Why the African free trade area could be the game-changer for the continent’s economies

Trade and financial integration are both about countries exporting to and importing from each other. The two are often referred to as economic integration

Electric vehicle battery recycling in India: An opportunity for change

India does not have adequate legislations that can prevent illegal dumping of spent lithium batteries

Does coronavirus linger in the body? What we know about how viruses in general hang on in the brain and testicles

The mounting evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can infect immune privileged sites and, from there, result in chronic persistent — but not latent — infections

How the Grand Renaissance Dam might spark basin-wide water cooperation

There is no doubt that the dam has become a source of serious tension among Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan

We mapped green spaces in South Africa and found a legacy of apartheid

Using publicly available satellite images in combination with the 2011 census data, we found that virtually all (96 per cent) South African cities remain under a form of green apartheid

Can sugar beet make sugar production in India sustainable

Growing sugarcane, especially in Maharashtra, is not sustainable any longer, because of severely depleted groundwater levels along the state’s sugarcane belt

Beyond conservation, why our natural ecosystems need restoration

Significant strides have been made in both the science and practice of restoration over the last three decades, with specialisation across diverse ecosystems 

An every monsoon affair: How to tackle urban flooding

Urbanisation is inevitable as is climate change; the need is for a multi-pronged approach

Towards sustainable marine fisheries value chain: Reflections amid COVID-19 crisis

A behavioural nudge to promote sustainable fisheries, community mobilisation can go a long way for the sector in post-COVID-19 era and beyond

What Sierra Leone teaches us on poverty measurement

The latest Global Multidimensional Poverty Index says this least developed country reduced overall poverty and deprivations fastest in the world despite fighting a severe Ebola outbreak

Wildlife during a pandemic: The other side of the coin

Instances of wild animals entering urban landscapes were reported the world over. But was everything about the lockdown hunky-dory for them?

Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance: A strong EC Act is still needed

The ordinance does not expressly define ‘extraordinary circumstances’: Such legislative ambiguity makes one question the entire exercise of introducing this particular provision

Why African countries are reluctant to take up COVID-19 debt relief

Poor countries know that the debt markets are not favourable to them; they acknowledge the risk of being punished by existing creditors, prospective investors and rating agencies

The multiple dangers of privately owning tigers and other big cats

Any presence of a big cat in private ownership is scientifically and morally wrong and poses challenges to human health, safety and security

The IMF’s $4 bln loan for South Africa: The pros, cons and potential pitfalls

The most important benefit is that South Africa is getting $4.2 billion at about 1.1 per cent interest. This is a very cheap source of funds

COVID-19: Access to devices a must for bridging the digital divide

Most conversations on digital divide revolve around network availability or supply-side factors, but absence of an Internet-enabled handset is a more immediate barrier

It’s easy to judge. But some people really can’t wear a mask

While we all adjust to wearing masks in public, it is important we try to assume as little as possible about others based on whether they’re wearing one

COVID-19: A well-functioning healthcare system is the need of the hour

India needs to revisit the past, think twice about healthcare conditions and fill the gaps to combat the present crisis

COVID-19: How distant laws, uneven measures afflict sanitation workers

The pandemic has further aggravated the dichotomy of livelihood and safety of sanitation workers 

Joe Biden has a long list of qualified female VP candidates. So, who will he pick?

Choosing a vice president is the first presidential decision Biden will make in his campaign. It will say a lot about him and his presidency if he wins  

As Jaisalmer villagers fight for sacred grove, a larger question looms

Allocation of village land for the development of solar and wind parks at the cost of pasture land is detrimental for villages