By Human Rights Watch
The United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) for the Sudan has released a damning report on atrocities by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during their takeover of El Fasher, North Darfur, in late October 2025.It concludes that the RSF, which is fighting Sudan’s military for control of the country, committed war crimes and crimes against humanity and that its “conduct, and inferred intent, present indications pointing to genocide.” The report warns that without decisive measures to advance accountability and protection of civilians, “the risk of further genocidal…
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By Britta Rennkamp, Senior Researcher at the African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town
Andrew Marquard, Senior Researcher on energy and climate change, University of Cape Town
Gina Ziervogel, Director of African Climate and Development Initiative, Professor in Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town
Harald Winkler, Professor of Climate Change Mitigation and Inequality, University of Cape Town
Mark New, Research Chair, African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town
Melanie Murcott, Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Cape Town, University of Cape Town
Ralph Hamann, Professor, University of Cape Town
Wikus Kruger, Researcher in Renewable Energy, University of Cape Town
Polluting companies in South Africa have had to pay a tax on their carbon emissions since 2019. This gives them a good incentive to reduce emissions.
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By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong
Nikolas Johnston, Lecturer in Molecular Biology, School of Science, University of Wollongong
A new paper provides the first statistically derived estimate of bee species richness around the world. But this is about more than bees.
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By Katie Edwards, Commissioning Editor, Health + Medicine and Host of Strange Health podcast, The Conversation
Dan Baumgardt, Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol
Body odour has a reputation problem. It is often treated as a hygiene failure or a social offence. In reality, it is biology at work, plus a big helping of culture.
Most body odour is not produced by sweat itself. Sweat is largely odourless. Smell develops when bacteria (and sometimes fungi) on the skin break down compounds in sweat and skin oils, producing pungent byproducts. That is why odour is often strongest in warm,…
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By Human Rights Watch
Click to expand Image Supporters attend the International Anti-Corruption Day Commemoration in Durban, South Africa, December 8, 2024. © 2024 Eliah July/Gallo Images via Getty Images (Johannesburg) – South African authorities have failed to protect whistleblowers, who expose corruption and criminal activities in government and state-owned enterprises, from attacks and killings, Human Rights Watch said today. The authorities need to conduct effective, prompt, and impartial investigations to hold those responsible to account and to ensure justice for the victims and their families.During…
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By Ruby Ekkel, Associate Lecturer in History, Australian National University
From the last thylacine to Mollie the drinking, smoking orangutan, little Punch the monkey is the latest in a long line of lonely zoo animals.
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By Philip Laird, Honorary Principal Fellow, University of Wollongong
The latest announcement follows more than 40 years of previous plans that amounted to nothing. Will this time be any different?
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By Melissa Licari, Senior Research Fellow in Child Disability, The University of Western Australia
Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson has explained he left the British Film and Television Awards (BAFTAs) ceremony early on Monday night, aware his outbursts were causing distress.
Davidson was attending the ceremony to support the film I Swear, which tells the story of his life living with the syndrome. Tourette’s can cause involuntary movements and sounds, including words.
Davidson’s outbursts during the ceremony included…
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By Amnesty International
Brazil faces a decisive test of its willingness to confront impunity for attacks against human rights defenders in the coming weeks, said Amnesty International amid the beginning of the trials over the murders of Marielle Franco and Anderson Gomes, in the Federal Supreme Court, and Maria Bernadete Pacífico, known as Mãe Bernadete, in the Bahia […] The post Brazil: Marielle Franco and Mãe Bernadette murder trials will test state’s resolve to deliver justice for human rights defenders appeared first on Amnesty International. ]]>
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By Human Rights Watch
Click to expand Image Caption: Residents react after a missile hit an apartment building during Russian attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine, June 17, 2025. © 2025 Efrem Lukatsky/AP Photo On February 24, 2022, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war—defined by a relentless series of apparent war crimes and crimes against humanity—has resulted in tens of thousands of civilian casualties and triggered Europe’s largest displacement crisis since World War II.Throughout the war, Russian forces have repeatedly shown disregard for international humanitarian law and civilian life.…
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