Every year, World Toilet Day is observed to raise awareness about the global sanitation crisis and encourage action to solve it. The goal set by the United Nation is to achieve safe toilets for all by 2023, as a part of their Sustainable Development Goals.

The UN also states that 3.5 billion people live without proper sanitation and many children also lose their lives due to poor sanitation and unsafe water. This is why World Toilet Day is observed to raise awareness on this issue.

Theme

This year, the theme for World Toilet Day 2024 is "Toilets - A Place for Peace'. This focuses on the growing threat to sanitation that is caused by conflict, climate change, disaster and neglect. When there is a threat to using toilets, it can lead to many health risks.

Not using toilets for too long may lead to Urinary Tract Infection or UTI. For many who do not have access to clean toilets do not drink enough liquid or hold pee for too long. Doctors suggest that holding in pee for too long can cause bacteria to multiply and lead to UTI. By not drinking enough water, your bladder fails to tell the body to pee often, and can cause the bacteria to spread through the urinary tract, which can lead to infection.

Symptoms of UTI:

• Burning or stinging feeling while urinating
• Pain in pelvis or lower abdomen
• Constant urge to empty the bladder
• Strong or foul smelling urine
• Consistently dark urine
• Blood in urine

Holding in pee for too long can also cause your bladder to stretch, making it difficult or even impossible for the bladder to contract and release pee normally. It can also damage your pelvic floor muscles or could lead to kidney stones.

World Toilet Day History And Significance

To prevent such conditions, it is important that everyone has access to clean and safe toilets. In terms of history, the day was established in 2001, by the World Toilet Organization (WTO), which was founded by Jack Sim. However, it was officially recognised by the UN in 2013. The Government of Singapore worked with WTO to create the first UN resolution called Sanitation for All.

India too promotes safe and hygiene toilet through its Swachh Bharat Yojna.

India’s food safety regulator has issued notices to two five-star hotels in Delhi’s Aerocity after inspections uncovered a string of food safety, hygiene, storage and licensing violations, including expired food, pest activity and improper handling practices.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) inspected Andaz Delhi and JW Marriott and found serious violations of food safety and hygiene laws. Samples were collected from both properties, upon which further action will be taken.

87 Kg Expired Sweets Found At Andaz Delhi

At Andaz Delhi, inspectors found around 87 kg of expired sweets in the confectionery area, which were destroyed on the spot. Expired cake bases and bread packets were also among them.

The inspectors also saw pest infestation including cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes and spider webs, along with poor waste management, inadequate temperature monitoring and improper food storage.

Officials also reported concerns over the segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, including cutting boards for both food categories being kept together in the same water container.

Samples of items including ghee, mayonnaise, coconut milk powder, dal, tomato sauce, marmalade and cookies were collected for testing.

Also read: FSSAI Flags Food Firms For Misleading ‘100%’, ‘Energy Drink’, Immunity Claims

59 Deficiencies At JW Marriott

The inspection at JW Marriott, which continued for about two days, recorded 59 deficiencies. These included licensing and labelling problems, unclean utensils and food-contact surfaces, pest activity and improper storage.

Inspectors also spotted fungus-affected apples, rotten tomatoes, uncovered food, damaged storage containers and cut vegetables that were not stored properly.

Also read: Ahead Of Raksha Bandhan & Janmashtami, FSSAI Destroys 490 Kg Sweets, 275 Kg Paneer In UP Due To Poor Hygiene

Hotels Respond To FSSAI Notices

Andaz Delhi's spokesperson said that it had reviewed the deficiencies from an FSSAI inspection conducted in June, reinforced its food safety and hygiene practices and submitted its compliance response.

Its spokesperson said, "Health, safety and well-being of our guests and colleagues remain our highest priority."

JW Marriott also said it is committed to guest wellbeing and maintains “rigorous food safety, hygiene and quality standards.”

Also read: FSSAI Orders Halt Of Ghee Sales Amid Adulteration Crackdown: How To Spot Fake Ghee & Its Effects On Your Health

FSSAI’s Recent Crackdowns

The action against the five-star properties comes amid a much wider food-safety enforcement drive across India. Earlier this month, inspections in Bengaluru targeted multiple five-star hotels, where officials found expired meat, milk and sauces, as well as vegetables with fungal growth.

More than 30 notices went to food-service establishments including KFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Domino’s and Costa Coffee, while five Domino’s licences were suspended.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra has witnessed one of the most aggressive state-level food safety drives under FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, with more than 3,000 raids and inspections reported since he took charge in May.

The action has targeted restaurants, hotels, warehouses and major food chains, with licences suspended where serious violations were found. Mundhe told Reuters, "Those who try to not comply, they will face what is expected from the regulator. You are dealing with the lives of people."

Pennsylvania has reported the first two measles-related deaths of 2026 in the US, both involving unvaccinated individuals. One was reportedly an infant, while details about the second person have not been released.

While the cause of the infant’s death is disputed, Lancaster County Coroner confirmed that measles antibodies were found in postmortem testing, raising significant concerns

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), the deaths mark the first measles-related deaths in the state in 35 years.

Pennsylvania Reports 424 Measles Cases

Pennsylvania is among the hardest-hit states in the US outbreak, with 424 cases reported across 28 counties, including 94 in the past week. At least 73 people have been hospitalized with measles complications.

Lancaster County has reported 197 confirmed cases. The county also has a low MMR vaccination rate, with coverage falling from 95.5% in 2017 to 87.6% last year. Local physicians and health officials say the actual case count is likely higher.

