Why are calls for book bans on the rise in America?
Book bans aren’t new, but the last year has seen over one thousand books discussing sexuality, gender, race, and racism challenged in America. What do we stand to lose when certain narratives are blocked from view? To learn to read is to light a fire, said Victor Hugo, author of...
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British women face new threats to their bodily autonomy
Fears have been raised over the UK government’s quiet removal of commitments to abortion and sexual health rights from an international pact on freedom of belief and gender equality. In the aftermath of reproductive rights being rolled back in the US, activists in the UK have raised fears over the...
How climate change is causing floods in North East India
Every year, the state of Assam in India witnesses floods. But this year, things are much worse as more than 120 people have died. So, what is causing these floods and what is being done to save the people of Assam? It probably wouldn’t come as a surprise to you...
Opinion – Clarence Thomas proves Roe v Wade impacts everyone
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade, Justice Clarence Thomas’ comments on LGBTQ+ rights suggest a war on civil liberty is just beginning in America. In the next 30 days, 13 states will ban abortion in the US. Since the Supreme Court announced its...
New spray-on coating could replace plastic food wrapping
Researchers at Harvard and Rutgers have developed a new plant-based antimicrobial coating to protect food. It has the potential to replace single-use plastic wrappers. As anybody who eats on-the-go knows, plastic wrapping and single-use packaging is a major environmental waste problem. We throw away tons of cardboard and plastic every...
What does a summer of heatwaves say about our climate?
From India to Europe and more, climate change is driving increasingly intense and damaging heatwaves as humans struggle to adapt. The world has been feeling the heat in 2022. India and Pakistan experienced their hottest March on record this year, exposing many to power and water shortages. Europe, meanwhile, is only...
Are past-focused approaches to therapy getting it wrong?
Traditional approaches to therapy tend to focus on unpacking difficult experiences from the past. Could incorporating a mindful, future-focused method be more practical? If you’ve ever been to therapy, you’ve probably been encouraged to tell your story and to ‘start from the beginning’. Our life experiences shape who we are, making past-focused counselling helpful for identifying the root of certain negative behaviours, thought patterns, and habits. But many people enter therapy because...
Filmmaker Lu Ke arrested for exploiting Malawian children
A Chinese national filmmaker, Lu Ke, has been accused of manipulating Malawian village children into saying racist phrases as personalised greeting videos and selling footage on Chinese sites. Last week, Zambian authorities arrested Chinese national Mr. Lu Ke, who fled Malawi after viral videos of children saying racist phrases emerged on Chinese social media sites. Lu Ke was arrested in the eastern Chipata district of Zambia and later returned to Malawi. The...
Climate NGOs plea for Tesla to pull out of Indonesia nickel drive
Dozens of environmental NGOs have sent a joint letter to Elon Musk pleading with the Tesla chief to pull out of Indonesia’s nickel drive. Citing concerns around water pollution and deforestation, the cohort claim this isn’t the way to accelerate EV adoption. As we approach 2030 climate deadlines, the automobile industry is changing drastically each year. The common consensus is that we need electric vehicles (EVs) to succeed petrol cars, and...
Mercedes becomes first sports outfit to invest in sustainable aviation fuel
Leading Formula 1 team Mercedes has committed a multi-million euro pledge to accelerate sustainable aviation fuel development. The wider sport is aiming for net zero by 2030 and Mercedes wants to play a central role in stemming its current criticism. When it comes to sustainability, Formula 1 and Motorsport in general has anything but a clean rap sheet. Only weeks ago we were reminded of this when campaigners from Just...
