Stories from June, 2024
South Africans react to the new coalition government led by Cyril Ramaphosa
“This is not a government of national unity. This is a grand coalition between the ANC and white monopoly capital.”
War on citizens: How the junta’s VPN ban is strangling communication in Myanmar
"People should not underestimate what the regime is doing. Yet at the same time, they should not succumb to unwarranted fear. The regime can’t control everything."
‘The reality of women who need access to legal abortion in Brazil is one of banishment’
A new bill aims to give harder punishment for women who seek legal and safe abortion, withdrawing rights guaranteed by the current law. In practice, it could criminalize rape victims.
Guinea's toxic media landscape threatens press freedom
The press has paid a heavy price for the restrictions on freedom since the 2021 coup d'état in Guinea. This environment does not support journalists in their work.
China’s legal warfare on Taiwan separatists: The death penalty and absentia trials
Critics believe the guidelines will have a chilling effect and deter ordinary Taiwanese from expressing pro-independent views. Additionally, fewer Taiwanese tourists will travel to China and Hong Kong.
Central African Republic: Renewed relations with France despite Russian military presence
After pausing discussions following the Russian military group Wagner’s arrival in the Central African Republic in 2018, Paris and Bangui resumed talks and announced the next phase of their cooperation.
Australia's northern hairy-nosed wombat is back from brink of extinction
In a magnificent moment for conservation, the first northern hairy-nosed wombats have been released to explore their new home at Powrunna State Forest near St George in south-west Queensland.
Tensions at Colombia’s largest gold mine highlight climate justice quagmire
The Colombian government is simultaneously facing a lawsuit by a Chinese mining company, protests by local miners, and calls for action by communities caught in the middle.
Russian LGBTQ+ activist attended the Pride march in Moldova
According to the organizers, it was the largest march in Moldova's history, with over 800 participants
Decolonization, the climate crisis, and improving media education in the Pacific
"There should be more international reporting about the 'hidden stories' of the Pacific such as the unresolved decolonisation issues."
In Mauritania, a mesmerising musical world blends tradition and innovation
Musical productions in Mauritania remain deeply rooted in traditional values, and artists strive to preserve this heritage despite the pressures of modern musical influences.
Love, marriage and rebellion: Exploring feminist themes in India's Angika folk songs
Songs and tales are used by practitioners as a medium to express discontent with the status quo and to assert their individuality.
Censorship and isolation as China bans thousands of mobile apps
Research on Apple censorship finds out, as of March 2023, 11,026 out of a total of 40,049 apps were unavailable in China Apple Stores. The ratio of unavailability was 27.53 percent.
Controversy surrounds Kenya government's planned deployment of police forces to Haiti
Rights groups have raised concerns, and in January 2024, Kenya’s high court ruled against the planned deployment, saying the mission was illegal. However, the government is proceeding with, the plan.
A highly invasive South American catfish has slipped into Nepal’s waters
A highly invasive vermiculated sailfin catfish, originally from Madeira River Basin in South America, is poised to be a major threat to native fish in the rivers of Eastern Nepal.
Koryo-saram: The long and tragic story of Koreans in Russia
While the two dictators are growing closer, it is important to remember the tragic history of Koreans in the Tsarist and then Soviet Russia
With ‘Flower strikes,’ citizens call for the release of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi
"I wanna thank her for resisting to date and wanna wish her a long life and good health and that she may witness the victory of the revolution."
‘Spectacularly disobedient’: Pride parades in the Balkans
Similar to previous years, several Pride marches took place on the same day in June across the Balkans from Skopje to Sarajevo and Sofia.
Turkey's forest fire season begins
Reports of the fire indicate it was stubble burning incident that started the fire, quickly spreading due to high temperatures and strong winds.
A message from a Jamaica-born Briton on Windrush Day
As victims still wait for adequate compensation, the ongoing fiasco has prompted calls for a public inquiry into the UK's repatriation policy.
Can ‘blue bonds’ be the solution to Belize’s debt?
The country is expanding on the foundation of NGOs and private reserves that have been selling carbon for decades and swapping debt for the conservation of nature.
