fund (ATIF), alongside notable partners such as Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab…

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that it will no longer allow data modifications at its National Identification Number (NIN) enrollment centres. Instead, all modifications must now be made through the NIMC self-service modification portal. This decision aims to streamline the process, reduce long queues, and enhance data…

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Nigerian auditor Olayinka Oyebola and his accounting firm, Olayinka Oyebola & Co., with aiding and abetting a large-scale securities fraud orchestrated by businessman Dozy Mmobuosi and his U.S.-based companies, collectively known as the Tingo entities. This comes in the wake of…

Microsoft has introduced a major overhaul to its Copilot AI assistant, transforming it into a more personalized and interactive tool with new voice and vision capabilities. This update aims to make Copilot a more engaging and supportive companion, enabling users to interact with AI in ways that feel natural, helpful,…

WhatsApp is making strides to enhance its video calling experience with the introduction of filters and backgrounds, positioning itself as a strong competitor to established videoconferencing platforms like Zoom. With over two billion users across 180 countries, the Meta-owned messaging app is already the largest in the world, and these…

SoftBank is reportedly planning a $500 million investment in OpenAI, the artificial intelligence firm behind ChatGPT, as part of the company’s broader efforts to expand its AI portfolio. According to a report by The Information, the Japanese telecom and tech conglomerate is making this investment at a time when OpenAI…