Month: April 2026

Saudi Arabia brings medieval cartography, and Yoko Ono, to VeniceSaudi Arabia brings medieval cartography, and Yoko Ono, to Venice

Thirteenth-century maps, first-century incense burners, and new commissions from Yoko Ono and Wael Shawky are coming together in Venice in an exhibition presented by the Saudi Ministry of Culture at the Abbazia di San Gregorio. Running alongside the city’s Biennale from May 6 through November, the show traces cartography from ...

Abu Dhabi saw prewar property boom with best-ever first quarterAbu Dhabi saw prewar property boom with best-ever first quarter

Abu Dhabi’s property market reported its best-ever start to the year, despite a slowdown after Iran launched thousands of missile and drone attacks. Sales in the first three months of 2026 were almost half of last year’s total figure, according to the sector’s regulator ADREC. Off-plan sales dominated the period, ...

The pope’s African tour shows the continent is vital to the future of CatholicismThe pope’s African tour shows the continent is vital to the future of Catholicism

Amid the US far right’s hijacking of Christianity and his very public row with Trump, Pope Leo XIV’s visit is symbolic of the ‘growing centrality of Africa and its Black diaspora’ • Don’t get The Long Wave delivered to your inbox? Sign up here Almost a year after his election, ...

Critical minerals are ‘oil of 21st century’ as demand fuels poverty and pollution in poorer countriesCritical minerals are ‘oil of 21st century’ as demand fuels poverty and pollution in poorer countries

Rush for lithium, cobalt and nickel is ravaging livelihoods, water and health of world’s most vulnerable, UN study says Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel are becoming the “oil of the 21st century” as the scramble for precious metals deepens poverty and creates public health crises in some ...