Média "TheConversation-Global" - List of latest news (1 830 results)

04:09 Who will the next pope be? Here are some top contenders

For centuries, the role has gone to a member of the College of Cardinals – and almost always to an Italian. Might we soon have our first pope from Asia or Africa?

22/04 Make Russia Medieval Again! How Putin is seeking to remold society, with a little help from Ivan the Terrible

A new textbook soon to be taught in Russian schools leans on the works of a 16th-century monk. It fits a pattern of ‘political neomedievalism’ by the Kremlin.

22/04 To truly understand Pope Francis’ theology – and impact – you need to look to his life in Buenos Aires

Latin America was core to Pope Francis’ theology. As pope he made significant contributions to the region.

22/04 The rise of Brazil’s fuel mafias and their gas station money laundering machines

Across Brazil organised crime is diversifying beyond narcotics, arms trafficking into the biofuel and fossil fuel sectors

21/04 Pope Francis promoted women to unprecedented heights of power in the church

Women now hold several high-level administrative roles in the Catholic church but not everyone is on board.

21/04 How the next pope will be elected – what goes on at the conclave

Holding a conclave to elect a pope is a tradition that goes back centuries.

21/04 What will happen at the funeral of Pope Francis

Pope Francis had expressed the desire to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a fifth-century church in Rome dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

21/04 Three ways Pope Francis influenced the global climate movement

At the centre of the social and ecological polycrisis is a religious crisis of the human heart.

21/04 Pope Francis tried to change the Catholic Church for women, with mixed success

Pope Francis is being remembered as a pastoral leader – and in some ways, his treatment of women in the Catholic Church was unprecedented. But he could have done more.

21/04 Pope Francis has died, aged 88. These were his greatest reforms – and controversies

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, just a day after greeting crowds at St Peter’s Square. From the very start of his papacy, he was determined to do things differently.

21/04 Pope Francis dies: an unconventional pontiff who sought to modernise Catholicism

His attempts at modernisation won him fans and made him enemies.

17/04 Indicators of alien life may have been found – astrophysicist explains what the new research means

It’s the best result yet - but the evidence still isn’t strong enough to convince the scientific community.

17/04 Thailand’s fragile democracy takes another hit with arrest of US academic

The law against insulting the Thai monarchy has become a common tool for silencing Thai activists. Now, a foreign academic has been targeted.

17/04 Birkin vs Wirkin: the backlash against the global elite and their luxury bags – podcast

The Birkin bag made by luxury retailer Hermès is a must-have for the global elite. Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast to hear two sociologist discuss what it symbolises.

16/04 Nayib Bukele: El Salvador’s strongman leader doing Donald Trump’s legwork abroad

El Salvador’s leader, Nayib Bukele, has cut a deal with Trump to house alleged gang members deported from the US.

16/04 Dubai event invites researchers from across world to tackle global challenges – apply to attend

Health, infrastructure and AI are among the key themes being tackled.

16/04 One to One: John & Yoko – documentary shows how Lennon and Ono shaped protest music, pop culture and each other

Rather than perpetuate the simplified myth of Lennon as a lone revolutionary figure, the film spotlights Ono’s equally influential role.

16/04 Could CT scans be fuelling a future rise in cancer cases, as a new study suggests?

CT scans performed in the US in 2023 alone could eventually lead to over 100,000 extra cancer cases, a new study claims.

16/04 A century after its discovery, scientists capture first confirmed footage of a colossal squid in the deep

The first confirmed footage of a juvenile colossal squid in its natural habitat shows a delicate and graceful animal – far from the “monster” narrative we see all too often.

15/04 If we must bring back extinct species, let’s focus on the giant herbivores

Many huge animals went extinct surprisingly recently. When they died, their ecological role was lost with them.

15/04 The Thucydides Trap: Vital lessons from ancient Greece for China and the US … or a load of old claptrap?

Is a US-China war inevitable? Perhaps that isn’t the lesson leaders should be taking from the ‘History of the Peloponnesian War.’

15/04 Why does Putin insist Ukranians and Russians are ‘one people’? The answer spans centuries of colonisation and resistance

Russia’s war on Ukraine continues, despite US attempts to broker a ceasefire. Russia has repurposed history to build its power since the 1500s – that continues, too.

14/04 Cambodia’s haunted present: 50 years after Khmer Rouge’s rise, murderous legacy looms large

Sophal Ear, a Cambodian scholar who fled the Khmer Rouge as a child, reflects on 50 years since the murderous regime took control.

14/04 Ecuador: can freshly re-elected Daniel Noboa govern a country in crisis?

Daniel Noboa has secured a full term in office as Ecuador’s president.

11/04 In trade war with the US, China holds a lot more cards than Trump may think − in fact, it might have a winning hand

Trump’s tariffs may hurt, but this time China holds more cards − and could turn the pressure into a strategic advantage.

11/04 Why it matters for European security if an American no longer commands Nato troops – by a former Trident submarine commander

Putting a European in place as the leader of Nato forces might seem like an easy option, but there are several major issues.

11/04 Pikachu protesters, Studio Ghibli memes and the subversive power of cuteness

Cute characters are often vulnerable, innocent and lovable – and therein lies their power.

11/04 What lies ahead for South Korea after the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol?

South Korea’s divided society will soon head to the polls to elect a new president.

11/04 How AI could influence the evolution of humanity – podcast

Evolutionary biologist Rob Brooks talks to The Conversation Weekly about AI’s potential to influence our evolution.

11/04 Kids cheering ‘chicken jockey!’ at A Minecraft Movie isn’t antisocial – it creates a chance for us to connect

Social media is ablaze with reports of kids going wild at screenings of A Minecraft Movie. It’s not antisocial: it’s communal.

11/04 Do Inuit languages really have many words for snow? The most interesting finds from our study of 616 languages

Can you guess which languages score the highest for terms relating to ‘love’, ‘death’, ‘canoe’ or ‘sheep’? We made a tool to help you explore our extensive dataset.

10/04 Why are so many second-generation South Asian and Chinese Canadians planning to vote Conservative?

