Stories from February, 2022
Beirut: a taste of crisis through a cup of coffee
With the local currency losing nearly 95% of its value, large segments of the Lebanese population plunged into poverty, reflected in Hamra, once a busy boulevard and now a ghost-town.
World sports bodies express concern about Kenya's Copyright Bill
Coalition of global sports bodies wrote a letter to the Kenyan government expressing concern about Copyright Amendment Bill, noting it may make sports content less accessible.
Global Voices seeks Project Writer for participatory research project
Rising Voices, the digital inclusion initiative of Global Voices, is seeking a Writer to support a research project about the digital security and safety needs of global language communities.
What does Russia's new “hostage-taking” law mean for social media companies?
The new law imposes new obligations on popular foreign websites and social media platforms with over half a million daily Russian users, asking them to register legal entities in Russia.
Jordan's personal data protection draft bill: is it enough?
Experts say the draft bill, which still awaits parliamentary discussions, has points of strength like securing citizens’ consent before using their data, but the measures for its application raise concern.
‘We got used to the war': life for a frontline family in Ukraine
A resident of Avdiivka, an eastern Ukrainian town only a few kilometres from occupied Donetsk, discusses living with the Donbas war on the doorstep, and the threat of further fighting.
Malaysian artist Fahmi Reza faces police probe and two charges for satirical posters
"Gov leaders must learn to take public criticism and dissent in stride and stop going after critics like #FahmiReza for poking fun at them."
‘Mas’ in a time of mourning: How the spirit of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival shines through
Carnival designer Robert Young's radical concept for his band Vulgar Fraction's 2022 presentation literally embraces the roots of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival by fashioning costumes made from dried leaves and flowers.
The Beijing Winter Olympics: A wedding adjacent to a funeral
Are IOC leaders that naïve, or do they lack the vision to understand the concept of genocide and what it is like to be voiceless in a one-party regime?
Seven African comics and graphic novels that center Black experiences are being adapted to film
While locally produced superhero comics written by Africans for Africans have been gaining fandom since the late 1980s, the popularity of African comics skyrocketed in 2016.
Is authorizing the passage of Cubans through Nicaragua a political tool?
As in previous circumstances, emigration has once again become an escape route from the nation's economic and political crisis.
In Hong Kong, foreign domestic workers face an ’emerging crisis’ as COVID-19 limits housing, travel options
A 35-year-old Filipina foreign domestic worker who had her visa application denied was forced to live on the streets of Hong Kong for two nights after testing positive for COVID-19.
Website of NGO Hong Kong Watch partially blocked amid rising fears of internet censorship
The website of NGO Hong Kong Watch appears to have been partially blocked in Hong Kong amid fears of rising internet censorship in the city.
‘This too shall pass,’ sings Turkish pop star
Fans are divided over the lyrics, with some claiming the song is about the pandemic and others arguing it addresses political issues. Regardless, the new song is a hit.
Russian influence in North Macedonia is particularly present around key political events, disinformation researcher says
"What is surprising is that certain structures in society still behave as if North Macedonia is not a member of NATO, although it will be almost two years since its accession to NATO."
Pacific media groups rally behind suspended Papua New Guinea journalist
Sincha Dimara was suspended for reporting on court proceedings against Australian hotelier Jamie Pang. MLN has faced criticism before for suspending and silencing journalists.
After a 12-hour blackout, Trinidadians wonder if their power supply is a shot in the dark
The power outage was significant, affecting not only electricity supply, but also water and telecommunications.
The cinematic grand finale of Nigeria’s late star actress, Rachel Oniga
A prolific actress, Rachel Oniga (1957-2021) was one of Nollywood’s finest mother figures because of her incredible dramatization of that role in many of her movies.
Court in Russia-occupied Crimea sentences freelance journalist to six years in prison
Vladyslav Yesypenko was detained in Crimea in March 2021 on suspicion of collecting information for Ukrainian intelligence, charges the journalist has denied. While in detention, has reportedly endured torture.
In Azerbaijan, bizarre video of an MP reading a poem while holding a dinosaur baffles many
A video featuring the 66-year-old member of parliament reading a poem while holding a plastic dinosaur in his hand has been making rounds on social media and the local news.
In Tajikistan's mountainous region of GBAO, the power struggle with the capital extends to internet shutdowns
A long-standing conflict between the Pamiri population and the central government of Tajikistan has suffocated both opposition and local politics. leading to further isolation of the region with internet shutdowns.
