World news

A pan of steaming food on the hob

Why traditional cooking isn’t always healthier: the case of Ghanaians in Manchester and in Accra

In popular discussions of healthy eating, including political rhetoric and nutrition counselling, women are often blamed for a lack of nutrition knowledge or cooking skills, leading to the assumption that a decline in cooking skills is connected with unhealthy diets and obesity. This has been called a “deficit approach” and my research with Ghanaian women set out to challenge some of its assumptions.
Ghana football fans look at the camera

Africa Cup of Nations showcases the continent’s finest footballers – and China’s economic clout

When the Africa Cup of Nations begins on January 13, the opening match between Guinea Bissau and the hosts, Ivory Coast, will be played at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan. The state-of-the-art venue is one of six stadiums being used during the football tournament.
person being rescued by stretcher in war torn Ukraine

BESIEGED PODCAST: “The sound of bombs, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, was nonstop.” Ukrainian aid workers describe life on the frontline

Loughborough University graduate Madeline MacKenzie is in Ukraine working for a humanitarian aid agency, STAY SAFE UA – set up by five friends who refused to stand by and watch people suffer. Earlier this year, Madeline, Andriy, Taras, Yuriy, David and Libby (the rescue dog) visited Loughborough’s London campus to talk to Peter Warzynski – host of the University’s Besieged podcast – to give firsthand accounts of the war which ravages their home.

Wind farm over looking the sea

New Electricity Transition Playbook will help developing nations switch to clean energy

A practical guide aimed at helping developing nations switch from traditional fuel sources to clean energy has been launched online.

Loughborough development helps provide green hydrogen cooking and electricity for African communities

A first of its kind development at Loughborough University will aim to provide green hydrogen cooking and electricity for those living in off-grid communities in Africa.

Global electric cooking initiative to be launched at COP28

Loughborough is due to launch a global electric cooking initiative at the COP28 climate change conference in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

oil extraction with lovely sunset

COP28 UAE explained by Dr Richard Hodgkins

The 2023 United Nations climate change conference begins in the United Arab Emirates this week – here is all you need to know.

AfTrak - Solar And Battery Powered Tractor

Loughborough led initiative named global award finalist

A groundbreaking Loughborough University led initiative has moved one step closer to helping improve the lives of billions of people across Africa after being shortlisted for a global green energy prize. 
myanmar police standing in a line

Myanmar’s military junta appears to be in terminal decline

Myint Swe, the acting president of Mynamar’s military government, has warned that the country “will be split into various parts” after his armed forces suffered huge territorial losses to resistance fighters recently. His response was to call on Mynamar’s people to support his military forces, a call that is likely, based on previous experience, to fall mainly on deaf ears.
Photo of colleagues from ONCAMPUS, Professor Nick Jennings, Lily Rumsey and Professor Rachel Thomson all stood together smiling at the camera

University holds celebratory event for the launch of the ONCAMPUS Loughborough Centre

Last week, the University celebrated the official launch of the ONCAMPUS Loughborough Centre, bringing together key members from both ONCAMPUS and the University to commemorate their hard work and efforts.

The Kenyan and United Kingdom flags

King Charles in Kenya: despite past tensions, the visit is a sign of a strong relationship with Britain

King Charles’ visit to Kenya this week is the British monarch’s first to a Commonwealth nation since his coronation in September 2022. The visit comes during the country’s 60th anniversary of independence from Britain.
Ntando Mahlangu, the double Paralympic champion, has joined Loughborough. The picture is a close up of him.

Ntando Mahlangu – double Paralympic champion joins Loughborough University (VIDEO)

Ntando Mahlangu has already lived a life like no other.

Mike Kapoor, the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, welcomes the international partners to Leicestershire

Celebrating Leicester and Leicestershire as a prime destination for international students

International partners from across the world gathered in Leicester on 11 October to hear first-hand from regional leaders about why the county is one of the most attractive destinations for international students in the country.

How Europe’s authoritarian populists maintain the illusion of a free press

Authoritarian leaders might be good at damaging democracy, but unless they are pure dictators they often still need to worry about winning elections. In the last few years, Europe has seen the rise of a number of authoritarian populists who rely on winning mass support among ordinary people – as opposed to just rigging the vote.
Ed Brown, Research Director of the Modern Energy Cooking Services programme

Loughborough researcher shares expertise ahead of UN SDG Summit

A Loughborough University researcher has shared his expertise at a high-profile United Nations event in New York.

A woman cooking outside with a variety of pots

More than 1.1 billion African people unlikely to have access to clean cooking fuels and technologies by 2050, new study predicts

A new Loughborough University study on clean energy accessibility in Africa forecasts that 1.1 billion people will be without eco-friendly cooking fuels or technologies by 2050.
Woman in a kitchen standing next to an electric cooker

New coalition seeks to accelerate access to clean electric cooking

Replacing traditional biomass-burning cookstoves with electricity could stop hundreds of preventable deaths and significantly benefit the climate, according to a new coalition involving Loughborough University advocating for a significant scale-up of access to clean energy across the world.
Recent Loughborough graduate Ben Pattison following his bronze medal win in the 800m meters. Image provided by PA / Alamy.

World Championships sees incredible success for Loughborough University athletes

Loughborough University athletes are returning home as heroes after producing some extraordinary performances at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

Loughborough ranked first in UK and 15th globally for advancing affordable and clean energy

The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings have placed Loughborough University first in the UK and 15th globally for advancing Affordable and Clean Energy – the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7.

How Erdoğan framed his science and tech ‘great achievements’ as part of election campaign

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has ruled Turkey for the last 21 years. In the first few terms of his rule, Turkey experienced significant economic growth and a reduction in inequality. This was widely believed to be a reason for Erdoğan’s long-term popularity.

The Diplomat: Netflix show suggests the US-UK special relationship needs some TLC

Netflix’s new political drama, The Diplomat, is focused on the trials and tribulations of Kate Wyler (Keri Russell), a new American ambassador to Britain. It begins with a deadly attack on a British aircraft carrier and then follows the twists and turns of a joint US and UK attempt to find the culprits.

Three Loughborough academics awarded British Academy funding

Projects involving three Loughborough University academics have been awarded British Academy funding to maximise the impact of their cutting-edge work in developing countries.
a lizard

Who reigns supreme in the sporting animal kingdom?

For thousands of years, humans have pushed their physical abilities to the limits in the name of sporting success.

bo kramer

Paralympic Games champion Kramer signs for Lightning (VIDEO)

Loughborough Lightning Wheelchair Basketball has secured a major coup with the signing of Netherlands international and Paralympic Games champion, Bo Kramer.

Creative industries in India have “huge potential”, researchers conclude in first-of-a-kind report

The creative industries in India are “growing fast” and have “huge potential”, researchers have concluded in a new report that maps the sector for the first time.