The African Union and the European Union: an unequal relationship needing a reset

Today, leaders of the African Union and of the European Union will gather in Brussels for their sixth summit. The hope is that it will be different to previous gatherings which were criticised for delivering nothing of substance. The promise of this one is that it will lay the foundations for a renewed relationship between the two blocs. But will it? Frank Mattheis explains that structural patterns of inequality between the two sides stand in the way of resetting the relationship.

Elsewhere, a neuroimmunologist delves into new evidence showing that – in mice, for now – there is a link between circadian disruption and Alzheimer’s disease. Could more carefully protected sleep patterns also protect us from the condition? And an infectious diseases specialist hails the arrival of ARCoV, China’s promising contribution to the mRNA COVID vaccine cohort.

Caroline Southey

Founding Editor

AU-EU summit: what stands in the way of a deeper relationship

Frank Mattheis, United Nations University

The 2022 summit between the European Union and the African Union seeks to renew the intercontinental partnership with massive investments. However, structural patterns of inequality persist.

Alzheimer’s disease linked to circadian rhythm – new research in mice

Eleftheria Kodosaki, Cardiff University

If replicated in humans, these findings could mean that targeting or boosting the circadian rhythm in Alzheimer’s patients, could help with managing the disease

COVID: China is developing its own mRNA vaccine – and it’s showing early promise

Eoghan De Barra, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Having access to an mRNA vaccine will be critical to China’s ongoing COVID response.
What South Africa has learnt about COVID and what the next steps could be

Veronica Ueckermann, University of Pretoria

South Africa is still likely to experience periods of increased cases, smaller-scale outbreaks and even the development of new variants.
Appeal in Sarah Palin’s libel loss could set up Supreme Court test of decades-old media freedom rule

Bill Kovarik, Radford University

Under the Sullivan standard, a public official has to prove that there was ‘actual malice’ in defamation cases. That could be challenged in the Supreme Court.
Why victims of domestic abuse don’t leave – four experts explain

Cassandra Wiener, City, University of London; Alison Gregory, University of Bristol; Michaela Rogers, University of Sheffield; Sandra Walklate, University of Liverpool

Coercive control seeks to disempower victims of domestic abuse on every level. Leaving the family home – and disentangling feelings of care – is a complex process.
Prince Andrew: a legal expert explains the settlement with Virginia Giuffre

Caleb Wheeler, Cardiff University

From how Prince Andrew will pay for the settlement, to what’s next for the Epstein case - an expert answers all your questions about the latest development.

African wild dogs cope with human development using skills they rely on to compete with other carnivores

Scott Creel, Montana State University

African wild dogs are used to evading hyenas and lions. Genetic research suggests they are using the same strengths to get around human development as well.