The huge investment in agriculture transformed  the semi-arid Al Badia region into fields of maize and cotton, by means of subsidies to farmers and the drilling of thousands of wells. This added to the pressure on water resources. 

A guide about religion in the Spanish armed forces warns about the privilege of the Roman Catholic Church over other confessions, especially in religious assistance.

Autonomous weapons will “appear on the black market and in the hands of terrorists”, warn prominent researchers like Stuart Russell, Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking.

WEA’s Efraim Tendero argues stories of 1.5 million people must be told. Dr Schirrmacher says “politicians cannot refute academic research”.

The European Commission President argues that NATO is not enough, and an EU army would convince Russia the bloc is serious about defending its values.

The Salvation Army is gaining worldwide attention for sending up a viral meme about a black and blue (or gold and white!) dress in its new public awareness campaign about violence against women.

Retired tennis player Monica Seles is raising awareness in the media about B.E.D. disorder. She has declined to say how much she is being paid for the campaign.