Stories about Weblog from January, 2024
The burden of women with HIV in Bolivia
Women with HIV in Bolivia face little access to health, informal work, family abandonment and more discrimination than male patients.
Ghanaians’ reactions to the UK loaning back treasures it looted from them
"... a staggering 90 percent of African cultural property is currently housed in European museums. Calls for the repatriation of these stolen artifacts displayed in Western museums have intensified ..."
Could the Caribbean bridge the gap between culture and sustainability?
Tobago’s thriving culture, which includes farming and food festivals, is one example of the intersection of creative industries and concepts of sustainability like eating local and growing one’s own food.
Celebrities, celebration, and a touch of controversy at the Jamaica premiere of the Marley biopic ‘One Love’
"Last night at the Jamaican premiere of #OneLoveMovie [...] you could sense that there was something special about his music [...] encapsulated in his anthem of One Love!"
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.
Hong Kong kickstarts local national security law legislation with explaining and rebuttal teams
Chief Executive John Lee: Hostile forces would engage in propaganda work, especially online, to smear and distort the legislation.
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.
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.
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."
Why did Taiwan impose a five-year visa ban on an influential mainland Chinese dissent journalist?
Wang Zhian, a Tokyo-based mainland Chinese journalist, mocked the Taiwanese election campaigns on a comedy talk show, sparking online backlash. He was then banned from entering Taiwan for five years.
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.
National broadcaster axes Australian journalist Antoinette Lattouf over Gaza social media post
"Does anyone think an ABC reporter would have been sacked for posting a message on social media supporting Israel?"
In Gaza, trapped in the rubble, body and soul
The brutality of Israel’s attack on Gaza is foreshadowed in the Japanese anime series "Attack on Titan," which first aired in 2013.
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.
Eight articles to help you understand the violence in Ecuador
We curated articles, reports and content that help provide context and explain the situation of violence that Ecuador is experiencing.
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.
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'