NIGERIA

Good humour at the president's expense

[Philip Amiola] I have observed with some degree of amusement, the wave of criticism and outrage that greeted the ill-timed ignition of president Goodluck Jonathan's 2015 political campaign machinery. The campaign message - One good term deserves another - is especially humorous. Read more >>

AFRICA

Big names converge on PetroForum Africa

Attendance at the latest African PetroForum, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa from 4-6 March 2013, has stepped up a gear, with confirmation of reportedly three of the biggest names in petroleum retail will be attending - underlining the importance of Africa in their companies' global strategies. Read more >>

EGYPT

Egypt steps up campaign against critical media

The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by a series of investigations into independent Egyptian newspapers on accusations of insulting the president or reporting false news. Some newspapers and media professionals face formal charges in connection to their critical reporting, according to news reports. Read more >>

UGANDA

MTN Uganda plans to deploy LTE in Uganda

MTN Uganda plans to deploy Long Term Evolution (LTE) network in Uganda during the coming months, reportedly being the first to offer this technology in East Africa. Popularly known as 4G, LTE is a 'standard for wireless communication of high-speed data for mobile phones and data terminals'. A 4G system provides mobile ultra-broadband internet access. Read more >>

AFRICA

iROKO Partners heads to SA in 2013

iROKO Partners, the online distributor of Nigerian movies and music, starts 2013 with the announcement of further expansion - the opening of a new office in Johannesburg, South Africa. Read more >>

AFRICA

StarAfrica.com pulls out all stops for AFCON 2013

For the Orange Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in South Africa in 2013, StarAfrica.com has pulled out all the stops to make sure all internet users enjoy the tournament. Read more >>

AFRICA

Making the connection in Africa

Ronelle Bester, MD of Red Ribbon Communications, explains why a local approach is essential when it comes to PR in Africa. Read more >>

LIBERIA

Liberian radio show suspended over comments about presidency

The Costa Show, a weekly radio program hosted by Henry Costa with guest Menipakei Dumoe, has been sanctioned by the Hot FM station management. Both Costa and Dumoe are said to have allegedly incited an Arab Spring-like protest in Liberia. Read more >>

AFRICA

Malawian journalist assaulted during radio interview

Malawian authorities must immediately investigate and bring all appropriate charges in connection with the reported assault of a radio journalist who said he was punched by a business leader angered by an interview question. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Nestle could be next target for Zim government

[Tawanda Karombo] International refined foods manufacturer Nestle invested $12m into its Zimbabwean operations in 2012 despite the uncertainty surrounding its future in Zimbabwe as the government has not yet decided upon its indigenisation compliance plans. However‚ the Swiss company has reiterated its commitment to its operations in the country. Read more >>

AFRICA

Desmond Tutu develops new African leadership series

A fresh generation of African leaders will be featured on the new Al Jazeera English series Tutu's Children. Read more >>

INDIA

Take advantage of these hot marketing trends in 2013

[Subhash Chandra] NOIDA (UP), INDIA: Unlike the traditional forms of marketing such as advertising, wherein almost everything has been said and done, search marketing is still dynamically growing and best practices are invented day in and day out. Every year, search engine marketers get filled with anticipation wondering what would emerge as the "next big thing" in search marketing. Read more >>

UNITED KINGDOM

2013 at a glance: Five crucial consumer trends business leaders should know

[*David Mattin and Saint-Francis Tohlang] LONDON, UK / JOHANNESBURG, SA: Turbulent times were predicted on the back end of 2012. The ANC Mangaung conference precipitated very little stormy seas other than an anti-climactic conclusion. The Mayan apocalypse materialised into nothing but an ordinary day. In fact with so many forecasts for change and a chasm of chaos, one may tend to be a bit sceptical with further predictions of change. Read more >>

UNITED STATES

New York Festivals World's Best Advertising flying high

NEW YORK, US: The trophy-winning work from New York Festivals International Advertising Awards will be soaring at 30,000 feet as in-flight entertainment. NYF's World's Best Advertising will be showcased on international flights on 10 airlines circling the globe: Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Etihad Airways, Finnair, Lufthansa, Qantas Airways, Royal Jordanian, Scandinavian Airlines and Thai Airways. As in-flight entertainment the award-winning work lives on long after the winners have taken home their trophies. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

We need to get South Africa working

We need to urgently shift our focus from the notion of jobs; and shift it to the concept of work... "The unemployment rate in South Africa is a crisis and should be declared a state of emergency," says Ronald Bownes, founding director of DreamWorker - a non-profit organisation. The recent Census places unemployment at 29.8% while some believe the expanded definition to be closer to 40%, writes *Chiara Baumann. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Ndebele condemns prison riots

PRETORIA: Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele says riots by aggrieved inmates will not be tolerated and those instigating them will be dealt with firmly. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Not 'business as usual' says SAA's Kona

[Nicky Smith] South African Airways (SAA) acting CEO Vuyisile Kona is preparing plans to increase revenue and improve efficiency in a bid to boost the performance of the ailing state-owned carrier. Read more >>

COTE D'IVOIRE

Lagarde says global uncertainty limits Africa growth

[Ntsakisi Maswanganyi] Continued global uncertainty‚ coupled with internal factors such as drought and associated food shortages‚ threaten Africa's economic growth prospects‚ warns International Monetary Fund's (IMF) managing director Christine Lagarde. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Lower tax collection may hurt companies

[Amanda Visser] The warning bells for tax collections had already rung in October when Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan announced collections for the 2012-13 tax year were expected to be R5bn less than budgeted. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

New penalty regime welcomed as 'more predictable'

[Amanda Visser] The new penalty regime under the Tax Administration Act is far more understandable and objective and creates more predictability than the previous regime‚ according to tax consultants who have welcomed the new system‚ saying it offers a large incentive for all taxpayers. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

SA deploys SANDF to Central African Republic

President Jacob Zuma has authorised the deployment of 400 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel to the Central African Republic (CAR), his office said on Sunday. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

New double cab joins Land Cruiser range

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] Toyota's Africa-conquering Land Cruiser 70 has undergone a number of cosmetic changes and mechanical improvements and for the first time it is now also available as a double cab. Read more >>