For some children of immigrants, voting Conservative isn’t a contradiction — it’s a strategy for being seen as fully Canadian.

10/04 China’s new underwater tool cuts deep, exposing vulnerability of vital network of subsea cables

Incidents of accidental and suspect breaches of submarine cables in northern Europe and around Taiwan concern security experts.

10/04 Cancer hijacks your brain and steals your motivation − new research in mice reveals how, offering potential avenues for treatment

Cachexia, or wasting syndrome, causes around 80% of patients with advanced cancer to withdraw from life.

10/04 Will Africa’s young voters continue to punish incumbents at the ballot box in 2025? We are about to find out

Youth unemployment and corruption have helped drive youth dissatisfaction on the continent, with major implications for governments and democratic strength.

10/04 This chart explains why Trump backflipped on tariffs. The economic damage would have been huge

The losses under Trump’s original tariff plan would have been significant. But even after the latest policy U-turn, the costs to the US will still be high.

09/04 Iran and US to enter high-stakes nuclear negotiations – hampered by a lack of trust

With global geopolitical and economic tensions escalating, the negotiations could reshape the future of Middle East geopolitics.

09/04 Hungary’s exit from the International Criminal Court is a sign of the times

Tectonic shifts are taking place in international relations.

09/04 Earth’s oceans once turned green – and they could change again

They could one day turn purple.

09/04 China plans to build the world’s largest dam – but what does this mean for India and Bangladesh downstream?

The Yarlung Tansgpo / Brahmaputra dam shows we often don’t know how to deal with rivers that cross national borders.

09/04 ‘Return’ of the dire wolf is an impressive feat of genetic engineering, not a reversal of extinction

The animals are an imitation, but the technology used to create them could have wide-ranging applications.

07/04 How the small autonomous region of Puntland found success in battling Islamic State in Somalia

Supported by UAE and the US, the self-declared autonomous Somali region has pushed back Islamists’ advances.

07/04 What our reaction to Adolescence tells us about our fear of boys, sex and the internet

Boys are left out of important conversations about sex, relationships and consent – here’s what we can do to change this.

07/04 ‘Sometimes you need to eat an entire cucumber’: nutrition experts on the viral TikTok trend

What’s actually happening in your body when you eat an entire cucumber? Two dietitians explain.

04/04 AI is automating our jobs – but values need to change if we are to be liberated by it

AI will increase productivity but also poses a threat to job security and stability. We need a shift in mindset and values to prepare for the coming disruption.

04/04 US and Russia squabble over Arctic security as melting ice opens up shipping routes

Melting ice in the Arctic is opening up shipping routes and making the region a valuable strategic asset.

04/04 Myanmar military’s ‘ceasefire’ follows a pattern of ruling generals exploiting disasters to shore up control

Thousands were killed in 7.7 magnitude earthquake. Yet military generals were slow to agree to pause in civil war fighting, and continued airstrikes.

04/04 Russia and China both want influence over Central Asia. Could it rupture their friendship?

China is now the top trading partner for four of the five ex-Soviet Central Asian states. Russia, however, is desperate to reassert its dominance in the region.

03/04 Why has Trump launched so many tariffs and will it cause a recession? Expert Q&A

You owe us. Why Trump thinks it’s payback time.

03/04 Why tattoos are such an unreliable marker of gang membership

Many gang members have tattoos to demonstrate their allegiance. But many people with no gang ties will get inked with similar imagery, which can lead law enforcement astray.

03/04 Faced with new tariffs and a truculent Trump, Japan and South Korea toe a cautious line

The strength of these alliances depends on whether Trump views Tokyo and Seoul as bulwarks against China’s rise or vassals that can be extorted for financial gain.

03/04 Trump’s trade war will hurt everyone – from Cambodian factories to US online shoppers

The so-called ‘Liberation Day’ announcements played out like a reality TV cliffhanger. What might the next ‘episode’ have in store for the rest of the world?

03/04 New modelling reveals full impact of Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs – with the US hit hardest

Modelling of how Trump’s tariffs will hit global trade suggests the US will be the biggest loser – while a few nations may emerge as surprising winners.

02/04 Chinese barges and Taiwan Strait drills are about global power projection − not just a potential invasion

In World War II, ‘Mulberry Harbours’ were used by American and British soldiers in the D-Day landings; China today is using similar technology but for a different purpose.

02/04 Flies are masters of migration – it’s about time they got some credit

Flies are the most ecologically diverse and important migrant group. We just had no idea.

02/04 Val Kilmer’s macho action figures held a melancholy just below the surface

Leading man of 1990s Hollywood, Val Kilmer, has died at 65.

02/04 US Senator Cory Booker just spoke for 25 hours in Congress. What was he trying to achieve?

US senators engage in lengthy speeches when they are losing. This is clearly what motivated Cory Booker’s 25-hour speech: a sense the Democrats are losing to Trump.

01/04 Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’: why the US is on a war footing over tariffs and mass deportations

Donald Trump’s aggressive foreign policy is being cast as necessary for national security. This ensures he’ll encounter little pushback from Congress or the courts.

01/04 ‘Signalgate’ was damaging to the Trump administration. It could be deadly for Yemeni civilians

The ‘Signalgate’ breach could embolden the Houthis to forcibly disappear even more people on fake allegations of espionage.

31/03 How Beijing plans to bounce back against Trump’s tariffs

China’s leader wants to see more foreign investment in the upcoming years as he casts around for new non-US markets.

31/03 What is a ‘revisionist’ state, and what are they trying to revise?

Dissecting a loaded term in international affairs, and what it means for a country to disrupt the prevailing US-led order that is itself now changing.

31/03 Marine Le Pen’s victim narrative is already being constructed – but there are ways to stop her criminal conviction benefitting her

Le Pen has been barred from politics for four years after being found guilty of embezzlement.

31/03 The best space telescope you never heard of just shut down

An astronomer says goodbye to Gaia, the satellite that mapped the galaxy.

