Become a contributor

Bookmark Econotimes

Sat, Apr 27, 2024 06:41 PM All times are UTC

Follow Series

Social Media Revolution Series

©Econometrics LLC . All Rights Reserved.

Social media has revolutionised how we communicate. In this series, we look at how it has changed the media, politics, health, education and the law.

Social Media Revolution Series

As the US government and record labels go after TikTok, musicians get the squeeze

Mar 19, 2024 11:29 am UTC| Insights & Views Technology

For much of the year, TikTok has been on the defensive. On March 13, 2024, the House of Representatives voted to approve a bill that would force the short-form video app to be sold off from its Chinese parent company to...

Social Media Revolution Series

TikTok claims ‘tongue scrapers’ can cure bad breath – here’s what the evidence actually says

Mar 13, 2024 10:53 am UTC| Insights & Views Technology

Most of us know how important it is to brush and floss if we want a healthy smile. But some people on TikTok are suggesting that this isnt enough and that if you really want good oral health, you need to use a tongue...

Social Media Revolution Series

5 dental TikTok trends you probably shouldn't try at home

Jan 11, 2024 03:29 am UTC| Life

TikTok is full of videos that demonstrate DIY hacks, from up-cycling tricks to cooking tips. Meanwhile, a growing number of TikTok videos offer tips to help you save money and time at the dentist. But do they...

Social Media Revolution Series

Digital platforms like TikTok could help China extend its censorship regime across borders

Dec 12, 2023 15:58 pm UTC| Technology

Chinas drive to expand its influence through soft power mechanisms like censorship is coming into sharper focus, especially under Xi Jinpings leadership. Recently, the social media app TikTok has become a prominent symbol...

Social Media Revolution Series

Online 'likes' for toxic social media posts prompt more − and more hateful − messages

Dec 05, 2023 09:19 am UTC| Insights & Views Technology

The rampant increase of hate messages on social media is a scourge in todays technology-infused society. Racism, homophobia, xenophobia and even personal attacks on people who have the audacity to disagree with someone...

Social Media Revolution Series

Social media content in times of war: an expert guide on how to keep violence off your feeds

Nov 05, 2023 20:34 pm UTC| Insights & Views Technology

Social media platforms are a great source of information and entertainment. They also help us to maintain contact with friends and family. But social media can also and has, often become a toxic environment for spreading...

Social Media Revolution Series

Community radio: young South Africans are helping shape the news through social media

Oct 23, 2023 08:18 am UTC| Insights & Views Technology

The number of South African internet users has nearly doubled in the past decade. One 2023 study of 45 developed countries suggests that South Africans even lead the world when it comes to the amount of time spent in front...

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Economy

Beyond the spin, beyond the handouts, here’s how to get a handle on what’s really happening on budget night

Three weeks from now, some of us will be presented with a mountain of budget papers, and just about all of us will get to hear about them on radio, TV or news websites on budget night. The quickest way to find out what...

Johannesburg in a time of darkness: Ivan Vladislavić’s new memoir reminds us of the city’s fragility

Ivan Vladislavić is Johannesburgs literary linkman. He tells us, in the first pages of his new book, The Near North, that before cities were lit, first by gaslight and later electricity, people of means paid torchbearers...

Why is the London Stock Exchange losing out to the US

London Stock Exchange (LSE), which can trace its heritage to the coffee houses of the 17th century, is failing. The volume of shares traded is sharply declining, and some UK companies are swiftly moving to the US...

Why Germany ditched nuclear before coal – and why it won’t go back

One year ago, Germany took its last three nuclear power stations offline. When it comes to energy, few events have baffled outsiders more. In the face of climate change, calls to expedite the transition away from fossil...

What if the Reserve Bank itself has been feeding inflation? An economist explains

Heres something for the board of the Reserve Bank of Australia to ponder as it meets next month to set interest rates. It has pushed up rates on 13 occasions since it began its attempt to restrain inflation in May...

