The United Nations verified 3,688 cases of conflict-related sexual violence around the world last year, a significant increase of 50% from 2022. This is certainly a vast underestimate of the true number of cases. A report by the UN secretary-general in April mentioned a number of specific countries where sexual violence – and conflict –… Continue reading In Myanmar’s brutal war, the military is weaponising sexual violence against women, children and LGBTQI+ people
Thousands of students in Bangladesh have taken to the streets over the past few weeks to demand an overhaul of how public sector jobs are distributed. The government had sought to reintroduce quotas that reserve 30% of these jobs for descendants of veterans from Bangladesh’s war of independence with Pakistan in 1971. The quotas, which had initially… Continue reading Bangladeshi students rise up in revolt, but a wider movement against the government looks unlikely
Fast-moving stars seen in a nearby star cluster within the Milky Way suggest the presence of an elusive black hole which may be the closest one to Earth, researchers say. The star cluster, Omega Centauri, is a collection of around 10 million stars, visible as a smudge in the night sky south of the Equator.… Continue reading Astronomers find nearest massive black hole to Earth
A small group of Taiwanese expatriates took to the streets of London to protest in defence of their homeland’s democracy. Rallying under the banner “No Discussion, Not Democracy,” the overseas activists held demonstrations on May 26th and June 2nd in Central London. These events, part of the “BlueBird Movement,” highlight an international effort by Taiwanese… Continue reading Taiwanese in London Protest Against Legislative Threats to Democracy
High in the barren mountains of the Himalayas, Indian soldiers overlook a broad swath of icy terrain. Gazing back at them are thousands of Chinese soldiers, both protecting what the other side claims. The object of desire, an unmarked landscape which spans thousands of kilometres and stretches from India’s border with Pakistan in the west… Continue reading Indo-American Relations Grow Over Threat Of Chinese Incursions In The Himalayas
A little over a year since leader of Fratelli d’Italia Georgia Meloni rose to power in Italy, the latest data spells out a clear message: she is not the only ultraright politician surfing on voters’ anxieties. In fact, we may be entering a new cycle of far-right extremism across the continent, with heavy stakes for… Continue reading From France to Italy, Hungary to Sweden, voting intentions track the far-right’s rise in Europe
Fires being used as a weapon in Sudan destroyed more villages and towns in the country’s west in April than in any other month since the conflict began more than a year ago, an analysis by a U.K.-based rights group said Monday. Sudan Witness, an open-source project run by the nonprofit Center for Information Resilience,… Continue reading Fires used as weapon in Sudan conflict destroyed more towns in west than ever in April
The ongoing struggle for housing affordability threatens to hollow out local communities, restricting Cornwall’s accessibility to only those who can afford it Every year, as the countdown to summer intensifies, Cornwall basks in the limelight, its charm captivating the imagination of holidaymakers. In 2022, it ranked in the top ten most searched for holiday destinations… Continue reading Potemkin Towns: Cornwall’s hidden housing crisis
University campuses around the world have become the site of tiny tent cities in recent weeks, with student activists protesting the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Though the protests on Australian campuses have been largely peaceful, tensions are starting to rise. There have been allegations of hate speech and clashes between student groups in recent days.… Continue reading What is it about Gaza? Wars are raging around the world, so why are young people so passionate about this one?
The Portuguese government said Friday it would turn public buildings into housing and help young home-buyers in a bid to ease a housing crisis that has hit major cities. Housing Minister Miguel Pinto Luz said “thousands” of public buildings could be turned into apartments and homes under the plan of the centre-right government. Prime Minister… Continue reading Portugal to turn ‘thousands’ of public buildings into housing
