While COVID-19 intensified the emotional strain, Gallup’s findings show that this trend predates the pandemic. The causes, researchers say, vary across regions, but one theme keeps emerging about technology and polarisation.

"So, if we look at things like the rates of worry, 39% of the people we interviewed in 2024 reported that they experienced a lot of worry the day before. When we first started tracking that data in 2006, it was only at 30% and so 9% of the global population is a big portion. And we see similar patterns for the other emotions —stress, physical pain, anger, and sadness — over that time frame. With a lot of those gains really coming in the last few years, and it's something that troubles me when I look at this data," Dan Foy thr Global Research Director at Gallup, told Global South World.

In many regions, particularly post-Soviet Eurasia, perceptions of safety have doubled over the last 20 years.

These are countries that have undergone significant political and social transformations, moving from instability toward greater structure and governance.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the sense of safety has slipped, from 58% to 53%, and in Latin America and the Caribbean, only half of the population says they feel safe walking alone at night.

With this paradox, the world has a long way to go in achieving a balance between the safety and emotional health of its people.

Watch the full interview attached to the story for more insight.

The proposed constitution extends the presidential term from five to seven years, allows two terms, and crucially removes a ban preventing junta members, including General Mamady Doumbouya, from standing for office.

Additionally, it introduces a new Senate, one-third of whose members the president would appoint.

The vote comes ahead of planned general and presidential elections in December 2025, which the referendum is meant to enable legally.

The stakes

In September 2021, Doumbouya seized power in a coup, which dissolved the constitution with a vow to return the country to civilian rule. He initially promised that no junta member would run in future elections. That promise is now in shambles.

Opposition leaders, including Cellou Dalein Diallo, are either under suspension, in exile, or stripped of political space, and are calling for a boycott of the referendum.

The media landscape is also experiencing the heat with severe restrictions. Private outlets have been shut, websites suspended, and campaign coverage tightly regulated.

The AFP, however, reports that some media restrictions have been eased ahead of the vote.

Critics argue these conditions support a process that looks democratic on paper but is deeply curtailed in practice

What September 21 means

If the draft passes, Doumbouya is almost certain to run in December. A “Yes” vote would mark a legal framework that elevates executive power, leverages a compliant legislature, and further limits opposition.

If the referendum fails or if turnout is very low, legitimacy instantly becomes the issue. The junta would face internal pressure and external scepticism.

Delay or reform of the election schedule might follow. Unrest, protest, or resistance which have been banned in the country since 2022 could grow.

“My only goal when I was a kid was to go inside the box… the television, I thought it was just a box. I wanted to go inside,” Miles recalled in an exclusive interview with Global South World.

Unlike many child stars, who were pushed into the spotlight by their parents, it was Miles herself who pursued the acting world. “Some of the artists that I've worked with when I was a kid, it was their parents who wanted them to be in the industry. In my case, I am the one who asked my parents to bring me to the auditions,” she shared.

Over the years, Miles evolved from a child star into one of the most influential actors in the Philippines, appearing in movies, and TV shows, and even gracing the covers of magazines. In 2024, she ranked #9 in Global South World's list of the 60 most powerful actors on Instagram in the country. But with fame comes responsibility, something Miles has always taken seriously.

“Being a personality is such a big responsibility for me, especially with the influence,” she explained, acknowledging the weight that comes with being in the public eye.

In March 2023, Miles faced one of the toughest battles of her life: a diagnosis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma, the most common type of thyroid cancer. This diagnosis came after she experienced difficulty breathing and discomfort in her throat, which at first didn’t seem serious.

“I felt dizzy all the time… like someone's grabbing my throat,” she recounted. “I was not aware that it was so serious. I was not aware that it was cancer.” Miles underwent surgery to remove her thyroid glands, a procedure that saved her life but also introduced new challenges.

Following her surgery, Miles faced another battle—depression. The removal of her thyroid glands led to fluctuations in her weight, a sensitive issue for someone working in an industry that emphasises physical appearance.

“I went through depression at the time because my thyroid case affected my weight. In our industry, you have to look presentable all the time. You have to look sexy. You have to look fit to fit into this industry,” she said.

