Trade rules and climate change: Africa stands to lose from proposed WTO policy tools: The World Trade Organisation launched its Trade Policy Tools for Climate Action during the COP28 conference. International economic law expert Olabisi D. Akinkugbe discusses whether the new Trade Policy Tools benefit Africa. What are the WTO’s new Trade Policy Tools? The …
Proposed smoking ban would improve UK public health – but tobacco industry opposition could be a major roadblock: In his speech on Tuesday, King Charles III outlined what measures the government plans to introduce to cut smoking rates and create a smoke-free generation in England. Among the measures the government hopes to introduce as part …
‘Conversion therapy’: UK government kicks ban down the road – and there’s a major problem with what’s been proposed so far: Motortion Films/Shutterstock For the first time in four years, the king’s (or queen’s) speech has left out a promise to ban so-called “conversion therapy”. This widely discredited set of practices aims to “cure” LGBTQ+ …
Do we live in a computer simulation like in The Matrix? My proposed new law of physics backs up the idea: shutterstock canbedone/Shuttestock The simulated universe theory implies that our universe, with all its galaxies, planets and life forms, is a meticulously programmed computer simulation. In this scenario, the physical laws governing our reality are …
Advanced British Standard: Sunak’s proposed replacement for A-levels and T-levels could make education less divisive: Ground Picture/Shutterstock Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced plans to scrap A-levels and the recently introduced T-levels. He unveiled proposals for young people to instead study the new Advanced British Standard (ABS) at the Conservative party conference in Manchester. The …
Manchester Baccalaureate: how the proposed vocational GCSE route would work – and the pitfalls it must avoid: Juice Flair/Shutterstock From September 2024, GCSE pupils in Greater Manchester may be able to embark on a educational pathway created specifically for them. Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, announced his plans to introduce a Manchester Baccalaureate …
Deforestation: proposed EU import ban may fail to protect tropical rainforests and farmers – here’s how it should work: Many of the products we buy are linked to deforestation. Richard Whitcombe/Shutterstock Most European consumers’ shopping baskets tend to include items linked to deforestation in tropical regions, involving agricultural commodities such as beef, soybeans, palm oil, cocoa, …
Labour’s plan to ‘abolish’ the House of Lords: what exactly has been proposed – and the chances Keir Starmer will adopt it: A commission led by former prime minister Gordon Brown has called for a future Labour government to replace the controversial House of Lords with an elected upper chamber, in a landmark report on …
South Africa’s proposed fracking regulations should do more to protect groundwater: The Karoo landscape, a water-scarce area near potential shale gas sites. Photo courtesy Surina Esterhuyse South Africa is extremely water scarce, and water supply will become more challenging in the future. The population and economy are growing, increasing demand. Rainfall is variable and more …
South Africa’s proposed electricity industry reform: lost in translation?: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg / Getty Images South Africa’s ruling party recently proposed establishing a second state-owned power company. The purpose is to offset the “grave strategic risk” of relying on Eskom, the country’s monolithic state-owned utility. Some 15 years of poor operational and financial performance, and disruptions …
Let’s Unpack Eskoms proposed R900+ per month charge to ‘Solar Panel’ Users: Specifically with reference to Nelson Mandela Bay; “Let’s not get our knickers in a knot people!” Nelson Mandela Bay Smart Meter clients (which includes solar panel owners with properly certified Grid Tie installations) currently pay R98.35 per month WITH reduced tariffs thrown in. …
Does the government’s plan to allow ‘consensual’ conversion therapy undermine its proposed ban?: Shutterstock/Studio Romantic The UK government has announced proposals to ban so-called “conversion therapy” – attempting to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity under the guise of support. It has opened a short public consultation asking for views on its plan. …
South Africa in the news: University students’ thoughts on proposed mandatory vaccinations: As vaccinations opens up to more age groups, the topic of mandatory vaccinations has led to fierce debates. One of the spaces where mandatory vaccinations has led to many debates and conversations is …: “South Africa” – BingNews Princess Charlene speaks out about …
Alzheimer’s disease: hyperbaric oxygen proposed as treatment in new study: People wearing masks while having oxygen therapy in hyperbaric chamber. Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, has long been associated with a build-up of plaques (clumps of protein) in the brain. Scientists in Israel have shown that a type of oxygen …
South Africa in the news: US announces support for COVID-19 vaccine patent waiver as proposed by India, South Africa: The Biden administration’s decision will make it easier for the WTO’s General Council to approve the proposal. The Biden administration has announced to support India and South Africa’s proposal …: “South Africa” – BingNews Scotland waits …
Proposed law would give minister the power to block councils from removing disputed statues: In the midst of an unprecedented peacetime national emergency, the UK government is using valuable parliamentary time proposing a change in the law so that anyone seeking to remove or alter a statue, monument or plaque must first seek planning permission. …
Why the EU’s proposed carbon border levy is an important test of global action on climate change: m.mphoto / shutterstock In the more than two decades since the Kyoto Protocol was adopted, national policies on climate change have had dangerously and disappointingly little effect on global emissions. Within the current economic system, perhaps the most …
South Africa in the news: As South Africa veers from NDP jobs and poverty goals ‘course corrections’ proposed: With the National Development Plan’s (NDP’s) goals of achieving full employment and eliminating poverty by 2030 already out of reach ahead of the onset of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic, which has since …: “South Africa” – BingNews …