Ethiopia lost $146 million due to internet blackouts in 2022

16 days ago Quartz

It affected over 1 million internet users. AdvertisementIn 2020, the country lost $100 million to internet outage which rose to $164.5 million in 2021, affecting 21.3 million users. “Internet access was cut twice in early January and again in June as protests were crushed and protestors killed. Internet access in Sudan was also deliberately disrupted by the government 11 times in June to prevent cheating in exams,” the study says. Advertisement“In two incidents during the weeks leading up to important parliamentary by-elections, authorities in Zimbabwe throttled internet speeds and cut internet access during opposition party rallies,” notes the report.
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WhatsApp clone apps are being hacked — Quartz Africa Weekly — Quartz

This story was published on our Quartz Africa Weekly newsletter, news and culture from around the continentHi Quartz Africa readers,When WhatsApp clone apps such YoWhatsApp (YoWa), WhatsAppGB and FMWhatsapp came into the market, they wowed millions in Africa and beyond with their expanded privacy features, custom fonts, bulk messaging, and the ability to transfer files of up to 700MBs. Moscow-based cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has warned that a Trojan Horse by the name Triada, can penetrate into private messaging and take control of all smartphone services if the user is not using the legitimate WhatsApp app. Within the Middle east and Africa region, the firm says 27% of those affected are from African countries. If you received this email from a friend or colleague, you can sign up here to receive the Quartz Africa Weekly Brief in your inbox every week. You can also follow Quartz Africa on Facebook.

3 months ago Quartz

The Great British Wank Off

The oddsmakers still favor Rishi Sunak, who was runner-up to Truss last time around, which was last month. Commodity prices falling is a clear signal that overall demand is slowing, and another indication the US could fall into recession. Developments in AI have produced digital art marvels and allegedly sentient chatbots, but the industry itself is far from automated. And don’t hesitate to reach out with comments, questions, or topics you want to know more about. Have a weekend free of British politics,—Zachary M. Seward, editor-in-chiefAdditional contributions by Julia Malleck and Alex Citrin-Safadi

3 months ago Quartz

The House Jan. 6 committee’s criminal referrals don’t guarantee Trump will see his day in court

Criminal charges should be brought against former president Donald Trump over the Capitol Hill riots of Jan. 6, 2021, according to a bipartisan House committee that spent 17 months investigating the event. The panel, set up in July 2021, will dissolve on Jan. 3, and the new Republican-led House is unlikely to revive it. Yet, House Jan. 6 committee head Bennie Thompson is confident the justice department will probe and charge Trump. A professor at Chapman University at the time, Eastman spoke during Trump’s rally at the White House Ellipse ahead of the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol. For years, Trump has guarded his tax returns from the public view—but that could change soon.

1 month ago Quartz

Europe’s largest rare earth deposit was found in Sweden

Here’s what you need to knowEurope’s largest rare earth deposit was discovered in Sweden. The reported 1 million tons of minerals, used in everything from phones to batteries, could be key to the green transition. The German engineering and tech company will use the future Suzhou plant to develop and assemble EV components. Her media distribution company JKN Global Group bought the competition, which includes Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, in October for $20 million. Primarily, though, it’s a big bet on the continued growth of global car sales, and China’s convinced it’ll pay off.

16 days ago Quartz

The US housing market is terrible for both sellers and buyers — Quartz Daily Brief — Quartz

This story was published on our Quartz Daily Brief newsletter, the concise, conversational rundown you need to start your dayGOOD MORNING, QUARTZ READERS! The housing market conditions are terrible for both sellers and buyers. The Biden administration is also reportedly considering security reviews of some of the SpaceX founders’ ventures, including the Twitter takeover. In 2021, vinyl outsold CDs for the first time in three decades. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Sofia Lotto Persio, Scott Nover, Julia Malleck, Niharika Sharma, and Morgan Haefner.

3 months ago Quartz

Brazil’s election winner will play a key role in the climate crisis

Since incumbent president Jair Bolsonaro performed better than polls predicted in the Oct. 2 vote, his chances of retaining power have improved. Support has grown thanks to his administration’s pro-business moves that have helped bring down consumer costs through tax cuts and reduce unemployment. On Oct. 25, the scientific journal once again rang alarm bells, citing that, in the Amazon alone, deforestation has nearly doubled since he came into power. During Lula’s last tenure, Amazon deforestation was down 70%. Related stories🍃 The Nile Delta isn’t ready for climate change🌎 Scientists have finally added world politics to their climate models🇧🇷 Brazil’s Bolsonaro has his same old election fraud excuse ready if he loses

3 months ago Quartz

How Alessandro Michele went out of fashion at Gucci

After a 20-year-long stint at Gucci, including seven years at the helm, fashion designer Alessandro Michele is bowing out. “Gucci is suffering from brand fatigue as Alessandro Michele has been doing more of the same for seven years,” Luca Solca, analyst at Bernstein, told the Financial Times. 🌎 In 2019, Gucci decided to go carbon neutral. May you always live by your passions, propelled by the wind of freedom” -Alessandro MicheleAdvertisementRelated stories🤔 What’s wrong with Gucci? 🖼️ The creative head at Gucci landed his job with a mood board🤑 When did customers of luxury brands get so young?

2 months ago Quartz

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