Stories about Feature from January, 2024
Turkey's sweet F-16s deal
On January 26, the US approved the sale of 40 new F-16 fighter jets worth USD 23 billion. The deal, also includes, the equipment to modernize 79 existing Turkish F-16s.
The true cost of Japan’s Linear bullet train
Rising environmental and human costs for Japan's planned "maglev," a super-fast, super-conducted bullet train set to link Tokyo to Osaka by 2045, are drawing the ire of many residents.
Uzbekistan’s repression survivors tell their harrowing stories in a new documentary
This is one of the first attempts to tell the story of more than 18,000 people who were jailed on trumped-up charges and labelled “extremists” by Uzbekistan's Karimov government.
Jamaica is developing, but at what cost?
Increasingly large developments along Jamaica’s idyllic north coast, a popular tourist destination, have local environmentalists concerned about several recurring issues observed in environmental decision-making in the country.
Fleeing home as a queer Ukrainian
After her own escape from Kherson just before Russian occupation, the LGBTQ+ activist coordinated with international volunteers and raised funds to help others evacuate from the city.
Why are Afghans still seeking out the ‘weakest’ passport in the world?
Acquiring the Afghan passport — the world’s weakest passport — demands substantial patience and skill in navigating bureaucratic hurdles.
Council of Europe members vote to suspend Azerbaijan
The credentials of Azerbaijan's delegation at PACE were challenged on the grounds the country failed to meet "major commitments" as part of its membership to the Council of Europe.
Can Indonesia's President Jokowi remain neutral while his son runs for vice president?
"We have the moral obligation to remind him to stay neutral in the election and that history will not judge him kindly for interfering with the democratic process."
How a Nigerian mother supported her son with Down syndrome to become a successful Olympian
The World Health Organisation estimates that Down syndrome affects approximately 1 in 1,000 live births worldwide. However, the prevalence rate of Down syndrome in Nigeria is unknown because of a lack of data.
In northern Uganda, war survivors and comfort dogs are ‘healing together’
"Pet therapy builds on the pre-existing human-animal bond. Studies show that interacting with a friendly pet can help with various physical and mental issues."
Exploring migration, belonging and the meaning of home in Sri Lanka
At an arts exhibition in the Sri Lankan capital, multidisciplinary artist Firi Rahman portrays the agony of Slave Island residents who face the threats of gradual gentrification.
Desert blues: From Tuareg rebellion to global airwaves
The desert blues music of the Tuareg people of the Sahara has captivated the world in recent decades. Behind this popular genre lies a lengthy history of exile, dispossession, and rebellion.
The role of climate-smart agriculture in Guyana’s push to reduce food imports
To help achieve CARICOM's goal of reducing 25 percent of the Caribbean’s food imports by 2025, Guyana is turning to climate-smart agriculture techniques as a means of sustainably increasing food production.
Pass of Death: The treacherous route taken by migrants trying to cross illegally from Italy to France
Two journalists travelled along the perilous path migrants use to enter France illegally from Italy, in order to tell their stories and experience first-hand the challenges of traversing that route.
Online attacks on presidential candidates in Venezuela have a distinct gendered angle, study shows
ProBox's analysis of the most used words in comments on social media posts by candidates showed that at least 71.4% of online gender attacks and disinformation were received by women candidates.
Benin: The National Vodun Festival is now ‘Vodun Days’
Starting in January 2024, Benin will commemorate Vodun religion with a two-day festival now called 'Vodun Days'
A Brazilian municipality has approved a bill written by ChatGPT
Councilor Ramiro Rosário revealed that he sent ChatGPT a 289-character directive to write a bill. He decided to reveal the use of AI after the law was sanctioned by the mayor.
Uzbekistan is finally starting to address its air pollution problem
In December 2023, Tashkent recorded the second-highest air pollution levels, coming behind only India’s Delhi.
In Azerbaijan, the stakes are always high for political activists
A few weeks after the announcement of a new social activism platform, its founder, Aliyev went missing on December 23.
Terrorists from Tajikistan have become a global menace
Over the last decade, Tajikistan’s foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) have brought their homeland under a negative limelight on numerous occasions.
Do national parks and wildlife conservation regulations in Nepal benefit Indigenous people?
Nepal has seen many successes when it comes to wildlife conservation. However, Nepal's Indigenous communities have endured a series of human rights abuses due to oppressive conservation policies.
