As Delhi’s air quality plunges into the ‘very poor’ category, India’s Supreme Court has permitted the sale and use of ‘green firecrackers’ during the upcoming Diwali festival. These firecrackers, designed to emit 20-30% fewer pollutants and produce minimal ash, are seen as a compromise between tradition and environmental concerns. However, critics argue that even these less harmful alternatives release toxic substances, exacerbating the city’s already dire pollution levels. On Wednesday, Delhi’s air quality was 25-30 times worse than the World Health Organization’s safe limits, with PM2.5 levels in some areas exceeding 400, a threshold that poses severe health risks. The court’s decision, which includes strict guidelines on the sale and use of firecrackers, has sparked mixed reactions. While some welcome the opportunity to celebrate Diwali fully, others fear weak enforcement will worsen the pollution crisis. Meanwhile, the Delhi government has activated the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to combat rising pollution, banning coal, firewood, and non-essential diesel generators. As winter approaches, Delhi faces its annual pollution battle, with Diwali’s firecrackers adding to the challenge.
分类： society
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An ancient tradition is helping girls in Zimbabwe fight child marriages
In the rural landscapes of northeastern Zimbabwe, a group of girls gathers inside a white tent with a wooden fireplace at its center. They remove their shoes, sit on mattresses, and prepare to engage in open discussions about sexuality, child marriage, teen pregnancy, gender bias, education, economic empowerment, and the law. This gathering is a modern revival of Nhanga, an ancient tradition once used to prepare adolescent girls for marriage. Today, it has been reimagined as a peer-led movement to resist child marriage, a pervasive issue in Zimbabwe and across Africa.
Nhanga, traditionally a female-only space in round thatched huts, was historically a place where girls were taught obedience, marital duties, and moral education, reinforcing patriarchal norms. However, the new Nhanga is a cultural innovation addressing contemporary challenges. ‘The new Nhanga is a safe space where girls can candidly discuss sensitive topics,’ said Nokutenda Magama, a programs officer with the Rozaria Memorial Trust, a nonprofit driving this revival.
The sessions, organized by age groups ranging from five-year-olds to women over 35, include practical skills like poultry raising, farming, and soap making. Elders and senior government officials are sometimes invited to provide mentorship. This initiative comes amid alarming statistics: one in three girls in Zimbabwe marries before 18, a situation mirrored across East and southern Africa. Despite laws outlawing child marriage, poverty, weak enforcement, and cultural practices perpetuate the problem.
For Samantha Chidodo, 26, the Nhanga revival offered a lifeline. Forced into an abusive marriage at 17, she escaped and, with support from the Rozaria Memorial Trust, returned to school and became a pioneer of the modern Nhanga. ‘Initially, we were only about 20 girls. Now, over 200 in my village participate,’ she said. The movement has spread to Zambia and Sierra Leone and gained recognition at African Union and United Nations forums.
To address the cultural roots of child marriage, girls have sought the support of chiefs and village heads. Xmas Savanhu, a local village headman, explained that offenders now face fines, such as paying a cow, which is held in trust for the girl’s education. Despite progress, poverty and entrenched attitudes remain challenges. ‘The gap lies with the adults,’ said Enet Tini, a teacher and mentor, emphasizing the need for girls-led initiatives to shift societal norms.
Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda, deputy executive director at U.N. Women and founder of the Rozaria Memorial Trust, called child marriage ‘essentially rape and sexual exploitation,’ stressing that solutions must involve girls themselves, policymakers, and traditional leaders. ‘If we can pressure each other into behaving badly, then we can also influence each other to act positively,’ said Anita Razo, an 18-year-old mentor.
This grassroots movement demonstrates how ancient traditions can be reimagined to address modern challenges, empowering girls to shape their futures and challenge societal norms.
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Pickup truck explodes on busy street in Ecuador
A devastating explosion occurred on a bustling shopping street in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Tuesday evening, leaving one person dead and two others injured. Authorities have labeled the incident as an intentional attack. The victim, identified as a nearby cab driver, succumbed to the blast, according to Maj. Jorge Montanero of the Guayaquil fire department, who spoke to local television station Ecuavisa. Emergency responders evacuated surrounding buildings as a precaution, while police conducted thorough inspections of vehicles in the area. Montanero hinted at the possibility of a car bomb, stating, “A normal car doesn’t blow up like that.”
