insert_link World UK election called for 4 July – what happens next? Situation vacant? Nikonpete/Shutterstock By Christopher Kirkland, York St John University On a rainy afternoon in London, an increasingly damp Rishi Sunak confirmed what many had been speculating for most of the day in a speech outside 10 Downing Street – that the UK is heading for an election earlier than anticipated. Here’s what to expect in the weeks ahead. When is the UK having an election? Election […] todayMay 24, 2024 15
insert_link Environment South Africa: Gold mine pollution is poisoning Soweto’s water and soil – study finds food gardens are at risk By Lesego Khomo, University of South Africa For 140 years, gold mines in Johannesburg, South Africa have been leaking wastewater contaminated with heavy metals. The acid mine drainage from Johannesburg’s estimated 278 abandoned mines and 200 mine dumps includes uranium (a radioactive metal), toxic arsenic, copper, cobalt, nickel, lead and zinc. Acid mine drainage can pollute land and water sources up to 20 kilometres away from […] todayMay 24, 2024 47
insert_link Lifestyle How do I plan for my retirement? Step one – start right away By Bomikazi Zeka, University of Canberra 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 compared to those don’t. The sooner the planning process gets underway, the better. This gives your money […] todayMay 24, 2024 16
insert_link Lifestyle Pets give companionship, cuddles and joy – and also unavoidable stresses Pets can bring joy and companionship, as well as financial worries, loss and logistical challenges. Dann Tardif/Stone via Getty Images By Emily Hemendinger, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Owning a pet can be a roller coaster. There are the highs, like when your dog greets you with a full-body wiggle when you return home, or when your cat purrs loudly as you cuddle next to one […] todayMay 23, 2024 20
insert_link Environment Heat waves can be deadly for older adults: An aging global population and rising temperatures mean millions are at risk Older adults face health risks from high heat for many reasons, including medications. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez By Deborah Carr, Boston University; Enrica De Cian, Ca' Foscari University of Venice; Giacomo Falchetta, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, and Ian Sue Wing, Boston University A deadly heat wave gripped large regions of Asia for weeks in April and May 2024. As temperatures climbed past 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius) […] todayMay 23, 2024 36
insert_link Africa Major global media still fails Africa, but bright spots emerge By Seth Onyango, via bird story agency Despite some progress, a clichéd and often stereotypical coverage of Africa persists among major global media outlets. However, there are notable exceptions like The Guardian, AFP, Al Jazeera, and Reuters, which are breaking the mould with balanced reporting of the continent. Findings from the University of Cape Town's Global Media Index for Africa (GMI) suggest that major news […] todayMay 23, 2024 40
insert_link Africa How elite riders are conquering Africa’s harshest terrains as mountain biking booms By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Mountain biking is surging in popularity across Africa, with global race organizers capitalizing on the continent's diverse terrains—from mountains to deserts—for bike racing events. Morocco has recently hosted what is arguably “one of the most gruelling ultra-mountain bike races,” the 2024 Škoda Titan Desert Morocco. The annual, 6-stage, 600km race across the desert was held between April 28 and May 3 […] todayMay 23, 2024 7
insert_link Environment Are some routes more prone to air turbulence? Will climate change make it worse? Your questions answered Trinity Moss/Unsplash By Doug Drury, CQUniversity Australia A little bit of turbulence is a common experience for air travellers. Severe incidents are rare – but when they occur they can be deadly. The recent Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London to Singapore shows the danger. An encounter with extreme turbulence during normal flight left one person dead from a presumed heart attack and several others badly injured. […] todayMay 23, 2024 47
insert_link Africa Sweet sorghum is a hardy, nutritious, biofuel crop that offers solutions in drought-hit southern Africa Sweet sorghum ripening in Rwanda. Ari Beser/Getty Images By Hamond Motsi, Stellenbosch University The southern African region is battling with drought at present. This is the result of El Niño, a natural climate cycle characterised by changes in Pacific Ocean temperatures. It has effects on global weather patterns, particularly rainfall and temperature. The drought has hit the region’s agricultural productivity hard. Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have […] todayMay 23, 2024 24