29/03 Thousands are feared dead in Myanmar’s quake. Trump’s USAID cuts will cause even more unnecessary deaths

USAID accounted for a third of Myanmar’s foreign aid last year. Now, this funding is gone as the country grapples with a devastating earthquake.

28/03 Early-onset Alzheimer’s: new drug shows promise in slowing the disease

Around 5-10% of all Alzheimer’s cases are in people under the age of 65.

28/03 Myanmar’s civil war: How shifting US-Russia ties could tip balance and hand China a greater role

US cuts in overseas aid will hurt the myriad opposition groups that have been fighting the army in a complex and regionalized conflict.

28/03 First year of Georgia’s ‘foreign agent’ law shows how autocracies are replicating Russian model − and speeding up the time frame

Georgian legislation directly mirrors a contentious law Russia passed more than a decade ago to stifle dissent and quash the power of civil society groups.

28/03 Everything you say to an Alexa speaker will be sent to Amazon – starting today

Amazon has disabled some Alexa privacy features amid a push to introduce AI capabilities and make more money.

27/03 Australians almost never vote out a first-term government. So why is this year’s election looking so tight?

For once-popular Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the honeymoon is well and truly over.

27/03 Why Serena Williams joining the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo as a part-owner is so important for women’s sports

Williams’ ownership stake in the Toronto Tempo signals a major step forward for women’s professional sports.

27/03 Uncorking the past: new analysis of Troy findings rewrites the story of wine in the early bronze age

Based on organic residues – imperceptible to the naked eye and detectable only at a molecular level – bronze age wine consumption must be fundamentally reconsidered.

27/03 Ecological disruptions are a risk to national security

Overfishing, disease and environmental crimes cause social and political instability, economic strife and strained international relations.

27/03 Former Brazilian president Bolsonaro will stand trial over alleged coup attempt

For the first time in Brazil’s history, a former president and high-ranking officers have become defendants for crimes linked to a coup d'état.

27/03 Trump’s America is facing an Andrew Jackson moment – and it’s bad news for the constitution

Andrew Jackson was the first president to defy the US supreme court. The question is whether Donald Trump will take a leaf out of his book.

27/03 Donald Trump’s ‘chilling effect’ on free speech and dissent is threatening US democracy

Attacks on the judiciary, the press and universities are all part of a concerted attempt to stifle dissent in America.

27/03 Signal chat group affair: unprecedented security breach will seriously damage US international relations

It’s hard to see how the Trump administration will fix the damage caused by this intelligence blunder.

27/03 Do any non-drug treatments help back pain? Here’s what the evidence says

A new review shows bed rest is unlikely to help your back pain. The treatments that work can depend on how long your pain has lasted.

27/03 Foreign aid cuts could mean 10 million more HIV infections by 2030 – and almost 3 million extra deaths

A new modelling study has sought to find out what impact recent foreign aid cuts – particularly from the US – will have on HIV. Here’s what the researchers found.

26/03 Sudan’s civil war: What military advances mean, and where the country could be heading next

Tens of thousands of Sudanese have died during the 3-year conflict, with more than 14 million displaced.

25/03 Maritime truce would end a sorry war on the waves for Russia that set back its naval power ambitions

Russia is becoming more reliant on naval support from China, limiting Moscow’s sea-power reach.

25/03 Trump’s desire to ‘un-unite’ Russia and China is unlikely to work – in fact, it could well backfire

During the Nixon era, the US encouraged a split between the Soviet Union and communist China. But things have changed since the Cold War ended.

24/03 Syria after Assad: why many Syrian refugees aren’t returning home

Syrian refugees must be able to decide what’s next for them as pressures mount for their return.

23/03 Can Mark Carney truly connect with Canadian voters? Canada will now find out

When it comes to economics, Mark Carney is among the most knowledgeable in the country. But can he now connect with everyday Canadians on the campaign trail?

21/03 Heathrow closure: what caused the fire and why did it bring down the whole airport? Expert panel

The airport is part of the UK’s critical national infrastructure.

21/03 Digital imperialism: How US social media firms are using American law to challenge global tech regulation

Trump Media and Rumble joining X in legal fight against the Brazilian Supreme Court marks a new era of deregulation pushes.

21/03 How will the history-making new Olympics boss shape sports worldwide, and in Australia?

New International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry has ten key areas to consider in taking the reins.

20/03 Trump’s phone call with Putin fails to deliver a full ceasefire – here’s what could happen next

The Russian president set harsh conditions on Ukraine and offered little in return.

20/03 Ukraine war: how Zelensky rebuilt his relationship with Trump to turn the tables on Putin

Through careful telephone diplomacy, the Ukrainian president is exposing Putin’s disinterest in stopping hostilities.

20/03 Violence in South Sudan is rising again: what’s different this time, and how to avoid civil war

The recent outbreak of violence in South Sudan doesn’t appear to have been motivated by political directives from the country’s opposition.

20/03 The PKK says it will lay down its arms. What are the chances of lasting peace between Turkey and the Kurds? Podcast

Listen to political scientist Pinar Dinc explain what’s led to the PKK’s ceasefire with Turkey on The Conversation Weekly podcast.

20/03 Cosmic dark energy may be weakening, astronomers say, raising questions about the fate of the universe

A project to map galaxies across the universe may have spied cracks in the foundation of our understanding of the cosmos.

20/03 Trump is ignoring the power of nationalism at his own peril

Trump’s brand of American nationalism ignores the fact other countries also have national aspirations – and are willing to fight back.

19/03 Arrested and stripped of degree: Twin moves to bar Istanbul mayor from ballot suggests Turkey’s Erdogan is really worried this time

Long-serving, autocratic-leaning Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking to extend his tenure beyond constitutionally set term limit.

19/03 How power imbalance, misread signs and strategic blunders clouded Hamas’ judgment over Gaza ceasefire

More than 400 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since fighting resumed following a weekslong ceasefire.

19/03 How King Charles is sending Canada subtle signals of support amid Trump’s threats

King Charles isn’t permitted to interfere in politics. Nonetheless, there are an array of signs that he’s throwing his support behind Canada amid Donald Trump’s annexation threats.

