Himalayan food systems are being threatened
People in the Himalayas are experiencing a silent crisis as climate change disrupts centuries-old food systems. A comprehensive 20-year review reveals how rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and changing agricultural patterns are pushing communities towards insecurity. In the vast expanse of the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, a disturbing transformation is underway. Recent...
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Spain is facing its worst natural disaster in 50 years
Amid weather warnings for storms and heavy rain, more than 70 people have been killed after flash floods struck eastern parts of the country. Those in the worst-hit areas have been advised to stay at home. Three days of mourning have been declared in Spain in the aftermath of...
Future doctors to learn how global warming affects health
According to research, more than half of infectious diseases have been exacerbated by the various hazards associated with environmental breakdown, posing a significant threat to life on Earth. As a result, medical schools in Europe will give more training on illnesses linked to higher temperatures. Polio has returned, monkeypox isn’t...
Scientists fear that carbon sinks are failing
Together, the planet’s oceans, forests, and soils absorb about half of all human emissions. As the Earth heats up, many are concerned that this crucial natural process – which regulates temperatures – is breaking down. The planet’s oceans, forests, and soils play a critical role in the survival of humanity,...
The struggle for spatial equity in India
Across the country, inequality is fundamentally tied to physical safety and freedom from violence. Women and gender minorities face persistent challenges in accessing public spaces, with their experiences marred by harassment, assault, and fear. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), almost 32 thousand rapes were recorded in India...
How gender norms influence women’s food choices
With societal expectations and cultural conditioning still fundamentally guiding women’s eating habits, it’s time we addressed the often-overlooked issue of gendered appetites. In kitchens and dining rooms across the globe, an unseen force shapes the way that women interact with food. From portion size to preference, gender norms have long...
Controversial topics reintroduced to India’s medical curriculum
In a surprising U-turn, India’s National Medical Commission has revised the medical curriculum, reintroducing controversial topics related to sexuality and gender. This decision has sparked a debate on education, LGBTQ+ rights, and the intersection of law and medicine in the country. India’s apex medical education regulator, the National Medical Commission (NMC), has recently made headlines with its decision to revise the forensic medical curriculum for undergraduate students. Raising eyebrows among progressive...
Why quick commerce is thriving in India
A new retail phenomenon is reshaping consumer behaviour in major cities across the country. But what makes the quick commerce model – which promises deliveries in minutes – so successful? At the heart of India’s quick commerce triumph lies a deceptively simple concept: dark stores. These micro-warehouses, strategically placed in urban centres, are the hub of instant delivery operations which, unlike traditional retail spaces, are optimised for rapid order fulfilment. But location...
India named as the country producing the most plastic
Recent research published in Nature has revealed that the world’s second-most populous nation is contributing to a staggering one-fifth of all plastic production across the globe. The amount of plastic that India produces has reached alarming proportions, surpassing all other nations globally. According to recent research published in Nature, the country is responsible for approximately 20 per cent of all the world’s plastic waste. This figure not only...
Kids in Sweden to have less screen-time and more school-time
In an overhaul of the country’s education system which signals a pivot from play-based teaching for younger children, it will soon be compulsory that they start attending lessons at just six-years-old. The centre-right coalition government has also announced plans to ban access to digital devices in classrooms. On the one hand, recent efforts to safeguard children’s wellbeing in Sweden are commendable. In 2023, the country’s public health agency suggested that toddlers...
