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When there’s a spike in prices, such as food and other essential items we buy, central banks almost always reach into their toolbox and introduce interest rate hikes as a way of putting a lid on things. Lots of central banks have done so in recent months as they try to manage spiralling price hikes in the wake of disruptions to food and other supplies as a result of the war in Ukraine. On the continent, South Africa’s central bank raised rates last week. Ghana and Nigeria have raised rates too. As Bomikazi Zeka explains, each one of us is feeling the impact as the cost of borrowing escalates. She offers five tips on how you can make your money stretch a bit further.
United Nations human rights experts recently urged the international community to pay more attention to the violence escalating all across South Sudan. At the heart of this security crisis, writes Mark Deng, is the country’s fragile government and its inability to work effectively with regional governments. He argues that the first step is to take weapons away from all civilians.
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Bomikazi Zeka, University of Canberra
The time to fix the roof is while the sun is still shining. Before the economic situation goes from bad to worse, the impact of rising interest rates can be mitigated in a combination of ways.
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Mark Deng, The University of Queensland
A way forward is for the national government of South Sudan and Unity State government to work together to address the crisis.
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Marshall Keyster, University of the Western Cape
Plants have evolved several ways to deal with heavy metals that might otherwise poison or kill them.
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Melanie Bisnauth, University of the Witwatersrand; Kate Rees, University of the Witwatersrand
When antiretroviral therapy is working effectively, HIV cannot be transmitted. This allows people with HIV to live fuller lives without the fear of infecting others.
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Balsam Mustafa, University of Warwick
Feminist campaigners are using the internet to challenge the conservative establishment and empower Arab women.
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Michael Head, University of Southampton
France experienced its largest outbreak of ‘native’ dengue this summer. Thanks to climate change, Europe can expect more of the same.
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Sofia Ammassari, Griffith University; Duncan McDonnell, Griffith University
Italy will have its first woman prime minister. And both Italy and Western Europe will have their first far-right majority government since the fall of Mussolini and the end of the Second World War.
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Steven Tingay, Curtin University
The first ever planetary defence test is about to take place 11 million kilometres from Earth. All we can do is wait and see.
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