Editor's note

The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo - the second largest ever recorded in the world - continues to take its toll across parts of the country. Many are pinning their hopes on a provisional vaccine. Shirin Ashraf and Arthur Wickenhagen explain why the vaccine is an important development in the fight against Ebola.

Ina Skosana

Health + Medicine Editor

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Mali was one of the West African countries affected by the biggest Ebola outbreak ever recorded from 2014 to 2016. Shutterstock

Why Ebola vaccine on trial in the DRC is raising hopes

Shirin Ashraf, University of Glasgow; Arthur Wickenhagen, University of Glasgow

Without the current experimental vaccine the Ebola outbreak in the DRC has the potential to spiral out of control.

Politics + Society

Routine blackouts in Haiti symbolize a loss of political power for its citizens

Greg Beckett, Western University

For many Haitians, blackouts do not just signal a political crisis; they also symbolize feelings of their loss of political power.

South African students are protesting – again. Why it needn’t be this way

Salim Vally, University of Johannesburg; Enver Motala, University of Fort Hare; Mondli Hlatshwayo, University of Johannesburg; Siphelo Ngcwangu, University of Johannesburg

South Africa students are protesting and have brought university campuses to a stand still. This could have been avoided.

Energy + Environment

Why South Africa’s latest plan for state-owned power giant could work

Lauren Hermanus, University of Cape Town; Catrina Godinho, University of Cape Town

South Africa's president has committed to structural reforms in the energy sector.

Why stop at plastic bags and straws? The case for a global treaty banning most single-use plastics

Anastasia Telesetsky, University of Idaho

Dozens of cities, states and nations are enacting bans and restrictions on single-use plastic bags and other items. A legal expert explains how a global treaty could build on these efforts.