The Conversation
Kiss and Tell: Did lip-locking begin in 2500 BC?
Although lip kissing is an act that’s so natural and common in many present-day societies, the history and causes for kissing are more complex than anticipated
Why it is unlikely that the British royals will return South African diamonds
King Charles' coronation led to renewed calls for the return of the stones cut from the Cullinan diamond to South Africa. However, the demand, especially when not backed by any official request by the South African government, is unlikely to make any impression in London
US debt ceiling crisis: How big banks are preparing for possible default
What happens if the US defaults on its debt? Can you even prepare for an event that many expect would trigger the worst global recession since the 1930s?
UK plans to designate Vladimir Putin’s private army Wagner Group a ‘terrorist organisation’: What does it mean?
The UK’s proscription of Wagner could be an important global signal — the UK would be among the first to label the collective as a terrorist group. This could encourage other countries to do the same, and possibly discourage countries from working with it in the future
Beyond Well-Being. How three-day weekends boost the economy
Three-day weekends will benefit the economy, but more importantly, they deliver a well-being boost for much of the country
From Kali to Mary: How different religions revere motherhood
Many countries across the world mark today (14 May) as Mother's Day. Many religions include goddess-centred traditions that embrace many forms of the divine feminine as central to their belief systems
Explained: How past US debt ceiling crises affected the economy and politics
Failing to lift the debt ceiling has catastrophic effects for the US and the world. It could bring down the entire international financial system. This in turn could devastate the world gross domestic product and create mass unemployment
Explained: Can Turkey's divided Opposition oust President Recep Tayyip Erdogan?
Recent surveys in Turkey show that the largest opposition party, the CHP, holds a relatively strong position in the presidential race. However, in parliamentary elections, President Erdogan's conservative policies appear to be benefiting the AK Party
Why US debt default could cause catastrophic damage to the dollar and its reputation
In August 2021, the mere prospect of a potential default led to an unprecedented downgrade of the nation’s credit rating, hurting America’s financial prestige as well as countless individuals, including retirees. An actual default would be far more damaging
Explained: How important is the Royal Family for British tourism?
While the royal family is certainly associated with the international perception of Britain, this does not tell us whether a reigning royal family is required for tourism
Mercury is in retrograde: What does it actually mean?
Retrograde motion refers to the apparent movement of a planet in the opposite direction to its usual path around the Sun, as observed from Earth. However, the planet itself does not actually change direction
Explained: Did Twitter play a role in the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank?
Prior to Silicon Valley Bank's failure on 10 March, investor conversations about the bank spiked on Twitter, fuelling the SVB bank run. It has been found that from 6 to 13 March, one-third of banks with the most tweets experienced declines in their share prices
Explained: Lessons to learn after the failure of First Republic Bank
First Republic is the latest victim of the panic that has roiled small and midsize banks since the failure of Silicon Valley Bank in March 2023. The collapse of SVB and now First Republic underscores how the impact of risky decisions at one bank can quickly spread into the broader financial system
King Charles' coronation: England's long history of bellringing explained
The coronation of Charles III is an opportunity for people to continue the long tradition of bellringing. Royal coronations, weddings and baptisms have long prompted local celebratory ringing
Sleep on This: Can a nap at work boost productivity?
A study found that people who were given the opportunity to take a 30-minute nap in a cozy and peaceful setting saw significant improvements in their psychological wellbeing, cognitive function, and productivity levels. They experienced an impressive 2.3 per cent increase in productivity
French protester arrested in UK under Schedule 7: What is the controversial terror law?
French publisher Ernest Moret was arrested at St Pancras station and questioned by police under schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 of the United Kingdom. These controversial counter-terrorist powers allow the UK police to question and detain anybody at an airport or port for up to six hours
Explained: Why the path towards peace in Yemen remains shaky
After eight years of conflict and hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths, it is the Yemeni people who have lost the most in this war. Houthi and Saudi officials may claim a political solution is underway, but whether this will have a much-needed humanitarian component remains a question
Saudi Arabia joins China-led SCO: What does this mean for world politics?
China’s expansion of the SCO and its recent exercising of its diplomatic muscle is all in support of its objective to be regarded as a world power — and to prepare its alliances for Beijing’s stated strategic aim of reunification with Taiwan
Fox News settles defamation lawsuit with Dominion: Why this is good news for all media outlets
The case was a referendum not only on Fox’s coverage of Dominion, but also on its long-established pattern of favouring one political viewpoint over all others, even at the expense of telling the truth. In other words, it was about disinformation and the people who are persuaded by it
How the trial of Kara-Murza exposes the brutal repression in Vladimir Putin’s Russia
Vladimir Putin has presided over a regime where political opponents have been neutralised, imprisoned or murdered and Kara-Murza is merely the latest example