19/03 Ukraine deal: Europe has learned from the failed 2015 Minsk accords with Putin. Trump has not

Russia and Ukraine have agreed ceasefires before, and they have not been successful.

19/03 Israel’s war on Gaza is deliberately targeting children – new UN report

Children represent the future. In Gaza that future is being snuffed out.

19/03 Can animals make art?

Without being able to get into the heads of animals, it’s hard to say for sure. But instances of pig painters, whale crooners and bird sculptors certainly make it seem plausible.

19/03 The Gaza ceasefire is dead − Israeli domestic politics killed it

Facing legal and political pressure at home, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to resume airstrikes has encouraged right-wing allies back into the fold.

19/03 Women’s sexual pleasure is still taboo – but the Kamasutra tells a different story

Often dismissed as a manual for sexual positions, the Kamasutra is, in fact, a radical text that champions women’s pleasure and autonomy.

19/03 Why did the Israel-Hamas ceasefire fall apart? It was never going to solve the root causes of the conflict

A ceasefire may bring a temporary halt to fighting, but as the current conflict in Gaza shows, it doesn’t solve every issue.

19/03 Putin made Trump wait, then strung him along – it’s clear his war aims in Ukraine have not changed

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump agreed on a very limited ceasefire in Ukraine, making clear the Russian leader has no real ambition to stop the fighting.

19/03 Trump-Putin ceasefire conversation shows no initial signs of bringing peace to Ukraine

What did Donald Trump’s phone call with Vladimir Putin actually accomplish in terms of a lasting ceasefire agreement with Ukraine? Not much.

18/03 Sand-sized fossils hold secrets to the history of climate change

Foraminifera have lived almost everywhere in the ocean for millions of years. Their fossilised remains hold a record of Earth’s past.

18/03 Greenland’s fossil fuel ban is up in the air after recent election

Fossil fuels are a dangerous way to secure the economic foundation of an independent Greenland.

18/03 Can a daily nap do more harm than good? A sleep researcher explains

To nap effectively, both the timing and environment matter.

18/03 Combatting the measles threat means examining the reasons for declining vaccination rates

Anti-vaccination sentiment can be seen as part of a larger societal trend towards individualism.

18/03 Water cooperation is essential when countries share lakes and rivers – yet it’s been deteriorating in many places, with serious consequences

Nationalistic behavior can put people, economies and ecosystems, and even peace, at risk. The US, which paused Columbia River talks with Canada, isn’t the only country shifting in this direction.

18/03 The Israel-Hamas ceasefire didn’t resolve any deep-seated issues. Now, it’s shattered

A ceasefire may bring a temporary halt to fighting, but as the current conflict in Gaza shows, it doesn’t solve every issue.

17/03 Fungi are among the planet’s most important organisms — yet they’re overlooked in conservation strategies

Fungi are essential to our ecosystems, our societies and economies.

17/03 Why Americans care so much about egg prices – and how this issue got so political

The escalating price of eggs has become a major political issue for the Trump government, and it doesn’t look like it’s going away.

17/03 Europe had worst measles outbreak since 1997 – new data

Measles resurgence in Europe highlights need for higher vaccination rates.

17/03 Bug drugs: bacteria-based cancer therapies are finally overcoming barriers

A century-old cancer therapy gains new life with modern science.

17/03 Researchers created sound that can bend itself through space, reaching only your ear in a crowd

By combining ultrasound with a concept called nonlinear acoustics, you can create sound that stays silent until it reaches a specific location.

17/03 Chewing gum is plastic pollution, not a litter problem

The reality is that chewing gum is just another form of plastic pollution, but it is not treated as such.

17/03 You’ve heard of the Big Bang. Now astronomers have discovered the Big Wheel – here’s why it’s significant

This enormous disk object formed soon after the Big Bang, challenging what we know about how galaxies grow.

17/03 Many of history’s deadliest building fires have been in nightclubs. Here’s why they’re so dangerous

A fire in a nightclub in North Macedonia is the latest in a long string of such tragedies. Why are nightclubs so risky for fires?

14/03 Saudi Arabia’s role as Ukraine war mediator advances Gulf nation’s diplomatic rehabilitation − and boosts its chances of a seat at the table should Iran-US talks resume

Perception as a neutral country has helped Gulf state position itself as a crucial diplomatic player in Ukraine-Russia war. It also serve’s kingdom’s self-interest.

14/03 China’s dwindling marriage rate is fuelling demand for brides trafficked from abroad

Bride trafficking has emerged as a growing issue in China as ‘leftover’ men struggle to find spouses.

14/03 See you in the funny papers: How superhero comics tell the story of Jewish America

Jewish American artists were at the heart of the comics industry – and a closer read of beloved characters reflects fears about assimilation and acceptance.

14/03 When algorithms take the field – inside MLB’s robo-umping experiment

Technological advances that lead to fairer, more accurate calls are often seen as triumphs. But new technology doesn’t mean perfect precision – nor does it necessarily create a better fan experience.

14/03 Protectionism has a long history in the US – so its return should not be all that surprising

The evolution of trade gives key insights into why protectionism is as American as apple pie.

13/03 Are Ukrainians ready for ceasefire and concessions? Here’s what the polls say

More Ukrainians are willing to negotiate for peace now than in the early stages of the conflict − but clear red lines remain for the public.

13/03 How an unexpected observation, a 10th-century recipe and an explorer’s encounter with a cabbage thief upend what we know about collard greens’ journey to the American South

Collards may have arrived in southern Morocco via early Muslim traders, and Morocco may have been a stop in the journey the vegetables took to America.

13/03 A glimpse into a surreal abyss: how COVID ravaged a remote city in the Amazonian jungle – podcast

Researcher Japhy Wilson tells The Conversation Weekly podcast the surreal story of what happened in one Peruvian city in the Amazon jungle during the first wave of COVID.

13/03 US and Ukraine sign 30-day ceasefire proposal – now the ball is in Putin’s court

Vladimir Putin will now have to weigh up how to maintain a reset with the US while also pressing for more military success on the battlefield.

