Latest stories
19 January 2020
Zanzibar says goodbye to legendary ‘king of kidumbak,’ musician Makame Faki
Legendary Zanzibari musician Makame Faki Makame has died at the age of 77. He was hailed as the king of kidumbak and a master of taarab, Zanzibar's "national sound."
Residents flee as Philippines’ smallest active volcano emits smoke and ash
Over 30,000 are estimated to be affected and displaced from Batangas and Cavite provinces because of the volcanic eruption
18 January 2020
Is there more to the Caribbean's single-use plastics ban than meets the eye?
The move to go plastic-free is timely. According to the United Nations, 70 to 85 percent of marine litter in the Caribbean originates from land, and the lion's share is...
CGNet Swara is using Bluetooth to source content and share news with Indian villages
CGNet Swara is helping groups that have been largely ignored by mainstream media use Bluetooth to create content and share CGNet-produced news, music and other programmes with their communities.
16 January 2020
New privacy law in Mozambique threatens freedom of expression, activists say
New legislation criminalizes all types of invasion of privacy via mobile phones, and the publication of images or videos of third parties without their consent.
Despite legal threats and harassment, thousands join the ‘Run Against Dictatorship’ in Thailand
"The reactions by the authorities and intimidation tactics are not just wrong but also absurd. As the country has returned to democracy, no citizen should face such intimidation."
14 January 2020
‘An interplay between Western and Eastern Cultures': Two art exhibitions on cultural collisions
In October 2019 in Brooklyn, New York, two women artists from Iran and Pakistan exhibited new bodies of work in which they portrayed the interplay between Western and Eastern cultures
13 January 2020
The Trinidadian that inspired Sam Mendes’ WWI epic, ‘1917’
Trinidadian Alfred Mendes had a long and extraordinary life in which he was many things – war hero, writer, politician – all of which was worthy of the big screen.
Smoke from Australia's fires reached South America
The smoke of Australia's megafires traveled 12,000 kilometers across the Pacific Ocean.
Supreme Court of India declares internet ban in Jammu and Kashmir unconstitutional
The blockout, imposed since August 2019, has affected the lives of millions of people in Jammu and Kashmir, depriving them of the basic right to access the internet.
12 January 2020
In Modi’s India, anti-Bangladeshi-immigrant rhetoric is used to justify changes in citizenship laws
The implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens in India and the rhetoric of deportation of "illegal Bangladeshis" have put the India-Bangladesh relation on stress.
Victory for labor rights in Cambodia as largest casino workers’ strike ends in peace
Despite the success of the strike, workers could face sanctions for breaching the court order which declared the protest as illegal.
Zanzibar mourns the death of Omani sultan who strengthened historical ties with East Africa
Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman was known to many as a "quiet diplomat" who modernized Oman and restored and strengthened historical ties with Zanzibar and East Africa.
11 January 2020
Why is Donald Trump so popular in Nigeria?
Ratings for US President Donald Trump’s handling of world affairs are largely negative around the world. But not in Nigeria.
#AustraliaBurning: Prime Minister's handling of national disaster sparks widespread criticism
"Our country is leaderless & while it burns, instead of being the leader we need & want, Mr "I can't hold a hose" Morrison is having a NYE party."
Taiwan presidential election: Tsai Ing-wen re-elected with record-breaking votes
Tsai said: 'I want to once again call upon Beijing authorities to remind them that peace, clarity, democracy and dialogue are key to positive cross-strait interactions and long-term development.'
Thai journalist convicted over a 2017 Twitter post about a labor conflict
"There is a high level of self-censorship in Thailand… When you forbid freedom of expression… you forbid an open society."
10 January 2020
Will 2020 be the year of the Nigerian girl and woman?
The year 2019 saw major movements to advance the rights of girls and women in Nigeria. Will 2020 continue this momentum?
Guatemalan indigenous journalist charged with terrorism released from prison
In Guatemala, an indigenous journalist was arrested under legally dubious circumstances.
Interfaith harmony disturbed after Sikh holy site attacked in Pakistan
Sikh holy sIte Gurdwara Janam Ashtam at Nankana Sahib city near Lahore Pakistan was attacked by violent mobs and communal and hateful slogans against the Sikh minority community were raised.
