Eliminating undernutrition could prevent up to 2.3 million TB cases globally: Study
Addressing undernutrition could prevent up to 2.3 million tuberculosis cases worldwide, representing 23.7 per cent of infections among adults in 2023, according to a modelling study published in The Lancet Global Health journal. India could have seen the highest reduction in tuberculosis (TB) cases if undernutrition was addressed, followed by Indonesia, the Philippines and Pakistan, researchers, including those from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, estimated. “We estimated that eliminating moderate-to-severe undernutrition could avert 1·4 million tuberculosis episodes globally, representing 14.6 per cent of global adult incidence in 2023, while eliminating all undernutrition could avert 2.3 million episodes, representing a reduction in global tuberculosis incidence of 23.7 per cent," the authors wrote. The findings highlight the urgent need to scale up population-level nutritional interventions, social and health benefits from which could extend beyond tuberculosis, alongside research to assess implementation strategies and impacts, they said. This study is the first to estimate the implications of one’s nutritional status on tuberculosis infection, the team said.
Undernutrition, defined in the study as a body mass index (BMI) under 18.5 in an adult, is a modifiable, socially determined risk factor for the bacterial infection.
Iranian FM Araghchi to visit India for BRICS summit
In a significant boost to regional diplomacy, Tehran has confirmed that Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi will travel to India to participate in the upcoming BRICS summit, marking a key moment in the strengthening of ties between the two nations. The confirmation came during an interview with India Today Global on Tuesday, where Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaiel Baghaei detailed the high-level visit. He underscored the robust multilateral partnership shared by the two countries, noting that Iran and India are both members of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and have a “good level of cooperation and coordination" in both organisations. The spokesperson further emphasised the strategic weight of the upcoming deliberations in the Indian capital. Baghaei added that the “simultaneous meeting is of importance to Iran" and stated that Tehran “looks forward to bilateral meetings with other ministers participating in this event," specifically highlighting the interaction with the “foreign minister of India as a friendly country." New Delhi is poised to become a focal point of international relations as it hosts the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on May 14 and 15. This significant gathering serves as a cornerstone of India’s 2026 chairship, highlighting its leadership within the newly enlarged multilateral alliance. This diplomatic convergence comes at a critical juncture. In the wake of the US-Iran hostilities that broke out on 18 February, Seyed Abbas Araghchi has maintained frequent contact with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The two leaders have engaged in at least four high-level discussions regarding the intensifying turmoil in West Asia and its wider geopolitical consequences.
Freedom of speech declined by 10% globally since 2012: United Nations
A United Nations report has highlighted a historic 10 per cent decline in global freedom of expression between 2012 and 2024, primarily attributing it to increased attacks on journalists in real life and online, rising self-censorship, and shrinking space for critical voices. The report also emphasized that free, independent, pluralistic, and professional journalism is essential for democracy and for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The report, published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), covered the period from 2022 to 2025. “The V-Dem Global Freedom of Expression Index has declined by 10% over the past decade, a clear sign of weakening press freedom, despite some limited positive trends," it said.
The V-Dem Global Freedom of Expression Index, produced by the Varieties of Democracy Institute, measures the extent to which governments respect press freedom, media independence, academic or cultural expression, and public discussion.
According to the report, the combined political and social pressures have weakened media freedom, pluralism, and diversity. It also notes that over the past two years, the rapid rise of artificial intelligence has further marginalised the value and visibility of traditional media. The report also highlighted growing threats to safety of journalists, with women journalists being disproportionately targeted. New research carried out by the International Center for Journalists’ (ICFJ) for UN Women, in partnership with UNESCO revealed that 75 per cent of women journalists and media workers experienced online violence while performing their jobs in 2025, up from 73 per cent in 2020. On a positive note, the report also mentioned that collaborative investigative journalism has gained momentum during this period – leading to an increase in important cross-border investigations. Fact-checking units are growing at many media organisations.