13/03 Are the glory days of German carmakers gone forever?

Consumer demands have changed – and the old manufacturers have taken their foot off the gas.

12/03 Curious Kids: what was the biggest dinosaur that ever lived?

Fossils tell us the titanosaurs were the biggest dinosaurs – but new discoveries could reveal new giants!

12/03 Pennsylvania’s mushroom industry faces urgent labor shortage − and latest immigration policies will likely make it worse

Kennett Square, Pa., is considered the mushroom capital of the world. The industry depends heavily on immigrants, who work physically demanding jobs in tough conditions.

12/03 Arrest of ex-president Duterte will shake up dynastic politics in the Philippines – and hand initiative to rival Marcos family

The former strongman leader has been charged with crimes against humanity in relation to a bloody ‘war on drugs.’

12/03 What the U.S. ceasefire proposal means for Ukraine, Russia, Europe – and Donald Trump

Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s success in bolstering support for Ukraine in Europe following a contentious White House meeting might be an example of his flair for calculated risks. Is a ceasefire close?

12/03 ‘Shoot it like Steph’: why young athletes shouldn’t try to copy the world’s best

In skill acquisition, many coaches and athletes believe there is one optimal technique to copy. But this approach ignores a crucial reality.

11/03 What’s so special about Ukraine’s minerals? A geologist explains

The US has many of the same minerals Ukraine does – but prefers to import them.

11/03 US-Ukraine deal highlights Ukraine’s wealth of critical minerals, but extracting them isn’t so simple

Critical minerals are in demand around the world for military, technology and other uses. A geoscientist shares what’s known about Ukraine’s reserves, which could help the country recover from war.

11/03 After mass killings in Syria, can a fragmented country stay united?

The violence in Syria in recent days has shown how difficult it will be to unite a fractured country with deeply held grievances.

11/03 Greenland votes on March 11. Independence was the key issue, but Trump has changed the campaign

Greenland’s upcoming election is defined by the issue of independence. Whatever the result, neither side wants to become American.

10/03 What does Egypt’s plan to rebuild Gaza involve and what challenges does it face?

Egypt’s plan to reconstruct Gaza has been endorsed by Europe and the Arab world and, but rejected by Israel and the US.

10/03 Is Trump’s assault on Canada bringing Québec and the rest of the country closer together?

Amid ongoing Canada-U.S. tensions, Québec faces unique challenges in preserving its distinct identity, language and culture within Canada.

10/03 Trump is cancelling a Republican project to wipe out Aids – putting millions of lives at risk

Millions of people worldwide are likely to lose access to anti HIV drugs, and thousands more people could die, after the US cut project funding.

10/03 Russia’s economy is stagnating – but that won’t force it to end the war

In spite of the war and sanctions, the Russian economy has proved to be robust.

10/03 What is the value of US security guarantees? Here’s what history shows

Ukraine is looking for a security guarantee from Donald Trump, but historical precedents suggest they do not always work.

07/03 Pause in aid has introduced uncertainty into Ukraine’s military planning − forever changing its war calculus

Even if US financial aid is restored, Ukraine will have to mitigate the risk of future disruption – and that could mean a more timid approach.

06/03 Russia launching ‘suicide missions’ across strategic Dnipro river as pause in US aid hampers defence

As a possible endgame approaches, Russia is trying to take as much territory as it can.

06/03 DOGE threat: How government data would give an AI company extraordinary power

As DOGE taps into sensitive federal agency data repositories, many people fear what could happen to the data. One little-discussed but hugely consequential possibility: fueling Elon Musk’s xAI company.

06/03 Taung child: the controversial story of the fossil discovery that proved humanity’s common origins in Africa – podcast

Historian Christa Kuljian and paleoanthropologist Dipuo Kgotleng talk to The Conversation Weekly podcast about the complicated legacy of the Taung child skull, 100 years since its discovery.

06/03 Robert F. Kennedy Jr says vitamin A protects you from deadly measles. Here’s what the study he cites actually says

No, taking vitamin A is not going to protect you from catching measles, whatever Robert F. Kennedy Jr suggests. Here’s what will.

05/03 Growing Trump-Putin detente could spell trouble for the Arctic

There are growing concerns that Russia and the US could be aiming to carve up Arctic mineral resources.

05/03 What’s behind Erdoğan’s calculated shift on Kurds and its potential consequences

Erdoğan’s outreach to Kurdish forces may signal peace — or a bid to secure support for extending his presidency by fracturing the opposition’s coalition.

05/03 What’s the difference between wholemeal and wholegrain bread? Not a whole lot

You might have a vague idea that wholemeal or wholegrain bread is healthy. But is one better for you than the other?

04/03 Gaza ceasefire deal looks doomed as Israel blockades Strip and bars entry of humanitarian aid

MIddle East expert Scott Lucas addresses the key questions about the future prospects for peace in Gaza.

04/03 The female explorers who braved the wilderness but were overlooked by the history books

Women’s presence in ‘the wild’ has always been contested, in myth, storytelling and sexist attitudes in the media that persist to this day.

04/03 Another US funding cut threatens human rights in North Korea - and hands more power to a dictator

Human rights in one of the world’s most egregious authoritarian regimes are set to be diminished even further, thanks to another sudden funding freeze by Elon Musk.

03/03 How Trump’s spat with Zelensky threatens the security of the world – including the US

A US deal that gives Russia more power, and withdraws support from former allies, is likely to cost Washington overall.

03/03 From the fashion to the speeches to the music, this was an Oscars of few surprises. 5 experts break it down

Independent film Anora won the Oscar for best film in a ceremony which was marked for how lacklustre it all was.

03/03 Melting Antarctic ice will slow the world’s strongest ocean current – and the global consequences are profound

Part of the system that pumps water, heat and nutrients around the globe is at risk. Climate change could slow the Antarctic Circumpolar Current down 20% by 2050.

03/03 The only ‘winner’ here is Putin: Ukraine unites in response to Trump-Zelenskyy spat and resigns itself to new reality

A fractious meeting in Washington has left Ukrainians wondering what will become of relations with the US.

