News that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the notorious Russian warlord and leader of the mercenary group Wagner, had died in a plane crash yesterday was first met with some scepticism and disbelief. Was it really true? The first reports came from Russia’s state newswire RIA Novosti which quoted Russia’s emergency ministry saying that 10 people on the plane, including three crew members, had died in a crash. As the day drew to a close social media posts from Wagner supporters seemed to confirm that indeed it was. Gregory F. Treverton sets out what the warlord’s death tells us about Vladimir Putin's Russia.
The military coup in Niger adds to an already volatile security and political situation in the region. It’s the 6th coup that west Africa has faced within the past three years. Because Niger is a central player in the region, explains Mohammad Dan Suleiman, the effects on neighbouring countries will be significant. He shares four worrying implications.
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Gregory F. Treverton, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
The lesson in the presumed death of the mercenary leader two months after his mutiny against Putin: Don’t make yourself an enemy of Russia’s leader.
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Muhammad Dan Suleiman, Curtin University
Economic infrastructure that affects several African countries runs through Niger.
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Lluís Montoliu, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB - CSIC)
The smallest chromosome in humans, the men-specific Y chromosome, has just been sequenced after considerable hurdles.
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Jordan Tama, American University School of International Service; Brian Kalt, Michigan State University; Calvin Schermerhorn, Arizona State University
From immigration and federal spending to Ukraine and the state of American schools, eight GOP presidential candidates had a lot to say.
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Mary Neal, University of Strathclyde
A womb transplant can be life changing for the recipient, but there are serious ethical considerations too.
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Rebecca Ellis, Swansea University; Jamie Bernthal-Hooker, University of Suffolk
Agatha Christie never explicitly said so, but many of her Belgian detective’s character traits could be interpreted as being autistic.
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Wycliffe W. Njororai Simiyu, Stephen F. Austin State University
With three world records to her name, Faith Kipyegon is competing for two gold medals at the World Athletics Championships.
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