ART | DOMINIC MUWANGUZI | Years back when I started writing about art, I was always fascinated by the way artists applied colour on canvas and the technical competence of their practice. I was particularly drawn to the work of David Kigozi with his impasto technique that evoked a sense of …

How Beijing is using pop culture to win the soft power war ANALYSIS | SHAOYU YUAN | IShowSpeed, a 20-year-old American YouTuber and internet star, recently livestreamed hourslong tours of Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai, showcasing the locations to some of his nearly 40 million viewers. During the March events, …

Why his papacy mattered for the continent – and for the world’s poor and marginalised COVER STORY | STAN CHUN IIO | The death of Pope Francis at his residence on April 21 marks the end of a significant era for the Vatican and the global Catholic following of 1.3 billion …

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 …