Ukraine: it’s clear right now there are no serious plans for peace: When it comes to the sincerity, or otherwise, of Vladimir Putin’s apparent willingness to talk peace with Ukraine, the Russian leader has given us plenty of hints. He may insist he wants to see a deal done and an end to the killing. …
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says antidepressants are harder to quit than heroin – is he right?: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been sworn in as the US health and human services secretary, despite saying a few things that raised eyebrows during his confirmation hearing. One of those things was the claim that some people have …
Protesting farmers are having to fight off the radical right, conspiracy theorists and climate sceptics: Thousands of farmers travelled to London on November 19 to protest the new government’s first budget and its imposition of new inheritance tax rules. Nearly a month later, on December 12, there was another protest, this time with more tractors, …
State surveillance: Kenyans have a right to privacy – does the government respect it?: The Kenyan government is using technology to improve governance, service delivery and national security. The progress, while welcome, has brought with it concerns about state surveillance, data protection, and violations of fundamental rights and freedoms. Following anti-government protests in Kenya that …
Senegal’s elections were a triumph for democracy – what went right: Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye unexpectedly called a snap legislative election which was held on 17 November. Faye was sworn in as president in April after a tumultuous period, triggered when former president Macky Sall postponed a scheduled presidential election. Mass protests followed, exposing …
Getting carbon capture right will be hard – but that doesn’t make it optional: Kodda / Shutterstock The UK government has given the go-ahead to carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) schemes worth £22 billion (US$ 28.6 billion). Critics are insisting that this technology – which involves capturing carbon as it is emitted or taking …
What a ‘right to disconnect’ from work could look like in the UK: With tech and flexible-working, the boundaries between work and home have become blurred. bbernard/Shutterstock The UK’s new government has promised to take action to “promote a positive work-life balance for all workers”, and to prevent homes “turning into 24/7 offices”. The risk …
How do I plan for my retirement? Step one – start right away: Planning for retirement is important because it will help you build the nest egg you’ll need to financially sustain your retirement years. Past studies have shown that those who plan for their retirement are more likely to be better off at retirement …
Choosing the Right Laptop for Your Needs: Introduction When it comes to selecting a new laptop, the plethora of options available can be overwhelming. This article aims to simplify the process by guiding you through the essential factors to consider before making your purchase. Understanding Your Requirements Before diving into the specifications and features, …
US Christian right has taken aim at LGBTIQ+ rights, sex education and abortion in Africa – new book: A new book – The US Christian Right and Pro-Family Politics in 21st Century Africa – reveals the role played by some right wing US Christian groups in trying to spread their social and moral influence in …
Blue Eye Samurai: historian explains what the Netflix series gets right and wrong about real Edo-period Japan: Warning: this article includes spoilers for Blue Eye Samurai. Netflix’s Blue Eye Samurai is an anime series set during the opening decades of Japan’s Edo period (1603–1867), also known as the Tokugawa period. Among other subjects, the series …
Look to the mainstream to explain the rise of the far right: Javier Milei in Argentina. Geert Wilders in the Netherlands. These are the two latest “populist shocks” – the tip of the “populist wave” that comes crashing against the weakened defences of liberal democracies. At the same time, former UKIP leader Nigel Farage benefits …
Europe’s radical right has made challenging Brussels a winning formula – so why hasn’t the radical left made the same gains?: With roughly six months to go, the radical right looks set to make significant gains in the 2024 European elections. The biggest share of votes is still likely to go to parties of the …
Visa-free travel for Africans: why Kenya and Rwanda have taken a step in the right direction: President William Ruto of Kenya recently announced that Kenya’s borders would be open to visitors from the entirety of Africa, with no visas required, by the end of 2023. He said When people cannot travel, business people cannot travel, …
My mathematical model cautions Rishi Sunak against shifting to the right ahead of the next election: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gave the strongest indication yet that he intends to call the next election for around October 2024 when he released a promotional video asking “What can a country achieve in 52 weeks?” to mark his …
Why it’s so hard to be young in Britain right now: Cast of Thousands/Shutterstock If you’re taking the first steps in your career right now, you’re doing so in the face of a high cost of living and an increasingly inaccessible housing market. You may well be facing the reality that you will be worse …
Inflation: raising interest rates was never the right medicine – here’s why central bankers did it anyway: Pain, no gain? Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey. IMF, CC BY-SA Inflation remains too high in the UK. The annual rate of consumer price inflation to September was 6.7%, the same as a month earlier. This is well …
AI: we may not need a new human right to protect us from decisions by algorithms – the laws already exist: Hiring algorithms could filter candidates before interviews even take place. fizkes / Shutterstock There are risks and harms that come with relying on algorithms to make decisions. People are already feeling the impact of …