India is heading to the polls in the world’s largest democratic election – but could any of them oust incumbent BJP prime minister Narendra Modi and lead the country in a new direction? From dynast Rahul Gandhi to potential powerbroker Mamata Banerjee, Ian Hall highlights the ones to watch.
As women in Nigeria, Ghana, Togo and Benin get older, they are more able to make decisions independently of men. This is particularly the case if they belong to an ethnic group that practices voodoo - a religion that spread across West Africa with the expansion of the Dahomey kingdom in the 17th century - and if they are menopaused. Marijke Verpoorten and Alidou Sahawal attribute this age “dividend” to beliefs in magic and religion.
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Rahul Gandhi: India’s next prime minister?
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Ian Hall, Griffith University
India’s general election, held over six weeks in April and May, pits the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s Narendra Modi against a varied band of opponents, including Rahul Gandhi.
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Beninese women attend a “voodoo” festival.
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Marijke Verpoorten, University of Antwerp; Alidou Sahawal, University of Antwerp
In some West African communities, age and magico-religious beliefs have a huge role to play in a woman's independence.
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Politics + Society
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Noel Twagiramungu, University of Massachusetts Lowell; Joseph Sebarenzi, Ph.D., SIT Graduate Institute
Rwanda has overcome its past to become a development miracle but if it's not careful, history could repeat itself.
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Mark Fathi Massoud, University of California, Santa Cruz
There is no inherent tension between Islam and democratic values. Like any use of religion in politics, the application of Sharia as law depends on who is using it – and why.
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Business + Economy
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Freya Higgins-Desbiolles, University of South Australia
Bad tourists are causing a global backlash, with consequences for the entire industry.
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Volodymyr Bilotkach, Newcastle University
With all Boeing 737 MAX planes now grounded, airlines could be losing close to US$60m a day.
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