Sofia Kounti
July 1, 2025
France is a far bigger and more diverse nation than even many French people acknowledge. In hanging on to former colonies, the Republic promised its overseas citizens the same rights as those on the mainland. In practice, they suffer from chronic underinvestment locally, and systemic prejudice if they relocate to the center of power.
When the Indian government quietly approved projects that would cut through Goa’s ancient forests, an unlikely alliance rose in defiance. Young scientists and artists teamed up with veteran lawyers and activists to wage a fierce battle — online, in courtrooms and on the streets. Their collective strength saved the forest, preventing Goa from becoming a coal corridor.
While European cities face record-shattering heat due to climate change, not all residents are affected equally. Indoor heat sensors show scorching temps in areas with lower-income housing, compounded by neglectful urban planning and pollution- a combination that is creating health risks in urban peripheries.
“The people who face the most barriers are often those who need our care the most – and yet their voices are not the ones we hear in maternity care.”
For decades, Moroccan immigrants have called La Cañada Real home. Now, real estate speculators are closing in on the informal settlement. Authorities are starving the community of basic infrastructure and demolishing homes. But women are pushing back against eviction and uniting against oppression from outside their community and within.
Imprisoned since March, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is considered the greatest threat to Erdogan’s power in decades. But how did Imamoglu and the CHP mount a successful comeback despite a captured media and demoralized opposition? Research, militancy, and relentless positivity proved key.
