Jan. 6, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ —The term petrodollar refers to the global system where crude oil is priced and traded exclusively in U.S. dollars. This system has been a cornerstone of American economic and geopolitical power for over 50 years. As of early 2026, the petrodollar system is facing its most significant challenges since its inception, with major shifts in Venezuela and the Middle East reshaping the global energy landscape. Continue reading
Dec. 29, 2025 /Mpelembe Media/ — The Cybersecurity Forecast 2026 report by Google Cloud examines the anticipated evolution of digital threats, primarily focusing on the transformative role of artificial intelligence. It describes how adversaries will increasingly use AI agents for automated attacks and sophisticated social engineering, while defenders will adopt similar technology to enhance security operations. Beyond AI, the analysis highlights the persistent danger of ransomware and the expansion of cybercrime into the blockchain and virtualisation sectors. The document also evaluates the strategic motivations of nation-state actors from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea as they pursue global espionage and disruption. Ultimately, the report serves as a guide for organisations to modernise their identity management and governance frameworks in response to these emerging risks. Continue reading
Tom Felle, University of Galway
Media freedom has long been essential to healthy democracy. It is the oxygen that fuels informed debate, exposes corruption and holds power to account. But around the world, that freedom is under sustained attack.
At the ongoing BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, the leaders of BRICS member states are focusing on strengthening strategic partnerships and enhancing the grouping’s role in international affairs. Continue reading
June 4, 2024 /Economy/ — The BRICS bloc has been in the news recently due to a significant development: it doubled its membership in January 2024. Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were all invited to join Atlantic Council. This expansion has the potential to reshape the bloc’s influence, but it also comes with challenges. Continue reading
Toby James, University of East Anglia and Holly Ann Garnett, Royal Military College of Canada
This year has been widely proclaimed to be the year of elections, with national elections expected in at least 64 countries. This means that half of the world’s population will have the opportunity to change their government, choose their representatives and indirectly shape policy. It began as a year of hope – and the prospect of democratic empowerment.
Daniel Hoyer, University of Toronto
American humorist and writer Mark Twain is believed to have once said, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.”
I’ve been working as a historian and complexity scientist for the better part of a decade, and I often think about this phrase as I follow different strands of the historical record and notice the same patterns over and over.
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Barrick’s transformation of its Lumwana mine into a world-class producer will provide strong impetus for the government’s thrust to revive the country’s copper industry, president and chief executive Mark Bristow said yesterday after a meeting with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.
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Mon, Sep 18 — It is important to note that not all social media moderators are motivated by these dark sides and hidden agendas. Many moderators are genuinely trying to create a safe and welcoming environment for users. However, the power that social media moderators wield means that it is important to be aware of the potential for abuse. Continue reading
Alpesh Bhudia, Royal Holloway University of London; Anna Cartwright, Oxford Brookes University; Darren Hurley-Smith, Royal Holloway University of London, and Edward Cartwright, De Montfort University
In May 2023, the Dallas City Government was hugely disrupted by a ransomware attack. Ransomware attacks are so-called because the hackers behind them encrypt vital data and demand a ransom in order to get the information decrypted.