Online comments criticising her weight gain only made things harder. “I've been reading comments that I look like a mom already… was I able to eat and eat,” she revealed. However, with the support of her loved ones, Miles found a way to cope. “With the help of the people around me, especially my partner, I just woke up and I don’t want to care anymore… why do I pressure myself so much with something I really can't control?”

Despite the challenges, 2023 ended on a high note for Miles. She starred in the movie “Family of Two”, a role that earned her the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival.

She also returned to television as a co-host of “Eat Bulaga!”, the Philippines’ longest-running noontime variety show, airing for 45 years.

“I was supposed to be a guest host for a week only. And it’s my second year now,” she said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine hosting a noontime show. It was life-changing for me.”

Miles expressed that her recent project, "Padyak Princess”, was the most memorable because of the responsibility she felt as the titular character. The show revolves around Miles’ character “Princess” who is determined to make the lives of those around her better.

“It's the first time that I was able to have a project that the title of the show was named after my role so it was a big responsibility,” she said.

At 27, with a career that has already spanned two decades, Miles Ocampo is in it for the long haul—exploring different roles as an actress. “I love this industry and I want to work in this industry because I live for the longevity,” she explained.

A career behind the scenes as a scriptwriter could be on the cards when she is not gracing the screens. “One thing that I'm sure of is I really want to write my own screenplay someday,” she disclosed her interest in life behind the scenes.

But for now, her focus remains on acting, using her platform to make a positive impact and trusting in herself.  As Miles put it, “I will just love myself and accept myself because no one will.”

Watch the full interview here :

Nanasi was designed to address the need for digital tools to manage inventory and payments. Initially serving restaurants, the app quickly expanded to a wider range of small and medium-sized enterprises.

As Nanasi evolved, Mativo recognised a new challenge, businesses needed better tools to forecast customer behaviour and optimise their inventory and pricing strategies. This insight led him to launch Duck, a data analytics company that helps larger businesses make informed decisions based on real-time data.

"And what we do is that we provide real-time data to large businesses to help them figure out you know, how to price their products as well as where to distribute the products," Mativo told Global South World in an interview.

A report from Edge Delta states that most businesses analyse  37% to 40%  of their data, and 97.2% of companies invest in big data solutions.

According to Mativo, Duck was birthed from a mixture of conversations with businesses as well as, being able to identify that there was a problem, that businesses needed to solve.

He found that many companies struggled to access the data necessary for effective pricing and distribution. Duck’s mission is to bridge this gap, providing actionable insights that help businesses refine their strategies.

"As a good entrepreneur, I believe you should be able to identify opportunities. So how I identified this opportunity was through customer feedback," he explained.

"So, for example, think of a product like Coca-Cola that's being sold in a market like Africa. Coca-Cola would struggle to price its product competitively, given that there are other you know, consumer brands or drinks in the market. It would also struggle to know where exactly they should distribute those products." Mativo added. "So what I realised was there was an information gap or a data gap where businesses don't really have an accurate picture of their products and competition in the market."

Mativo was surprised to find a strong demand for data-driven insights, a shift from his initial scepticism about whether businesses would invest in intangible assets like data.

Two-thirds of C-level executives at least sometimes ignore data and make decisions based on intuition, according to The Alation State of Data Culture Report .

"So it makes sense to sell a physical product to a business. However, when you think of an intangible asset like data you're not really sure whether businesses can actually pay money for information. So I was surprised that businesses are actually willing to pay for information about their products," Mativo expressed his disbelief.

Through Duck, Mativo is not just offering a service but empowering businesses with the tools they need to succeed.

Watch the full interview:

As a final-year aerospace engineering student at the Airforce Institute of Technology in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria, Shamsuddeen is determined to go beyond creating drones for the sake of it. His vision is to develop technology that addresses real-world problems within his community. "Looking at the food insecurity we are facing in Nigeria as well as in Africa, we needed to ensure that we bring solutions in that sector," he said.

Where passion meets practicality

Recognising the critical role agriculture plays in Nigeria’s economy, Shamsuddeen focused on creating drones that could help farmers enhance productivity while also reducing health risks. In Nigeria, where 26.5 million people were projected to face acute hunger during the June-August 2024 lean season, agricultural solutions have become more urgent. The World Food Programme reported that the food insecurity crisis in Nigeria is exacerbated by factors like conflict, inflation, and the impact of climate change.

