Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill officially comes into law
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has signed a new anti-LGBTQ+ bill into law, which declares any ‘engagement in acts of homosexuality’ as a punishable offence. It proves that LGBTQ+ rights and legal protection are still intense issues that must be fought for. Uganda has passed a controversial new bill that...
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What is the Dutch nitrogen crisis?
If it’s to meet its climate targets, the Netherlands will be forced to choose between agriculture or building new homes and infrastructure unless the farming sector cuts nitrogen-based emissions. Last year, it was revealed that the agriculture industry is responsible for about a quarter of our total greenhouse gas emissions, the main...
Opinion – New York City discrimination bill is a sign of progress
In a city known for its diversity and progressiveness, New York City has once again made headlines by taking a bold step in the fight against discrimination. This week, America’s cultural capital announced a new law prohibiting weight-based bias in employment, housing, and public accommodations. It’s a surprisingly positive legal...
Understanding Senegal’s youth protests
Last week Senegal’s protests deepened as president Macky Sall's potential bid for a third term sparked outrage amongst thousands. According to local reports, three have died including a teen while more than thirty have been injured backing opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. Senegal's Gen Zers have taken to the streets in...
Greece makes 280 beaches wheelchair accessible
The decision comes after the country’s tourism minister declared full access to the sea a basic human right. Greece, known for its stunning coastline and turquoise waters, is taking a momentous step towards inclusivity and accessibility by making its beaches wheelchair accessible. This progressive initiative aims to provide people with disabilities...
Doctors urged not to rely on BMI to assess health
The American Medical Association is no longer recommending the use of body mass index as a measure of weight, after years of controversy and criticism around the metric. The scales are formally shifting on body mass index (BMI), a measurement that’s been the source of much scorn in recent years. Invented...
New York becomes latest city to be slowly sinking
Apparently, New York City is slowly sinking under its own weight. But given that the climate crisis is causing sea levels to rise and coastal erosion to worsen all while urban development increases, should we be surprised? Over the weekend, news broke that New York City is sinking under the weight of its many buildings. The average rate of its descent is between 2 - 4 millimetres every year, with...
‘Oceans’ reveals worst polluted beaches in the UK
UK beaches are riddled with plastic pollution. Toilet paper company Oceans has discovered the top worst affected beaches and are campaigning to spread awareness. There are 5000 pieces of plastic & 150 plastic bottles for each mile on UK beaches, while 88% of the sea's surface is polluted by plastic waste. Humans have produced over 320 million tonnes of plastic, creating 500 dead zones, which will double every decade. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQjp_phj1s&ab_channel=Channel4News With...
WHO declares Benin and Mali trachoma-free
Trachoma has plagued poor communities across the globe for centuries. This week, the World Health Organization declared both Benin and Mali to have eradicated the disease, joining four other African nations in eliminating the problem fully. The profound consequences of trachoma on communities have been extensively documented. Recently, a collaborative endeavor involving governments, non-governmental organizations, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has been initiated to eradicate the disease entirely. The West...
Could mushrooms eventually replace polystyrene?
A Ukrainian startup has successfully developed a 100% biodegradable and extremely lightweight packaging alternative made from mycelium roots that fully decomposes in just a month. If you’re familiar with my writing, by now I’m sure you’re well aware of my deep-rooted obsession with all things mycelium. This is pretty understandable, given the amount of recent findings proving that there’s very little these fantastic fungi can’t do. From communicating with ‘words’ (as though they...
