insert_link World Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel was a strategic miscalculation. Can all-out war now be averted? By Ran Porat, Monash University Close to midnight on April 13, hundreds of military drones were launched from both Iran and Iraq toward Israel. Subsequently, several waves of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and rockets followed, originating from Iran, Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon – all directed at Israel. This unprecedented multi-front attack on Israel constitutes a de facto declaration of war and marks the first direct assault […] todayApril 15, 2024 16
insert_link Africa Burundi-Rwanda rivalry: RED-Tabara rebel attacks add to regional tensions By Patrick Hajayandi, University of Pretoria The RED-Tabara armed group, based in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has renewed attacks in Burundi since late 2023. The group – which is an abbreviation of the French Résistance pour un État de Droit au Burundi (Resistance for Rule of Law in Burundi) – is one of a handful of rebel groups seeking to unseat the Burundi government. […] todayApril 15, 2024 20
insert_link Africa El Niño drought leaves Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba only 13% full: a disaster for people and wildlife By Joshua Matanzima, The University of Queensland Water levels at Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe have dropped dramatically because of the latest El Niño drought. The country’s president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has declared a national disaster. Historian and social scientist Joshua Matanzima grew up at Lake Kariba and has spent the past 10 years researching socioeconomic life there. He discusses the impact of the latest drought on the people of […] todayApril 15, 2024 31
insert_link Africa Africa’s wildebeest: those that can’t migrate are becoming genetically weaker – new study By Joseph Ogutu, University of Hohenheim Wildebeest – large African antelopes with distinctively curved horns – are famous for their great migrations on the grasslands of eastern and southern Africa. One hundred and fifty years ago, they migrated in huge numbers across the continent, in search of grazing and water and to find suitable areas for calving. Migration is crucial to sustain their large populations. But their […] todayApril 15, 2024 54
insert_link World How Iran responds to Damascus attack could determine trajectory of conflict in the Middle East By Javed Ali, University of Michigan Reports that Iran is preparing reprisal attacks following the deadly bombing of a facility that Israel claims is linked to threats against its interests have provoked fears of conflict widening in the Middle East. U.S. President Joe Biden has vowed “ironclad” support for Israel, which is widely considered to be responsible for the April 1, 2024, attack, amid fiery rhetoric from Tehran […] todayApril 12, 2024 22
insert_link World Israel accused of using AI to target thousands in Gaza, as killer algorithms outpace international law By Natasha Karner, RMIT University The Israeli army used a new artificial intelligence (AI) system to generate lists of tens of thousands of human targets for potential airstrikes in Gaza, according to a report published last week. The report comes from the nonprofit outlet +972 Magazine, which is run by Israeli and Palestinian journalists. The report cites interviews with six unnamed sources in Israeli intelligence. The sources claim the […] todayApril 12, 2024 6
insert_link Science & Technology To understand the risks posed by AI, follow the money Shutterstock/Chaosamran_Studio Tim O'Reilly, UCL; Ilan Strauss, UCL; Mariana Mazzucato, UCL, and Rufus Rock, UCL Time and again, leading scientists, technologists, and philosophers have made spectacularly terrible guesses about the direction of innovation. Even Einstein was not immune, claiming, “There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will ever be obtainable,” just ten years before Enrico Fermi completed construction of the first fission reactor in Chicago. Shortly thereafter, the consensus […] todayApril 11, 2024 19
insert_link World Is Japan joining AUKUS? Not formally – its cooperation will remain limited for now By John Blaxland, Australian National University With Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visiting Washington this week, rumours have circulated that Japan might soon join the AUKUS security pact between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has downplayed the suggestion, indicating this is not something that will happen soon. He added any cooperation would, for now, be on a project-by-project basis. […] todayApril 11, 2024 26
insert_link Local GIPF hosts responsible investment symposium. The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) is hosting a Responsible Investment Symposium (RIS) on 11 and 12 April 2024 in Windhoek. This unique event is dedicated to challenging thinking, broadening horizons, and engaging in honest debate about the relevance and practical impacts of the Responsible Investment and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) landscape and the Fund’s shared mandates. Leading partners, policymakers, investors, and expert specialists discuss pertinent issues […] todayApril 11, 2024 18