Kenya and the US are negotiating a trade deal that could be a model for Africa – but its position on workers needs a rethink
Uche Ewelukwa Ofodile, University of Arkansas - The US and Kenya announced a trade and investment partnership in July 2022. Talks have been progressing on the way forward in nine areas, including agriculture,...
Spotify just made a record profit. What can the platform do now to maintain momentum?
Andrew White, King's College London - It is not much of an exaggeration to say that Spotify saved the music industry. Global revenue for recorded music reached its zenith in 1999 – the...
Successful Comebacks and Ongoing Struggles in South America’s Economy
As South America begins to emerge from the turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic, the region’s economic recovery has been a story of divergence — some countries are rebounding quickly while others continue to struggle with persistent roadblocks that stymie growth. Three of the continent’s largest economies — Brazil, Chile and Argentina — provide contrasting stories of recovery, influenced by particular challenges and domestic responses. In Brazil, the economic rebound has been no smooth ride. Brazil, the largest economy in Latin America, was severely affected by the pandemic, experiencing a steep decline in GDP and an increase in poverty levels. But since President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva came to power,...
How China is increasing its influence in central Asia as part of global plans to offer an alternative to the west
Stefan Wolff, University of Birmingham - As G7 leaders were preparing for their recent summit in Japan, China’s president Xi Jinping hosted his central...
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol bans Private Jets and Night Flights
By Noah Düker - The private jet ban is set to into effect at the end of 2025. This will lead to “more quiet, clean and better air travel”...
Improving the quality of traineeships in the EU
Trainees all over the EU will benefit from better quality traineeships thanks to new Commission proposals. They will improve and enforce working conditions for trainees, and ensure everyone can do a traineeship regardless of their socio-economic background or disability, by: improving learning content ensuring fair pay helping trainees claim their labour rights recommending access to adequate social protection combatting regular jobs disguised as traineeships creating channels to report malpractice and poor working conditions promoting equal access to traineeship opportunities allowing for hybrid and remote working offering career guidance and mentorship covering all types of traineeships The...
The Body Shop was the scent of my youth – and it’s young people who could resurrect the brand
Caroline Spence, De Montfort University - I’m exactly the right age (46) to look back with nostalgia on the significant part that The Body Shop played in my teen years. I can clearly...
Why inheritance tax should be reformed
David Sturrock, Institute for Fiscal Studies and Bee Boileau, Institute for Fiscal Studies - Around 50 Conservative MPs called...