Guayaquil’s police chief, Francisco Zumárraga, confirmed the discovery of a “new threat” and announced plans for a controlled detonation. He vowed to apprehend those responsible for the attack. The Attorney General’s Office has launched an investigation, interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage to piece together the events.
This incident adds to a troubling pattern of vehicle explosions in Ecuador, which saw a surge in violence following the assassination of a presidential candidate in 2023. Earlier this year, a bomb attributed to a criminal network exploded outside Ecuador’s largest prison, killing a prison guard. While other explosions in Quito last year caused minor damage, Tuesday’s attack has raised alarms.
Governor Humberto Plaza of Guayas province, where Guayaquil is the capital, condemned the explosion as “terrorism plain and simple” and pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice. “We’re going to grab them, and they’re going to pay,” he declared. The explosion shattered windows in nearby restaurants and stores, leaving the community in shock and underscoring the growing security challenges in the region.
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British social media star ‘Big John’ detained in Australia over visa
British social media sensation ‘Big John’ Fisher, renowned for his viral fast food reviews and his signature catchphrase ‘bosh,’ has been detained in Australia due to a visa complication. Fisher, who boasts nearly 700,000 Instagram followers and is the father of British heavyweight boxer Johnny Fisher, arrived in Western Australia on Tuesday for a planned tour. However, his visit took an unexpected turn when he was questioned by Australian border officials for four hours. Despite having a legitimate visa, authorities expressed concerns over his intended work activities during his stay. In a social media post, Fisher revealed that he would be deported back to London, forcing him to cancel scheduled appearances in Perth and Sydney. ‘Will explain more when I get home but absolutely gutted,’ he shared, noting that his return flight coincided with his 52nd birthday. Fisher, known for his love of Chinese takeaway and his enthusiastic meal reviews, apologized to his Australian fans in a short video, saying, ‘Sorry, Perth, sorry, Sydney.’ The Australian Border Force has yet to comment on the incident.
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Bangladesh garment factory fire kills at least 16
A devastating fire engulfed a garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, claiming the lives of at least 16 individuals, with fears that the death toll may escalate. The inferno, which erupted around midday on Tuesday, ravaged the four-storey building in the Mirpur area, leaving bodies charred beyond recognition. Distraught families gathered outside the factory, clutching photographs of their missing loved ones, desperate for answers. The blaze was extinguished after three hours, but a neighboring chemical warehouse continued to burn, complicating rescue efforts. Firefighters struggled to contain the chemical fire, which persisted until late evening, fueled by hazardous materials such as bleaching powder, plastic, and hydrogen peroxide. Authorities are yet to determine the origin of the fire, with investigations underway to ascertain whether the warehouse was operating legally. The factory and warehouse owners remain unlocated, adding to the uncertainty. Among the grieving is a father searching for his daughter, Farzana Akhter, who remains missing. ‘I just want my daughter back,’ he pleaded, encapsulating the anguish of countless families affected by this tragedy.
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The Indian woman who stood up to moral policing – and won a pageant
Muskan Sharma, a 23-year-old from Uttarakhand, India, has become a symbol of resilience and empowerment after winning the Miss Rishikesh 2025 title. Her victory came just a day after she courageously confronted a group of men who criticized her and other contestants for wearing Western clothing during rehearsals. The incident, captured in a viral video, shows Sharma standing her ground against Raghavendra Bhatnagar, a local Hindu group leader, who accused the contestants of violating Uttarakhand’s cultural norms. Sharma retorted by questioning why he didn’t target shops selling alcohol and cigarettes instead of policing women’s clothing. Her defiance, supported by fellow contestants and organizers, ensured the pageant proceeded as planned, culminating in her crowning moment. Sharma dedicated her win to her mother, crediting her for instilling the courage to stand up for what is right. Her story has sparked conversations about gender equality and the challenges women face in India’s patriarchal society. Sharma now aims to compete in Miss Uttarakhand and Miss India, hoping to inspire more women to challenge societal norms and fight for their rights.
