Alarm bells in Horn of Africa are tolling about unprecedented drought with some 20m people at risk of famine
Already struggling after three seasons of failed rains, farmers and pastoralists in the Horn of Africa are facing an unprecedented fourth drought – a catastrophe that will tip more than 20 million people into extreme hunger and, for some, possibly starvation. Rains were expected across the region in March or...
Why climate change policies must tie in with the special needs of women’s bodies and their fates
Links between women’s sexual and reproductive health and the impacts of climate change are made clear in the recent Working Group II report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). For the first time, the authors note the risks pregnant women face in a changing climate. They also...
Why do humans die around 80? Finally, scientists solve the mystery of this longevity in the animal kingdom
The mystery of why humans die at around 80, while other mammals live far shorter or longer lives, may finally have been solved by scientists. Humans and animals die after amassing a similar number of genetic mutations, researchers have found, suggesting the speed of DNA errors is critical in determining...
World’s foremost thinker Noam Chomsky warns that in history Trump has done more to drive the human race to extinction
With the ongoing climate crisis and the looming possibility of nuclear war, Noam Chomsky, 93, often hailed as one of the world’s most important intellectuals alive, warns that “we’re approaching the most dangerous point in human history.” The renowned linguist and social critic has lived through several consequential events of...
As West accuses Russia of war crimes in Ukraine, entrenchment of Putin’s mercenaries in Sudan comes under spotlight
On March 21, the US charge d’affaires and the ambassadors of the United Kingdom and Norway in Khartoum issued an unusually strongly worded statement criticising Russia’s presence in Sudan to mark the first month of the invasion of Ukraine. In particular, the diplomats, known as the Troika, condemned the activities...
Gender equality: New research shows women are under-represented in economics globally
Women occupy roughly one in three junior academic positions in economics and just one in four senior positions, according to an analysis of gender equality at the field’s top research institutions. Most previous surveys examining equality in economics have focused on individual countries. Emmanuelle Auriol, an economist at the Toulouse...
Security experts say terrorism and violent extremism should compel Africa to form regional standby brigades
The growing threat of terrorism and violent extremism in Africa are reasons for African countries to speed up full operational capability (FOC) efforts for regional standby brigades as components of the African Standby Force (ASF). This is one of the continental security concerns and issues addressed in the March activities...
Kenya: Winning elections is always the goal, but violence, kidnappings, assault and death are never too far
The countdown to Kenyan elections – such as the August 9, 2022, General Election – carries a certain sense of foreboding for aspiring politicians and their staff. Winning an election may be the goal, but facing threats, kidnappings, assault and even death is never of the question. Recently, Kisii politician...
Putin says peace talks with Ukraine had hit a dead-end, accuses Kyiv and West of making ‘fake’ claims of war crimes
President Vladimir Putin has said peace talks with Ukraine had hit a dead-end, using his first public comments on the conflict in more than a week to vow his troops would win and to goad the West for failing to bring Moscow to heel. Addressing the war in public for...
Special US envoy to Horn of Africa reportedly stepping down barely three months after appointment
The special US envoy to the Horn of Africa is reportedly stepping down from the post with the region engulfed in political and humanitarian crises. David Satterfield is resigning just three months after his appointment, according to unnamed current and former officials who spoke to Foreign Policy magazine. Satterfield replaced...
