insert_link Business / Economics South Africa has spent billions in 4 years to create jobs for young people: how their wages affect the broader economy By Joshua Budlender, UMass Amherst and Ihsaan Bassier, London School of Economics and Political Science In October 2020 the South African government launched a collection of public employment programmes, initially intended as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative, called the Presidential Employment Stimulus, has been extended since then. The total budget allocation to March 2024 was R42 billion (US$2.1 billion). By December 2023 it had […] todayFebruary 16, 2024 3
insert_link Opinion Pieces Wagner Group is now Africa Corps. What this means for Russia’s operations on the continent By Alessandro Arduino, King's College London In August 2023, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin died after his private jet crashed about an hour after taking off in Moscow. He had been Russia’s pointman in Africa since the Wagner Group began operating on the continent in 2017. The group is known for deploying paramilitary forces, running disinformation campaigns and propping up influential political leaders. It has had a […] todayFebruary 16, 2024 8
insert_link Health / Medical Why forgetting is a normal function of memory – and when to worry Cast Of Thousands/Shutterstock, CC BY Alexander Easton, Durham University Forgetting in our day to day lives may feel annoying or, as we get older, a little frightening. But it is an entirely normal part of memory – enabling us to move on or make space for new information. In fact, our memories aren’t as reliable as we may think. But what level of forgetting is actually normal? Is it OK […] todayFebruary 15, 2024 17
insert_link Opinion Pieces Prabowo Subianto is poised to succeed in lifelong quest to become Indonesia’s president. This is why it’s so worrying By Tim Lindsey, The University of Melbourne Controversial former general Prabowo Subianto, the former son-in-law of long-time authoritarian leader Soeharto, looks set to be Indonesia’s next leader after securing what appears to be a convincing victory in this week’s election. It may be a month before official results are confirmed, but exit poll “quick counts” from Indonesia’s well-regarded polling companies show Prabowo winning close to 60% of […] todayFebruary 15, 2024 25
insert_link Africa West Africa trade will take a hit as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso leave Ecowas By Olivier Walther, University of Florida The membership of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has been whittled down from 15 to 12 following the unilateral withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso in February. Founded in 1975, Ecowas is one of eight regional economic communities recognised by the African Union to foster regional integration on the continent. Its main objective is to create a […] todayFebruary 15, 2024 27
insert_link Lifestyle Romance isn’t always rosy, sometimes it’s sickening – lovesickness, erotomania and death by heartbreak explained Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock Natasha McKeever, University of Leeds and Luke Brunning, University of Leeds Hundreds of millions of people worldwide use dating apps. But only half of users say that they have had positive experiences. Indeed, a shocking 11% of female users under 50 have received threats of harm. Surely there’s a better way to build these apps. Dating sites and apps have made it easier to find sexual and romantic partners, […] todayFebruary 14, 2024 20
insert_link Business / Economics Josef Sheehama reacts to the decision of Bank of Namibia to keep repo rate unchanged By Josef Sheehama The decision of Bank of Namibia to keep repo rate unchanged is a shocking because inflation rates is stable, and our international reserve remain strong. The policymakers try to navigate risks to inflation and the timing of when global interest rates will start to fall. I understand that the decision influences by several factors contributing to the status quo. We are aware that Namibia's currency, […] todayFebruary 14, 2024 13
insert_link Lifestyle Romance isn’t always rosy, sometimes it’s sickening – lovesickness, erotomania and death by heartbreak explained Irina Marwan Dan Baumgardt, University of Bristol Absence makes the heart grow fonder. All you need is love. It’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. If cliches and pop songs are anything to go by, humans spend a substantial portion of waking and sleeping hours thinking and dreaming about the pursuit of love – in all its many forms. But is love all […] todayFebruary 14, 2024 15
insert_link Lifestyle Are you really in love? How expanding your love lexicon can change your relationships and how you see yourself Language can steer your heart in unexpected ways. VLADGRIN/Stock via Getty Images Plus Georgi Gardiner, University of Tennessee What is love? Could those feelings you label as love be something else? What about infatuation? Obsession? A passing fancy? Being smitten? Enthrallment? Beguilement? Lust? A crush? A squish? Platonic admiration? Why do people categorize some attachments as romantic love but not others? Suppose Holly meets someone on vacation. They quickly become […] todayFebruary 14, 2024 12