All stories — Page 20

15 Jan 2026

Taliban control reshapes Afghan cinema

Since August 2021 the Taliban have closed cinemas, removed women from media and dissolved the state film body. An investigation shows fear for the national film archive and serious limits on filmmakers inside and outside Afghanistan.

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14 Jan 2026

World close to 1.5°C Paris limit, new data show

Data from Copernicus and the WMO show global temperatures are near the 1.5°C limit in the Paris Agreement. Scientists warn this raises the risk of more extreme and unprecedented weather.

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14 Jan 2026

Children speak, families struggle in Andhra Pradesh

Field reporting in Andhra Pradesh found children learn about personal boundaries but families often lack clear, practical guidance on reporting and support. Social pressures and uncertainty shape what happens after a child discloses abuse.

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13 Jan 2026

Burning plastic as home fuel in low‑income cities

A study finds that people in low‑ and middle‑income cities often burn plastic as household fuel. Researchers link the practice to irregular waste collection and energy poverty, and warn of serious health risks.

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12 Jan 2026

Inflatable robotic arm to help apple harvest

Fruit growers face worker shortages, and researchers at Washington State University developed a low-cost inflatable robotic arm to pick apples and do orchard chores. The team is testing and improving the arm for safe use in orchards.

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12 Jan 2026

Turn New Year resolutions into small habits

Many people set New Year resolutions but the plans often fail within weeks. A Syracuse University professor recommends one small first step, celebrating progress, asking for support, and practising self‑compassion to build lasting habits.

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12 Jan 2026

Vitamin C may protect reproductive health from potassium perchlorate

A study using Japanese rice fish (medaka) found that potassium perchlorate damaged testes and reduced fertility. Fish given vitamin C alongside the chemical showed better fertility and less testicular harm, suggesting vitamin C may help protect reproductive health.

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11 Jan 2026

Courts and the right to a healthy environment in Pakistan

Pakistan’s courts have recognised a constitutional right to a healthy environment through landmark cases and a new amendment. Legal advances face many limits, including weak civil society support, funding problems and gaps in judicial expertise.

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10 Jan 2026

Young men in South Korea move to the political right

Surveys after the June 2025 snap presidential election show many young men in South Korea have shifted to the political right, creating a large gender gap on feminism, redistribution and immigration, even as most still support democratic rules.

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10 Jan 2026

Homebound: Friendship and hardship in India

Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and based on a 2020 New York Times report, follows two friends from a remote Indian village as caste, religion and the pandemic shape their lives. The film was shortlisted for an Oscar (2026).

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9 Jan 2026

Hurricane Melissa Hits Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025, causing heavy damage. Volunteers and relief teams worked in many communities to help with food, water, shelter and cleanup, and people called for better disaster preparedness and global action on climate change.

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9 Jan 2026

Rising Crop Losses in India

Crop losses in India are increasing because of unseasonal rain, pests, land damage and pollution. Experts warn this hurts farmers, food quality and health, and they call for better measurement and support for farmers.

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