02/03 In siding with Russia over Ukraine, Trump is not putting America first. He is hastening its decline

Trump’s apparent break with Ukraine is making all US allies question his reliability. He vowed to put ‘America first’, but these moves just make the US more isolated.

28/02 Raised voices and angry scenes at the White House as Trump clashes with Zelensky over the ‘minerals deal’

There’s nothing in the deal about the US guaranteeing Ukraine’s future security.

27/02 Israel’s bombing of Gaza caused untold environmental damage − recovery will take effort and time

The humanitarian toll of more than a year of conflict will be augmented by the risk of further health issues due to poor hygiene facilities and air quality.

27/02 Is a united European voice possible in the age of Trump, Putin and far-right politics? Germany’s new leader intends to find out

Henry Kissinger once mused ‘Who do I call if I want to speak to Europe?’ The question now might be, would Washington bother to dial if there were?

27/02 Gene Hackman will be remembered as the Hollywood actor’s actor

Gene Hackman, an acting titan of 1970s and ‘80s Hollywood with more than 80 screen credits to his name, has died at 95.

27/02 What’s the difference between burnout and depression?

They may look similar, but burnout and depression can have different causes and management strategies.

26/02 How Trump the ‘master deal-maker’ failed when it came to negotiating with the Taliban in Afghanistan

The deal that Trump left for his successor Joe Biden was a recipe for the disaster that followed.

26/02 Why Trump really wants Ukraine’s minerals – China has put theirs off limits

Donald Trump is demanding Ukraine do a deal to hand over some of its critical minerals.

26/02 ‘I thought about escaping every day’: how survivors get out of Southeast Asia’s cybercrime compounds – Scam Factories podcast, Ep 3

The final part of our Scam Factories podcast series, tracks how people escape from Southeast Asia’s brutal scamming compounds.

26/02 Tibet is one of the most linguistically diverse places in the world. This is in danger of extinction

There are some 60 languages spoken on the Tibetan Plateau. But harsh Chinese policies mean many minority languages may not be passed down to future generations.

25/02 If US attempts World Bank retreat, the China-led AIIB could be poised to step in – and provide a model of global cooperation

The AIIB is a paradox: an institution connected to the rules and norms of the liberal international order, but one created by an illiberal regime.

25/02 Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting prioritizes ‘real’ independence from the US − but what does that mean and is it achievable?

Friedrich Merz has expressed a desire to ‘strengthen Europe as quickly as possible’ in the face of a growing rift between EU countries and the Trump administration.

25/02 The gold price has surged to record highs. What’s behind the move?

Gold is considered a safe haven in times of economic turmoil. That’s just one of the reasons it is rallying to new highs.

25/02 Remembering Roberta Flack, a spellbinding virtuoso of musical interpretation

Roberta Flack has passed away at 88. In her performances she reached a deep soulful place, both classically and contemporarily informed.

25/02 ‘Your life becomes a nightmare’: how scam operations exploit those trapped inside – Scam Factories podcast, Ep 2

The second episode of Scam Factories, a podcast series from The Conversation Weekly taking you inside Southeast Asia’s brutal fraud compounds.

24/02 German election: the results explained as Friedrich Merz comes out swinging for Europe

The CDU/CSU will seek a coalition with the SDP, which came third in the national vote.

24/02 How Elon Musk’s deep ties to – and admiration for – China could complicate Trump’s Beijing policy

Tesla billionaire’s financial entanglement in China raises the prospect that he could be the odd man out when it comes to Trump’s Asia policy.

24/02 The murder rate in Venezuela has fallen − but both Trump and Maduro are wrong about why

Rather than ‘offshoring’ criminals to the US, Venezuelan government policies have both consolidated gangs and created volatile pacts with them.

24/02 Who is Friedrich Merz, the man now most likely to lead Germany? Eight things to know

The centre-right CDU has emerged as the biggest party in the German election, making Merz the most likely to lead a government, following coalition negotiations.

24/02 Friedrich Merz has won Germany’s election. But as the far right soars, forming a government may be difficult

Friedrich Merz’s party has won the most seats in Germany’s election. But after ridiculing the left and embracing far right issues, he may struggle to form a coalition.

23/02 ‘It seemed like a good job at first’: how people are trafficked, trapped and forced to scam in Southeast Asia – Scam Factories podcast, Ep 1

The first part of Scam Factories, a three part podcast series from The Conversation Weekly taking you inside Southeast Asia’s brutal fraud compounds.

23/02 Scam Factories: the inside story of Southeast Asia’s brutal fraud compounds

People around the world have lost billions of dollars to scams. But the scammers are often victims, too.

21/02 Ukraine war three years on: the bloodiest battles may be still to come

There’s no good way out for Ukraine, but it’s not yet in a desperate enough position to accept Putin’s terms.

21/02 Will the UK send troops to Ukraine? The challenges facing Starmer’s plan

Of those polled in mid-January, 58% either strongly or somewhat support deploying UK troops as peacekeepers.

21/02 China: Xi Jinping has learned from Trump’s first trade war and is ready to fight back

China is less afraid of Trump’s tariffs than it was in his first term.

21/02 What is the AfD? Germany’s far-right party, explained

Until recently, the far right was consistently excluded by mainstream political parties.

21/02 Analysis: Bolsonaro’s political persecution narrative will be Lula’s biggest problem

The complaint puts Bolsonaro in the position of being politically persecuted and has the potential to inflame the former president’s supporters, with possible electoral consequences.

21/02 ‘Active recovery’ after exercise is supposed to improve performance – but does it really work?

Is ‘active recovery’ just another fitness myth, or does it help? Here’s what the evidence shows.

21/02 I lost weight and my period stopped. How are weight and menstruation linked?

It’s not only being underweight that can cause irregularities in your period.

21/02 It’s the biggest Egyptian tomb discovery in a century. Who was Thutmose II?

An empty tomb, yet a groundbreaking find – archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered the tomb of Thutmose II, a ruler overshadowed by his powerful wife, Hatshepsut.

