19 Cities Including London, San Francisco, Hong Kong Achieve ‘Remarkable Reductions’ in Air Pollution

credit Olha Zaika, Unsplash

In a report that examined the air quality of 100 global cities, 19 were found to have substantially improved since 2010.

9 of the 19 were in China and Hong Kong, while the rest were located in Europe, and include both large and small cities.

In the US, San Francisco managed to reduce both health-harming fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and airway aggravating nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

There is no minimum safe level of PM2.5, which refers to the particulate’s diameter of 2.5 micrometers, and it’s been linked to many different diseases, from asthma to Alzheimer’s, all throughout a human life.

“This report shows that cities can achieve what was once thought impossible: cutting toxic air pollution by 20-45% in a little over a decade,” said Cecilia Vaca Jones, recently-appointed executive director of Breathe Cities, one of the organizations behind the report.

“This isn’t just happening in one corner of the world; from Warsaw to Bangkok, cities are proving that we have the tools to solve this crisis right now.”

For each of the 19 city success stories, different combinations of measures were employed, such as replacing internal combustion engine vehicles with electric ones, adding more bike lanes in crowded European cities, and placing restrictions on woodburning stoves and fossil fuel power plants within city limits.

Beijing and Warsaw reduced PM2.5 the most—by more than 45%, while Amsterdam and Rotterdam saw the greatest improvement in nitrogen dioxide, also above 40%. San Francisco reduced both by 20%.PM2.5 was more often reduced in European cities, which have focused more on switching electricity sources to clean energy, while Chinese/Asian cities had greater reductions in NO2 because of the greater focus on replacing ICE cars with EVs. 19 Cities Including London, San Francisco, Hong Kong Achieve ‘Remarkable Reductions’ in Air Pollution

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25 multinationals named to Fortune World’s Best Workplaces list

Great Place To Work, the global authority on workplace culture, and Fortune Media announced the 25 winners of this year’s Fortune World’s Best Workplace list.

Organisations on this list are remarkable for delivering an exceptional employee experience despite the challenges of global scale and complexity. To be eligible for the list, organisations must have 5,000 or more global employees.

This year, organisations earned a higher rank for their ability to outperform their peers both in their local markets and globally on measures of employee trust, pride, and camaraderie. Rankings were based on over 9 million employee surveys conducted in 2024 and 2025, representing the experiences of more than 25 million employees worldwide.

The list of 25 Best Workplaces in the World was topped by Hilton in first place. DHL Express ranked second, Marriott International fifth and Allianz seventeenth on the list. .

These 4 organisations had representation from Sri Lanka that contributed to their parent MNCs global achievement of being recognised on this prestigious list.

“The powerful impact of these great organisations on our planet is a sacred trust,” says Great Place To Work CEO Michael C. Bush. “Of the more than 9 million employees surveyed, more workers at these remarkable organisations say their workplace trusts them and wants them to grow as people and professionals. These economic powerhouses also strengthen the communities where they operate, and are leaving behind a better world than the one they inherited.”

“The World’s Best Workplaces list casts an important spotlight on what employees believe are today’s exceptional workplaces, organisations where they feel trusted, empowered, and energised to do their best work,” says Fortune editor-in-chief Alyson Shontell.

Great Place To Work in Sri Lanka Director/ CEO Kshanika Ratnayake stated, “We are proud of Hilton, DHL Express, Marriott International and Allianz in Sri Lanka who are selected to this exclusive list. Their dedication to creating great workplace experiences truly exemplifies their commitment to their people, not just locally but around the globe. We are delighted to shine a spotlight on these leaders and to continue supporting organisations that invest in cultures that uplift business and performance” 25 multinationals named to Fortune World’s Best Workplaces list | Daily FT

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Can the 2026 FIFA World Cup still be a force for global unity?

Paul R. Carr, Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) and Alexis Legault, Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO)

The FIFA Men’s World Cup will unfold across North America from June 11 to July 19, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. This year’s event will be the largest ever, with some 48 countries represented.

The FIFA 2026 World Cup was awarded in 2018 and preparations have been ongoing ever since. However, the U.S. has significantly altered course since the election of Donald Trump in January 2025.

The international community is facing an onslaught of actions, threats and rhetoric from the U.S. government, which has led to chaos, confusion, instability and massive political, economic and sociocultural vulnerability.

As a result, calls have emerged to boycott the tournament, including from former FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

It’s clearly late in the game to consider adjusting, transferring, suspending or altering this thoroughly planned international event. The implications for changing the status of the FIFA 2026 tournament are numerous and far-reaching.

Why consider a boycott now?

A series of recent American actions raises serious questions about its suitability to host the FIFA World Cup at this time.

These include destabilizing allies, imposing tariffs without clear justification, launching a military attacking on Iran with Israel, attacking Venezuela and capturing its president, threatening to annex Greenland and Canada, eliminating USAID and putting millions of people at risk of disease, illness, famine and death and overseeing the violence inflicted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents that endangers citizens and residents.

In addition, the fair and equitable treatment of people seeking to visit the U.S. cannot be assured. People from many countries would effectively be barred from visiting the U.S. to attend the event because of current American policy.

There is a serious threat of people being detained, surveilled and persecuted. Racial profiling is a particular concern given how ICE has maneuvered in immigrant communities in the U.S.

Many are also concerned about violence within the U.S., which is disproportionately higher than in most western countries.

At the same time, the U.S. has withdrawn from numerous international organizations and agreements, the antithesis of co-operation on global issues, shutting down the potential for meaningful and necessary dialogue.

All these realities fly in the face of the spirit and solidarity of global sporting events like the World Cup that aim to cultivate peace and intercultural understanding.

FIFA’s record

Allegations of corruption and bribery within FIFA have persisted for years. They have been documented in a U.S. Department of Justice indictment and in FIFA’s own Garcia Report.

FIFA is sensitive to these complaints, and some reforms have been implemented to make the organization more transparent and credible, but many groups still argue the corruption is rampant.

Human rights have long been an issue at FIFA events. The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar prompted concerns related to LGBTQ+ rights, with many players wearing the “One Love” armband in protest. It also raised concerns over the rights of workers and migrants, who were exploited and faced discrimination.

There are also environmental concerns related to the carbon footprint of such a large event. However, the counter-claim of the event fostering global solidarity is an equally strong justification for it.

FIFA is lathered in capitalist trappings, and there is a great deal of profit to be made for a small number of people. The 2026 World Cup is expected to bring in more than US$10 billion for the organization.

It is unclear how local taxpayers and citizens benefit economically from holding the World Cup, especially given that they underwrite many of the costs through their taxes.

Similarly, the marketing, television and dissemination rights present a lucrative landscape, yet that funding does little to fight poverty, hunger and unacceptable living conditions for many.

Do boycotts work?

There is some debate about the effectiveness of boycotting. The boycotts of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, following the invasion of Afghanistan, and of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, led by the Soviet bloc in retaliation, did not produce substantive political change.

