You may have bought a drink recently and noticed something odd: the once removable cap is now tethered to the bottle by a small strip of plastic. An EU directive was enacted in July, requiring that all single-use bottles have caps that remain attached. This is one of several policies designed to limit the amount of plastic litter –… Continue reading Why plastic bottles now have their caps attached
Pope Francis is facing backlash after reportedly using a derogatory term for gay people during a private meeting with the Italian Bishops’ Conference, an incident that could significantly alter perceptions of his stance on LGBTQ+ issues within the Catholic Church. According to multiple sources, when asked whether gay men should be allowed to train for… Continue reading Pope Francis accused of using offensive language about gay people, raising questions about his attitudes
Scientists and engineers are developing new ways to destroy per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) efficiently and sustainably. This class of chemicals is known as “forever chemicals” because PFAS persist and accumulate in the environment, animals and our bodies. PFAS have been used for decades to make everything from firefighting foam, packaging, waterproof clothes and non-stick frying pan coatings.… Continue reading New technologies could help destroy persistent ‘forever chemicals’
The situation in Lebanon has reached a critical juncture as ongoing military actions between Israel and Hezbollah have intensified, leading to significant humanitarian crises and geopolitical ramifications. This article explores the current events unfolding in Lebanon, the humanitarian impact, and the potential repercussions for the region and beyond. Current Events Intensified Military Actions In recent… Continue reading The escalating conflict in Lebanon: current events and potential repercussions
Queer East Festival: On The Road will head out across the country from September to December, offering its biggest tour yet and showcasing a remarkable line-up of contemporary feature films, documentaries and shorts as well as special events that highlight a wide range of LGBTQ+ stories from East Asia, Southeast Asia and their diaspora communities.… Continue reading Queer East Festival: On The Road 2024
In 2024, Sudan finds itself in the midst of one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history. Since the eruption of civil war in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the nation has spiralled into political chaos, extreme violence, and humanitarian devastation. The conflict, originally… Continue reading Sudan’s 2024 humanitarian crisis: a nation on the brink
In what is being described as one of the most harrowing crimes in recent memory, the rape and murder of a young trainee doctor at R. G. Kar Medical College has left the city of Kolkata, and indeed the entire nation, reeling. The brutal incident, which occurred on the night of August 9, 2024, has… Continue reading Tragedy strikes Kolkata as trainee doctor’s rape and murder sparks nationwide outrage
The brutal exploitation of farmworkers in Italy has come into sharp focus following the horrific death of Satnam Singh, a 31-year-old labourer from India who lost his arm in a farm accident and was allegedly abandoned by his employer, left to die on the roadside. This tragedy highlights the severe exploitation and abuse that many… Continue reading Exploitation on Italian farms: the tragic case of Satnam Singh and countless others
Sharks off the coast of Brazil’s party city Rio de Janeiro have tested positive for cocaine. The predators were consuming the potent stimulant due to its continuous release from inadequate sewage treatment facilities and clandestine refining operations, scientists wrote in a study published in Science of The Total Environment. Some may also have attacked bricks… Continue reading Sharks in Rio de Janeiro test positive for cocaine
Defining what is and isn’t a country is a lot more complicated than many people would realize. Take the case of Taiwan. On Aug. 30, 2023, a committee of the U.K. Parliament referred to Taiwan as an “independent country” in a report. This is the first time any part of the British political system has… Continue reading Is Taiwan a country or not?