21/02 Trump is ruling like a ‘king’, following the Putin model. How can he be stopped?

Donald Trump has long admired Vladimir Putin’s ability to rule Russia like a king. As he expands presidential power, this is how a coordinated resistance could work to stop him.

21/02 Creative progress or mass theft? Why a major AI art auction is provoking wonder – and outrage

A sale of AI art at famed auction house Christie’s could change how we think about creativity – if it’s not cancelled first.

20/02 Playing favourites, inconsistency or a fair decision? Unpacking Jannik Sinner’s doping case

The fallout from the Jannik Sinner’s three-month doping ban has been far-reaching but is the criticism on point?

19/02 In pushing for Ukraine elections, Trump is falling into Putin-laid trap to delegitimize Zelenskyy

Ukraine’s leader and opposition leaders have said ‘no’ to elections during wartime – and they have the backing of the majority of Ukrainians.

19/02 What is ‘double pneumonia’, the condition that’s put Pope Francis in hospital?

This isn’t a medical term – but it’s being used to describe a complex condition.

19/02 Trump wants to do a deal for Ukraine’s critical minerals. Will Zelensky give him what he wants – or will Putin?

Donald Trump is eyeing a deal on Ukraine, but ending the war is only part of it. The real prize is access to Ukraine’s valuable reserves of critical minerals.

18/02 Ne Zha 2: the ancient philosophies behind China’s record-breaking new animated film

Ne Zha 2: The Sea’s Fury has entered the top 10 highest grossing films of all time. It’s also China’s highest-grossing film to-date.

18/02 Trump’s quiet change to US position on Taiwan is all about the economy

The US is signalling it might take a tougher approach to any bid by Beijing to take over Taiwan.

18/02 Ukraine isn’t invited to its own peace talks. History is full of such examples – and the results are devastating

A decision to negotiate over the heads of the Ukrainians would reveal just how Trump sees Ukraine and Europe.

17/02 Europe left scrambling in face of wavering US security guarantees

European leaders are stunned at the radical change of direction signalled by Donald Trump and his team.

14/02 Most of the world has long feared US power. Now its allies do too.

America’s allies are preparing to have to fend for themselves against not just their traditional foes, but also a predatory Washington.

14/02 Could Elon Musk’s government takeover happen in the UK? A constitutional law expert’s view

The UK does not have executive orders like the US. But there are still ways for the government to administratively act without parliament.

13/02 Trump phone call with Putin leaves Ukraine reeling and European leaders stunned

Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, appears to have been relegated to a bystander as decisions about the future of his country are made.

13/02 Trump and Maduro refresh a complex relationship governed by self-interest and tainted by Venezuela election fraud

During his first term, Donald Trump attempted to apply ‘maximum pressure’ on the socialist government in Caracas. This time around, the dynamic has shifted (a little).

13/02 Syria’s mass graves: Accounting for the dead and disappeared is crucial for the nation to heal

Hundreds of thousands have been killed in civil war-torn Syria.

13/02 Sam Kerr verdict: what it means for law in the UK and the star athlete’s soccer career

The fallout from Sam Kerr’s UK court case, for racially aggravated harassment of a police officer, could have far-reaching ramifications.

12/02 The Paris summit marks a tipping point on AI’s safety and sustainability

The Artificial Intelligence Action Summit, held in Paris on Feb. 11, reflected a political shift towards addressing social and environmental challenges posed by AI.

12/02 Hate speech on X surged for at least 8 months after Elon Musk takeover – new research

The platform barred access to more recent data, researchers say.

12/02 We interviewed hundreds of Israelis and Gazans – here’s why we fear for the ceasefire

Recent research shows the level of mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians.

11/02 Russia’s shrinking world: The war in Ukraine and Moscow’s global reach

With its focus on war with its neighbor, Russia has taken its eyes off the ball elsewhere. As a result, its position is much weaker – but Putin remains dangerous.

11/02 Gift-giving was practised by early humans in Africa – how it spread and evolved

Gifting has evolved dramatically in Africa since humans first evolved the instinct to give.

11/02 As Trump abandons the old world order, NZ must find its place in a new ‘Pax Autocratica’

As Donald Trump embraces a multipolar world where raw power dominates, New Zealand will find itself in a global minority of democracies.

10/02 While the world is distracted by Trump, here’s how Putin and Musk are weakening European democracies

Russia’s election disruption and interference also taps into public dissatisfaction with democracy.

10/02 How the war in Ukraine has made flying worse for the climate

No-fly zones in Europe and the Middle East are making planes travel further and burn more fuel.

10/02 The EU was built for another age – here’s how it must adapt to survive

The European Union has locked itself into a rigid structure instead of adapting to survive.

10/02 Record January heat suggests La Niña may be losing its ability to keep global warming in check

Human-driven ocean warming is increasingly overwhelming El Niño, La Niña, and other natural climate patterns.

07/02 Ecuador’s tough on crime approach is popular, but major challenges remain

Under President Daniel Noboa, the prisons have been declared “security zones” and are under the direct control of the police and military. If re-elected, Noboa promises to continue doing the same, despite the problems this type of policy causes

07/02 The US tried high tariffs and ‘America first’ policies in the 1930s. Trump should note what happened next

Trump is talking about tariffs on foreign goods on a scale not seen for 90 years, and that did not work well for the US economy, say experts.

07/02 Why Hollywood is finally telling a different kind of age-gap romance story

Studies show that women in their 60s tend to prefer a slightly younger partner.

07/02 How Putin, Xi and now Trump are ushering in a new imperial age

The age of empires seemed to be a thing of the past. But now there are signs that some world leaders hanker after imperial power and glory.

07/02 An ‘earthquake swarm’ is shaking Santorini. It could persist for months

Several thousand earthquakes have been recorded near the Greek island since late January. So why is this happening?

06/02 These maps of support for Germany’s far-right AfD lay bare the depth of the urban-rural divide

Spatial mapping shows votes for the AfD are concentrated in the east and in the most rural areas, while university towns turn away.