Some questioned the enormity of eliminating the potential for intercultural and diplomatic interaction.

By contrast, the sporting boycott of apartheid-era South Africa from 1964 to 1992 did help contribute to significant change in the country.

The ongoing Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement against Israel — although not supported by the U.S. and many other countries — has had varying success, but the very fact that it exists and is supported by many is politically significant.

The costs of boycotting now

Altering or boycotting the tournament at this stage would inevitably punish national teams and athletes for political considerations beyond their reach. The FIFA event could generate goodwill, promote global understanding and bring people together, especially in relation to nations from the Global South that are often portrayed negatively.

Some argue a boycott would affect players and fans more than FIFA itself. The economic repercussions of a boycott would also be substantial. Yet the very notion of a boycott is that it does, and should, affect and influence attitudes, behaviours and actions.

Others have suggested alternative avenues for change, including through organized protests and social movement mobilization.

Other alternative proposals for enacting change include targeted boycotts against certain sponsors, institutions and sectors. Some activists may wish to target a policy, such as the assault on migrants in the U.S. or corruption within FIFA.

A force for the global public good?

Boycotts are complicated and have been more commonly related to the Olympic Games than the World Cup. However, citizens and activists alike seek opportunities to develop a more just and equitable world.

In 2021, there were also great concerns regarding human rights violations. Interestingly, while a Statista survey of 4,201 respondents across 120 countries found that most respondents believed their country should boycott the 2022 World cup in Qatar, very few soccer fans were willing to boycott it themselves.

But FIFA isn’t a political party; it’s a business and sports organization. Although considered favourable, it does not need the population to approve its decisions, and sponsors are at risk of being targeted and tarnished if public sentiment turns sharply against the event.

Will the FIFA World Cup provide the opportunity for the U.S. to address problems of racism, gender discrimination, the mantra to annex other countries, ICE overreach and denigration against migrants? Or will such issues be simply swept under the carpet?

The tournament could offer a platform to engage with the world through diplomacy grounded in sovereignty, human rights and mutual benefit. A tri-national hosting arrangement with Canada and Mexico may yet foster cross-border co-operation, even amid strained relations.

The current U.S. political climate does not provide an encouraging model to move the FIFA World Cup toward peace and solidarity currently, but the world is in desperate need for it to do so.

Paul R. Carr, Professeur/Professor (Université du Québec en Outaouais) & Titulaire/Chair, Chaire UNESCO en démocratie, citoyenneté mondiale et éducation transformatoire/ UNESCO Chair in Democracy, Global Citizenship and Transformative Education., Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) and Alexis Legault, PhD Candidate in Education, Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO)

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Teacher Wins $1M Prize for Turning India's Slums Into Hundreds of Open-Air Classrooms

Rouble Nagi – submitted to GEMS Education 2026 Global Teacher Prize

An Indian teacher who has established more than 800 learning centers across India for children who have never attended school has been named the winner of the $1 million Global Teacher Prize from GEMS Education.

Located in over 100 slums and villages, Rouble Nagi’s classrooms offer safe, inspiring spaces to help overcome the challenging conditions shaped by poverty—child labour, early marriage, irregular attendance, and a lack of infrastructure.

Rather than seeing these realities as barriers, Ms. Nagi designs education around real life: flexible schedules for working children, hands-on learning using recycled materials, and practical skills that demonstrate immediate value to families.

As a result, her programs have reduced dropout rates by more than 50% and significantly improved long-term school retention.

Rouble plans to use the $1 million prize money to build a free vocational institute and digital literacy training program to help transform the lives of millions more marginalized young people.

It all started after she was asked to do an art workshop as an artist in her early 20s. “I met a child who’d never seen a pencil, and it was the turning point of my life.” (Watch the video below…)

Rouble Nagi drawing with children – Credit: Apeksha Roy (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Over the last two decades, she has helped bring more than one million children into the formal education system—and one of her not-so-secret weapons is art.

She has transformed abandoned walls into large interactive murals that teach everything from reading, math, and science, to hygiene, history, environmental awareness, and social responsibility.

The murals, funded through her nonprofit Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, are not decorative artworks, but open-air classrooms that draw children into learning, engage parents, and turn entire neighborhoods into partners in education.

“Rouble Nagi represents the very best of what teaching can be – courage, creativity, compassion, and an unwavering belief in every child’s potential,” said Sunny Varkey, who founded the annual Global Teacher Prize and GEMS Education.

Slums of Jaffer Baba Colony were painted bright colors by Rouble Nagi’s Misaal Mumbai project – by Pburka (CC BY-SA 4.0)

“By bringing education to the most marginalized communities, she has not only changed individual lives, but strengthened families and communities.”

Now in its tenth year, the Global Teacher Prize—which collaborates with UNESCO—is the largest award of its kind, with Nagi selected from over 5,000 nominations and applications from 139 countries.

“This moment reminds us of a simple truth: teachers matter. UNESCO is honored to celebrate teachers like you, who, through patience, determination, and belief in every learner, help children into school—an act that can change the course of a life,” said Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education.

Rouble, who is also the author of the book, The Slum Queen, travels extensively across India, working directly with children in the learning centers and mentoring the teachers who lead them.

She has recruited and trained more than 600 volunteer and paid educators, creating a scalable model that meets children where they are—academically, socially, and economically.

Alongside her work in education, Rouble is an internationally recognized artist. Through the Rouble Nagi Design Studio, she has created more than 850 murals and sculptures and exhibited in 200 shows worldwide, with her work selected for the President of India’s permanent collection.“Her work reminds us that teachers are the most powerful force for progress in our world.” Teacher Wins $1M Prize for Turning India's Slums Into Hundreds of Open-Air Classrooms

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T20 WC: Samson, Bumrah star as India clinch third title, beat New Zealand by 96 runs

Ahmedabad: India's Hardik Pandya celebrates after India won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 08, 2026. (Photo: IANS)

Ahmedabad, March 8 (IANS) Fast bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah picked 4-15 as India became the first team to retain the Men’s T20 World Cup title and win the crown for a record three times after beating New Zealand by 96 runs in front of 86,824 fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Sanju Samson’s blistering 89 off 46 balls, laced with five fours and eight sixes, powered India to 255/5, the highest total in a T20 World Cup final, before Bumrah and Axar Patel (3-27) ripped through New Zealand’s top order to seal victory. The visitors were dismissed for 159 in 19 overs, with only Tim Seifert offering resistance through a fighting 52.

Samson, in prime form after scores of 97 not out and 89 in his previous innings, shared a 98-run opening stand with Abhishek Sharma (52 off 21 balls) while Ishan Kishan added 54 off 25 deliveries. James Neesham briefly checked the charge with three wickets in an over, but Shivam Dube’s unbeaten 26 off eight balls pushed India past 250.

