The life expectancy of marginalised communities in India is declining
A recent study has uncovered the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the country’s most vulnerable. It shows stark disparities in the decline of life expectancy across social groups, gender, and age – evidence of how the pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities nationwide. Though the pandemic left an indelible mark...
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Anxiety grips rural India amid worsening mental health crisis
According to a comprehensive new report, almost half of rural India is suffering from anxiety, drawing attention to the challenges faced by these communities. In rural India, a silent crisis threatens the wellbeing of millions. This issue has been highlighted by a recent study titled ‘The State...
The UK government will now treat misogyny as extremism
Vowing to crack down on people ‘pushing harmful and hateful beliefs,’ home secretary Yvette Cooper has ordered a review of the country’s counter-extremism strategy. Part of a concerted effort to tackle ever-increasing violence against women and girls nationwide, Labour’s new approach is seeking to combat the radicalisation of young...
Wealth accumulation of world’s elite reaches unprecedented heights
As the world grapples with economic disparity, recent findings have uncovered a staggering increase in the accumulation of wealth amongst the global elite. The societal implications of this highlight the urgent need for systemic change. During the last decade, the wealth accumulation of the top one per cent has...
Deadly heatwaves in India ignored by policymakers
As the country grapples with rising temperatures, the Finance Commission has controversially refused to recognise extreme heat as a natural disaster – despite the fact it’s claimed 35,000 lives since 1990. India’s battle against extreme heat has reached a critical juncture. Between 1990 and 2022, there have been
India’s 2024 budget highlights gaps in LGBTQ+ welfare
Despite improvements in some areas, the per capita spending on the transgender community remains alarmingly low. This has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to their rights. In a country with a population of 1.4 billion people and counting – where diversity and inclusion are often celebrated – the 2024...
What is happening in Bangladesh?
Escalating clashes between police and anti-government protestors have resulted in more than two hundred deaths across the country, as initially peaceful student demonstrations transformed into a nationwide campaign of civil disobedience aimed at unseating autocratic Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In 1971, the Bangladesh Liberation War – which saw a guerrilla resistance movement formed by Bengali military, paramilitary, and civilians fighting for the country’s independence from Pakistan – was won. Almost four...
The rise of solo weddings in Japan
In a striking departure from tradition, single young women across the country are marrying themselves to celebrate personal milestones without a partner. This unconventional trend – which reflects shifting social norms and a pivot to independence – is reshaping the industry and has sparked a cultural debate. During the last few years, an intriguing phenomenon has emerged in Japan, whereby young women are marrying themselves. These are the nation’s ‘perma-singles’...
Temperatures soar to unprecedented heights
Earth just experienced its hottest day in recorded history. This has raised alarm bells among scientists and policymakers worldwide, who argue that it should serve as a wake-up-call. On Sunday July 21, Earth experienced its hottest day in history, with the planet’s average temperature soaring to a staggering 62.76°F (17.09°C). Shattering all records and raising alarm bells among scientists and policymakers worldwide, this scorching milestone surpassed the previous high...
What is happening in Venezuela?
Following the disputed result of the country’s presidential election – which saw Maduro secure another term in power – fresh protests have broken out in the capital.
Home to the largest oil reserves in the world and once the richest nation in South America, recent decades have seen Venezuela ‘collapse under the weight of its own corruption and the hollow promise of a socialist utopia’ (Richard Emblin,