Shamsuddeen saw an opportunity to automate farming processes, particularly the manual spraying of crops, which often exposes farmers to harmful chemicals. "If you look at the way they do their local way of spraying in the farm, it leads them to inhale some chemicals… Even though they are masked up, they still inhale it," he explained. The goal of Vora Robotics is to create drones that can safely and efficiently perform such tasks, reducing health risks and increasing agricultural efficiency.

The birth of Vora Robotics

Operating primarily in Kaduna and Abuja, Vora Robotics was co-founded a year ago by Shamsuddeen and four others. Shamsuddeen serves as the Chief Technical Officer, overseeing the company’s technological development.

Isayaku Musa, the Chief Operating Officer, shared insights on the company’s early challenges and growth trajectory. With a seed fund of 3 million Naira (approximately $1,920), Vora Robotics has been developing its products while employing a team of 10 workers.

"We want to perfect our product before entering the market," Musa said, emphasising that the company is still in its research and development phase.

However, logistical challenges, especially the need to import materials not readily available in Nigeria, have proven to be obstacles. "More than 60% of our requirements to develop this drone are locally sourced, but there are a lot of things we cannot get here, particularly in Kaduna State. We have to import it from somewhere far, sometimes even outside the country," Musa added.

Building a sustainable tech startup

Despite these hurdles, Vora Robotics remains committed to long-term growth and positive community impact. One of their key objectives is to create 1,000 jobs for Nigerians within the next five years. To achieve this, Musa called on the Nigerian government to support startups like Vora Robotics that are working to drive change and address critical challenges in the nation.

Watch the full interview:

Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on April 11, 1992, Wakama pursued her education at Western Carolina University, graduating with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation in 2014. She later earned an MBA from Manhattan College in 2019.

Professional Journey

Wakama's professional basketball career began in 2014 as an athlete with FIBA in the United Kingdom. She played four years with the Western Carolina Catamounts before moving to Nigeria, where she played for Nigeria’s First Bank team in the Africa Champions Cup and the Women’s AfroBasket tournament in 2015.

In 2017, Wakama became the director of basketball operations at Manhattan College, overseeing administrative affairs. Over six seasons, she transitioned to the roles of Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. She also served as an assistant coach for Tulane University's women’s basketball team and spent a year as an Assistant Coach at Stony Brook, beginning in July 2023.

Achievements

Wakama's prominence grew when she led the D’Tigress to their fourth consecutive AfroBasket title in 2023, becoming the first woman to win the tournament. She later guided the team to Olympic qualification and now their historic quarterfinal entry since 2004.

Under her guidance, Manhattan College achieved a 21-11 record in the 2021-22 season, marking the most wins in a single season since 2010-2011 and the team's third straight winning season.

Wakama's leadership and strategic capabilities have not only brought success to Nigeria's women’s basketball team but also inspired many in the sport . Now, Rena is hoping to continue her historic adventures as her team faces the defending champions, the US women's team on August 7, 2024.

However, before the historic American was scintillating the world with her acrobatics, a certain “Sparrow from Minsk” captured attention by winning 3 gold medals and a silver medal at the 1972 Munich Games competing for the Soviet Union aged just 17 years old.

Korbut, standing at 4 ft 11 is described on the Olympics website as the one who “ushered in an era of gymnastics dominated by young, lithe women.”

The Eastern European athlete became the standout of the Munich Games. After her breathtaking routine on the uneven parallel bars, Korbut recalled, "It was amazing. One day, I was a nobody, and the next day, I was a star."

Korbut is regarded as one of the female gymnasts who revolutionised the sport. She became the first gymnast to perform a back flip to catch on the uneven bars when she was 17. In her honour, the move has since become known as the Korbut Flip, a recognition of her impact on the sport. She was also the first to do a backward somersault on the beam.

Korbut managed two Olympic appearances during her time: the first being the 1972 Munich Olympics aged 17 and the final being the 1976 Montreal Olympics aged 21.

Despite her short-lived career where she retired in 1977 at the age of 22, the Belarusian gymnast won 4 Olympic gold medals.

She has since settled in the United States with her family mentoring a new generation of gymnasts as a coach after migrating in 1991 from Minsk to New Jersey, fearing the long-term health effects of the nearby Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident in Ukraine.