Politics

Labour can afford to be far more ambitious with its economic policies – voters are on board

To say that the Labour party is flying high in the polls is something of an understatement. But despite its consistent lead against the Tories, the opposition finds itself in a rather odd position: on the cusp of power but...

History for sale: what does South Africa’s struggle heritage mean after 30 years of democracy?

One of my favourite statues is the one of Nelson Mandela at the Sandton City shopping centre in Johannesburg. Larger than life, its oversized bronze shoes shimmer in the evening light, polished by the hands of many...

Sudan: civil war stretches into a second year with no end in sight

In the early hours of April 15 2023, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) a Sudanese paramilitary force attacked the military airstrip in the town of Merowe and deployed troops across strategic locations in Sudans capital,...

Joe Biden Proposes Record 44.6% Capital Gains Tax in Latest Budget Plan That May Favor Cryptocurrencies

President Joe Biden has proposed raising the capital gains tax to an unprecedented 44.6% in a bold fiscal move, targeting the wealthiest Americans. This hike is part of his 2025 budget proposal to reduce income...

Turkey’s suppression of the Kurdish political movement continues to fuel a deadly armed conflict

The world has 91 democracies and 88 autocracies. Yet 71% of the worlds population (some 5.7 billion people) are living under autocratic rule, a big jump from 48% ten years ago. This trend towards authoritarianism can...

Science

A Nasa rover has reached a promising place to search for fossilised life on Mars

While we go about our daily lives on Earth, a nuclear-powered robot the size of a small car is trundling around Mars looking for fossils. Unlike its predecessor Curiosity, Nasas Perseverance rover is explicitly intended to...

The rising flood of space junk is a risk to us on Earth – and governments are on the hook

A piece of space junk recently crashed through the roof and floor of a mans home in Florida. Nasa later confirmed that the object had come from unwanted hardware released from the international space station. The 700g,...

Peter Higgs was one of the greats of particle physics. He transformed what we know about the building blocks of the universe

Peter Higgs, who gave his name to the subatomic particle known as the Higgs boson, has died aged 94. He was always a modest man, especially when considering that he was one of the greats of particle physics the area of...

Could a telescope ever see the beginning of time? An astronomer explains

The James Webb Space Telescope, or JWST for short, is one of the most advanced telescopes ever built. Planning for JWST began over 25 years ago, and construction efforts spanned over a decade. It was launched into space on...

US media coverage of new science less likely to mention researchers with African and East Asian names

When one Chinese national recently petitioned the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to become a permanent resident, he thought his chances were pretty good. As an accomplished biologist, he figured that news...

Technology

SHIB Burn Rate Soars 88% Following Major Shibarium Upgrade Announcement

Following a crucial upgrade announcement for Shibarium, Shibburn reports a dramatic 88.32% increase in the SHIB burn rate, removing millions from circulation and significantly boosting Shiba Inu coin holders. SHIB...

Solana Co-Founder Clashes with Vitalik Buterin, Champions Meme Coin Culture

In a bold social media move, Solanas co-founder Raj Gokal defended meme coins and subtly critiqued Ethereums Vitalik Buterin, stirring controversy in the crypto community. Solanas Gokal Defends Meme Coins, Warns...

Tesla Model 3 Performance Price Surges Days After Debut, Cybertruck Powershare Costs Skyrocket

Just days after Tesla released its Model 3 Performance, the company increased its price by $1,000. Meanwhile, a Tesla Cybertruck owner faces a staggering $30,000 quote for a Powershare installation, which would enable his...

Apple Partners with OpenAI for On-Device AI in iOS 18, Enhancing Privacy

Apple Inc. has reignited discussions with OpenAI to integrate advanced AI features into iOS 18, utilizing large language models entirely on-device. According to a Bloomberg report, this move promises to significantly...

Republic First Bank Shut Down by Regulators, Crypto Prices Tumble

In a significant regulatory move, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities has closed Republic First Bank, marking the first major U.S. bank collapse of 2024. The closure has sparked heated reactions within...