Pakistan enforces law making child marriages illegal
How much can change in just a few seconds? According to Child Marriage Data, a young girl marries somewhere in the world every three seconds. In this grim reality, Pakistan's new law banning child marriage stands out as a rare ray of light. NGOs, international and local organizations, and governments...
Current in Change
UK ready to sue Roman Abramovich over frozen Ukraine funds
The former Chelsea FC owner was forced to sell up in 2022 after UK sanctions were actioned against the Russian oligarch. He was ordered to give the proceeds of the €2.97bn sale to Ukrainian victims of war, but has continually refused terms. Remember when the UK went after seven Russian...
Does Brockwell Park battle prove festivals are another form of gentrification?
When London’s green sanctuaries become private playgrounds, who truly holds the key to public space? Last month, Brockwell Park underwent its annual transformation from local haven to festival fortress. Surrounded by temporary fencing and housing a swathe of stages and food vans, tens of thousands prepared to descend on the...
Is London about to legalise cannabis?
A new report backed by the Mayor of London calls for some cannabis possession to be decriminalised in the capital. Sadiq Khan is supporting calls for the partial decriminalisation of cannabis in the UK capital, following a study by the independent London Drugs Commission (LDC). According to reports by the...
US opts out of signing landmark pandemic agreement
In a pivotal moment for global health cooperation, the US has chosen not to sign the world’s first international pandemic agreement, distancing itself from the future of pandemic preparedness. The COVID-19 pandemic tested the world in circumstances that were never before seen. From governments, to the public, the crisis exposed...
Israel says 22 new illegal settlements will be built in occupied West Bank
The Israeli government has announced plans to establish 22 illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, in what officials say is deliberate attempt to thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state. Despite looming sanctions from its international allies, the Israeli government has announced plans to build 22 new settlements...
KFC plans large expansion across UK and Ireland
Popular fast food franchise KFC has announced plans to create 7,000 jobs across the UK and Ireland. It comes as emerging competitors pose a threat to the chain’s dominance. Chicken shop franchise KFC is planning to expand significantly across the UK and Ireland in the next five years, the company has announced. It says it will create 7,000 new jobs and invest £1.5 billion. KFC will be building new restaurants...
Scientists discover new marine species in the Southern Ocean
While exploring the Southern ocean’s deepest trench, scientists encountered hydrothermal vents, lush coral gardens, and more previously unseen marine species. While many of us grew up hearing spooky stories about giant squid lurking in the deepest parts of the ocean, scientists had never been able to confirm the existence of the largest of all – the ‘colossal squid’ – until now. The 100-year search for the species ended last month...
Subglacial groundwater in Antarctica may accelerate sea level rise
Scientists recently uncovered a vast hidden groundwater system beneath Antarctica’s ice that could potentially change how we understand and predict rising sea levels. For a long time, experts around the world hypothesised the possible existence of deep groundwater beneath the ice sheet. However, there was no direct evidence or detailed mapping to confirm this. The Antarctic hydrological system was known to include shallow lakes, rivers, and waterlogged sediments beneath the ice,...
EU plans extra fee on small parcels often sent from China
The European Union has proposed a new fee on billions of small parcels that are sent directly to people’s homes. This extra two-euro charge would largely affect parcels sent from China on fast-fashion platforms like Shein and Temu. A new tax has been proposed by the European Union that would stop packages worth less than £126 from being customs-free. Instead, an additional two-euro charge would be applied to small packages...
