Editorial office D+C

⚽ Football is a ticket for a better life for some, and a lucrative spectacle for others. It has passionate fans everywhere. It divides, it unites. 🔎 What's so special about this particular sport? We unearthed stories and answers from around the world. Find them here. 👉 spkl.io/60157BGZc

🇰🇪 Kenya is home to numerous ethnic groups whose differences and rivalries have often fuelled conflicts. Cultural anthropologist Solomon Waliaula describes how football has helped transform such rivalries into solidarity: spkl.io/601678skA

🇲🇱 Violence is escalating once again in Mali. Those who attribute this solely to “terrorism” are failing to explain enough: theconversation.com/mali-attacks-t…

⚽The editors' pick for this weekend: Our writer Alba Nakuwa works part-time for a grassroots football project in Kenya and describes how such projects support communities across Kenya where the state has failed to do so. 👇 dandc.eu/en/article/foo…

🇲🇼 Despite new laws and growing awareness, elderly people in Malawi continue to face violent attacks linked to witchcraft accusations: spkl.io/601878sGu

Africa’s richest man is planning a new refinery with East Africa’s presidents – at a time when green energy and climate resilience should really be at the top of the agenda. But what are the options? dandc.eu/en/article/con…

In May 2026, Europe experienced a rapid climate transition from cooler-than-average conditions to an unusually early & intense heatwave. 🇫🇷🇬🇧🇮🇪🇵🇹 saw their highest May temperatures on record, accdg to @CopernicusEU Climate Change Service’s latest bulletin. bit.ly/4ek0T1L

🇲🇦 As one of the hosts of the 2030 FIFA World Cup and also for the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, Morocco has been investing heavily in sports infrastructure. Meanwhile, hospitals and schools continue to struggle with chronic shortages – and Gen Z is questioning the priorities: spkl.io/601578s6P

⚽If you’ve ever watched a regional league match on some dusty pitch somewhere, you’ll know that football ­doesn’t need any #FIFA glitz and glamour to have impact. Still, the men’s football #FIFAWorldCup is one of the few truly global events of our time. But what exactly is it about the game that both divides and unites the whole world? dandc.eu/en/article/wor…

⚠️Three months after warning that the Middle East crisis could push millions more people into hunger, new analysis shows that the fallout is already having deep and long-lasting effects. Vulnerable families far from the center of the crisis are being hit the hardest. 🔗 ow.ly/fU4q50Z9YyG

⚽ The Men’s World Cup kicks off tomorrow. We figured it would be a good opportunity to take a closer look at football from a global development perspective – and have dedicated our latest issue to the sport. Have you read it yet? Our editor Katharina Otieno breaks down what’s inside – and has a few reading recommendations. 👇

💪This month’s pieces of good news are all about strong women: 🌱The Goldman Environmental Prize was awarded exclusively to female environmental activists ⚽The FIFA recognises the team of Afghan women refugees as Afghanistan's official national team. dandc.eu/en/article/two…

Anti-foreigner violence doesn't emerge in a vacuum. It takes root where economic hardship, frustration, misinformation and political opportunism meet. But it can be prevented. Writing for The Conversation Africa, @AlanHirsch2 explores why South Africa remains vulnerable to anti-foreigner mobilisation and outlines practical steps that government, political leaders and civil society can take to reduce tensions and build a more constructive response to migration. Read the full article: theconversation.com/anti-foreigner… @TC_Africa @KopanangAfrica @HomeAffairsSA @DIRCO_ZA @DpmeOfficial

🇸🇳 Surrounded by coups, conflict and instability, Senegal shows the potential to serve as a prime example of African sovereignty: spkl.io/601378pFS

🇨🇩 Despite the fact that the DRC was eliminated in the round of 16 of AFCON in January, everyone will remember Michel Nkuka Mboladinga. The team’s fan stood motionless in the stands on a stool throughout the matches, his right arm raised in the air. Mboladinga was imitating the pose of a statue of Patrice Lumumba in Kinshasa – and became the symbol of the tournament. dandc.eu/en/article/ico…

The funding covers the six-month response plans of affected and at-risk countries in Africa, as well as the organizations supporting the response. But controversy over donor pledges remain. #Echobox=1780926227" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">devex.com/news/inside-wh…

⛏️Countries in the Global South have long supplied the world with commodities without securing sustainable economic benefits – will the critical minerals boom be different? spkl.io/601978yCF

🇬🇭 When Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama wore a fugu during a state visit to Zambia, someone called it a “blouse”. In fact, it is a majestic cotton top traditionally worn by chiefs and leaders. Ghana responded to the mocking comments online by declaring a “Fugu Friday”, on which MPs wore fugu to work. What traditional clothing is of great significance in your country? 👚👔 dandc.eu/en/article/gha…

She is life. Our future. Our responsibility. She is our ocean. 🌊 Though she faces growing threats, we still have the power to protect her — but we must #ActNow. Our voices, choices and actions matter. Monday is UN World Oceans Day. unworldoceansday.org #SaveOurOcean

🔔 China has recently had a job ad go viral. The open position: shepherd. Here's why it went viral. 👇 reuters.com/business/world…

🇧🇴 Bolivia may have enormous lithium reserves, but it is reliant on international alliances to extract them. 👉 spkl.io/60167BWPO