06/02 Where support for Germany’s far-right AFD is growing and why – podcast

Rolf Frankenberger, an expert on right-wing extremism in Germany, talks to The Conversation Weekly about what kind of Germany the AFD wants to return to.

06/02 Palestinians have long resisted resettlement – Trump’s plan to ‘clean out’ Gaza won’t change that

For almost 80 years, Palestinians in Gaza have resisted proposals to resettle elsewhere.

05/02 Belarus election: how ‘Europe’s last dictator’ held onto power as his opponents were jailed or exiled

The Belarus president has been elected to serve a seventh term of office with 87% of the vote.

05/02 Trump wants the US to ‘take over’ Gaza and relocate the people. Is this legal?

Trump’s vision of owning Gaza and moving the Palestinians would violate a number of tenets of international law.

04/02 Trump wants Greenland – but here’s what the people of Greenland want

Greenland has recently drawn global attention, yet much of the coverage centers on US and Danish perspectives rather than what Greenlanders themselves want.

03/02 North Korea: Kim Jong-un is sending a second wave of soldiers to Ukraine – here’s why

North Korea’s pact with Putin means sending thousands of troops to fight in Ukraine. But losses are significant.

01/02 The far-right is rising at a crucial time in Germany, boosted by Elon Musk

Elon Musk is by no means the cause of the AfD’s popularity, but his embrace of the extremist party has given it a global profile and new credibility in German politics.

01/02 Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico amp up the risk of a broader trade war

Trump’s new tariff war with Canada and Mexico shows his willingness to weaponise trade in pursuit of unrelated political goals. Here’s why it matters globally.

31/01 Astronomers have spied an asteroid that may be heading for Earth. Here’s what we know so far

Asteroid 2024 YR4 has around a 1-in-77 chance of hitting Earth in 2032 – but there’s no need to panic.

31/01 Trump says he wants to take Greenland. International law says otherwise

The US president says he wants Greenland for security reasons. But Greenland is not terra nullius ripe for American colonisation.

31/01 Planes have high-tech systems to stop midair crashes. So what went wrong in Washington?

A Traffic Collision Avoidance System – or TCAS – isn’t designed to work at low altitudes.

30/01 Land seizure and South Africa’s new expropriation law: scholar weighs up the act

The expropriation of property for land reform purposes is a potential tool for reducing land inequality.

29/01 WHO in Africa: three ways the continent stands to lose from Trump’s decision to pull out

The US withdrawal from the WHO will have a severe impact on HIV, polio and many other health programmes on the African continent.

29/01 DeepSeek shatters beliefs about the cost of AI, leaving US tech giants reeling

A crash in the price of tech stocks might be an irrational panic or simply reflect correct pricing. The future costs and benefits of AI are uncertain.

28/01 When news is stressful, how do you balance staying informed with ‘doomscrolling’?

One click leads to another and, before you know it, you’re tumbling down a rabbit hole of bad news. Here are some practical tips to claw your way back out.

28/01 Trump pulls out of WHO and Paris – how did international bodies get through deglobalisation last time around?

Modern global regulatory bodies should draw upon the repertoire of strategies used by their 1930s predecessors to survive today’s threats.

28/01 Suspected Baltic Sea cable sabotage by Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ is ramping up regional defence

Anchor-dragging incidents in the Baltic Sea are leading to an increased naval presence.

28/01 DeepSeek: how a small Chinese AI company is shaking up US tech heavyweights

More efficient AI models may make research easier – and raise questions about the value of investments in huge datacentres.

27/01 Assad’s fall opens window for Syrian refugees to head home − but for many, it won’t be an easy decision

More than 6 million Syrians fled the country after it descended into civil war in 2011.

27/01 Why Trump’s tariffs can’t solve America’s fentanyl crisis

Tariffs may sound tough, but America’s fentanyl crisis stems from a decades-long addiction problem that trade policy can’t fix.

27/01 ‘Sorry, I didn’t get that’: AI misunderstands some people’s words more than others

Speaking with an AI bot can be amusing and even helpful – if it understands you. How well AIs do that is a matter of whose speech they’ve been trained on.

27/01 DRC has created a reserve force to fight the M23 – why this may backfire

Merely absorbing armed groups into a reserve force does little to address the underlying causes of the eastern DRC crisis.

26/01 Elon Musk now has an office in the White House. What’s his political game plan?

The world’s richest man is now also one of the most politically powerful. Musk’s journey to mega MAGA funder sheds some light on what his motivations might be.

26/01 What France loses by closing its military bases in Africa

African leaders’ announcement of military base closures signals a rejection of French policy and the country’s diminishing influence.

26/01 Finding ‘Kape’: How Language Documentation helps us preserve an endangered language

Some languages in the world are facing extinction rapidly. Language Documentation helps us to safeguard and preserve them.

24/01 Trump inherits the Guantánamo prison, complete with 4 ‘forever prisoners’

There are three pending criminal cases and four people the US will not release but also cannot put on trial.

23/01 Murdoch’s UK newspapers have apologised to Prince Harry. Where does it leave the legally embattled media empire?

While few people have received an apology from a Murdoch-owned publication, Prince Harry now has. But if you think this is the end of the long legal saga, you may well be wrong.

23/01 The US intends to leave the World Health Organization. What happens next?

If the World Health Organization doesn’t reform, other member countries may also jump ship.

23/01 Trump has withdrawn the US from the Paris Agreement. Here’s why that’s not such a bad thing

With the US out of the tent, the rest of the world can get on with climate action without Trump’s corrosive influence.

23/01 Yes, Trump can rename the Gulf of Mexico – just not for everyone. Here’s how it works

Renaming it the Gulf of America would apply only in the US. And the long global history of disputed place names suggests it could be a brief experiment anyway.

23/01 ‘Move fast and break things’: Trump’s $500 billion AI project has major risks

Trump wants the US to build ever more faster, more powerful AI systems – without considering crucial safety concerns.

22/01 For tennis star Destanee Aiava, borderline personality disorder felt like ‘a death sentence’ – and a relief. What is it?

Treatment should focus on the underlying causes of borderline personality disorder – trauma – rather stigmatise the person.