This religious book, written in Coptic script on papyrus in Egypt, dates back to between 250 and 350 AD. The codex, discovered in the 1950s, is believed to be one of the oldest in existence and was among several lots auctioned from Dr. Schøyen's collection. It contains a combination of biblical and other Christian texts, biblical extracts, and pagan literature, including the first complete epistle of Peter, the Book of Jonah, and an Easter homily.

Due to client confidentiality, the identity of the buyer could not be revealed. According to sources, it was initially bought by the University of Mississippi, where it remained until 1981.

It was acquired several times before being purchased by Norwegian manuscript collector Dr. Martin Schøyen in 1988. The manuscript itself includes texts such as the first complete epistle of Peter, the Book of Jonah, and an Easter homily.

Under the leadership of incumbent president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, 2024 has been one of the most violent years in the history of Mexico. Dozens of candidates have tragically lost their lives during the lead-up to Mexico's general election.

The most recent bloodshed was the gunning down of a mayoral candidate, Alfredo Cabrera in Guerero on Friday, May 31—just some two days before Sunday's elections.

The latest tragic incident raises the number of candidates who have lost their lives in the 2024 election period to 37. This figure exceeds the total fatalities recorded in the 2021 midterm elections, which stood at 36, according to data from Integralia, a firm specialising in security analysis.

According to a watchdog group, Civic Data, 2023 was the most violent year in Mexico, however, 2024 is taking the crown.

"2023 was the most violent year in our database. And everything suggests that 2024 will be worse," the group said.

These conclude that Mexico's future president's number one job will be to disrupt the works of violence and destruction orchestrated by drug cartels and gangs.

Drug cartel dominance

Gangs and drug cartels happen to run the country, killing and vandalising at the slightest provocation.

In Sunday's elections, which will decide the presidency, nine governorships, and roughly 19,000 local positions, it seems that Mexico's drug cartels and gangs are exerting a greater influence than in previous elections.

In the lead-up to Sunday's elections, there was a noticeable escalation in gang activity, with incidents of shooting at entire campaign gatherings, destruction of ballots, obstruction of polling station establishment, and the display of banners intended to sway voters' decisions.

Julián López, the Citizen Movement party's coordinator in Guerrero, endured a harrowing ordeal when armed assailants kidnapped him and two associates on February 7. The 43-year-old was subjected to physical assault, robbed, forced to kneel by a secluded waste site, and eventually left alone in the dead of night.

According to security expert, David Saucedo, there is a strong possibility of drug gangs attempting to coerce voters into choosing the candidates they endorse, as reported by AP.

“It is reasonable to assume that the cartels will mobilise their support bases during Sunday’s elections,” Saucedo said. “They have loyal voters who they have won over through the distribution of food packages, cash, medicine and infrastructure projects. They will use them to support narco-candidates,” he said.

However, a new dawn seems to be in sight with the tight competition between Claudia Sheinbaum, a former mayor of Mexico City, and Xóchitl Gálvez, also a former mayor of Mexico City's Miguel Hidalgo borough.

Sheinbaum, who focused her campaign on decreasing the homicide rate in Mexico City during her mayoral tenure, may confront significantly more daunting obstacles in replicating this achievement in regions such as Michoacan, where the influence of criminal organisations surpasses anything she faced in the capital.

However, she is unfazed as she promises to lead the country in a way that protects and preserves women and children from violence.

"We're going to make history. I say to the young women, to all the women of Mexico – colleagues, friends, sisters, daughters, mothers and grandmothers – you are not alone," Sheinbaum said during a rally.

Similarly, Xóchitl Gálvez posits that she will be the bravest president ever as she will tackle violence and crime head-on.

"You will have the bravest president, a president who does confront crime," Gálvez added.

The announcement came amid claims of victory by Prime Minister Masra, who had asserted a "resounding victory" in the first round of voting in a live broadcast on Facebook. Masra's call for mobilisation against what he termed as an attempt by General Déby to "steal the victory from the people" has added a layer of controversy to the election results.

"A small number of individuals believe they can make people believe that the election was won by the same system that has been ruling Chad for decades," he said. "To all Chadians who voted for change, who voted for me, I say: mobilise. Do it calmly, with a spirit of peace."

