Man who self-immolated in front of Israeli embassy in Washington dies
US Air Force member Aaron Bushnell died after setting himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington DC. His last words were ‘Free Palestine’. On Sunday afternoon, 25-year-old Aaron Bushnell filmed himself walking towards the Israeli embassy in Washington DC while wearing his military uniform. Broadcasting on...
Current in People
Senegal election delays threaten nation’s democracy
Senegal is in a political crisis as the eagerly awaited presidential election faces yet more unexpected delays, causing widespread protests and raising doubts about the nation's democratic strength. The presidential election, initially scheduled for this month February 25, was unexpectedly postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, leaving the nation in...
Exposing the tyranny of caste in Indian academia
The dramatic detention of Dr. Ritu Singh, a former Delhi University professor, marks a turning point in her ongoing protest against caste discrimination in academia. Dr. Singh, a Dalit professor dismissed from University of Delhi allegedly due to caste bias, has protested for over 170 days seeking justice and reform. On...
Zimbabwe to block scholarship for LGBTQ+ people
In a controversial announcement, Zimbabwe's Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga, declared the government would block scholarships for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those sponsored by GALZ, a membership organization advocating for the rights of such groups in Zimbabwe. The state university scholarship program, which caters to individuals aged 18 to 35, has been...
I attended the International Prevention of Violent Extremism summit in Nairobi
This week, the International Prevention of Violent Extremism commemoration brought together a diverse array of organisations, leaders, and communities across the globe for a collective sustainable response to violent extremism. I left feeling buoyed. In Nairobi, participants from various backgrounds showcased a collective effort to address the global challenge of...
India deploys arsenal against farmers’ protests
Outside the barricaded checkpoints in Delhi, tensions between farmers and authorities have reached fever pitch. The level of response to the grievances has been unwarranted and cruel. Seventy-one-year-old Jaspal Singh, who lives near the India-Pakistan border in Punjab's Tarn Taran district, sustained a leg injury during farmers' protests at the...
Understanding implications of the US & China’s science pact
In an age marked by rapid technological change and geopolitical uncertainty, the US-China S&T Agreement has been a beacon of collaboration, yet, its future lies in the balance. The United States and China have witnessed a complex relationship characterized by various different elements. One of the cornerstones of their collaboration has been the S&T Agreement which has served as the foundation of the scientific and technological growth in both...
Greece becomes first Orthodox Christian nation to legalise gay marriage
Same-sex marriage was legalized in Greece this week after a lengthy parliamentary debate. Though the vast majority of Greek citizens are celebrating the move, pushback from the church highlights tensions between longstanding religious tradition and modern views in the country. Yesterday, Greece legalised same-sex civil marriage. Although it is the sixteenth European Union country do so, it is the first Orthodox Christian nation to permit same-sex marriage. The country had extended...
US professors raise concerns about college students’ reading ability
College professors in the United States are noticing a considerable drop in the number of students willing to do reading for their course. Is an uptick in short-form digital content to blame, or is it something else? In an age where our attention spans are getting shorter and shorter by the day, who has the time or patience to read long-form text anymore? Apparently, not even students enrolled in higher...
Misinformation threatens the ‘super election year’ of 2024
In its risk report, the World Economic Forum warns how Indian elections in 2024 could be swayed by the rampant spread of misinformation and disinformation. Close to 3 billion voters - approximately a quarter of the world's population - are expected to be heading to electoral polls this year and thus 2024 has been dubbed a ‘super election year’ or even the biggest election year in history. This is aided by...
