Japan’s next emperor is a modern, multilingual environmentalist
Apr 27, 2019 06:29 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics
For the first time in 217 years, a Japanese emperor will cede his place on the imperial throne. On April 30, Japans ailing 85-year-old Emperor Akihito will abdicate and be replaced the following day by his 59-year-old...
Nancy Pelosi on Brexit: why Irish-US diplomacy is a powerful force in border talks
Apr 27, 2019 06:28 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics
On her recent visit to Europe, Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the US House of Representatives, addressed members of Irelands Dail (the lower house of the Irish parliament). She was attending an event that marked the...
Trump's crackdown on Iran's oil exports could backfire badly – with serious risks to global economy
Apr 27, 2019 06:26 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics
The US has unnerved the world oil market by ramping up the pressure in its long-running dispute with Iran. It has announced that, after May 1, it wont renew the exemptions given to eight countries that enable them to buy...
Apr 27, 2019 06:17 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics
The British press is regarded by the rest of the world as notoriously raucous. If you need an example of how raucous, the way British newspapers have reported Brexit is only one recent, if much-discussed, example....
Vox: how to understand the peculiarities of Spain’s hard-right movement
Apr 27, 2019 06:16 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics
Ahead of an election in Spain in which a large proportion of voters are still undecided, one party is causing a major stir. Vox is campaigning largely on an anti-separatist ticket proposing recentralisation of powers to...
The internal -- and external -- factors that will shape Sudan's political transition
Apr 27, 2019 06:15 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics
The stamina exhibited by mainly young protesters in Sudan is a clear reflection of the depth of their grievance and frustration. Their persistence was critical in ousting the dictator Omar al-Bashir. But it will also be...
Post-Brexit immigration policy that shuts out low-skilled migrants won't suit anyone
Apr 27, 2019 06:11 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics
With the spotlight on the date and terms on which the UK leaves the EU, the issue of immigration has paled into relative insignificance. The prime minister, Theresa May, has repeatedly stated her intention to end the free...
South Africa’s plan to move away from coal: 8 steps to make it succeed
Germany lowers voting age to 16 for the European elections
IceCube researchers detect a rare type of energetic neutrino sent from powerful astronomical objects