By Tarek Abou Jaoude, Lecturer in Comparative Politics, Queen's University Belfast
Following direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials, a ten-day ceasefire has been agreed between the two countries. It is currently unclear whether Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group that has been fighting Israel in southern Lebanon since early March, has agreed to observe the temporary cessation of hostilities.
If it holds, the ceasefire will be welcomed by the Lebanese government. This latest conflict has brought the state to its knees. Not only is Lebanon’s government logistically and administratively stretched, having to find shelter for and relocate
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By Matt Jacobsen, Senior Lecturer in Film History in the School of Society and Environment, Queen Mary University of London
Production company Blumhouse has taken a gamble by featuring director Lee Cronin in top billing in his third film’s marketing campaign. Announcing Cronin as a horror auteur, the film’s full title is Lee Cronin’s The Mummy. This is an odd move for a director with only two (admittedly strong) previous features under his belt. It is perhaps a strategy to differentiate the film from the Brendan Fraser-led adventure series or the abysmal Tom Cruise vehicle from 2017.
Lee Cronin’s The Mummy features little that ties…
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By Tunde Feher
With a historic turn-out of 79.5 percent, Hungary's election showed that democratic institutions can work. It was also a historic election in terms of the opposition’s margin of victory.
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By Amnesty International
Reacting to an intensifying campaign of repression against Gen Z activists and civil society members by Madagascar’s military authorities, which took power following a coup in October 2025, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, said: “Malagasy authorities are using deliberately vague charges of criminal conspiracy, threats to national security and […] The post Madagascar: Immediately end repression of Gen Z activists and protect right to protest appeared first on Amnesty International. ]]>
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Friday, April 17, 2026
The war in Gaza has inflicted a far higher toll on women and girls than in previous conflicts in the Palestinian enclave, with more than 38,000 killed by Israeli air bombardment and land military operations since Hamas-led terror attacks in Israel sparked the war in October 2023, UN Women said on Friday.
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By Andy Galbraith, Associate Professor, University of East London
James Beale, Senior Lecturer in Sport Psychology, University of East London
Running a marathon asks a great deal of the body. You need sustained energy, careful pacing, plenty of muscle endurance and smart hydration.
Marathons also ask a great deal of the mind. At some point, almost every runner has to deal with nerves, discomfort, self-doubt or the creeping sense that the finish line is still very far away.
That is why successful marathon running is not just about fitness. It’s about fuelling well, thinking clearly and responding effectively when the race starts to bite.
Here are some of the most useful nutritional and psychological…
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By Margherita Malanchini, Reader in Psychology, Queen Mary University of London
Research has shown that children who are emotionally stable, motivated and capable of controlling their impulses do better at school.
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By Nima Shokri, Professor, Applied Engineering, United Nations University
Salome M. S. Shokri-Kuehni, Adjunct Lecturer, Institute of Geo-Hydroinformatics, Technical University of Hamburg; United Nations University
Changes in shipping routes can end up altering the physical state of distant mountains, as well as creating other fallouts.
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By David Rietzke, Senior Lecturer in Economics, Lancaster University
When my dog Buddy ate a tub of chewing gum – around 60 pieces – we rushed him to the vet, where he stayed overnight. Thankfully he was fine. The same could not be said for our wallets.
Two aspects of the experience with the vets stood out to my inner economist. First, the bill was far higher than the initial quote. Second, we were encouraged to approve further tests, but the vet seemed uncomfortable recommending them and quickly accepted our decision not to proceed.
Experiences like this seem to be…
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By Peter Howson, Assistant Professor in International Development, Northumbria University, Newcastle
Bitcoin has long been promised to function as money. In practice, it rarely does.
While 99% of transactions are still speculative trading, for as long as bitcoin has been a thing it has been used to skirt governments’ economic controls. Cryptocurrencies are particularly attractive for countries…
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