India’s bowlers then ensured there was no repeat of the semi-final scare against England, reducing New Zealand to 52/3 inside the powerplay. The win broke two hoodoos - India’s first victory over New Zealand in a T20 World Cup and their first ICC white-ball triumph in Ahmedabad after defeats in the 2023 ODI final and earlier in this tournament.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav is now the fourth Indian skipper to lead the side to a men’s cricket World Cup title after having not lost a single series since taking charge after the trophy triumph in Barbados in June 2024 - a remarkable record that highlights India's dominance in the shortest format. Head coach Gautam Gambhir also gets his second ICC title, as India completed their two-peat of Men’s T20 World Cup titles via their high-risk and reward approach.

On a flat mixed soil pitch, India’s imposing total was built on an explosive platform laid by their top three, all of whom attacked from the outset with strike rates that underlined their dominance. Samson finished on a strike rate of 193.47, while Abhishek struck at 247.61 and Kishan hit his runs at a strike-rate of 216.

The early overs had set an ominous tone for New Zealand before the tactical decision to introduce fast bowler Jacob Duffy in the third over backfired badly. Runs and boundaries flowed from there like an avalanche, as New Zealand's bowlers were sent on a leather hunt via depending too much on slower balls and bowling away from stump-to-stump lines.

Inserted into batting first, Samson defended solidly off Matt Henry for the first four balls, before opening up with an elegant swing over long-on for six. After Glenn Phillips gave away five runs in the second over, Abhishek announced himself with an ugly heave off Jacob Duffy for four, before sweetly timing a lofted off-drive for another boundary.

Samson, meanwhile, pumped a Duffy inswinger back over the bowler's head for four. The pitch was a belter, and both batters were beginning to sense it as the fourth over opened the floodgates for India. Lockie Ferguson endured a nightmare introduction - two wides, with Abhishek and Samson taking him for a pair of four and six each, as the duo plundered 24 runs.

Henry's second over saw Abhishek launch a slower ball over mid-off for six before Samson rocked back to pull a bouncer for another maximum, even as four wides in the over told its own story. New Zealand's plans were clearly unravelling against batters who simply refused to stick to a blueprint.

Abhishek reached his half-century off just 18 balls in the sixth over, swatting and swinging his way to the milestone with nonchalance via three fours and a six, as India plundered 92 runs in power-play. Though Santner brought himself on in the seventh over, Samson cracked a cut off him for four.

Abhishek's fine innings ended in the eighth over when Rachin Ravindra pushed it wide, and the opener feathered an edge behind to the keeper to depart for 52. Ishan Kishan walked in and immediately fitted the template, as an on-drive for two brought up India's hundred in 7.2 overs. With an off-drive and a muscular four through mid-wicket being the standout from his four quick boundaries, Kishan maintained India’s tempo.

Samson, after raising his third successive fifty, was on an altogether different level – smacking Ferguson for two sixes and a four before smashing three consecutive sixes off Ravindra in the 14th over. By the 15th over, India had already surpassed the highest team total in a T20 World Cup final, even as Kishan’s audacious strokeplay got him his fifty off 23 balls.

But Neesham struck thrice in quick succession - Samson slapped a full toss to long-on and departed for 89, then Kishan holed out to long-on for 54, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav jabbed to deep backward square leg for a golden duck.

Hardik Pandya smacked Henry for a six and four, before the pacer dismissed him on a slower bouncer and cover taking the catch. Shivam Dube ensured India got a great finishing kick by lofting Neesham for four, before smashing the next delivery over midwicket for six and clearing cover for another maximum.

Dube then pulled Neesham for four and finished the innings with a cross-bat drive through cover, as India went past 250, thanks to 24 runs coming off the final over. In defence of 256, Arshdeep Singh found swing early on to keep Seifert and Finn Allen in check.

After Allen was dropped on two by Dube at mid-off, Tim Seifert launched Hardik Pandya for two sixes and two fours in the second over, yielding 21 runs. India's response was swift and ruthless, as Axar, introduced in the third over, had the dangerous Allen holing out to long-on. Bumrah was summoned in the fourth over and struck with his very first ball, as Rachin Ravindra chipped an off-cutter to Ishan Kishan, who took a brilliant diving catch.

Axar then castled Glenn Phillips with a perfectly disguised arm ball in the fifth over, the ball slipping past his bat to peg back leg stump, as New Zealand ended power-play at 52/3. Seifert marched forward to bring up a half-century off 23 balls by carting Varun Chakaravarthy for two sixes.

But India continued to chip away - Mark Chapman chopped onto his stumps off Pandya, while Seifert miscued the pull and Kishan tossed the ball in the air and regained balance to complete a solo relay catch in the deep.

The crowd was briefly silenced when Daryl Mitchell struck successive sixes off Arshdeep Singh, who later fielded off his own bowling and threw the ball back at the batter, invoking an angry reaction from him.

The umpire intervened, with Suryakumar Yadav offering an apology and Arshdeep following with a handshake at the end of the over. Despite the steep asking rate, Mitchell and skipper Mitchell Santner, dropped on 26 by Pandya, continued to smash boundaries.

But Axar came back to have the former hole out to deep mid-wicket off a full toss, while Bumrah castled James Neesham, Matt Henry, and Neesham with slower balls, before Tilak Varma completed a solo relay catch of Jacob Duffy off Abhishek Sharma’s bowling, as India lived up to their pre-tournament hype and made the history they were destined to make in blistering style.

Brief scores:India 255/5 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 89, Ishan Kishan 54, Abhishek Sharma 52; James Neesham 3-46, Rachin Ravindra 1-32) beat New Zealand 159 in 19 overs (Tim Seifert 52, Mitchell Santner 43; Jasprit Bumrah 4-15, Axar Patel 3-27) by 96 runs T20 WC: Samson, Bumrah star as India clinch third title, beat New Zealand by 96 runs | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

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Emirates Flight Catering opens world’s largest vertical farm in Dubai

Bustanica exterior

Greens on multi-tier growing racks

• Agronomy experts at BustanicaBustanica has unveiled its 330,000 sq. ft. environmentally controlled farm facility, with an investment of $ 40 m
• Bustanica will annually save in excess of 250 million litres of water and produce over 1 million kg of produce that are free of pesticides, herbicides and chemicals

Bustanica has opened the doors to the world’s largest hydroponic farm, backed by an investment of $ 40 million. The facility is the first vertical farm for Emirates Crop One, the joint venture between Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC), one of the world’s largest catering operations serving more than 100 airlines, and Crop One, an industry leader in technology-driven indoor vertical farming.

Located near Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, the 330,000 sq. ft. facility is geared to produce more than 1,000,000 kilograms of high-quality leafy greens annually, while requiring 95% less water than conventional agriculture. At any point in time, the facility grows in excess of 1m cultivars (plants), which will provide an output of 3,000 kg per day.

Bustanica is driven by powerful technology – machine learning, artificial intelligence and advanced methods – and a highly specialised in-house team that includes agronomy experts, engineers, horticulturists and plant scientists. A continuous production cycle ensures the produce is super fresh and clean, and grown without pesticides, herbicides, or chemicals.

