May 24
Africa: Climate Change May Be Fuelling a Resurgence of Piracy Across Africa
In the churning waters off Nigeria, armed pirates in small skiffs speed towards a cargo ship. They clamber aboard, seizing control of the vessel and its valuable cargo. This isn't… Read more »
May 23
Africa: African Standby Force Turns 20 - Has It Helped Keep the Peace? the Pros and Cons
It's been 20 years since the African Standby Force was established by the African Union (AU). The standby force is mandated to implement the AU's right to intervene in African… Read more »
May 22
Africa: The World Is Rushing to Africa to Mine Critical Minerals Like Lithium - How the Continent Should Deal With the Demand
Global demand for critical minerals, particularly lithium, is growing rapidly to meet clean energy and de-carbonisation objectives. Read more »
May 20
Africa: How Neanderthal Language Differed From Modern Human - They Probably Didn't Use Metaphors
The Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) fascinate researchers and the general public alike. They remain central to debates about the nature of the genus Homo (the broad biological… Read more »
Africa: Snakebites Can Destroy Skin, Muscle, and Even Bone - Exciting Progress On Drugs to Treat Them
The World Health Organization estimates that 1.8 million to 2.7 million people are envenomed by snakes annually, resulting in upwards of 138,000 deaths. Read more »
May 19
Africa: Mapping Malaria in Africa - Climate Change Study Predicts Where Mosquitoes Will Breed in Future
The relationship between climate and malaria transmission is complex and has been the subject of intense study for some three decades. Read more »
May 18
Africa: Al Ahly and Esperance Highlight the Dominance of North Africa in Club Football. Lessons for Other African Teams
Al Ahly, based in Cairo, and Esperance, in Tunis, are among the most successful clubs in the history of the main club cup competition in Africa, the CAF Champions League. Read more »
May 15
Africa: Belief in Democracy Is On the Decline in Africa. Traditional Institutions Can Help Restore Its Importance
Democracy in Africa has not had a good year. Military juntas from Mali to Niger appear to have cemented their grip on power. Sudan's democratic dreams were dashed when the… Read more »
Africa: Viruses Are Doing Mysterious Things Everywhere - Ai Can Help Researchers Understand What They're Up to in the Oceans and in Your Gut
Viruses are a mysterious and poorly understood force in microbial ecosystems. Researchers know they can infect, kill and manipulate human and bacterial cells in nearly every… Read more »
May 13
Africa: Wildlife Traffickers Carried On Their Illegal Trade During Covid Lockdown
The world literally stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic. But while countries locked down to keep coronavirus at bay, wildlife traffickers carried on their illegal activities.… Read more »
May 12
Africa: Female Genital Mutilation Is On the Rise in Africa - Disturbing New Trends Are Driving Up the Numbers
Thirteen-year-old Salamatu Jalloh had her whole future to look forward to. But in January 2023, her lifeless body was found wrapped in a pink and blue shroud on an earthen floor in… Read more »
May 08
Africa: Playing With the Kids Is Important Work for Chimpanzee Mothers
Wild chimpanzees have been studied for more than 60 years, but they continue to delight and surprise observers, as we found during the summer of 2017 in Kibale National Park in… Read more »
May 10
Africa: Cement Is a Big Carbon Emitter and Quality Is Costly - a Civil Engineer Explains
Every year the world uses 4 billion tonnes of cement to make the concrete that goes into buildings and other infrastructure. It leaves a huge carbon footprint, and comes with other… Read more »
Africa: Lassa Fever Case in Paris - What You Need to Know
A case of Lassa fever has been reported in Paris, France, sparking lurid warnings about the "horrific Ebola-like bug". Read more »
May 08
Africa: Academic Literacy Is More Than Language, It's About Critical Thinking and Analysis - Universities Should Do More to Teach These Skills
Making the adjustment from school to university is no easy task. For instance, there's a big difference between writing a high school essay and crafting an academic paper which… Read more »
Africa: South Africa's Plan to Move Away From Coal - 8 Steps to Make It Succeed
The South African government's Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan was launched in November 2023. It is a roadmap guiding the country away from reliance on coal-fired power… Read more »
May 07
Africa: Future Pandemics Will Have the Same Human Causes As Ancient Outbreaks - Lessons From Anthropology Can Help Prevent Them
The last pandemic was bad, but COVID-19 is only one of many infectious diseases that emerged since the turn of this century. Read more »
Africa: Why Are Algorithms Called Algorithms? a Brief History of the Persian Polymath You've Likely Never Heard of
Algorithms have become integral to our lives. From social media apps to Netflix, algorithms learn your preferences and prioritise the content you are shown. Google Maps and… Read more »
May 08
Africa: Becoming a Dad Can Be Scary. Here's How to Be the Best Father for Your Kids
It is natural to feel apprehensive about the responsibilities that come with parenthood - the financial obligations, the emotional and practical support, and the lifelong… Read more »
Africa: Fossilised Circles in the Sand On South Africa's Coast May Be Artwork By Our Early Ancestors
If you have walked on a dune surface after windy conditions have settled, you may have been privileged to recognise one of Nature's wonders: scratch circles. These are structures… Read more »
Africa: South Africa Will Be President of the G20 in 2025 - Two Much-Needed Reforms It Should Drive
South Africa will play an important international role in 2025 as president of the G20. The G20 is a group of 19 countries as well as the African Union and the European Union.… Read more »
May 07
Africa: Our New Vaccine Could Protect Against Coronaviruses That Haven't Even Emerged Yet - New Study
The rapid development of vaccines that protect against COVID was a remarkable scientific achievement that saved millions of lives. The vaccines have demonstrated substantial… Read more »
May 01
Africa: Cassava - the Perilous Past and Promising Future of a Toxic but Nourishing Crop
The three staple crops dominating modern diets - corn, rice and wheat - are familiar to Americans. However, fourth place is held by a dark horse: cassava. Read more »
May 06
Africa: U.S.-Africa Trade Deal Turns 25 Next Year - Agoa's Winners, Losers and What Should Come Next
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) is a landmark piece of trade legislation enacted by the United States in 2000. Its goal is to promote economic growth, development and… Read more »
May 05
Africa: African Countries Can't Resolve Their Debt Crisis Under a System Rigged Against Them
The debt situation in many African countries has escalated again to a critical juncture. Twenty are in, or at risk of, debt distress. Read more »