What will the world’s richest man do in the White House? Our correspondent analyses the political and ideological role Elon Musk could play in Donald Trump’s second term. “Small things like these” may be fiction but it is based on grim historical truths in Ireland (9:30). And Chile is suffering a spate of salmon heists (15:22).
This episode features an illuminating dialogue with Lanre Kolade, Chairman of ConnectedCompute, CEO of Koltronics Nigeria and former CEO of CSquared, exploring the intricate dynamics of infrastructure development and digital transformation across Africa.
Episode overview:
Andile Masuku engages with Kolade to unpack his 26-year journey in African broadband connectivity, examining the delicate balance between commercial viability and developmental impact in major infrastructure projects.
Kolade shares profound insights on building sustainable digital infrastructure in African markets as he reflects on his experience leading groundbreaking initiatives at CSquared, including the Google Equiano Cable landing in Togo in 2022.
Key topics:
• Blended finance models for infrastructure development
• Digital colonisation and sovereignty
• Public-private partnerships in African markets
• Infrastructure's role in ecosystem development
• Patient capital versus commercial funding
• Long-term impact versus short-term returns
Notable points:
1. The landmark Google Equiano Cable landing in Togo through CSquared
2. Innovation in blended finance structures combining government, development, and private funding
3. The transformative impact of strategic infrastructure investments
4. The role of patient capital in African digital development
Perspectives on emerging technologies like Starlink
Listen in for practical insights into infrastructure development, innovative financing, and digital transformation across Africa's evolving technology landscape.
Editorial Note: This podcast conversation was recorded at the fringes of NOVACOM Africa 1-to-1 Telco Summit 2024 in Franschhoek, South Africa, where African Tech Roundup's executive producer Andile Masuku attended as an independent media guest. African Tech Roundup maintains complete editorial oversight and is not affiliated with the event organisers.
Throughout the election, we heard one warning, repeated ad infinitum: A Donald Trump victory would precipitate a fascist dictatorship, and the United States would soon resemble Nazi Germany.
But Democrats didn’t take up arms to defend the ramparts of democracy. They didn’t repel Trump’s storm troopers who descended on Washington. Instead, something more. . . traditional happened. President Joe Biden welcomed Donald Trump to the White House, congratulated him, and promised a “smooth transition.” (A courtesy, we should note, that Trump did not extend to Biden in 2020.)
But now that Democrats have lost power—both in the White House and Congress—what changes should they make to regain it?
Here to answer that question today are Freddie deBoer and Ruy Teixeira. Freddie is a writer, self-described Marxist, and longtime critic of “social justice” identity politics. Ruy is a political demographer, Democratic strategist, and co-author of the book, Where Have all the Democrats Gone?
We talk about how Democrats became the party of elites, whether Kamala Harris’s loss is the death knell of identity politics, why abortion wasn’t enough to save the Democrats, and whether the party will learn any significant lessons from this historic defeat.
If you liked what you heard from Honestly, the best way to support us is to go to TheFP.com and become a Free Press subscriber today.
Since the election, a number of organizations, journalists, and left-leaning X users have announced their intentions to leave the town square formerly known as Twitter and move over to Threads or Bluesky. Leah talks with WIRED reporters David Gilbert and Vittoria Elliott about what these X-pats will find on the newer platforms, what happens to X when there are no more libs to troll, and just how fragmented online communities are now.
Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. David Gilbert is @DaithaiGilbert. Vittoria Elliott is @telliotter. Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here.
A turkey is the centerpiece of countless Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Yet most of us know almost nothing about today’s specially bred, commercially produced birds. In this brief book, bestselling author Peter Singer tells their story—and, unfortunately, it’s not a happy one. Along the way, he also offers a brief history of the turkey and its consumption, ridicules the annual U.S. presidential “pardon” of a Thanksgiving turkey, and introduces us to “a tremendously handsome, outgoing, and intelligent turkey” named Cornelius. Above all, Singer explains how we can improve our holiday tables—for turkeys, people, and the planet—by liberating ourselves from the traditional turkey feast. In its place, he encourages us to consider trying a vegetarian alternative—or just serving the side dishes that many people already enjoy far more than turkey. Complete with some delicious recipes for turkey-free holiday feasting, Consider the Turkey (Princeton University Press, 2024) will make you reconsider what you serve for your next holiday meal—or even tomorrow’s dinner.
Peter Singer is a professor of bioethics, with a background in philosophy. He works mostly in practical ethics and is best known for Animal Liberation and for his writings about global poverty.
Kyle Johannsen is Sessional Faculty Member in the Department of Philosophy at Trent University. His most recent authored book is Wild Animal Ethics: The Moral and Political Problem of Wild Animal Suffering (Routledge, 2021).
There is an excellent chance that you know someone who has a twin sibling. In fact, there are some of you listening who have a twin brother or sister.
Multiple births are something that isn’t common but also isn’t super rare, either. However, multiple births have actually become more common over time despite the fact that there are some types of multiple births that are exceedingly rare.
Learn more about multiple births, twins, triplets, and more, and how they happen, on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.
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The reality show that is President-elect Donald Trump’s White House appointments keeps on rolling. In the last few days, Trump has picked World Wrestling Entertainment co-founder Linda McMahon to be his Secretary of Education, former acting Attorney General and toilet scammer Matthew Whitaker for U.S. ambassador to NATO, and billionaire former finance executive Howard Lutnick for Secretary of Commerce. Can any of these people win confirmation from the Senate? TBD! But Trump’s team says it doesn’t really matter because they want to force the president-elect’s unqualified picks through with recess appointments. Casey Burgat, director of the Legislative Affairs program at George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management, explains how that would work.
And in headlines: Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders forced a Senate vote to stop the U.S. from selling weapons to Israel, more details emerge about the sexual misconduct allegations against former Rep. Matt Gaetz, Texas has offered up thousands of acres of land to the Trump administration to construct deportation facilities.
We’ll tell you about the latest drama over the ethics report for Trump’s attorney general pick.
More specific plans from Elon Musk for thousands of cuts across the federal government.
And a new controversial bathroom policy at the U.S. Capitol – before the first transgender member of Congress starts in January.
Also, what to know about one of the strongest storms on record for the Pacific Northwest. It’s already turned deadly and it’s not over yet.
Plus, a few things to keep in mind before buying toys online this holiday season, if Reddit or Venmo weren’t working for you yesterday: you’re not alone, and why a store-bought banana sold for over six-million dollars.
Those stories and even more news to know in about 10 minutes!
Join us every Mon-Fri for more daily news roundups!
This episode is brought to you by SKIMS. Shop Holiday Shop atSKIMS.com. Available in styles for women, men, kids and even pets!
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Warren Buffett’s biggest trade of the year? Cash… The world’s top investor ain’t into stocks right now.
Tropicana sales fell 20% because it changed its bottle… again.
The #1-downloaded social media app right now is Bluesky… by copying the OG Twitter.
Plus, would you buy canned Lake Como air from Italy for $11?... Because one business is selling it.
$PEP $KO $BRK.B
🧢 The TBOY holiday merch drop ends today Thursday 11/21: Shop now @ www.tboypod.com/shop
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