Passengers on Emirates and other airlines can look forward to forking these delicious leafy greens, including lettuces, arugula, mixed salad greens, and spinach, onboard their flights from July. Bustanica is not just revolutionising salads in the sky – UAE consumers will soon be able to add these greens to their shopping carts at the nearest supermarkets. Bustanica also plans to expand into the production and sale of fruits and vegetables.

Emirates Airline and Group Chairman and Chief Executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “Long-term food security and self-sufficiency are vital to the economic growth of any country, and the UAE is no exception. We’ve specific challenges in our region, given the limitations around arable land and climate. Bustanica ushers in a new era of innovation and investments, which are important steps for sustainable growth and align with our country’s well-defined food and water security strategies.

“Emirates Flight Catering constantly invests in the latest technologies to delight customers, optimise operations, and minimise our environmental footprint. Bustanica helps secure our supply chain, and ensures our customers can enjoy locally sourced, nutritious produce. By bringing production closer to consumption, we’re reducing the food journey from farm to fork. Congratulations to the Bustanica team for their remarkable achievements so far and for setting global standards and benchmarks in agronomy.”

Crop One Chief Executive Officer Craig Ratajczyk said: “After significant planning and construction, and navigating the unforeseen challenges of the pandemic, we’re thrilled to celebrate this tremendous milestone alongside our joint venture partner, Emirates Flight Catering. It’s our mission to cultivate a sustainable future to meet global demand for fresh, local food, and this first large format farm is the manifestation of that commitment. This new facility serves as a model for what’s possible around the globe.”

The farm’s closed-loop system is designed to circulate water through the plants to maximise water usage and efficiency. When the water vaporises, it is recovered and recycled into the system, saving 250 m litres of water every year compared to traditional outdoor farming for the same output.

Bustanica will have zero impact on the world’s threatened soil resources, an incredibly reduced reliance on water and year-round harvests unhampered by weather conditions and pests. Consumers buying Bustanica’s greens from supermarkets can eat it straight from the bag – even washing can damage the leaves and introduce contaminants. Emirates Flight Catering opens world’s largest vertical farm in Dubai | Daily FT

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India overtakes Japan as world’s fourth-largest economy at $ 4.18 t

India has surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy with a size of $ 4.18 trillion, and is poised to overtake Germany to become the third-largest by 2030, the Indian Government said.

With continuing good growth numbers, India is also the world’s fastest-growing major economy.

India’s real GDP grew 8.2% in the second quarter of 2025-26, up from 7.8% in the first quarter and 7.4% in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal.

“With GDP valued at $ 4.18 trillion, India has surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, and is poised to displace Germany from the third rank in the next 2.5 to 3 years with a projected GDP of $ 7.3 trillion by 2030,” according to an Indian Government release providing a snapshot of reforms in 2025.

The US is the world’s largest economy, and China occupies the second spot.

The growth momentum further surprised on the upside, with GDP expanding to a six-quarter high in 2Q of 2025-26, reflecting India’s resilience amid persistent global trade uncertainties, it said.

Domestic drivers, led by robust private consumption, played a central role in supporting this expansion.

The release further said international agencies have echoed this optimism and cited projections made by various entities.

The World Bank has projected a 6.5% growth in 2026; Moody’s expects India to remain the fastest-growing G20 economy with a growth of 6.4% in 2026 and 6.5% in 2027.

The International Monetary Fund (MF) has raised its projections to 6.6% for 2025 and 6.2% for 2026; the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) forecasts 6.7% growth in 2025 and 6.2% in 2026.

“India is among the world’s fastest-growing major economies and is well-positioned to sustain this momentum. With the ambition of attaining high middle-income status by 2047 – the centenary year of its independence – the country is building on strong foundations of economic growth, structural reforms, and social progress,” the Indian Government said.

The release also highlighted that inflation remains below the lower tolerance threshold, unemployment is on a declining trajectory, and export performance continues to improve.

Furthermore, financial conditions have stayed benign, with strong credit flows to the commercial sector, while demand conditions remain firm, supported by a further strengthening of urban consumption. (The Hindu Business Line) India overtakes Japan as world’s fourth-largest economy at $ 4.18 t | Daily FT

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25 years of flight around the world

Richard Hillinger with His Holiness the Dalai Lama

The Golden Dove of Peace which has been traversing the world for 25 years

 

Former German President Roman Herzog (centre) holds the Golden Dove of Peace. The

sculptor of the dove is on the right and the Mayor of Landshut on the left

I am not naïve. But I am hopeful. The idea is to awaken one heart at a time and possibly bring some element of realisation of the reality of this world every time the dove gets into each hand. I opposed the idea that we should only get the dove into prominent hands. The idea was that it should be a symbol of world peace for as many people as possible and this would include a cross section of the public including children, youth and clergy members – Richard Hillinger

Golden Dove of Peace sculptured by German conceptual artist Richard Hillinger still soars

By Surya Vishwa

Let us free the introspection of our minds to rise up to the blue and the white intermix of this celestial ceiling of our universal home; the sky. Let us look up. This is the dominion of many winged beings that belong to a space that is the envy of man. No man can raise himself bodily to this realm. Yet here too, there is life and there is the struggle for survival.

The eagle. The hawk. The vulture. The dove. They lace into the wind and thread the tresses of the trees. As they fly above the patches of earth that man has demarcated and wage wars for, among the clouds too there is life and death. There is the innocence and there is the preying. There is the resilience. The hope. The renewal. And through the ages, man has singled out from the empire of the horizons far above, a miniature winged creature; the dove, that has through the passage of time represented innocence, love, peace and forgiveness. Although hunted by its more powerful winged brethren with sharp beaks and talons, the dove which can if necessary soar up to 6,000 feet proceeds on a flight of calm amidst the turbulence of fate.

Throughout human history this small white feathered bird has been featured in several religious and cultural lore symbolising divinity, purity and that ethereal luxury man finds scarce; peace.

The dove, in popular imagery links heaven and earth and is depicted carrying an olive branch. This representation is thought to have first originated with the Biblical story of Noah where the end of flood is indicated by the dove which returns to the Arc carrying an olive branch and thus communicating that life on earth has stirred once again.

The concept of the Holy Spirit introduced by Jesus Christ portrays a Christian theological visual representation of a pristinely white dove descending from heaven.

(The terminology of the Holy Spirit can in secular terms be defined as the connection of human mental energy to the highest point of Supreme Light in the cosmos, the synergy which magnetises when human consciousness is purified to a similar extent as the highest hierarchical point of the universe).

A messenger for humankind

The non-confrontational nature of the white dove has been etched in history as denoting pacifism and it has in ancient times been the carrier of messages of peace between armies, signalling the end of bloodshed. The dove therefore is a creature that can be trusted to traverse great distances relentlessly and therefore trusted as a messenger for humankind.

