Queer inclusivity remains hugely tokenistic in India
The Indian state's paradoxical stance on queer rights – oscillating between tokenistic reforms and harsh crackdowns – underscores the profound disconnect between political rhetoric and lived realities for the LGBTQ+ community. The recent ban imposed by the Pune Police, prohibiting transgender individuals from ‘congregating at traffic junctions and forcibly...
Current in Change
How Putin’s recent visit to Beijing fortifies the Sino-Russian relationship
In Beijing, Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin reaffirmed their complex partnership and promoted a multipolar world order in opposition to US leadership. In mid-May, Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Vladimir Putin to Beijing for a bilateral discussion on their comprehensive strategic partnership. The two-day ordeal placed significant emphasis on...
Viruses frozen in Arctic ice could be slowing melting processes
The idea of ‘supersize’ viruses stored inside Arctic glaciers may sound like the beginning of an apocalyptic novel, but scientists have found that giant viruses are playing a key role in slowing the ice’s melting process caused by climate change. You’ve likely heard that viruses have been frozen inside Arctic...
Newcastle United launches ‘sound shirts’ for deaf fans
As disability awareness grows, English football clubs have been working to make their grounds more inclusive. Now, Newcastle United has created ‘sound shirts’ to enhance the game day experience for its deaf fanbase. One of the best parts about attending a football match is the atmosphere inside the stadium. While watching...
Were Just Stop Oil’s protesting tactics effective?
In 2022, Just Stop Oil made headlines after two of its members threw soup over a Van Gogh painting. In the following weeks, the internet was divided over the activists’ radical means of drawing attention to the climate crisis, some calling it ‘alienating,’ others ‘justified.’ In 2022, controversy sparked when...
Nigerian students ordered to leave UK amid currency crisis
A number of Nigerian students have been ordered to leave the UK after Teesside University reported their inability to pay tuition fees to the Home Office. This comes as the Nigerian naira continues to depreciate sharply against major global currencies. Teesside University, located in Middlesbrough, has confirmed that it took...
The Vatican apologises over Pope Francis’s ‘homophobic’ language
The Pope reportedly used a slur during a conversation about gay men. The internet’s response has once again reckoned with the archaic structure of religious institutions. Pope Francis recently caused a stir by using a homophobic slur during a conversation about gay men. After immense backlash, the Vatican has now issued an apology, insisting the Pope ‘never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms’. The damage, nonetheless, has been done....
Panama evacuates coastal island due to rising sea levels
Global coastal communities have been witnessing the effects of climate change unfold right before their eyes. Now, families in Panama are packing up their lives as sea levels rise, making their home island inhabitable. Still a climate change denier? In light of recent news, it might be time to rethink that. Off the coast of Panama lies a tiny island named Gardi Sugdub, measuring 366 metres long and 137 meters wide....
BJP’s escalating influence over electoral narratives
As India gears up for elections, BJP is using the media and AI to amplify its messaging and sway public opinion, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. In a bold move, the BJP has embraced political satire, crafting viral video campaigns that mock and caricature its opponents. The viral "Dulha Kaun Hai?" (Who's the Groom) ad, created by political consultancy firm Varahe Analytics, took a humorous jab at...
Understanding the sand mining crisis in India’s rivers
India's rivers are facing an alarming crisis due to rampant and often illegal sand mining, which is threatening the survival of endangered species and disrupting the delicate ecological balance of these vital waterways. Sand has become a precious commodity in India due to the burgeoning construction industry's insatiable demand. This has led to an alarming rise in sandmining operations, both legal and illegal, across India's rivers, particularly in the Gangetic plains....
