insert_link World A weakened Hezbollah is being goaded into all-out conflict with Israel – the consequences would be devastating for all By Asher Kaufman, University of Notre Dame For almost a year, Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in increasingly provocative cross-border skirmishes as onlookers warn that this escalating war of attrition could land the region in all-out conflict. The past few days have made that devastating scenario closer to a reality. First came Israel’s pager and walkie-talkie attack, an unprecedented assault on Hezbollah’s communications that injured thousands of the […] todaySeptember 23, 2024 11
Africa Female elephants rumble to say ‘let’s go!’ New study in Namibia shows males do too, a sign of unexpected social bonds By Caitlin O'Connell-Rodwell, Harvard University In elephant family groups made up of related females and their young, it is clear that the animals produce vocal sounds to coordinate action. This happens when it’s time to leave a waterhole, for example. The matriarch or dominant female steps away from the waterhole and turns to the direction she intends to move in. Then she flaps her ears as she […] todaySeptember 23, 2024 42
insert_link Africa Colonialism and apartheid stripped black South Africans of land and labour rights – the effects are still felt today By Marthinus van Staden, University of the Witwatersrand Land dispossession among South Africa’s majority black population remains a thorny issue 30 years into democracy. Labour law scholar Marthinus van Staden’s new research examines the historical relationship between land dispossession and labour control in South Africa. It explores how the systematic seizure of indigenous people’s land during colonisation and apartheid reduced them from landowners to labourers, under exploitative […] todaySeptember 23, 2024 24
insert_link Africa Caine Prize for African Writing: Nadia Davids on her winning story about women and freedom Women in stocks in the 1500s. clu/Getty Images By Nadia Davids, University of Cape Town South African playwright, academic, novelist and short story writer Nadia Davids is the winner of the 2024 Caine Prize for African Writing. It’s an important award that has played a significant role in shaping the career trajectories of numerous African writers. She received the prize for her exquisitely written and disturbing short story […] todaySeptember 23, 2024 27
insert_link Africa Lesotho needs constitutional reforms to help gain political stability – but the latest attempt is flawed By Hoolo 'Nyane, University of Limpopo Lesotho, a small country landlocked by South Africa, has been struggling to make constitutional reforms since the advent of coalition politics in 2012. It needs the reforms to address political instability which has been a feature of the country for more than five decades. The judiciary, security agencies and civil service have been politicised, resulting in the institutions being […] todaySeptember 23, 2024 21
insert_link Africa Africa is the world’s largest market for Guinness beer – how its ad campaigns exploit men By Jordanna Matlon, American University Africa is the world’s largest market for Guinness beer (and Nigeria is second only to Britain for the most consumers in one country). The Irish brand’s success on the continent is regarded as a trailblazing business model. And that has a lot to do with their advertising campaigns over the years. Award-winning sociologist Jordanna Matlon recently published a research paper that analyses […] todaySeptember 23, 2024 12
insert_link Africa Africans who apply for Schengen visas face high rejection rates – migration scholar explains why By Mehari Taddele Maru, European University Institute Africans face a high rejection rate for visas to enter the Schengen group of countries. The group is made up of 29 European countries that have officially abolished border controls at their mutual borders. A Schengen visa is an entry permit for non-EU nationals which would allow them to make a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days in […] todaySeptember 20, 2024 17
insert_link Africa Ahead of COP16, groups warn of rights abuses linked to ‘30×30’ goal By Aimee Gaba, via Mongabay Two years since global policymakers agreed on the concept of protecting 30% of the world’s land and waters by 2030, there’s still little clarity on how achieving this goal will impact Indigenous communities who safeguard some of the most biodiverse areas on Earth. In October this year, government representatives are set to meet at the U.N. Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Colombia to talk […] todaySeptember 19, 2024 12
insert_link World UN’s pact to protect future generations will be undermined by Security Council’s veto and its use in cases of mass atrocity By Mike Brand, University of Connecticut World leaders will gather at the United Nations on Sept. 22-23, 2024, where they are set to adopt the Pact for the Future – an ambitious plan for how to best reform the U.N., and other institutions, to address the current problems of the world and protect future generations. It couldn’t come at a more pressing time. As presidents, prime […] todaySeptember 19, 2024 11