Editor's note

The World Bank says there’s reason to be optimistic: the globe has reached its “lowest poverty rate in recorded history”. But Alf Gunvald Nilsen suggests that caution is necessary, and that it’s crucial to move beyond rhetoric when discussing poverty.

As Turkish authorities investigate the disappearance of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Arabia continues to deny responsibility. But the case is putting mounting pressure on Saudi Arabia’s Western allies – including the US and UK. Armida van Rij argues that if the UK is serious about holding states to account, now is the time to show it.

Thabo Leshilo

Politics + Society Editor

Top Story

A different measure of poverty shows 70% of the world’s poor live in what the World Bank considers middle-income countries. EFE-EPA/Onome Oghene

Why the World Bank’s optimism about global poverty misses the point

Alf Gunvald Nilsen, University of Agder

The global poverty plot is thicker than what the World Bank would have us believe.

Politics + Society

Jamal Khashoggi disappearance a defining moment for Saudi Arabia’s relations with the West

Armida L. M. van Rij, King's College London

UK and US relations with Saudi Arabia were already under serious scrutiny – even before the disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist.

Mnangagwa’s been wooing Zimbabwe’s white sports heroes. Here’s why

Tapiwa Chagonda, University of Johannesburg

In mending the relations with Zimbabwe's white community by roping in Kirsty Coventry and Bruce Grobbelaar, President Mnangagwa might just have pulled off a masterstroke.

Man Booker Prize

Man Booker Prize 2018: when writers speak we glimpse the human behind the story

Martin Goodman, University of Hull

Writing is a solitary art. But authors shortlisted for the Booker Prize have to perform in public. Here's how this year's crop fared.

Booker Prize 2018: Anna Burns wins, but the big publishers are the real victors

Leigh WIlson, University of Westminster

Rules for the UK's most prestigious and lucrative literary prize effectively mean it is dominated by big publishers.

Health + Medicine

Education