Editor's note

Zimbabwe has just held historic elections, the first without Robert Mugabe since independence in 1980. The country is now experiencing flashes of post-election violence as it waits for the results of the disputed presidential poll. Cheryl Hendricks writes that the outcome needed to be credible because Zimbabwe needs a legitimate government, with a strong mandate, to rebuild its shattered economy.

Cuba’s national assembly has approved a new draft constitution that could allow ordinary citizens to own residential private property. Pundits have argued, however, that the changes to the existing constitution do not imply a completely free and open market. Isobel Anderson and Regina Serpa explain that while the new rules may well prove beneficial, state intervention in housing can remain an important tool in welfare policy.

Thabo Leshilo

Politics + Society Editor

Top Stories

Zimbabwe’s historic elections: a case of leopards not changing their spots

Cheryl Hendricks, Human Sciences Research Council

If the MDC-Alliance claims Zanu-PF and Zimbabwe's electoral commission rigged the elections, the onus is on them to prove it.

Cuba: private home ownership recognised for first time since the revolution

Isobel Anderson, University of Stirling; Regina Serpa, University of Stirling

Cuba is freeing up the market in residential private property but with a public referendum still to come, what impact will such measures have for ordinary Cubans.

Politics + Society

Rising suicides in Mexico expose the mental health toll of living with extreme, chronic violence

Cecilia Farfán-Méndez, University of California San Diego

Ciudad Juárez, on the US-Mexico border, has suffered high levels of deadly violence for over a decade. New suicide data reveals the severe mental health impacts of living with chronic violence.

The Trump-Putin friendship could be all about oil and China

Atif Kubursi, McMaster University

Vladimir Putin may well have something on Donald Trump. But their close ties could also be about oil prices and Trump's efforts to get Russia to ends it alliance with China.

Business + Economy

The BRICS summit: important small steps, but little to show on big issues

Danny Bradlow, University of Pretoria

The 10th BRICS Summit delivered a mixed bag when judged on what it said on key issues, like global governance and trade.

How Durex can recover from its product recall

Liz Breen, University of Bradford

Major brands which suffer from high profile product recalls need to follow some basic rules to make sure they weather the storm.

Science + Technology

Mixing science and art to make the truth more interesting than lies

Timothy Caulfield, University of Alberta

There are many reasons why scientists collaborating with artists makes sense, now more than ever.

From cobalt to tungsten: how electric cars and smartphones are sparking a new kind of gold rush

Hywel Jones, Sheffield Hallam University

Electric cars and smartphones have created growing demand – and volatile prices – for once obscure metals.