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Prosecutors in New York seek time to consider third trial in Etan Patz murder
The decades-long legal saga surrounding Pedro Hernandez, the man convicted of the 1979 murder of six-year-old Etan Patz, has reached a critical juncture. Following a July ruling by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals that overturned Hernandez’s 2017 conviction, Manhattan prosecutors and defense attorneys are now locked in a heated debate over the next steps. The appeals court cited concerns about Hernandez’s police interrogation, his mental health history, and jury instructions as grounds for reconsideration. On Thursday, prosecutors requested 90 days to decide whether to retry Hernandez, while his defense team pushed for a 30-day deadline. U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon is expected to rule on the matter within days. Etan Patz’s disappearance in 1979, while he was walking to school in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood, became a national symbol of missing children cases. Despite extensive investigations, Patz was never found. Hernandez, who worked as a shop clerk near the bus stop where Patz vanished, confessed in 2012 to luring the boy into a basement and strangling him. His first trial in 2015 ended in a mistrial, but he was convicted in 2017 of felony murder and kidnapping, though acquitted of intentional murder. Hernandez’s lawyers have argued that the jury instructions during his second trial were prejudicial and inconsistent with legal precedent. Prosecutors, however, maintain that the conviction was just and plan to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Hernandez’s legal team is pushing for his immediate release, claiming an innocent man is being wrongfully imprisoned.
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Female leaders urge global solidarity for women’s development
At the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women held in Beijing, prominent female leaders from around the world emphasized the need for global solidarity to advance women’s development and address ongoing challenges. Cathy Nori, Minister of Women, Youth, Children, and Family Affairs of the Solomon Islands, highlighted the nation’s efforts to promote gender equality and protect women from violence. She also pointed out the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls, urging collective action to ensure no one is left behind. Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway, reflected on the progress made since the Beijing Declaration in 1995 but stressed that significant work remains, particularly in areas like political participation, economic empowerment, and reproductive rights. Zhang Haidi, former Chairperson of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation, shared her personal story of resilience, inspired by her mother’s enduring strength despite decades of illness. She encouraged women, especially those with disabilities, to embrace their inner fortitude and create possibilities for a better society. The event underscored the importance of continued advocacy and collaboration to achieve gender equality and empower women globally.
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A passenger bus in northern India catches fire and burns at least 20 people to death
A tragic incident unfolded in northern India on Tuesday when a suspected electrical short circuit ignited a fire on a passenger bus, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 individuals and leaving 15 others critically injured. The bus, carrying between 35 and 50 passengers, was en route from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur in Rajasthan state when the blaze erupted. According to Mahant Pratap Puri, a local lawmaker, the fire spread rapidly, leaving passengers with no time to escape. Nineteen victims were found inside the charred vehicle, while one succumbed to severe burns while being transported to a hospital. Witnesses reported that smoke began emanating from the rear of the bus just minutes after departure, prompting the driver to halt near a military station. However, the flames quickly consumed the vehicle. Puri, who was present during the rescue efforts, noted that the bus was newly equipped with air-conditioning and had only one exit, which tragically hindered evacuation efforts. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire and are using DNA evidence to identify the victims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed their condolences to the families of the deceased, as the incident raises urgent questions about vehicle safety standards.
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French pair sentenced in Iran on spying charges
Two French citizens, Cecile Kohler, 40, and Jacques Paris, 72, have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms by an Iranian court after being convicted of espionage. The pair, arrested during a tourist trip in May 2022, were accused of spying for both France and Israel. Iranian state media reported the verdicts but did not name the defendants, though they are widely believed to be the only French nationals detained in Iran. Kohler and Paris were sentenced to multiple years in prison and exile, with their pre-trial detention time to be deducted from their sentences. The verdicts can be appealed within 20 days. This case follows a pattern of Iran detaining foreign nationals, often for diplomatic leverage. Earlier this year, another French tourist, Olivier Grondeau, was released after serving part of a five-year sentence. Iran has previously suggested that Kohler and Paris could be exchanged for Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian woman held in France on terrorism-related charges. France has condemned the detentions as arbitrary and accused Iran of subjecting the pair to torturous conditions. Human rights groups have criticized Iran for using detainees as bargaining chips in international negotiations. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between Iran and Western nations, with multiple Europeans currently held in Iranian custody.