What is the purpose of us humans on this earth? How do we gain a sense of fulfilment? What is freedom? Why are there wars? Can we do anything about it? How much wealth do we need to be joyous?

Many of us have asked at least one of these questions from ourselves at some point of our lives.

German conceptual peace artist and sculptor Richard Hillinger, who has been engaged for the past 25 years in one of the world’s oldest social art initiatives, creating bronze doves ‘who fly out’ to visit different places and people, carrying their messages of peace started asking several of the above questions when he was a teenager.

His identity as a peace activist through art began when he was around 30 years of age. He suggested a peace diplomacy initiative to his local Mayor’s office. He told him that he would start sculpturing life size doves to be a symbol of world peace and that this could be a world award created by his hometown to bestow on different global personalities and entities who were engaged in ushering in human rights, empathy and justice.

His initiation of the peace award commenced by his idea to send an email to Nobel Peace Laureate, Lech Walesa, the first democratically elected President of Poland who ushered the end of the Cold War. Richard wrote of his intention for an international peace award to given by his local town Landshut in Bavaria routed through the office of the town Mayor. To the surprise of his Mayor who nearly dismissed Richard’s idea on grounds that there would not be a conducive international response, the Polish President’s office accepted the invitation as per the rather informal email sent by Richard on behalf of his town and its highly sceptical mayor!

Thereafter a host of international figures known for peace such as Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbashev, Pope Benedict XVI, the Dalai Lama, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and representatives of organisations such as Amnesty International and the European Parliament have received this award. A key prominent awardee was Hungarian Prime Minister Gyula Janos Horn who played a major role in demolishing the iron curtain for East Germans in 1989 and leading the subsequent unification of Germany.

This success brought Richard Hillinger the attention of the German politician, judge and legal scholar who was above all a champion of peace. He became the first President to be elected after the reunification of Germany. Professor Herzog who served as President from 1994 to 1999 hailed from the same town as Richard and met him to congratulate him on his initiative with the peace prize.

“I then told my President that I would like to follow up on the peace award and sculpt bronze peace doves to be sent all across the world so that the dove would convey a message for peace awareness in every corner of our planet.”

“President Herzog then told me, Richard, you are a man of art. You decide what you wish to do more concerning the dove of peace from Germany. I will authorise this endeavour.”

Longest running global peace art legacies

Thereby President Prof. Herzog lent his name to what is now one of the most consistent and longest running global peace art legacies that has survived him. The former German President and respected legal academic, Roman Herzog died in January 2017 at the age of 82 but by this time his staunch encouragement resulted in Hillinger steadfastly continuing with creating more concepts and artefacts centred on world peace. Richard had laid a firm platform towards arts based activism.

The Golden Dove of Peace received yet another new lease flight in 2008 on the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations.

Richard emphasises that he realises that his peace dove and related art-based endeavours would not overnight stop the wars of the world.

“I am not naïve. But I am hopeful. The idea is to awaken one heart at a time and possibly bring some element of realisation of the reality of this world every time the dove gets into each hand. I opposed the idea that we should only get the dove into prominent hands. The idea was that it should be a symbol of world peace for as many people as possible and this would include a cross section of the public including children, youth and clergy members.”

Richard’s Golden dove of peace was presented in 2015-16 to the Neve Hanna children’s home in Kiryat Gat, Israel in recognition of its outstanding work in educating children in accordance with the principle of tolerance, democracy and love of fellow humans, keeping specially in mind the work of Neve Hanna in creating international understanding between Jewish, Bedouin and Christian communities.

Among the many other interesting locations around the world the dove has been to, is the Silent Night museum in Hallein in Salzburg, Austria in the Autumn of 2022. The dove was assigned to Franz Xaver Gruber, the composer of Silent Night!

In November 2023 the Dove of Peace was handed to Min Iman Suleiman Ibrahim Minister of State Police Affairs, by German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther for her role in promoting peace and safety in Nigeria.

Decades after his insistent steps as a young man to make his art travel around the world, Richard recalls his teenage decisions that impacted his adult life decisions.

“I am from the small town of Landshut in Bavaria. My mama asked me when I was 17 years old what I wanted to do with my life. I said I want to travel. Is that all you want to do Richard, she asked and I said yes mama, my traveling will tell me what I want to do.”

This declaration was the gateway that led him to first visit India, at the age of 18. He stayed there for a year alternatively living in places such as Goa, Rajasthan, Bombay and Kerala.

His travel to Sri Lanka coincided with the 1983 ethnic riots in the island which may have also planted the first seeds of committing his life to art-based peace activism.

Describing himself as an artist of concept Richard speaks on Germany’s difficult past as he notes that January 27 which was the date that the gates of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp was thrown open in 1945 by the Soviet Army was made into a day of commemoration by President Prof. Roman Herzog.

“Such remembrances are important for the purpose of ensuring that despite wars continuing through time, that humanity would not be complacent in treating such abominations as normal.’

Asked if he has personally been to Israel and Palestine with the Dove of Peace Richard reiterates that he has.

Mankind will evolve into a higher consciousness

“When I first visited Israel with the dove I was stopped at a check point and I knew that if I had just quipped that I was Swiss that it would be easy on me but I stated that I was from Germany. I did not have any issue and was let through. This is the hope that I have that mankind will evolve into a higher consciousness, whatever the odds. It may not happen today or tomorrow but the important thing is that the journey for peace by those who cherish it and carry its message continues.”

Richard Hillinger interestingly does not speak of money making. When asked how he relegates his art mission for peace high most on the list while not giving much attention to the bills and existence woes that is the bane of many, he points out that he had learnt from India that if a human is to be free he has to strive to be rich in an integrated way and not only through money.

“Yes, I have earned through art but art is my life too and cannot be quantified. Freedom cannot be quantified. I learnt early in life to be a minimalist and to be logical in all my life based decisions. I need a car yes, but I need it to take me from one place to another. I need a comfortable house yes, but I do not need a vast structure that I would tire myself out to maintain. I need a studio for my art, yes, but I need not strive unnecessarily to build or own one as an artist is a man of his community and thereby I accepted a premises offered to me. I desire certain luxuries that are important for me which may be books, art, music, travel, freedom and peace of mind. Having now reached the age of 65 I am happy that each day I wake up healthy, to my art, and to the continuation of the peace mission with the peace dove sculpture begun over two decades ago.”

This year he has embarked on another art project involving the painting of the dove by different children of the world.

What is amazing is that this renowned global artist insists that he is what he is today thanks to India and Sri Lanka.

“India and Sri Lanka taught me everything. I travelled by bus, train and by walking. If I did not have money fellow human beings in these countries fed me. I learnt from the determination of the people in these two nations. The recognition that I can do anything I want I owe mostly to India and Sri Lanka. I realised how little I have learnt about life in the classrooms I had sat in as a child and teenager when I saw the different levels of existence that are lived out particularly in India. I travelled in trains with hundreds of people, walked to many places of worship and exalted in the human interactions I made daily.”

