Editor's note

The Islamic State has claimed five recent attacks in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, crediting them to a new central African offshoot. But Stig Jarle Hansen explains why it’s tricky to trace the links between the Islamic State and rebel groups in the region.

High intensity storms have been a frequent feature along the coast of the US throughout recorded history. But, warns Jennifer Fitchett, their increased frequency in the Indian Ocean should be raising alarm bells. This is because countries like the US are better equipped to help people prepare, and to handle the fallout, than countries like Mozambique.  

Julius Maina

Regional Editor East Africa

Top Stories

Isis claims attacks in Beni province of northern Kivu, eastern Congo, close to the border to Uganda. Shutterstock

Tracking the DRC’s Allied Democratic Forces and its links to ISIS

Stig Jarle Hansen, Norwegian University of Life Sciences

Links between groups within the Kivu province and the Islamic state are not new.

An aerial view of the damage from flood waters after tropical cyclone Idai made landfall in Mozambique’s Sofala province. EPA/ Emidio Jozine

Why the Indian Ocean is spawning strong and deadly tropical cyclones

Jennifer Fitchett, University of the Witwatersrand

The spate of high intensity tropical cyclones making landfall in Southern Africa has been tied to very warm sea surface temperatures.

Business + Economy

Stronger laws can keep politicians from meddling in financial decisions

Tania Ajam, Stellenbosch University

Over the past few years, heads of department and chief financial officers in South Africa have been placed under enormous pressure by politicians to bend compliance rules.

Narendra Modi’s performance on the Indian economy – five key policies assessed

Kunal Sen, University of Manchester

Modi has had mixed successes in delivering on big promises to transform India's economy.

Politics + Society

Donald Trump’s UK state visit: the little details that reveal the true health of the ‘special relationship’

Ed Bryan, University of Cambridge

As former director of the US Information Agency, Edward R. Murrow, once put it, presidential travel should be treated as a 'weapon' to influence popular opinion.

Africa’s rights commission can – and should – do more for sexual minorities

Frans Viljoen, University of Pretoria

Despite taking a step backwards, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights can redeem itself by continuing to protect the rights of LGBTQ persons on the continent

Science + Technology

Let’s mimic termite nests to keep human buildings cool

Bagus Putra Muljadi, University of Nottingham

Termites have evolved sustainable air conditioning, say scientists.

Fracking can cause earthquakes tens of kilometres away – new research

Gillian Foulger, Durham University

Pumping high-pressure fluid into fault lines causes them to slowly slip, increasing the pressure on more distant rock and inducing earthquakes far away.

En français

« French paradox » : une consommation modérée d’alcool n’a pas d’effet protecteur

Philippe Arvers, Université Grenoble Alpes

La consommation modérée d’alcool expliquerait le « French paradox ». Débattue, parfois âprement, depuis de nombreuses années, l’existence de cet effet protecteur est désormais battue en brèche.

Ikea et les géants de la distribution peuvent-ils sauver les centres-villes ?

Sebastien Bourdin, École de Management de Normandie – UGEI

En ouvrant son premier magasin dans le centre de Paris, le géant suédois transforme son modèle d’affaire, ce qui peut être considéré comme une bonne nouvelle pour des centres-villes qui se meurent.

En español