Funding terror: how west Africa’s deadly jihadists get the money they need to survive: The west Africa–Sahel region has seen a proliferation of militant Islamist groups since the 1990s. One of the most vicious groups operating in the region is Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (Support Group for Islam and Muslims). The militant group emerged in …
Social media ‘soft girls’ depend on men for money – but Sweden once used state ‘influencers’ to urge women to get jobs: stokkete/Shutterstock The idea of becoming a “soft girl” – a woman who embrace values that are seen as soft, such as beauty and family life, at the expense of a career – is …
African countries shouldn’t have to borrow money to fix climate damage they never caused – economist: As we approach the global annual climate change conference, COP29, the need for increased public finance from the global north to address climate adaptation in Africa has become more urgent than ever. However, framing the finance debate solely around …
What happens when charities don’t spend their money on the things they are meant to?: Supermodel Naomi Campbell has been disqualified from acting as a charity trustee for five years by the UK regulator, after serious mismanagement was found to have taken place at Fashion For Relief. Campbell set up the charity in 2005; two …
Running for US president is a costly business – here’s how the candidates raise money: It costs a lot of money to become president of the United States. The 2020 presidential election cycle involved campaign expenditure of US$ 14 billion (£11 billion) – an amount that will almost certainly be beaten in November 2024. By …
Kenya has tightened its laws to stop money laundering: why banks are the focus: Kenya’s banking industry has in recent years been in the crosshairs of national, regional and international watchdogs, given the country’s role as a financial hub in eastern Africa. In 2023 Kenya enacted laws to curb money laundering and combat terrorism financing. …
Fintech is sold as the answer to Africa’s problems, but digital money services have downsides which media often overlook: The research assessed newspaper coverage of fintech in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa. Tony Karumba/AFP via Getty Images The online financial products and services known as “fintech” have become deeply embedded in the economic and social …
Pregnant women in South Africa should be offered social grants – it’ll save the state money in the long run: A baby’s first 1,000 days, from the time of conception until their second birthday, is a crucial window of opportunity to optimise their potential – through healthy nutrition for the mother during pregnancy, and then …
Why Nottingham and Birmingham will be followed by more cities running out of money: Nottingham town hall. trabantos/Shutterstock Almost a fifth of England’s council bosses have warned they are running out of money so badly that they will become effectively bankrupt this year or next. A report by the Local Government Association also indicates that …
Needing to borrow money? Four tips on what’s okay and what’s not: It’s a financially challenging time for most households. With interest rates rising, many are spending even more money on debt repayments or taking out loans to help make ends meet. A report released recently in South Africa, compiled by one of the country’s …
Why NHS England is struggling – despite more staff and money: Overall public satisfaction with the NHS in England is currently at a 40-year low of 29%, a recent survey by the King’s Fund thinktank has found. People are not happy with waiting times for GP and hospital appointments. Over half of those surveyed think …
Young people’s reluctance to talk about money is putting them at risk – here’s how to help them: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock Credit is an everyday, and often essential, part of young people’s lives. Gaining access to credit for the first time is an important transition to adulthood that can enable you to study, earn and invest in …
Football and big money: what some professional players in Ghana told us about handling their finances: Footballers are among the best paid sportsmen in most parts of the world. The unfortunate reality, however, is that the retirement experiences of many former professional footballers have been awful. Within the sports media landscape, there have been reported …
Dark patterns: how online companies strive to keep your money and data when you try to leave: Artem Samokhvalov/Shutterstock Have you signed up to an online service for a free trial, decided it isn’t for you, but still ended up paying for it months – or even years – later? Or tried cancelling a subscription, …
Dumb Money really does show how the little guys won against Wall Street – a ‘meme stock mania’ expert explains: Drawing inspiration from the real-life 1,800% spike in the value of GameStop shares in 2021, Dumb Money deftly explains the drivers of “meme stock mania” – when groups of investors on social media herd together …
Universities and their students are vulnerable to money laundering – new research: Students are at risk of being exploited by financial and organised criminals. Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock Money laundering jeopardises the security of UK citizens and the integrity of its economy. Money launderers often target financial institutions, but they are also increasingly targeting lesser regulated …
‘Girl math’ may not be smart financial advice, but it could help women feel more empowered with money: Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock If you’ve ever calculated cost per wear to justify the price of an expensive dress, or felt like you’ve made a profit after returning an ill-fitting pair of jeans, you might be an expert in …
How to get help or your money back after travel disruptions – experts explain: PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock The summer of 2023 started well for airlines, after a tumultuous few years following COVID lockdowns in most countries. Passenger numbers were up 30% in the northern hemisphere in June 2023, versus the previous year. But air …