Richard Hillinger has in his adult years visited scores of countries across the world but Asia remains his favourite region.

“I have those who tell me they have travelled to countries such as India where the culture is different. The first thing I ask them is how they travel. Do they go on pre booked tours which accord the luxuries of tourism coaches and meals in opulent hotels? Or do they travel alongside the citizens of those countries, eating and living as they do? If they do the latter then I tell them they have my respect.”

Make humanity your art and art your humanity

How and when did his journey of art start? What was his inspiration to embark on the creation of bronze doves?

“I lived in a family which I suppose like many families spent a lot of time worrying about money and the earning of it. In my early teens to the age of 18 I worked in an art and artefact store. Here I met a totally different kind of people whose conversations revolved around not money making but art, cinema, literature and travel. I was influenced by solid three years from age 15 to 18 in this place which was akin to an art and aesthetics university for me. India was thereafter my higher and highest education,” smiles Richard.

What is his advice to young people?

“Live your art. Love your life. Make humanity your art and art your humanity. Create your happiness. Create the happiness of others.”

Note: The global work of Richard Hillinger is too extensive to be framed into one writeup. Hence we will be following through with a detailed interview with this artist for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II which falls on May 8, 1945. This is part of the peace series that the Harmony Page carries out every year in our annual campaign to commemorate May, the month that Sri Lanka ended its three-decade civil war in 2009. Since 2021 we have been running the campaign ‘May as a month of peace,’ promoting the commemoration of the end of Sri Lanka’s ethnic strife to be celebrated in a common platform, mourning for the loss of all lives alongside the pledge of never allowing violence to ruin this nation ever again. The Harmony Page is collaborating with Richard Hillinger to conceptually work with the dove of peace in Sri Lanka and Asia. 25 years of flight around the world | Daily FT

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7.1 million cancer cases worldwide preventable, tobacco biggest culprit: WHO

(Source: Xinhua/IANS)

New Delhi, (IANS) Up to four in 10 or 7.1 million cancer cases worldwide could be prevented, according to a new global analysis from the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) on Wednesday.

The study, released on World Cancer Day on February 4, identified tobacco as the leading preventable cause of cancer globally, responsible for 15 per cent of all new cancer cases.

It also found, for the first time, that nine cancer-causing infections are responsible for about 10 per cent of cancer cases.

Other reasons include alcohol, high body mass index, physical inactivity, air pollution, and ultraviolet radiation.

The analysis, based on data from 185 countries and 36 cancer types, estimated that 37 per cent of all new cancer cases in 2022, around 7.1 million cases, were linked to preventable causes.

Three cancer types - lung, stomach and cervical cancer- accounted for nearly half of all preventable cancer cases in both men and women, globally.

Lung cancer was primarily linked to smoking and air pollution, stomach cancer was largely attributable to Helicobacter pylori infection, and cervical cancer was overwhelmingly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).

"This is the first global analysis to show how much cancer risk comes from causes we can prevent," said Dr Ilbawi, WHO Team Lead for Cancer Control, and author of the study.

"By examining patterns across countries and population groups, we can provide governments and individuals with more specific information to help prevent many cancer cases before they start," he added.

The burden of preventable cancer was substantially higher in men than in women, with 45 per cent of new cancer cases in men compared with 30 per cent in women.

In men, smoking accounted for an estimated 23 per cent of all new cancer cases, followed by infections at 9 per cent and alcohol at 4 per cent.

Among women globally, infections accounted for 11 per cent of all new cancer cases, followed by smoking at 6 per cent and high body mass index at 3 per cent, the report said.

The findings underscore the need for context-specific prevention strategies that include strong tobacco control measures, alcohol regulation, vaccination against cancer-causing infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B, improved air quality, safer workplaces, and healthier food and physical activity environments.Addressing preventable risk factors not only reduces cancer incidence but also lowers long-term health care costs and improves population health and well-being, the study said. 7.1 million cancer cases worldwide preventable, tobacco biggest culprit: WHO | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

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World’s Most Northern Electric Ferry Now Sailing in Frigid -13°F Temps (-25°C)

The M/F Vargsund – credit, Finnmark county administration

An all-electric passenger/car ferry in northern Norway has proven that brain-disabling cold can’t affect its service, despite running entirely on batteries.

Whatever technology was encased within the batteries of our parents’ cars that would see them suffer in the cold is not what powers the M/F Vargsund, which links the two islands of Kvaløya and Seiland in Norway’s Finnmark county.

It couldn’t have been a better acid test as the ferry shot off from the quay at Klokkarøy town on January 1st with its first ever passengers aboard—temperatures had fallen to -13°F, which for our Norwegian readers is -25°C.

While some car ferries operate as far north as M/F Vargsund, none do so powered by electricity.

“This is not just about new ferries. It’s about the future. About showing that green technology works – even in the far north, even in tough conditions,” operator Torghatten said in a statement on Friday after the ferry sailed in regular traffic for two weeks.

Stretching 50 meters prow to stern, she can hold 28 cars and 100 passengers. Torghatten is the country’s largest ferry operator, and as well as helping to reduce the company’s own carbon emissions, executives hope that it will set a standard of ambition and belief in the industry at large.

The firm’s most frequently-used ferry, connecting another pair of towns—Bognes and Lødingen—along the northern reaches of Norway, is also fully electric.A total of 95.9% of all new cars registered in Norway in 2025 were electric vehicles, a result of the the calendar edging closer and closer to long-anticipated government edicts on internal-combustion engines. World’s Most Northern Electric Ferry Now Sailing in Frigid -13°F Temps (-25°C)

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Aus Open: Rybakina brushes past Pegula to set up final showdown with Sabalenka

Photo credit: AusOpen/X

Melbourne, (IANS) Elena Rybakina booked her place in the women's singles final of the Australian Open 2026 with a composed, hard-fought straight-sets victory over sixth seed Jessica Pegula on Thursday night, prevailing 6-3, 7-6(7) under the lights at Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park in Melbourne on Thursday.

The fifth seed reached her third career Grand Slam final, and her first since 2023, by withstanding a fierce late surge from Pegula, saving two set points in a tense second-set tiebreak to close out the match in just over two hours. Rybakina will now meet World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka for the title, renewing their rivalry from the 2023 Australian Open final.

Rybakina appeared in control early, dictating play with her serve and first-strike power to take the opening set. Serving at 5-3, she brushed aside a brief wobble with a series of heavy deliveries, repeatedly pushing Pegula behind the baseline. A moment of resistance came when Pegula erased one set point with a stunning backhand winner, but Rybakina quickly shut the door, finishing the set with a body serve followed by a clean forehand strike to secure it 6-3.

The second set unfolded as a far more dramatic contest. Pegula, seeking to become the first woman in the Open Era to reach her first two Grand Slam finals after turning 30, refused to fade. Down 5-3 and facing three match points on her own serve, the 2024 US Open runner-up dug deep, holding serve before breaking Rybakina twice as the Kazakhstani attempted to close out the match at both 5-4 and 6-5.

