Why the bounce-back of tourism is bittersweet
As restrictions lift, we’re all reclaiming the joy of travel. But it’s best we approach this new chapter with caution. Tourism is one of the great joys in life. Correction, travel. Travel is one of the great joys in life. The distinction is necessary because of the baggage tourism carries, both...
Current in People
The perils of sidelining younger politicians in India
How veteran leaders clinging to power can breed discontentment and defections. When it comes to power within a political party, state or nation, politics does seem to be a zero-sum game. This was seen recently in the state of Maharashtra, one of the most electorally significant in India. Ajit Pawar, a politician...
Italy is removing LGBTQIA+ parents from birth certificates
It’s one of many crackdowns on the queer community since far-right prime minister Giorgia Meloni came to power. Italy is often seen as the land of love. Breathtaking seascapes, decadent food, and an intoxicating language have earned it this status of romantic mecca. But the country’s government seems to be...
What will be the impact of India’s rice-export ban?
The country’s decision to take 10m tonnes of rice off the global export market in an attempt to curb domestic inflation has raised fears of shortages and further increases in food prices around the world. In early July, after extreme rainfall wiped out paddy fields in India, government officials banned...
Study finds living near green spaces reduces biological age
People living near green spaces are 2.5 years biologically younger than those who do not, according to new research conducted by a Spanish and American research team. We all have our reservations about ageing, but new research is showing that the secret to staying young might not be purchasing expensive skincare...
Is the US military a blind spot for the country’s emissions?
In the global fight against climate change, the role of the US military’s contributions to global emissions is a critical but often overlooked aspect that demands closer attention. The US military’s formidable presence in various conflicts and humanitarian missions has made it a key player in shaping international geopolitics. Its...
Understanding Uganda’s TotalEnergies’ lawsuit
Ugandan activists are legally fighting TotalEnergies, the French multinational oil and gas company. This lawsuit shines a spotlight on the human rights and environmental concerns surrounding the company’s operations in Uganda. Uganda has become an attractive destination for multinational corporations seeking to exploit its abundance of resources. This rush for extraction and economic gain often comes at the expense of local communities and the environment. TotalEnergies, one of the world's...
Egg whites could be the solution to clean water in the future
Microplastic pollution and increased scarcity are the two largest threats to freshwater sources globally. A team of researchers at Princeton University have found a solution to both of these problems in an unsuspecting candidate – egg whites. Not to freak anyone out, but recent studies are finding that humans accidentally consume around 5 grams of microplastics per week. It’s both worrying and sad, but it’s true. Most of these particles...
What we can learn from Yale’s Prison Education Initiative
Yale College has celebrated the graduation of several US Prison inmates who took part in the school’s new education initiative. The program's success points to a future of sufficient prison reform. Thanks to a new education initiative by Yale College and New Haven University, US inmates like Marcus Harvin are pursuing their dreams of law school. Harvin is now a fellow at Yale college. He’s also a parolee, recently released...
Consultation launched to make period products free in Northern Ireland
Last Monday, the Executive Office of Stormont (Northern Irish Assembly) launched a public consultation to make period products free to all. The consultation follows the passing of the Period Products Act last year, which made products freely available in schools, colleges and all public buildings, including governmental buildings. The bill was introduced by Social Democratic and Labour Party politician Pat Catney in an attempt to tackle period poverty, which has increased...