Chad's journey to this election has been thunderous as the military seized power in recent years. The election further marks the first attempt to restore civilian rule in West and Central African countries where military coups have been prevalent.

Irregularities during the elections

The election process was not without its challenges. Reports of irregularities on polling day and the exclusion of ten politicians from the race due to "irregularities" have raised questions about the fairness of the elections. Moreover, the killing of Yaya Dillo, a cousin of General Déby and a potential opponent, by security forces in February cast a shadow over the electoral process.

Prime Minister Succes Masra , the main challenger to Mahamat Déby has claimed persistent violence and intimidation against him and his supporters. His party, The Transformers reported that their candidate's residence was under illegal drone surveillance while opposition and civil society groups have also accused the government of vote rigging and threats.

There were also reports of ballot box stuffing to favour Mahamat Déby. This was particularly noted by the Coalition of Moral Authorities for Mediation (CONAMM), which includes various societal leaders.

The election was further tainted by violence, including the death of a government soldier who allegedly attempted to stuff ballot boxes and was assaulted by voters. Additionally, a civilian was killed on election day in Moundou following a dispute at a polling station.

Post-election violence

Ahead of the May 6 elections, Crisis Group experts predicted that Chad could experience conflicts after elections. They cited the disqualification of 10 prominent candidates before the elections as a main factor.

"Post-election protests are possible, though the threat of police repression could dissuade many people from taking to the streets," they said.

Yet, amid the celebratory gunfire at a rally held by the junta leader's supporters on Thursday, May 9, numerous individuals sustained injuries. Sources affiliated with Amnesty International suggest that there may have been fatalities as well.

Reuters reported that the capital city, N'Djamena, echoed with gunfire on Thursday night following the state election agency's announcement of Déby's victory.

How Mahamat Déby took over Chad as a military ruler

Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, commonly known as Mahamat Déby, assumed power in Chad after the death of his father who had ruled the country for three decades. The transition of power took place under extraordinary circumstances.

On April 20, 2021, President Idriss Itno Déby was reportedly killed while visiting troops battling rebels in the north of Chad. Immediately after his father's death , Mahamat Déby, who was a four-star general at the time, was named interim president by a military council. This council also dissolved the government and parliament, announcing a transition period of 18 months.

The ascension of Mahamat Déby was met with controversy, as it was seen by many as a coup that bypassed the constitutional provisions for succession. The constitution stipulated that the Speaker of the National Assembly should take over in the event of the president's death but the military council justified their actions by citing security concerns

The international community expressed concern over the military takeover , urging a swift return to civilian rule and respect for the constitutional order Mahamat Déby later ran in the presidential elections, securing his position as the official leader of Chad.

At the launch of the new currency also known as 'Zimb Gold', Zimbabwe's Reserve Bank governor, John Mushayavanhu , directed all banks to convert any US dollars in their possession, as well as those held in their vaults, into ZiG.

"With effect from today, banks shall convert the current Zimbabwe dollar balances to ZiG," Mushayavanhu said, adding that it "will circulate with other currencies in the basket. If we implement these measures, we expect them to impact inflation."

Fifteen days have passed since the introduction of 'Zimb Gold,' declared to have been in circulation since April 8. However, ZiG has not yet fully supplanted all transactions due to the government's decision to postpone distribution until April 30.

Zimbabwean currencies have historically faced off against the US dollar, with the latter consistently emerging victorious. Will the outcome be any different when ZiG eventually takes over after a few years?

Zimbabwe's history with the US dollar

Zimbabwe's history with the US dollar is a complex one, marked by economic challenges and currency changes. The Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD) was introduced in 1980 to replace the Rhodesian dollar at par and was initially worth more than the US dollar in the official exchange market. In the early 21st century, the country experienced extreme hyperinflation, leading to the dramatic devaluation of the ZWD.

This resulted in three redenominations and a $100 trillion banknote issuance . The hyperinflation led to the abandonment of the ZWD in 2009. In its place, multiple foreign currencies, including the US dollar, were used for transactions. In 2016, Zimbabwe introduced bond notes and coins to address the shortage of US dollars, which were pegged to the US dollar but not accepted outside the country.

