insert_link Opinion Pieces US election: does it matter who is the vice-presidential pick? In Tim Walz’s case, yes By David Hastings Dunn, University of Birmingham The fanfare and publicity surrounding Tim Walz for his first fortnight as Kamala Harris’s vice-presidential pick has sparked renewed interest as to whether the second person on the ticket makes any difference when it comes to the result of the election. The conventional wisdom on the role and significance of the US vice-presidential office – in the words of Franklin […] todayAugust 14, 2024 22
insert_link Africa Is Africa Becoming a New Battlefront in the Russia-Ukraine War? By Damilola Banjo, via PassBlue Ukraine’s military intelligence recently claimed to have had a role in the massive ambush coordinated with Tuareg rebels that killed Russian troops operating alongside Malian armed forces in Mali, the Francophone West African country. The assertion has sparked fears that parts of Africa might become a proxy war zone for Russia and Ukraine. As the war in Ukraine continues, President Volodymyr Zelensky is […] todayAugust 14, 2024 31
insert_link World US says it’s hopeful of ‘turning the temperature down’ in the Middle East The US says it's hopeful of 'turning the temperature down' in the Middle East amid fears of an Iranian retaliatory strike on Israel. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has postponed a trip to the region this week due to "uncertainty" there. But President Joe Biden says he believes progress towards a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could deter Tehran from attacking Israel. Iran insists it has the right to […] todayAugust 14, 2024 18
insert_link World Kishida to step down as Japanese PM Fumio Kishida has announced he will step down as Japan's prime minister next month.He's been in the post for three years but recent polling shows his support has fallen to historic lows at around 15 percent. From East Asia, here's our correspondent William Denselow reporting. todayAugust 14, 2024 22
insert_link World War crimes in Myanmar escalating at alarming rate A team of United Nations investigators warns that war crimes committed by Myanmar's military government has escalated at an alarming rate. In the past six months the UN estimates that over three million people have been forced to flee their homes. Our East Asia correspondent William Denselow reports. todayAugust 14, 2024 23
insert_link World ‘Squad’ member Omar faces U.S primary challenge US Congresswoman, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota is the latest member of the Democrats' progressive "squad" to defend her seat in a primary. The group has been a vocal critic of Israel's war in Gaza, resulting in two primary defeats in the last two months. Corresponding for us is Nick Harper from Washington. todayAugust 14, 2024 25
insert_link World UN Security Council amidst continuing tensions in the Middle East The United Nations Security Council convened yet another urgent meeting on the situation in Gaza. Algeria requested the meeting after another Israeli airstrike last weekend on a school housing hundreds of Palestinians. With an update for us, here's Jody Jacobs reporting from the United Nations in New York. todayAugust 14, 2024 21
insert_link World Tropical Storm Ernesto moves towards Puerto Rico Another tropical storm is wreaking havoc, this time across the northern Caribbean. Ernesto is expected to hit Puerto Rico. Jody Jacobs has more for us. todayAugust 14, 2024 25
insert_link World Youth unemployment rate at 15-year low, says ILO Youth from all corners of the country met at Helao Nafidi, in the Ohangwena Region, on Monday to commemorate International Youth Day. In a related development, the number of young people unemployed globally is at a 15-year low but countries in Asia, the Pacific region, and Arab States - and women in particular - “are not seeing the benefits” of this post-COVID economic recovery, the International Labour Organisation said […] todayAugust 13, 2024 40