That resilience forced a tiebreak filled with momentum swings and extended rallies. Pegula struck first, winning a gruelling 19-shot exchange to set the tone, but Rybakina answered with clutch serving, firing aces at key moments to stay level. Neither player could create separation as mini-breaks were exchanged and tension mounted.

At 7-7, Rybakina found her breakthrough. A pair of aggressive returns pressured Pegula’s second serve, setting up match point. She sealed it emphatically, ripping a backhand down the line from well outside the sideline to end the contest and spark a roar from the Melbourne crowd.

The win sends Rybakina into her second Australian Open final, where she will again face Sabalenka, who won their 2023 Melbourne showdown in three sets on her way to her maiden major title and holds a narrow overall edge in their head-to-head. However, Rybakina has enjoyed greater success in their final matches, including a straight-sets victory at the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh.

With her serve firing and her nerve holding firm in the biggest moments, Rybakina now stands one win away from a second Grand Slam title — and a chance to settle the score on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

Rybakina and Sabalenka will contest a rare repeat Australian Open final, becoming only the fourth pair this century to meet multiple times in Melbourne. Neither player has dropped a set en route to the final, a feat last achieved at the Australian Open in 2004 and only the 23rd time in the Open Era overall.Rybakina enters the final in outstanding form, having won 19 of her last 20 matches since losing to Sabalenka in Wuhan last October, including nine straight victories over Top 10 opponents. She also improved her head-to-head record against Jessica Pegula to 4-3 with her semifinal win. Aus Open: Rybakina brushes past Pegula to set up final showdown with Sabalenka | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

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Renewables Overtake Coal as World’s Biggest Source of Electricity

The solar arrays at the Kubuqi Desert, 2024 – credit: NASA’s Earth Observatory.

Renewable energy sources like solar and wind produced more electricity during the first half of the year than any other energy resource, including coal.

To bullet another massive accomplishment in the clean energy transition, of the cumulative demand for new power worldwide, renewables met 100% of it.

Coal has been the world’s most-consumed energy resource for the last 50-and-a-bit years. It held that position up until last year. But with costs in the solar energy market falling 99.9% since 1975, it’s becoming so much more feasible to use as an energy source for low and middle-income countries.

China continued its full-throttle deployment of renewable energy resources, adding more clean energy than the whole world combined last year, reducing its fossil fuel consumption by 2% even as it adds to its fleet of coal power plants.

This data comes from the energy think tank Ember, whose senior analyst Malgorzata Wiatros-Motyka said 2025 marked “the beginning of a shift where clean power is keeping pace with demand growth.”

Most solar generation (58%) is now in lower-income countries. Now that solar power in particular is cheaper, it’s much faster to install new grid capacity at scale rather than investing in the 10, 20, 30-year time horizons that the financing and construction of thermal power plants require.

Most countries don’t produce fossil fuels, but all have access to the Sun and winds, and so by relying on renewable energy they’re also not required to enter foreign currency markets to then be able to import coal, oil, or natural gas.

“Pakistan, for example, imported solar panels capable of generating 17 gigawatts (GW) of solar power in 2024,” writes the BBC on that notion, “double the previous year and the equivalent of roughly a third of the country’s current electricity generation capacity.”

South Africa, Algeria, and Botswana have all taken advantage of the solar boom as well.Wind turbines and associated infrastructure have not come down in price anywhere near as much as solar, which likely presents headwinds to so-called “Wind Belt” nations like the UK and Norway. Renewables Overtake Coal as World’s Biggest Source of Electricity

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Millions of hectares are still being cut down every year. How can we protect global forests?

David Clode/Unsplash, CC BY Kate Dooley, The University of Melbourne

Ahead of the United Nations climate summit in Belém last month, Brazil’s President Lula da Silva urged world leaders to agree to roadmaps away from fossil fuels and deforestation and pledge the resources to meet these goals.

After failing to secure consensus, COP president Andre Corrêa do Lago announced these roadmaps as a voluntary initiative. Brazil will report back on progress at next year’s UN climate summit, COP31, when it hands the presidency to Turkey and Australia chairs the negotiations.

Why now?

These goals originate in the outcomes of the first global stocktake of the world’s progress towards the Paris Agreement goals, undertaken in 2023.

At the COP28 talks in Dubai in that year, there was an agreement to transition away from fossil fuels and to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation by 2030.

Yet achieving these goals relies on a “just transition”, where no country is left behind in the transition to a low-carbon future, including a “core package” of public finance to address climate adaptation, and loss and damage. The Belém outcome fell short.

Forests need urgent protection

Forest loss and degradation is continuing, at an average rate of 25 million hectares a year over the last decade, according to the Global Forest Watch. This is 63% higher than the rate needed to meet existing targets to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030. Yet the climate pledges submitted for the Belém COP remain far off track from this goal.

In the 2025 Land Gap Report, my colleagues and I calculated the scale of this “forest gap” – the gap between 2030 targets and the plans countries are putting forward in their climate pledges.

We show the pledges submitted up until this year’s climate summit would cut deforestation by less than 50% by 2030, meaning forests spanning almost 4 million hectares would still be cut down. The pledges would lead to forest degradation – where the ecological integrity of a forest area is diminished – of almost 16 million hectares. This is only a 10% reduction on current rates.

Together, this equates to an anticipated “forest gap” of around 20 million hectares expected to be lost or degraded each year by 2030. That’s about twice the size of South Korea.

While this underscores the inadequacy of commitments, the analysis is based on pledges submitted up to the start of November 2025, at which point only 40% of countries had submitted an updated plan. Major pledges submitted during COP31, such as from the European Union and China, don’t change this analysis.

This graph shows that deforestation will only slightly decline to 2030. The Land Gap Report, author supplied., CC BY-ND

Forest wins in Belém

A new fund for forest conservation called the Tropical Forests Forever Facility was launched in Brazil, attracting $US6.7 billion in pledges ($A9.9 billion).

The forest fund focuses on tropical deforestation, the leading cause of emissions from forest loss. But it has a key weakness: the limited monitoring of forest degradation, which could allow countries to receive payments while still logging primary forests.

The fund will establish a science committee and plans to revise monitoring indicators over the next three years, creating an opportunity to strengthen its ability to protect tropical forests.

The COP30 leaders’ summit also saw the launch of a historic pledge of $US1.8 billion ($A2.7 billion) to support conservation and recognition of 160 million hectares of Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ territories in tropical forest countries.

But global action on forests needs to extend beyond the tropics. Across both deforestation and forest degradation, countries in the global north are responsible for over half of global tree cover loss over the past decade.

Beyond tropical forests

A global accountability framework on forests is needed to increase ambition on climate action, including in countries and regions with extensive forests outside of the tropics, such as Australia, Canada and Europe.

In these regions, industrial logging is a major driver of tree-cover loss but receives far less political attention than tropical deforestation. Wide gaps in reporting – between deforestation and degradation – mean logging-related degradation often goes unreported.

