It is not being widely advertised these days, partly because of problems among Global South states COMMENT | VIJAY PRASHAD | In January 2025, Indonesia – the world’s fourth-largest country by population (282 million) with the seventh-largest Gross Domestic Product by purchasing power parity – joined the BRICS+ bloc. Eleven countries …

Women can meaningfully participate in the workforce and in society, representing an investment for the future COMMENT | JOINT OP-ED | Princess Chitsuro has transformed her life. Born with HIV, she only learned her status as a young adult. Overcome with shock and fear, she initially distanced herself from everyone – …

ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | Scientists have found new but tentative evidence that a faraway world orbiting another star may be home to life. A Cambridge team studying the atmosphere of a planet called K2-18b has detected signs of molecules which on Earth are only produced by simple organisms. This is the …

As outbreaks persist, strategy focuses on controlling outbreaks, while expanding vaccination ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | Africa CDC and WHO have updated their Joint Continental Response Plan for the mpox emergency as the disease continues to affect new areas. The revised strategy focuses on controlling outbreaks, while expanding vaccination coverage and transitioning …

It is considered healthy, full of big flavours, and contains many superfoods FEATURE | THE INDEPENDENT | African cuisine is experiencing a major surge in global popularity, with West African food in particular recognised as the “top culinary trend”, according to Open Table, the San Francisco-based online restaurant-reservation service company. Africa’s …

Key steps needed to protect these data workers on the continent ANALYSIS | MOHAMMAD AMIR ANWAR |  Data workers in Africa often have a hard time. They face job insecurities – including temporary contracts, low pay, arbitrary dismissal and worker surveillance – and alarming physical and psychological health risks. The …

The world trade body previously expected global goods trade to expand by 2.7% in 2025 but it now forecasts it will fall by 0.2% ANALYSIS | CHARLOTTE EDWARDS | The World Trade Organization (WTO) has forecast that global trade will fall this year because of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs. It …

Just like the gods who have the supernatural powers to make plenty out of scarcity, artists have the ability to create with their imagination what captures their audience’s attention ART | DOMINIC MUWANGUZI | Have you ever looked at a work of art and found yourself wondering what was the artist …

The lender also continued to expand its continental footprint, with Libya and Somalia joining its list of African member states, bringing the total to 54 ANALYSIS | THE INDEPENDENT | Africa’s multilateral lender, Afreximbank, reported a 29% surge in net income to $973.5 million for the full year 2024, defying global …

Study compares it  with watching TV, movies, or reading on a mobile device ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | A new Norwegian study finds that one hour of screen time at bedtime results in a 59% higher risk of insomnia and 24 fewer minutes of sleep. The findings indicate that social media use …