How will the Russian invasion of Ukraine affect Africa?
The ongoing war in Ukraine could have significant ramifications in Africa, from damaged educational opportunities to weakened economies as a result of disrupted trade. Russia and Ukraine have both played a critical role in Africa's development. Over the years, Russia has provided trade, aid, military training, and paramilitary security in countries...
Current in News
Burger King to ban ‘forever chemicals’ from its packaging
The fast food consortium in charge of Burger King, Tim Hortons, and Popeyes has announced a global ban on toxic ‘forever chemicals’ from all restaurant packaging by 2025. Those of us who occasionally indulge in fast food ‘dining’ know what we’re getting into, right? Did you know though, that its not...
World’s first octopus farm branded ‘an environmental catastrophe’
A company called Nueva Pescacnova has just invested €65 million to build a gigantic octopus farm in the Spanish port of Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. With all that’s happening in the human realm at the moment, it might be a little difficult to consider why the welfare of...
Online volunteers hunt for evidence of Russian war crimes
In Ukraine, civilian accounts of atrocities carried out by the Russian military continue to emerge. Online volunteers around the globe are now building dossiers of purported ‘war crimes’ for potential convictions once the gunfire ceases. While our present obsession with tech and social media certainly has its drawbacks, it is...
Part 2: Lawsuits worldwide put Big Oil in the hot seat
Activists look to legal action, taking the fossil fuel industry to court for environmental damage. Over the past two decades, more than 2,000 climate litigation cases have been filed against both governments and carbon-intensive industries. As climate change becomes an increasingly pressing issue and awareness grows amongst the public, it’s expected...
Starbucks to phase out its disposable cups entirely by 2025
For better or worse, Starbucks has transformed coffee culture forever. Its logo is instantly recognisable globally, but at the cost of becoming a ‘ubiquitous’ symbol of single-use waste. The enterprise is now aiming to phase out its disposable cups entirely by 2025. If you’re feeling a twinge of guilt for...
Heatwaves at both Earth’s poles alarm climate researchers
Over the weekend, temperatures at both the Earth’s poles soared to between 30C and 40C higher than expected levels. If this becomes the norm, researchers are seriously concerned about an abrupt climate breakdown. At this time of year, the Antarctic should be rapidly cooling after its summer while the Arctic gradually emerges from its winter months. Instead, both poles are experiencing ‘unprecedented’ heatwaves that have climate researchers on high alert. Over...
Understanding the Nigerian child soldier crisis
WARNING: This article discusses acts of violence and sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised. The Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) is fighting militia groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), who recruit child soldiers in Nigeria. Late last month, a disturbing video was released by militant group Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) showing armed children executing two army officers in uniform. Two militia...
Lax US gun laws are massively impacting its island territories
Mainland gun laws are seriously impacting offshore US territories, particularly Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. In both, homicide rates are astronomically high and growing, and the majority of cases are traced back to firearms trafficked from states like Florida and Texas. Despite having relatively strict firearm laws, US territories like Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have far higher gun death rates than any mainland state. How can that...
Could privatising the moon be the next human space venture?
A UK-based think tank wants to solve poverty on Earth by privatising the moon. Just in case anyone felt like we didn’t have the resources to deal with problems on Earth, economists are now suggesting that the moon could be of help. A British, neoliberal think-tank called The Adam Smith Institute says that our moon should be divided into sections of land and allocated to various countries. Once this is...