In a recent report, only 59 countries said they monitor forest degradation. Of these, almost three-quarters are tropical forest countries.

The IUCN World Conservation Congress which convened in Abu Dhabi this year prior to the climate talks, passed a motion on delivering equitable accountability and means of implementation for international forest protection goals. This arose from a recognised need to promote greater equity between forest protection standards across countries.

All of this points to an urgent need to tackle accountability in global forest governance. The forest roadmap to be developed for COP31 in Turkey could help drive stronger alignment and transparency across UN processes – from the UN Forum on Forests’ 2017–2030 plan to the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s 2030 target to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.

Australia could lead on forests

Australia could help shape global forest ambition in the year ahead. It is currently the only country whose emissions pledge promises to halt and reverse deforestation and degradation by 2030 – a clear signal that developed countries must lead.

As President of Negotiations at COP31, Australia can also work to bring Brazil’s fossil-fuel and forest roadmaps into formal negotiations. But this depends on two things: credible leadership from developed countries and long-overdue climate finance. As a deforestation hotspot with ongoing native forest logging, Australia has considerable work to do to meet this responsibility.

Kate Dooley, Senior Research Fellow, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Melbourne

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship ends in Doha

The 2025 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship concluded in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday.

The Open section featured 247 players from 64 countries, including 126 grandmasters.

GM Magnus Carlsen became world champion, scoring 10.5 points out of 13, the Armenian Chess Federation reported.

Among the players representing Armenia, the best results were achieved by GM Shant Sargsyan and GM Haik Martirosyan, who scored 8 points, finishing 38th and 51st, respectively.

American-Armenian GM Samuel Sevian scored 9 points and tied for 6th place, finishing 11th on tie-breaks.

The Women's Championship featured 141 players from 42 countries, including 23 grandmasters and 32 international masters.

GM Aleksandra Goryachkina became Women's World Champion, scoring 8.5 points out of 11. GM Zhu Jiner and GM Koneru Humpy also scored 8.5 points. The champion was decided in a play-off.

Among Armenian women players, the best result was achieved by IM Lilit Mkrtchian, who scored 7 points, tying for 15th place and finishing 29th on tie-breaks.The Blitz Championship is scheduled for December 29-30. Souurce: https://www.panorama.am/

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Gender-neutral clothing challenging societal norms

New Delhi, (IANSlife): In recent years, there has been a remarkable shift in the perception and expression of gender identity, both globally and in India. One powerful aspect of this movement is the rise of gender-neutral clothing, which enables individuals to dress in a way that aligns with their own unique identity, rather than conforming to societal expectations.

The market demand for gender-neutral clothing has been steadily rising. According to a report by GlobalData, the global gender-neutral fashion market was valued at $27 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.5 percent from 2020 to 2027. No wonder, many mainstream fashion brands have started to incorporate gender-neutral collections into their offerings

We have all witnessed the evolving landscape of fashion, where our wives, daughters, and women, in general, are breaking free from the confines of gender-specific clothing. They proudly showcase their prowess in un-gendering fashion and embrace a more fluid and inclusive approach to their attire. Let us take a serious look at how gender-neutral clothing is revolutionizing the fashion industry and creating a more inclusive world for the global LGBTQA+ community, including the vibrant community in India.

Breaking Free from Gender Stereotypes

For far too long, fashion has been confined by rigid gender norms, dictating what is considered appropriate attire for men and women. Gender-neutral clothing defies these stereotypes by offering a more fluid and versatile approach to personal style. It encourages individuals to express themselves authentically without the fear of judgment or exclusion based on societal expectations. By rejecting the idea that clothing should be limited to specific genders, we open the doors to a world where self-expression is celebrated and diversity is embraced.

Empowering Self-Expression

Gender-neutral clothing empowers individuals to define their own sense of style, free from the constraints of gender norms. It provides a platform for creative expression, allowing people to mix and match different styles, colours, and silhouettes without feeling restricted by the gender binary. This freedom to experiment with fashion not only enhances personal expression but also encourages self-acceptance and boosts self-confidence. It enables individuals to present themselves authentically, fostering a sense of belonging within the LGBTQA+ community and beyond.

Gender Neutral Clothing Ensures Inclusivity for All

The impact of gender-neutral clothing extends far beyond the LGBTQA+ community. It promotes inclusivity for people of all genders, including those who identify as non-binary, genderqueer, or genderfluid. By challenging the notion that clothing should be limited to masculine or feminine designs, fashion becomes a more accessible and welcoming space for everyone. This revolution is gradually dismantling the barriers that have long separated fashion by gender, allowing people to wear what they love and feel comfortable in, regardless of societal expectations.

How to Further Generate Education and Awareness?

Social media platforms have played a significant role in popularizing gender-neutral fashion. Influencers and activists on platforms like Instagram and TikTok have created a space for discussions, fashion inspiration, and sharing of gender-neutral outfits. This online community has contributed to the normalisation and acceptance of gender-neutral clothing. Thus, now it comes to basic education - schools, media, and communities can play a vital role in providing comprehensive information about gender diversity and celebrating individuality. By incorporating these topics into curricula, workshops, and public discussions, we can create a generation that is more accepting and understanding of different gender expressions.

What is the Fashion Industry's Role?

The fashion industry plays a pivotal role in driving societal change and fostering inclusivity. In recent years, many designers, brands, and retailers have embraced the concept of gender-neutral clothing. They are not only creating collections that cater to diverse gender identities but also challenging the existing norms by featuring genderqueer models and dismantling traditional fashion presentations. This industry-wide support is instrumental in breaking down stereotypes and promoting acceptance on a global scale.

Design Innovation Amid Gender-Inclusive Sizing and Retail

Fashion designers will continue to push boundaries and explore innovative designs that cater to diverse gender identities. Materials and technologies will advance, allowing for garments that are both stylish and adaptable, accommodating different body types and preferences. Customisable and modular clothing will become more prevalent, enabling individuals to express their unique identities through personalized fashion choices. The fashion industry will move away from the traditional binary sizing system, recognizing the need for gender-inclusive measurements.

Inclusive Representation at Fashion Events

The future of fashion will embrace greater diversity and representation. Designers, brands, and retailers will prioritize inclusivity in their campaigns, fashion shows, and advertisements. Unlike a handful of Rainbow Fashion shows today, the future will have a wider range of LGBTQA+ models who will showcase diverse gender identities, body types, ages, and cultural backgrounds. This inclusive representation will foster a sense of belonging and promote self-acceptance within the LGBTQA+ community and beyond.Gender-neutral clothing represents a significant step towards challenging societal norms and fostering inclusivity. By breaking free from traditional gender expectations, individuals can express themselves authentically and confidently. Let us continue to support and embrace the global LGBTQA+ community, advocating for a world where everyone can dress and live without fear of judgment or exclusion. Gender-neutral clothing challenging societal norms | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

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