Somalia at 65: what’s needed to address its dismal social development indicators: Somalia ranks among the lowest scoring countries in the United Nations Human Development Index. The index of 195 countries is a summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, years of schooling, and access to …
South Africa’s debt has skyrocketed – new rules are needed to manage it: South Africa’s fiscal trajectory paints a concerning picture. Public expenditure exceeds revenue. As a result sovereign debt is building up and interest on this debt is increasing. This raises concerns over the South African government’s financial sustainability. The debt-to-GDP ratio has skyrocketed …
Better ways to recover metals needed for technology from electronic waste could benefit the environment and human health: Korawat photo shoot / Shutterstock Our increasing reliance on technology is placing pressure on the global supply of materials that are essential for manufacturing electronic devices. Raw materials are being mined to cover the demand for smartphones, …
Terrorism is spreading in west Africa – foreign and regional collaboration are needed to fight the threat: The United States army has completed its withdrawal from Niger after 11 years of military cooperation with the west African country. This follows a major disagreement earlier in the year when the Nigerien government accused the US of …
Jobs of the future: South Africa has major gaps in skills needed to shape the green economy: Globally, there’s a shortage of people with the expertise and skills needed to drive the transition towards a green economy – known as green talent. The pool of green talent needs to be doubled by 2050 if the …
DRC-Rwanda crisis: what’s needed to prevent a regional war: In the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South African, Burundian and Tanzanian troops are fighting against the Rwandan army, which has deployed in support of the rebellion by the March 23 Movement, or M23. Soldiers from South Africa and Burundi, as well as from …
How much income is needed to live well in the UK in 2023? At least £29,500 – much more than many households bring in: StanislauV/Shutterstock You don’t have to look very hard at the moment to find evidence of the immense financial pressure on UK households. New figures from the Trussell Trust show that 1.5 …
Charting the Academic Path: Subjects Needed for Software Development in South Africa: In the digital age, software development stands as one of the most sought-after careers. South Africa, with its burgeoning tech industry, is no exception. For those aspiring to dive into this dynamic field, understanding the academic prerequisites can be a game-changer. Embarking …
World’s beaches are changing because of climate change – green thinking is needed to save them: Coastlines – the interface between land and sea – lie at the frontline in the battle against climate change impacts. Globally, almost 1 billion people now live within 10km of a coastline and the same number live in areas …
Rising temperatures mean more air conditioning which means more electricity is needed – rooftop solar is a perfect fit: Douglas Cliff / shutterstock On June 12 this year, the UK’s last remaining coal-fired power station was awoken from a 46-day slumber to meet demand for electricity to run air-conditioning units. These were rare circumstances as …
Sickle cell disease is rife in west Africa – a fresh approach is needed to combat it: Sub-Saharan Africa is the region with the highest prevalence of sickle cell disease Wikimedia Commons Sickle cell disease refers to a group of inherited blood disorders with symptoms like anaemia and blocked blood vessels. About 80% of the …
South Africa’s new Marriage Bill raises many thorny issues – a balancing act is needed: Brides attend a mass wedding ceremony at the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, south of Johannesburg. Ihsaan Haffejee/AFP via Getty Images South Africa is changing its marriage law to recognise all types of intimate partnerships – irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, …
Mali crisis: UN peacekeepers are leaving after 10 years – what’s needed for a smooth transition: Malians march against the UN peacekeeping force in Bamako in September 2022. Ousmane Makaveli/AFP via Getty Images The UN Security Council voted on 30 June 2023 to end its peacekeeping mission in Mali, Minusma, after Mali officially requested its …
South Africa has changed its electoral law, but a much more serious overhaul is needed: Hundreds of people stand in line to vote in South Africa's first democratic election in April 1994. Brooks Kraft LLC/Sygma via Getty Images South African president Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed into law a change to the country’s electoral act to …
‘Leeds 2023’: can investment in culture improve a city’s health? Yes, but more ambition is needed: The city of Leeds under a rainbow. Lison Zhao/Unsplash With an ageing population, NHS England waiting lists are shockingly high. Amid a national mental health crisis, it makes sense to look for creative solutions. There is a growing interest …
Flooding in Nigeria is on the rise – good forecasts, drains and risk maps are urgently needed: Forecasting, risk plans and effective drainage systems can mitigate the impact of severe floods. Photo by Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP via Getty Images. Getty Images Nigeria is one of the most flood-prone countries in west Africa. Many areas experience …
IPCC’s conservative nature masks true scale of action needed to avert catastrophic climate change: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) synthesis report recently landed with an authoritative thump, giving voice to hundreds of scientists endeavouring to understand the unfolding calamity of global heating. What’s changed since the last one in 2014? Well, we’ve dumped …
More ethnic minority teachers are needed in UK schools – but teaching can affect their mental health and wellbeing: wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock There is a major shortage of new teachers in England, and this includes teachers from ethnic minority backgrounds. Research from 2020 found that 46% of schools in England had no Black or ethnic minority teaching …