Indonesia passes legislation outlawing sex outside marriage
Indonesia’s parliament has approved a controversial new criminal code that bans both locals and foreigners from extramarital sex. Critics view the move as a ‘disaster’ for human rights, and a potential blow to the country's booming tourism sector. Following years of parliamentary discussions and heated public debate, Indonesia has just...
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What issues will world leaders be focusing on at COP27?
COP27 is kicking off in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, and will be continuing for the next two weeks. What will the summit address since COP26, and what should world leaders focus on? We spoke to Youthtopia’s Melati Wijsen to find out. We’re back. It’s another year of COP, this...
Lab-grown blood cells administered to humans for the first time
In a world-first clinical trial, lab-grown red blood cells have been transfused into humans. If successful, its continuation will bolster supplies for those with rare blood types and improve treatment for people who require regular transfusions. You’ve heard of lab-grown meat, but what about lab-grown human blood? For the very first...
How will nations at COP27 discuss climate change recovery funding?
Funding for loss and damage will take centre stage at COP27, the UN Climate Change Conference. In the past year, catastrophic flooding overwhelmed both Pakistan and Nigeria, wildfires scorched dozens of countries, and extreme heat waves blanketed large parts of the planet. These events killed thousands of people, destroyed essential infrastructure, and destabilized entire economic sectors. In...
Eleven actions you can take today to impact COP27
You can speak up to urge world leaders at COP27 to take the urgent climate action we need to see. If “big, nebulous, and dry” sum up your thoughts on COP27, you’re not alone. Like a lot of political summits, conferences, and round-tables, the UN Climate Change Conference — taking place...
Stormzy and Adidas launch #Merky FC to improve football diversity
UK artist Stormzy has announced a new collaboration with Adidas. #Merky FC will be a programme ‘committed to enhancing and protecting diverse representation in the football industry’. Stormzy has just launched a new programme called #Merky FC to boost and protect diversity within the footballing industry, both on and...
African Gen Zers to benefit from YouthConnekt summit
Last week, Rwanda hosted its annual YouthConnekt Africa summit. The continental initiative looks to empower young people by investing in their ideas, innovations, and initiatives. The YouthConnekt Africa summit was initiated by the Rwandese government in 2012 to focus on improving youth employment, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement through tech innovation. This year’s summit attracted thousands from over thirty African nations, private sectors, and non-governmental organisations such as the UNDP. This year's...
Russia passes law banning ‘LGBT propaganda’ among adults
The controversial bill outlaws any promotion of ‘non-traditional sexual relations,’ representing a toughening of an existing 2013 legislation which makes providing information about homosexuality to children a criminal offence. On Thursday, Russia’s parliament approved by 397 votes to none a bill that makes any expression of an LGBTQ+ lifestyle almost impossible. Though it still has yet to pass in the upper house and be signed off by President Putin, this is...
Opinion – Elnaz Rekabi deserves her status as Iranian hero
Despite claims that her missing hijab was an accident, Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi has been greeted by fervent crowds after competing in an international tournament. After she competed at an international climbing tournament without her hijab, concerns were mounting for missing climber Elnaz Rekabi. Those close to Rekabi said they had been unable to make contact with her after her appearance at the climbing competition in South Korea, where the absence...
Scientists have discovered a new ecosystem in the Indian Ocean
Named ‘The Trapping Zone,’ the newly discovered ecosystem is teeming with activity. It appears to be an oasis for supporting life, located 500m below the surface of the Indian Ocean. It’s not every day that we hear news of an entirely new ecosystem being discovered, but it looks like scientists and ocean lovers have just gotten lucky. While recently exploring the depths of the Indian Ocean, marine biologists aboard the Nekton...
