University graduates in Ghana must serve society for a year – study suggests it’s good for national unity: Almost 70 years after independence was gained across the continent, many African countries continue to face the complex task of managing ethnic diversity and building national cohesion. National cohesion is a broad and often abstract concept. It …
Humanitarian aid depends on good data: what’s wrong with the way it’s collected: The defunding of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), along with reductions in aid from the UK and elsewhere, raises questions about the continued collection of data that helps inform humanitarian efforts. Humanitarian response plans rely on accurate, accessible and up-to-date …
Local elections: what would a good night look like for Nigel Farage’s Reform?: English local elections on May 1 mark the first time widespread voting has happened in the UK since last year’s general election. They are therefore the first big test for the Labour government – but also for Reform’s Nigel Farage. Farage has …
Do cats make good therapy animals? The new trend showing felines may be more complicated than we realise: larisa Stefanjuk/Shutterstock Dogs are sociable, enthusiastic and widely used to comfort people in settings like hospitals, schools and care homes. But an increasingly popular alternative is emerging: therapy cats. The term is often used loosely in the …
Medieval Venice shows us the good art can do in times of crisis: The 14th-century mosaic in the baptistery of Venice's San Marco basilica showing the crucifixion scene with the Venetian doge and two officers of the city beneath. University of Bologna, CC BY-ND In an increasingly polarised world, the arts and humanities play a …
How does toothpaste affect the good bacteria in your mouth?: Ground Picture/Shutterstock The goal of brushing one’s teeth is to have fresh breath and prevent cavities. But the effect of toothpaste on the complex ecosystem of bacteria in our mouths — the oral microbiome — is often overlooked. Recent research has highlighted just how crucial …
Healthy soils are good for your gut, brain and wellbeing – here’s why: Degraded soils in Turkana Kapetadie village, Kenya. UNCCD, CC BY-NC-ND Often overlooked, soil is one of our planet’s largest living ecosystems and the foundation of our lives. It provides 95% of our food, supports global biodiversity and helps balance the climate by …
Watching sports is good for you – thanks to its social bonding effects: View Apart/Shutterstock Being a sports fan, whether you’re watching top flight football, the Olympic games or your favourite local team, can be a rollercoaster ride. Incredible highs if you win, depressing lows if you don’t, and lots of stressful feelings in between. …
South Africa’s media have done good work with 30 years of freedom but need more diversity: In 1992, two years before the end of apartheid, Nelson Mandela bemoaned the state of South Africa’s print media. He said the media’s domination by middle class males from the minority white population posed the biggest threat to freedom …
These are the latest trending searches on Google right now: Good Friday 2024: good friday meaning, easter friday, what is good friday: Daily Search Trends Leinster vs Bulls: Bulls: Daily Search Trends Have you tried: Farking?
Rural schools in South Africa can produce good exam results too: study shows what’s behind one success story: A child walking to school in the rural village of Qunu in South Africa. Jennifer Bruce/AFP via Getty Images Each weekday, hundreds of thousands of children and teenagers in South Africa’s rural areas (which make up just …
“That’s a good girl”: how women are infantilised during obstetric care and labour: GOLFX/Shutterstock As Kate, a participant in our research on birth experiences, struggled with the pain she was experiencing during labour, the midwife was stern. She referred to Kate as a “silly girl” and told her she needed to calm down. Finally, the …
Nigeria’s plastic ban: why it’s good and how it can work: Two weeks into January 2024, Nigerian authorities took steps to curb environmental degradation caused by plastic pollution in the country. The Federal Ministry of Environment and the Lagos State government both announced bans on single-use plastics. The Federal Ministry of Environment was the first …
Three South African universities have new approaches to assessing students: why this is a good thing: South African higher education faces many complex challenges rooted in the legacy of apartheid. They include the fact that many students are unprepared for or excluded from higher education. Quality education is not available to all. It’s therefore difficult …
Ethiopia’s quest for access to the sea: success rests on good relations with its neighbours: On 1 January, Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a memorandum of understanding granting Addis Ababa direct access to the Gulf of Aden. This strategic agreement paves the way for Ethiopia to establish commercial and military bases along the coast. Under the …
Sunscreen: why wearing it even in winter could be a good idea: The Sun's radiation can still damage our skin even in winter. Stanislav Nikolov/ Shutterstock Sunscreen has taken centre stage in many skincare routines, especially among those hoping to prevent visible signs of ageing. But while it makes sense to wear sunscreen every day …
What makes a good bird name?: Erkki Alvenmod/Shutterstock I remember my first close encounter with birds. I must have been about three years old and had discovered a blackbird nest unusually accessible in our garden hedge. Still naked and blind, the chicks had not long hatched and I discovered that if I poked the nest, …
Being humble is a good new year’s resolution – but it requires knowing what you value most: Clay Knight|Unsplash As the new year gets going, many of us make resolutions to better our lives and our selves. Counsellors and psychologists alike will tell you that the key to self-improvement is being humble. Author and coach …