Subsequently, Zimbabwe ended a decade of official use of the US dollar in most domestic transactions, reintroducing a local currency (RTGS Dollar) that had been abandoned in 2009 due to hyperinflation in 2019. In April 2024, the RTGS Dollar was replaced with a new gold-backed currency called ZiG. Throughout this period, the US dollar has played a critical role in Zimbabwe's economy, serving as a stable currency during times of economic turmoil.

Why did Zimbabwe switch from US dollars to ZiG?

Zimbabwe switched from the US dollar to the new gold-backed currency, ZiG, as part of its latest attempt to create a stable and reliable currency that can help alleviate the economic challenges the country has faced for the past 25 years .

The previous currency, the RTGS, had lost a significant portion of its value, and annual inflation had reached a seven-month high of 55% in March . The central bank committed to backing the amount of local currency in circulation with an equivalent value in precious minerals, mainly gold, or foreign exchange, to prevent the currency from losing value like its predecessors.

The switch also comes at a time when Zimbabwe is dealing with the effects of a serious drought, which has destroyed half of the country's maize crop , further emphasising the need for economic stability. The ZiG is the country's sixth attempt at introducing a revamped currency.

The current state of the ZiG

In the absence of the new currency ZiG, Zimbabweans are compelled to rely on the US dollar for their transactions. Nevertheless, Zimbabwe's informal traders, constituting approximately 75% of the nation's workforce, have ceased accepting the ZIMdollar, also known as the RTGS dollar, due to concerns over its depreciating value.

As reported by Africanews , an economist, Happy Zengeni explained that there happens to be inadequate or transparent measures that will push the newly introduced ZiG to thrive.

"When you introduce new measures, you will be hoping that you will bring stability and lower inflation but you need to be disciplined and sincere about the process," economist Happy Zengeni explained. "The ordinary Zimbabwean cannot inject liquidity into the economy but capacity rests with the authorities so they need to be sincere about it."

Hellen's victory came as no surprise due to the positive notion about Kenyans on the track, however, it is worth celebrating. Obiri completed the race in 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 37 seconds, securing her second back-to-back victory in the capital of Massachusetts following her debut marathon triumph in the same city in 2023. Sharon Lokedi, also from Kenya, finished second, just eight seconds behind Obiri.

Isn't there a compelling reason why Kenyans are renowned as the premier long-distance runners? Numerous individuals contribute to this accolade bestowed upon the nation. Let's delve further into the notable figures who have elevated the Kenyan flag in marathons.

Ibrahim Kipkemboi Hussein

Ibrahim Kipkemboi Hussein is a celebrated figure in long-distance running, renowned for his remarkable achievements in marathons. He is recognised for being a three-time winner of the Boston Marathon , with victories in 1988, 1991, and 1992. His 1988 win was particularly historic as it marked the first time a Kenyan and indeed an African, won the Boston Marathon, setting a precedent for future generations of Kenyan runners. He was also the first Kenyan to win the New York City Marathon in 1987, showcasing his versatility and dominance in the sport.

Samuel Wanjiru

Samuel Kamau Wanjiru was a Kenyan long-distance runner who left an indelible mark on athletics. Wanjiru made history by becoming the first Kenyan to win the Olympic gold medal in a marathon at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, setting an Olympic record time of 2:06:32. This victory also made him the youngest gold medalist in the marathon since 1932. He had previously set records like the world junior record in the 10,000 meters in 2005 and broke the half marathon world record thrice. He tragically fell from the balcony of his home in 2011.

Catherine Ndereba

Catherine Ndereba, also known as "Catherine the Great," is a retired Kenyan marathon runner who has significantly impacted the sport. Ndereba has been a formidable force in marathon running, with a career that includes numerous victories and records. She won the marathon at the World Championships in Athletics twice. She also earned silver medals at the Summer Olympic Games in 2004 and 2008, becoming Kenya's first female multi-medalist. Additionally, she is a four-time winner of the Boston Marathon.

Jemima Jelagat Sumgong

Jemima Jelagat Sumgong won the marathon at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, becoming the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic marathon. She has won the London, Rotterdam, and Las Vegas Marathons . Sumgong also finished as the runner-up at the Boston, Chicago, and New York City Marathon in her active days. Sumgong's career faced a setback due to a doping case. She is currently serving an eight-year ban from athletic competitions, which will last until 2027, after testing positive for the banned substance EPO.

