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By Simon Johnson, Karolina Tagaris for Reuters Academy of Sciences permanent secretary Hans Ellegren (C), Jakob Svensson (L) and Jan Teorell, of the Nobel assembly at the Swedish Riksbank announces the Swedish Riksbank's prize in economic science. Photo: AFP / Christine Olsson Three US-based academics won the 2024 Nobel economics prize for research that explored the aftermath of colonisation to understand why global inequality persists today, especially in countries dogged by corruption and dictatorship. Simon Johnson and James Robinson, both British-American, and Turkish-American Daron Acemoglu were commended for their work on "how institutions are formed and affect prosperity", the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said. "Reducing the vast differences in income between countries is...

A sign on the Samoa Government building in Apia shows the countdown to Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Photo: Louise Ternouth Next week, 56 countries will be coming together for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa. Preparations have been four years in the making, with businesses stockpilling supplies, villages decorated in each country's colours and a huge community effort to be ready to host. The meeting comes off the back of the White Sunday public holiday, known as Lotu Tamaiti in Samoa, which has seen families out celebrating - singing, dancing and, of course, eating. On Samoa's island Manono in the village of Salua, children at the Methodist church were performing for Lotu Tamaiti - White Sunday. After Christmas, Lotu Tamaiti is the biggest public holid...