The passing of Egyptian feminist icon Nawal El Saadawi is an opportunity to reflect on some of the core aspects of her towering career. Much has been made of her firebrand activism and spell in jail, of her spectacular autobiography A Daughter of Isis and her role as a public health administrator – she was also a leading psychiatrist. But there was a great deal more to her, as literature professor and friend Adele Newson-Horst sets out in an insightful and fitting tribute. Among her other attributes were her ability to traverse both science and art, her refusal to compromise and her vast skills as a novelist and playwright.

India has stepped up its global ambitions and foreign policy re-engagement with African countries in recent years. It’s now the third largest export destination and the fifth largest investor on the continent. Aside from its reputation as the world’s pharmacy, Indian expertise in affordable healthcare has assumed increased significance during the ongoing pandemic. Dan Banik and Renu Modi explain how India is making good use of its historical ties and current strengths to increase its footprint and foster co-operation with Africa. A recent example of this is a joint petition with South Africa calling for a temporary patent waiver on drugs and COVID-19 vaccines to benefit poor countries.

For many people around the world who can do their job from home, the pandemic has meant a sudden shift from office-based to remote working. But this great experiment has taken its toll on some. In the latest episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, four experts on remote work dissect the impact a year of working from home has had on employees and the companies they work for – and what a more hybrid future might look like.