Kelvin Kiptum

Kelvin Kiptum was a Kenyan long-distance runner who impacted the marathon world with record-breaking performances. He held the marathon world record with 2:00:35, set at the Chicago Marathon in October 2023. Kiptum won all three marathons he participated in, including two World Marathon Majors. He made a stunning debut at the Valencia Marathon in 2022, running the then fourth-fastest time ever At the London Marathon in April 2023, he ran the second-fastest marathon in history at that time. Tragically, Kelvin Kiptum's life was cut short at the age of 24 in a road accident on February 11, 2024

Eliud Kipchoge and Peres Jepchirchir

Kenyan Olympic champions Eliud Kipchoge and Peres Jepchirchir are two of Kenya's most distinguished marathon runners, each with remarkable achievements. Eliud Kipchoge was the Olympic marathon champion in 2016 and 2020. He also held the world record in the marathon from 2018 to 2023 with a 2:01:09 set at the Berlin Marathon in 2022, while Peres Jepchirchir was the gold medalist in the women's marathon at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She was also the champion at the World Half Marathon Championships in 2016 and 2020 and the winner of the New York City Marathon in 2021 and the Boston Marathon in 2022.

Standing confidently on a podium, a large image of herself behind her, Putri presented her ambitious expedition plan, "The Explorer's Grand Slam: Antarctic 8." Her goal was clear—to climb Antarctica's highest peak, Vinson Massif, and ski to the center of the South Pole, all while inspiring women to conquer unconventional territories.

"I want to encourage women, show them that we can carry out activities in places dominated by men," Putri explained during the presentation regarding the expedition.

The path Putri treads began during her stint on an oil drilling rig, where she observed the scarcity of women in such endeavors. Fueled by the desire to challenge norms, she pivoted her life towards adventure, reigniting her passion for mountain climbing, a pursuit she had embraced during her college days.

In 2016, Putri achieved her first milestone, conquering Indonesia's highest peak, Carstensz Pyramid. This triumph set the stage for a series of conquers—Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa (2015), Mount Elbrus in Europe (2017), Aconcagua in South America (2018), and Denali Mc Kinley in North America (2022). Each ascent reflected her indomitable spirit and determination.

However, Putri's aspirations soared beyond the seven highest peaks; she envisioned completing The Explorer's Grand Slam—a challenge involving conquering the seven highest peaks and reaching both the North and South Poles.

“Climbing a mountain is not just a matter of style. But it also contains about hard work, resistance, and pushing the limit. I think this activity is the most appropriate way to describe my thoughts," Putri said, when we met in Jakarta, on Thursday, November 27, 2023.

Putri geared up for her Antarctic expedition this December, and currently undertaking rigorous training and climbing peaks in Europe above 4,000 meters. She aimed to cement her place in history as the first woman in Southeast Asia to achieve The Explorer's Grand Slam.

Despite the challenges and potential risks, Putri's dedication remains unwavering. She views mountain climbing as more than a stylistic pursuit—it embodies hard work, resilience, and the constant push beyond one's limits. The Grand Slam Explorer's title is not just an accolade; it represents the culmination of her thoughts and aspirations.

“There is no more worrying fear right now than failure. I once felt failed when I had to re-climb Mount Mc Kinley. Hopefully this time it doesn't have to be like that again," Putri hoped.

Yohan Effendi from the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Indonesia expressed full support for Putri's historic endeavor. He emphasized the government's backing for this achievement, recognizing its potential to inspire Indonesian youth towards greater endeavors.

"We always support all youth intentions that can influence other Indonesian youth to do something better.”

The Explorer's Grand Slam concept, recognized by institutions like the American Alpine Club, deems mountain climbing and polar exploration as the most challenging adventures. Putri's quest places her among the esteemed individuals who have completed this arduous challenge, marking her as the 15th woman globally and the first from Southeast Asia.

Putri’s odyssey is more than a personal triumph—it's a testament to breaking barriers, defying stereotypes, and inspiring a generation to embrace challenges that redefine the realm of possibilities. Her journey, from the towering peaks of continents to the icy expanses of polar extremes, signifies the power of resilience and determination in pursuing dreams.

PHOTO CAPTION: Putri Handayani climbs Mount McKinley to reach the highest peak on the North American continent. (Photo courtesy: Putri Handayani)