PKK’s decision to disband shows the benefit of engaging in politics rather than an armed struggle: The recent decision by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to disarm and disband has important lessons for any country facing a seemingly intractable insurgency. On May 12, the group stated that following its 12th Congress it will “dissolve the …
Ocean currents can generate electricity – and our study shows Africa’s seas have some of the strongest: The world’s oceans cover more than 70% of Earth’s surface. They’re filled with currents, some much stronger than the fastest flowing large rivers. These currents can be harnessed as clean, marine renewable energy. Marine energy is much more …
History shows that Donald Trump is making a serious error in appeasing Vladimir Putin: The policy of appeasement – strategic concessions to an aggressor that are designed to avoid war – is generally most closely associated in the UK with the Conservative leader Neville Chamberlain, prime minister between May 1937 and May 1940. When Chamberlain …
Historical films and TV shows are embracing diversity – but real historical voices are still overlooked: In the Disney+ television series, A Thousand Blows, Malachi Kirby plays Hezekiah Moscow, a Jamaican immigrant in London who is part of an underground boxing ring in the 1880s. The character, like many in the show, is based on …
Why are women paid less than men? New research in South Africa shows the company you work for makes the biggest difference: Why do women earn less than men? The usual suspects – occupation, hours, experience – explain some of it. But a powerful, often overlooked reason is simply this: where women work. The companies …
White Lotus: ‘the show’s depiction of sibling sexual behaviour is incredibly harmful’ – expert opinion: This article contains spoilers for season three of The White Lotus The White Lotus is a show where a lot of sex happens and many taboos are explored. For instance, in episode seven the impact on one character of watching …
Medieval Venice shows us the good art can do in times of crisis: The 14th-century mosaic in the baptistery of Venice's San Marco basilica showing the crucifixion scene with the Venetian doge and two officers of the city beneath. University of Bologna, CC BY-ND In an increasingly polarised world, the arts and humanities play a …
Oscar contender The Last Ranger shows that the world still wants to see South African stories: The Last Ranger is South Africa’s latest Oscar nominated film – and the only African movie on the 2025 shortlist for the career-making US awards. The 28-minute short film, shot on location in a game reserve in the Eastern …
Sediment is a time capsule that shows how past climate change altered our landscapes – and hints at their future: Sediments are more than just layers of mud on the ground. They can reveal a wealth of information about landscapes from millions of years ago right up to the present day. To delve into those …
South Africa’s fight against extreme poverty needs a new strategy – model shows how social grants could work: South Africa has been struggling for decades to reduce poverty, inequality and unemployment and raise the rate of economic growth. Economic growth has been slow since a recession in 2008. The annual growth rate averaged 1.1% between …
Kenya protests: Gen Z shows the power of digital activism – driving change from screens to the streets: Nationwide demonstrations have erupted in Kenya over a controversial tax bill. The Finance Bill 2024, initially presented to parliament in May, has sparked discontent with an increase in an array of taxes and levies for Kenyans. The …
Fish and chips on Mars: our research shows how colonists could produce their own food: sciencepics/Shutterstock Humans can’t help being fascinated by space. And that interest seems to be making the possibility of moving humanity to another planet, like Mars or the Moon, more distinct, with Nasa hoping to set up colonies in the next …
Race still divides South Africa – study shows little transformation in new suburbs in country’s economic hub: As South Africa reflects on 30 years of democracy, it’s important to ask whether its cities have changed for the better when it comes to racial mixing. During apartheid, South Africa’s residential development was segregated in law along …
TikTok in Kenya: the government wants to restrict it, but my study shows it can be useful and empowering: Every day, 750 million people around the world engage with Tiktok – the short-video sharing app. Kenyans are among its top users. According to a Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2023, 54% of Kenyans sampled used …
Want to be an influencer? Our research shows what you need to know first: Maridav/Shutterstock You’re hard at work, lying in a hammock, composing the perfect selfie on the beach. The turquoise sea sets off the idyllic sunset, and just visible though the fronds of a palm tree is the logo of the hotel which …
Minimum wage for South African farm workers: study shows 2013 hike helped reduce poverty even though compliance was poor: Minimum wage policies are typically aimed at reducing poverty. Yet there is little direct evidence of this effect, especially in developing countries. And none for South Africa. In a recent paper, we consider the income, employment …
South African study shows the power of sharing daily experiences for teachers to learn how to include all learners: Teachers can learn from each other and come to see that they are inclusive educators. zeljkosantrac/Getty Images Globally, more than 258 million children and young people between the ages of 6 and 17 are not in …
Rural schools in South Africa can produce good exam results too: study shows what’s behind one success story: A child walking to school in the rural village of Qunu in South Africa. Jennifer Bruce/AFP via Getty Images Each weekday, hundreds of thousands of children and teenagers in South Africa’s rural areas (which make up just …