By Stan Chu Ilo, THE CONVERSATION | Editorial credit: Marco Iacobucci Epp / shutterstock.com The death of Pope Francis at his residence on 21 April 2025 marks the end of a significant era for the Vatican and the global Catholic following of 1.3 billion faithful. The first pope from the Americas and also the first to come from outside […]
By Mohammad Amir Anwar, THE CONVERSATION 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 consequences of their work can include exhaustion, burnout, mental health strain, chronic stress, vertigo and weakening of eyesight. Data […]
By Esther Claudette Gittens | Editorial credit: Ms Jane Campbell / shutterstock.com Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), sometimes referred to as female circumcision, is a deeply controversial practice with cultural, religious, and social implications. It is practiced in various Muslim-majority countries, but it is not an Islamic requirement. Rather, it is rooted in cultural traditions that […]
By Esther Claudette Gittens In February 2025, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14204, titled “Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa,” effectively halting all U.S. financial assistance to South Africa. This decision was primarily driven by concerns over South Africa’s land expropriation policies and its legal actions against Israel at the International […]
***IMAGES HERE*** |Photos courtesy: Brooklyn Borough President Office Brooklyn, NY – On Monday, February 24th, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso commemorated Black History Month with “Brooklyn is Africa: Lineage & Power Through the Arts,” an annual event co-hosted with Eric Edwards and the Cultural Museum of African Art. In keeping with Black History Month’s national theme “African […]
By Esther Claudette Gittens | Editorial credit: atm2003 / Shutterstock.com The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been embroiled in conflict for decades, with neighboring Rwanda playing a significant role in the region’s instability. Rwanda’s involvement, particularly through support of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group, has led to territorial gains in eastern DRC, […]
By:Mitchell Gallagher | theconversation.com Every year, China’s minister of foreign affairs embarks on what has now become a customary odyssey across Africa. The tradition began in the late 1980s and sees Beijing’s top diplomat visit several African nations to reaffirm ties. The most recent visit, by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, took place in mid-January 2025 and included stops in Namibia, the […]
By:Lawrence O. Gostin & Alexandra Finch | theconversation.com President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization (WHO) will be keenly felt across the globe, with profound implications for health in Africa. In the executive order putting the withdrawal process in place, Trump also paused the transfer of US funds, support and resources to the […]
Air pollution has an alarming effect on global health. In 2019, it was responsible for 4.2 million global deaths. Inhaling air pollution harms health in many different ways beyond simply having effects on the lungs. Over 70% of air pollution deaths are due to cardiovascular diseases – diseases of the heart and blood vessels, such as […]
By: John J Stremlau | TheConversation.com| Editorial Credit:Drew Angerer/Getty Images Former US president Jimmy Carter, who had been frail for some time, has died at the age of 100. His opposition to racism and his support for human rights are legendary, made more compelling by his life-long commitment to live among rural Georgians where segregation was severe and […]