Relationships and sex education review: government must remember history of LGBTQ+ discrimination in English schools: roberjzm/Shutterstock Sex education in English schools is under scrutiny. A review of relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) brought forward by prime minister Rishi Sunak, will lead to new statutory guidance by the end of 2023. Sunak has also stated …
French universalism sidelines ethnic minorities – why that must change: French MP Olivier Serva has urged his government to tackle discrimination against people with afro hair. In a recent interview on the national radio station France Info, he reportedly introduced plans to present a cross-party bill to parliament by appealing to the republic’s values of …
African vaccines: local manufacturers are struggling to access the market – what must change: Afrigen, a biotechnology company based in Cape Town, South Africa was recently visited by WHO DG Dr Tedros. Kristin Palitza/picture alliance via Getty Images Two recent developments in South Africa have underscored the opportunities – and challenges – facing vaccine production …
From advertising blackmail to physical threats, Kenya’s journalists are under attack – but they must also regain public trust: Journalists take cover during March 2023 protests in Kenya. Boniface Muthoni/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images In recent months, Kenyan journalists have been harassed, intimidated and attacked by government officials, politicians and members of the public. George …
Ukraine war: Pentagon leaks paint gloomy picture of long war that can’t be won but must not be lost: Classified Pentagon documents leaked last week paint a grim picture of the trajectory of the war in Ukraine. While it may well be the most significant national security breach since the Snowden leaks of US National …
Green energy: South Africa’s transition plan must be careful not to deepen inequality – the 3 top issues: Jon Callas/Flickr Since the UN Climate Change Agreement was signed by 196 nations in December 2015, many countries have announced policies to reduce their fossil fuel emissions. Their commitments are set out in nationally determined actions they’ll …
What central banks are doing to safeguard financial stability and why they must proceed with caution: Trying to maintain some stability. David Gyung/Shutterstock Before a crucial week of interest rate decisions for central banks, and on the eve of the emergency takeover of banking giant Credit Suisse, the Bank of England and five other major …
Casey review: key steps the Met police must take to address its institutional racism and sexism: Ian_Stewart/Shutterstock Baroness Louise Casey has found that London’s Metropolitan police force is institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic. We heard similar 24 years ago when, after the incompetent investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence, Sir William MacPherson reported that …
Ukraine war: ICC’s Putin arrest warrant may be symbolic but must be the beginning of holding the Russian leader accountable: Marking the ninth anniversary of his illegal annexation of Crimea, Russian president Vladimir Putin visited the occupied Ukrainian peninsula on March 18. His visit came a day after the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The …
Spring budget 2023: free early years places extended – but needs of children and staff must not be forgotten: DGLimages/Shutterstock The centrepiece of the spring 2023 budget was the provision of funded early years places for children of working parents. This will be expanded to cover children from nine months old until they start school, …
Nigeria’s cities are growing fast: family planning must be part of urban development plans: Government investments in infrastructure in Nigeria will remain insufficient as urban populations grow. Frederic Soltan/Getty Images Nigeria is rapidly urbanising, with more people living in urban areas than in rural communities. A recent World Bank estimate shows that 53% of the …
A history of Zambia’s green policies shows why environment and development must go hand in hand: The Barotse Sub-Basin in Zambia is part of the country's climate resilience plan. Wikimedia Commons/Flickr Climate change and environmental policy measures have become a central part of planning for sustainable development and avoiding crises such as food and water …
South Africa’s intelligence agency needs speedy reform – or it must be shut down: Mondli Gungubele, Minister in the Presidency, is in charge of intelligence. Siyabulela Duga/GCIS South Africa’s civilian intelligence service, the State Security Agency, is a broken institution. It is meant to provide intelligence to forewarn the country about national security threats. Powerful …
Ukraine: this new cold war must end before the world faces Armageddon: One year of war and Russia is still mired in its second invasion of its neighbour’s internationally recognised territory – which turned out to be much bloodier and more devastating than the first due to Ukraine’s incomparably stronger resistance. The war’s international dimension …
Nigeria’s natural resources are under threat – urgent steps a new president must take: Waste on Lekki beach, Lagos Alucardion/Shutterstock By the end of May 2023 Nigeria will have a new president following February’s elections. Among their many duties the person who takes over will be expected to appraise the nation’s performance and its commitment …
For developing world to quit coal, rich countries must eliminate oil and gas faster – new study: Limiting how much coal countries can burn is considered an urgent priority for restraining global heating. After all, coal is the most carbon-rich of all fossil fuels and its combustion has contributed the most to planetary warming. For …
Ukraine 12 months at war: why Kyiv’s western allies must rethink the limits of their military aid: “Range anxiety” is a phrase most often associated with electric vehicles having to regularly charge their batteries. But it is also central to an understanding of the protracted nature of the limited war being fought between Russia and …
Pan-Africanism remains a dream – 4 key issues the African Union must tackle: Delegates at an African Union summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, in 2022. AFP via Getty Images The African Union (AU) – made up of 55 member countries – has made significant progress with integrating the countries of the continent and giving them …