As competition ramps up among social media platforms, Meta, X, and Snapchat are offering time‑limited summer discounts on their paid subscription packages to attract new subscribers, boost retention, and drive additional revenue streams. What’s New Meta is promoting special discounts on premium features across Instagram and Facebook during the summer months. X (formerly Twitter) is applying price cuts and promotional offers for its X Premium plan. Snapchat is introducing limited‑time deals to make its Snapchat+ subscription more accessible Why It Matters These platforms view subscription upgrades as incremental revenue opportunities that complement their ad-based business models. With competition from TikTok…
Author: Daniel Sterling
For the first time on record, more Americans now turn to social media for news than to traditional television, according to the 2025 Digital News Report from Oxford University’s Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (RISJ). The nationwide survey shows that 54 % of U.S. adults sourced news from social and video platforms in the past week, edging out TV at 50 % and news websites/apps at 48 %. RISJ researchers attribute the tipping-point to the explosive growth of creator-driven news on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram Reels, plus the declining reach of cable and broadcast outlets among under-35s. Influencers…
UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has said she does not see herself as Nigerian and has not held a Nigerian passport for more than two decades, a remark made on the Rosebud podcast that triggered swift global reaction. “I’m Nigerian by ancestry, not by identity” Speaking with broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, Badenoch explained that although she was born in London and spent much of her childhood in Lagos, her sense of belonging is now firmly rooted in Britain. “Home is where my family is—and the Conservative Party is an extension of that family,” she told listeners. Badenoch added that she…
Russia’s Gamaleya National Research Center—best known for developing the Sputnik V COVID-19 shot—has confirmed that it will launch Phase I clinical trials of a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine by September-October 2025. The first cohort will involve melanoma patients treated at Moscow’s Hertsen Research Institute and the N.N. Blokhin Cancer Center. AI-Designed and Patient-Specific Unlike conventional “one-size-fits-all” therapies, the new vaccine is custom-built for each patient. Artificial-intelligence algorithms sequence a tumor’s DNA, identify unique neo-antigens, and generate a bespoke mRNA blueprint that trains cytotoxic lymphocytes to hunt down malignant cells. Gamaleya says the entire process—from biopsy to finished vial—takes about one…
Ride-hailing giant Uber Technologies Inc. has taken a bold step toward realizing its autonomous ambitions, announcing a $300 million investment in electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors. The deal forms part of a strategic alliance to launch a new fleet of robotaxis powered by Lucid’s upcoming Gravity SUV and autonomous driving technology from Silicon Valley robotics firm Nuro. The announcement marks one of Uber’s most aggressive moves in the self-driving race, positioning the company to directly own and operate up to 20,000 autonomous electric vehicles over the next six years. “This partnership brings together innovation, scale, and long-term vision,” said Uber…
In a groundbreaking achievement for African tech innovation, Terra Industries, a Nigerian startup led by two 22-year-old entrepreneurs, has clinched a $1.2 million contract to provide drone-based security solutions for hydropower plants. The deal, announced this week, marks a significant milestone for the continentʼs tech landscape, showcasing its growing competitiveness on the global stage. Founded just two years ago, Terra Industries has quickly risen to prominence with its cutting-edge drone technology, designed to enhance security and operational efficiency in critical infrastructure. The contract pits the young company against established international competitors, underscoring the potential of African startups to lead in…
OkadaMotto is a Ghanaian technology company that operates an on-demand motorcycle-taxi booking platform. The company provides a mobile app that connects passengers to approved and reliable motorcycle riders, aiming to offer a safe, convenient, and efficient transportation solution. OkadaMotto also focuses on formalizing the motorcycle taxi industry by providing training for riders on road safety and customer service, and by offering features like real-time tracking, multiple payment options, and insurance coverage for rides.
Absa Bank Ghana launched the ‘Change Your Story’ campaign on July 1, 2024, aiming to reward customers for utilizing their debit or credit cards and embracing digital banking solutions. The campaign, which ran from July to October 2024, offered substantial cash prizes totaling GH¢800,000. Each month, five customers had the opportunity to win GH¢40,000 each, amounting to GH¢200,000 monthly. To participate, customers needed to complete at least 10 transactions per month online or at Point-of-Sale terminals, automatically entering them into the monthly draw. Absa Bank collaborated with the National Lotteries Authority’s Caritas platform to ensure transparency and fairness in the…
ACTIVA International Insurance Company Ltd, a subsidiary of Group ACTIVA (Activa Finances), has become the first general insurance company in Ghana to achieve ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for its Information Security Management System (ISMS). ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is an internationally recognized standard that outlines the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an ISMS. This certification demonstrates that ACTIVA Insurance’s processes, controls, and procedures adhere to the highest industry standards for safeguarding sensitive information. Benjamin Yamoah, Managing Director of ACTIVA Insurance, emphasized that obtaining this certification strengthens the company’s security framework, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information for both…
Ghana holds approximately 8.74 metric tons of gold in its reserves, ranking it eighth among African nations in terms of gold holdings. The top African countries by gold reserves are: Algeria: 174 metric tons South Africa: 125 metric tons Libya: 117 metric tons Egypt: 80.73 metric tons Morocco: 22.12 metric tons Nigeria: 21.37 metric tons Mauritius: 12.44 metric tons Ghana: 8.74 metric tons Tunisia: 6.84 metric tons Mozambique: 3.94 metric tons Despite its position in gold reserves, Ghana is a leading gold producer in Africa. In 2021, the country produced approximately 4.6 million ounces of gold, surpassing South Africa’s production…