Infants Face Higher Risk

The first MMR dose is recommended at 12 to 15 months, followed by a second dose at 4 to 6 years.

“The real vulnerability is in infants between 6 and 11 months of age, as maternal antibody is waning and they haven’t gotten their first dose of the MMR vaccine,” said Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Dallas.

In areas with high measles exposure, health authorities may recommend an early MMR dose from 6 months of age. This was done during last year’s Texas outbreak, when two unvaccinated girls died of measles.

Questions Over the Reported Deaths

Gov. Josh Shapiro and Health Secretary Debra Bogen announced the two deaths at a Tuesday press conference in Lancaster County and urged people to get vaccinated.

“We hope and we pray that those deaths will be the last,” Shapiro said. “This illness and death from measles is completely preventable.”

The state initially withheld details, citing privacy concerns. The lack of information prompted questions from local officials and lawmakers.

Republican Sen. Scott Martin said the announcement had not been independently verified. Republican Rep. Dave Zimmerman called for more information, while county commissioner Josh Parsons said the local coroner could not confirm any measles deaths.

Coroner Says Infant Did Not Die From Measles

The state confirmed information about the infant’s death on Wednesday after Lancaster County Coroner Stephen Diamantoni said his office was investigating a newborn who tested positive for measles and died from a ruptured spleen.

Diamantoni said the newborn died shortly after birth from a laceration of the spleen, not measles, although measles antibodies were found in postmortem testing.

“The newborn had measles” but did not “die of measles,” Parsons said, citing the coroner.

No details have been released about the second person whose death was announced by the state.

Shapiro, Kennedy Clash Over Vaccination Rates

Shapiro blamed Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s policies and rhetoric for contributing to outbreaks.

Kennedy rejected the claim, saying Pennsylvania’s vaccination decline began before his tenure and arguing that distrust created during the Covid-19 pandemic had weakened confidence in vaccines.

US Reports 2,777 Measles Cases

The US has confirmed 2,777 measles cases this year, the highest number in 35 years.

Measles has been considered eliminated in the US since 2000 because it has not continuously spread for a year. The Pan American Health Organization is expected to decide in November whether the US has lost its elimination status.

For elite athletes, stepping away from competition can look like giving up. For American tennis star Amanda Anisimova, it turned out to be an important part of finding her way back.

Anisimova stepped away from professional tennis in 2023, citing burnout and struggles with her mental health. Three years later, she says the experience has changed how she recognises stress and protects her wellbeing.

Her story depicts what burnout can do to athletes and why taking a break can sometimes be part of recovery rather than a setback.

Amanda Anisimova Stepped Away From Tennis At 21

In May 2023, Anisimova announced an indefinite break from tennis, saying she had been struggling with mental health and burnout since the previous summer.

At the time, she was just 21 and already an established professional. She later described the decision as one of the hardest she had made because she feared losing the ranking she had worked so hard to build.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Anisimova said she now recognises warning signs much earlier. She said there are days when feeling tired or unmotivated is normal, but it becomes concerning when those feelings keep happening and begin affecting how a person functions.

Also read: Student Mental Health Needs More Than A Counsellor

Burnout Can Affect More Than Performance

Athlete burnout is not simply being exhausted after a demanding tournament. It can involve emotional and physical exhaustion, reduced motivation, irritability, loss of enjoyment and a sense of detachment from the sport.

Constant training, competition, travel, injuries, pressure to perform and the expectation to remain competitive can contribute to burnout.

For professional athletes, the distinction between work and personal life can also become blurred. Tennis players in particular spend much of the year travelling from tournament to tournament. They get little opportunity to establish a normal routine.

Anisimova said that spending time at home, nurturing social connections and doing things that are not related to her sport have become important parts of maintaining that balance.

She said, "That’s something that I used to not prioritise so much: how to recharge myself and take time for myself, prioritise my wellbeing off the court. In the past, it was really just a lot of tennis and I didn’t really know how to incorporate those small breaks for myself. I think that’s a big reason why I reached such a breaking point and needed to take that time away from the sport.”

Also read: NBA Star Kevin Love Says Robin Williams Changed How He Sees Depression; Here's Why Symptoms Often Get Missed

Break Can Help Change The Relationship With Sport

During her time away, Anisimova returned to some ordinary activities that had little to do with tennis. She painted, spent time with friends and family, studied and took a step back from the tournament calendar.

She later described the experience as “very refreshing”, saying she regained energy and happiness after getting away from professional tennis.

The important point is that recovery does not mean not pursuing your passion indefinitely. A break can help identify what is causing exhaustion and rebuild routines that support physical and mental recovery.

Also read: Long Working Hours Alter Our Brain Structure

Know When To Step Back

Anisimova's experience also highlights why recognising early warning signs of burnout is important. Persistent exhaustion, losing interest in something once enjoyed, constantly feeling overwhelmed, irritability, sleep problems and declining performance can all signal that an athlete needs to reassess their workload and seek support.

In her recent interview, Anisimova said she now tries to “catch the signs a lot earlier” and give herself time to reset before reaching the point she did in 2023.

She has also said that prioritising her mental health made her a stronger athlete. “I don't think I would be where I'm at in my career if it wasn't for my break,” she said in a recent interview.

Anisimova returned to competition in 2024 and subsequently produced the strongest stretch of her career, including reaching the Wimbledon and US Open finals in 2025 and climbing as high as world No. 3 in 2026.