Somaliland elections: what’s at stake for independence, stability and shifting power dynamics in the Horn of Africa: Somaliland is due to hold a presidential election on 13 November 2024. The results of the election will be important for two main reasons. First, what the leadership outcome will mean for Somaliland’s democratic credentials. Second, it will …
Forest fires are shifting north and intensifying – here’s what that means for the planet: Fires have long been a natural part of forest ecosystems, but something is changing. Our new study shows that forest fires have become more widespread and severe amid global heating, particularly in the high northern latitudes such as Canada and …
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 …
The global approach to serious crimes is shifting to domestic trials – here’s what I found in three African countries: Domestic trials of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes are considered quicker, cheaper and more responsive to victims’ needs than the International Criminal Court’s trials in The Hague. But prioritising domestic accountability for the …
Gabon coup: Bongo’s rule ended by failed promises and shifting alliances: The Bongo family’s 56 year hold on power in Gabon was abruptly brought to an end with a military coup on 30 August. The military takeover happened hours after election results were announced that gave Ali Bongo Ondimba a third term. Gyldas Ofoulhast-Othamot, a …
China’s Africa strategy is shifting from extraction to investment – driven from the industry-rich Hunan region: China experienced a massive economic boom in the 1990s and 2000s which increased its demand for resource imports, like oil, from Africa. This led to a model of development finance in which China funded infrastructure in African countries in …
Elon Musk crowdsourced Twitter’s new X logo but research shows shifting focus to the ‘everything app’ may be premature: A succession of upheavals have characterised Elon Musk’s leadership of Twitter since he acquired the social media platform in November 2022 – from his U-turns on the acquisition, to firings and rehirings and a significant drop …
How Russia is shifting to a war economy in the face of international sanctions: As Russia’s progress in Ukraine has stalled, with enormous losses in material and people, the frustrated head of the Wagner mercenary force Yevgeny Prigozhin has called for Russia to shift to a total war economy: The Kremlin must declare a new …
Why democratic countries around the world are not prepared to support Ukraine – and some are shifting closer to Russia: After over a year of the Ukraine war, efforts at building a global consensus against Russia seem to have stalled, with many countries opting for neutrality. The number of countries condemning Russia has declined, according …
Ukraine: Kremlin warning of ‘forever war’ reflects shifting Russian rhetoric about ‘special military operation’: Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, warned Russians that they must prepare for a “forever war”. “Things will get much harder,” Peskov told a gathering of the country’s political elite. “This will take a very, very long time.” It’s a far cry …
Ukraine war: Serbia is shifting closer to Russia – here’s why: Vladmir Putin is very popular in Serbia. Sasa Dzambic Photography Putin is the world leader that Serbs admire the most and 95% of Serbs see Russia as a true ally, compared to only 11% who see the EU that way, despite the EU being …
The right to food: activism and litigation are shifting the dial in South Africa: A recent court case forced the Department of Basic Education to resume the National School Nutrition Programme for nine million learners around the country. Shutterstock Even before the pandemic and the recent global rise in food prices, millions of South Africans …
Australian election: how the country’s political landscape is shifting – podcast: As Australians prepare to vote in federal elections on May 21, in this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we explore how the country’s political landscape is shifting – and why the writing may be on the wall for Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Scott …
Is current space law equipped to handle a new era of shifting power structures in space? The Conversation Weekly podcast transcript: The Ukraine invasion has increased tensions surrounding the International Space Station. Andrey Armyagov via Shutterstock This is a transcript of The Conversation Weekly podcast episode: Ukraine invasion threatens international collaboration in space – is …
Air pollution exposure is shifting from outdoor to indoor – here’s why: Olga Soloveva/Shutterstock You may have seen the before-and-after-lockdown photos of major cities that appear to show dramatic changes in air quality. In one, the India Gate war memorial in New Delhi is barely visible amid the smog. Then, during lockdown, it’s clearly visible …
Sudan’s ‘forgotten’ pyramids risk being buried by shifting sand dunes: Martchan / shutterstock The word “pyramid” is synonymous with Egypt, but it is actually neighbouring Sudan that is home to the world’s largest collection of these spectacular ancient structures. Beginning around 2500BC, Sudan’s ancient Nubian civilisation left behind more than 200 pyramids that rise out …
How smugglers are shifting staggering amounts of contraband despite the pandemic: On July 1, Italian police made the largest amphetamine seizure in the world. At the port of Salerno, just south of Naples, they used chainsaws to open large cylinders of paper and industrial machinery that were inside shipping containers from Syria and found 14 …
Navigating the Shifting Sands of Social Media and Nailing Those Sales: For the longest time I have preached the following: If you have valuable unique content, post it in YOUR SPACE first – by YOUR SPACE I mean on your web site, one that you control and pay for. THEN use Social Media as your …