On December 25th, 2020, the United Kingdom’s Channel 4 televised a deepfake video of Queen Elizabeth II delivering her annual Christmas message. Although this might initially appear to be a humorous form of entertainment, Channel 4 stated that their intention in releasing the fake was to provide a “stark warning”
On Monday, 16 November 2020, the Assam oil well fire was finally extinguished after five months of constant flames and smoke. That day marked the end of a multinational effort to extinguish the Baghjan blazes which commenced in June earlier this year following an explosion at an oil-drilling site in
2020 has seen an explosion of conspiracy theories populating social media and online spaces, challenging mainstream discourse. With information more easily accessible than ever before, COVID-19 now presents itself as an opportune time for conspiracy theorists to exploit community fears for political motives. In 2020, new actors such as celebrities
On September 3rd 2020, French Prime Minister Jean Castex launched a highly ambitious recovery plan for the nation with a strong emphasis on renewable energies and environmental sustainability. Marketed as a means of ensuring continued growth and assistance during the nation’s current recession, 100 billion Euros have been pledged to
With countries around the world beginning to ease restrictions, only to return cities into lockdown, social distancing and closed borders are once again putting a strain on food sources and supply chains. The increased stockpiling of essential supplies, such as flour and pasta, has radically influenced the way we process,
Several months into the Coronavirus pandemic, its worldwide effects, whether it be health risks, financial hardship or interpersonal conflict and violence, are acutely felt in communities, families, and by individuals. This article is the second in three that seeks to highlight the different ways in which women have been impacted
Despite claims that COVID-19 has largely been an equalizer in indiscriminately affecting communities around the world, it can be seen that women’s experiences of the pandemic are often uniquely individual and under-recognized. It is therefore essential to highlight the different ways in which women have been impacted in a variety
One of the most prominent features of any crisis is that the people who are left behind first are often the most vulnerable – the elderly, those experiencing homelessness, migrant workers. As nationalism grows, it becomes very easy to ask – why not put our people first? After all, if
On 1 April 2020, major television networks CNN and MSNBC cut live coverage from President Donald Trump’s nightly coronavirus briefing. The reason? In what was intended to be a nightly address on the nation’s response to COVID-19, President Trump used the time to discuss the importance of a border war
There is no doubt that news about coronavirus is everywhere – it’s on the front pages of every news site you open, every television channel, every conversation you have with your friends on Zoom. For two weeks in the middle of March, supermarket shelves were empty as thousands began hoarding
It is currently a time of significant change and upheaval for many individuals and families around the world. In the span of a few weeks, millions have lost their jobs and filed for unemployment whilst others struggle to keep up with online education and remote work. The world as a
The Prime Minister of Lesotho has recently been charged with his wife’s murder, raising questions of whether defences of sovereign immunity remain persuasive in the country. Thomas Thabane is currently on trial for the shooting of his former wife, Lipolelo Thebane, two days before his inauguration in 2017. In Court,
In a territory of just 9318km2, situated in the Asia-Pacific, Bougainville has undergone significant change in recent years, having witnessed the power and influence of female peace movements. The Bougainville Civil War of 1988-1998 resulted in the loss of over 15,000 lives through the conflict between the Bougainville Revolutionary Army
Having access to adequate housing is growing increasingly difficult in New Zealand, as rates of homelessness skyrocket. As housing costs grow to more than seven times the median wage, many are now forced to live on the streets or on friends’ couches as housing becomes more unaffordable. In a time
On 19 February, a horrific act of right-wing extremism cost nine people their lives in a racially motivated attack. At around 10 p.m. on Wednesday in the West German town of Hanau, Tobias Rathjen entered a Turkish bar and began opening fire on the locals who were seated inside, enjoying
Zimbabwe is currently facing its worst food shortage in over a decade, leaving almost 8 million people food-insecure. The country, once the region’s breadbasket and rich in fertile crops, is currently plagued by widespread drought and flooding. Women and children are most vulnerable to this crisis, being the ones least
Fears have begun to spread in China over the coronavirus disease, potentially raising prospects of a health crisis spreading through Asia. Originating in Wuhan, China, the coronavirus disease is a pneumonia-like illness. It has been identified as a cousin of the SARS virus, a sickness that spread across Asia in
Food security grows increasingly more important in today’s interconnected world, especially in an age where demand for international exports and diverse cuisines is larger than ever. In southeast Asia, a region that hosts some of the largest populations in the world, access to food is essential to continue global security.
On December 30th 2019, a 19-year old British woman was found guilty of public mischief by a Cyprian court for alleging that she had been gang-raped by 12 Israeli men in Avia Napa. Unnamed for her protection, she was handed a 4 month prison term, suspended for 3 years on
Over the past week, protests have sprung up in Argentina over a controversial new mining law passed by the government. Titled ‘Law 7722’ and first passed in 2002, the legislation recently added an amendment on December 21st, giving the green light for increased mining in the Mendoza province. The protests
