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Two of the world’s most populous cities, Delhi and Beijing, struggle with astonishingly high levels of air pollution. But while China’s authorities are working to tackle the issue in their capital city, Indian politicians are lagging behind. Asit K Biswas and Kris Hartley discuss what India could learn from China if it wants to clean up its air.
South Africa’s governing party, the African National Congress, has a new president: Cyril Ramaphosa. He must navigate the organisation through tumultuous times and try to rebuild it ahead of the country’s 2019 national elections. Keith Gottschalk explains why Ramaphosa has his work cut out for him, while Thapelo Tselapedi profiles the 65-year-old who is among South Africa’s
wealthiest men and is very likely to be its next state president.
After a busy year filled with excellent stories by expert academics from around the world, the Global Perspectives team is taking a break. This will be our last daily newsletter until January 4. A sincere thank you to all our readers for your support and engagement in 2017. We look forward to picking up with you again next year.
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A pall of inaction and apathy hangs over Delhi’s reaction to its air pollution crisis.
Reuters/Anindito Mukherjee
Asit K. Biswas, National University of Singapore; Kris Hartley, Cornell University
While India struggles for answers to its urban air pollution crisis, Beijing is moving forward with strong resolve and effective policy.
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New ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa moments before winning.
EPA-EFE/Cornell Tukiri
Thapelo Tselapedi, Rhodes University
Cyril Ramaphosa is likely to emphasise stability - in government and the ANC. Given his history he is likely to want to stabilise the economy rather than pursue radical interventions.
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New ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa, centre, with fellow top leaders elected at the party’s 54th national conference.
EPA-EFE/Cornell Tukiri
Keith Gottschalk, University of the Western Cape
Cyril Ramaphosa has secured the leadership of South Africa's governing ANC. But he may not be able to clean up the mess left by Jacob Zuma given the other members of the party's leadership team.
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Health + Medicine
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Michelle Sconce Massaquoi, University of Oregon
With holiday travel in full swing and people packed together in small spaces, it's important to try to stop the spread of germs. But can we really get our hands clean with a few seconds of cold water?
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Business + Economy
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Stefanie Reissner, Newcastle University; Michal Izak, University of Roehampton
Do you check your work email before you go to bed at night and first thing when you wake? How about on holiday? This is the effect of mobile working.
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Ethics + Religion
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Frank Dobson, Vanderbilt University
For the African-American community, Kwanzaa is not just any "black holiday. " It is a recognition that knowledge of black history is worthwhile.
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Politics + Society
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Dan Arbell, American University
Wondering why Jerusalem matters so much? A 25-year veteran of the Israeli Foreign Service explains what you need to know.
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Nicola Barker, University of Kent
New legislation undermines the institution on the island – and creates division.
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Kevin Boreham, Australian National University
The charges against a Sydney man for allegedly acting as an 'economic agent' for North Korea are set against the background of recent tougher UN sanctions against the rogue nation.
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Nicola Banks, University of Manchester; Dan Brockington, University of Sheffield
Even as incomes are squeezed, the British public continues to give more money to international NGOs than anyone else.
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