Stories from December, 2024
Namesakes in Gaza: Carrying the martyrs with us in diaspora
The first time I checked, in November 2023, there were 19 of me killed — later that number grew to over 50 known killed Safas, ranging from ages 1 to 82.
Many deaths under Brazil’s military dictatorship were not politicized, says historian
Historian Lucas Pedretti's new book analyzes what was left unfinished and still haunts Brazil's democracy 40 years after the end of the military dictatorship.
South Africa’s air pollution crisis: Contributing factors and solutions
The South African High Court ruled that the poor air quality violates citizens' constitutional right to an environment that is safe for their health and well-being.
Greek state suppresses peaceful protestors commemorating 2008 police killing of a boy
On December 6, Greek police intervened in demonstrations commemorating the death of a 15-year-old boy fatally shot by police back on December 6, 2008. The intervention led to the arrests of over 100 people.
The rise of compressed natural gas as an alternative fuel in Nigeria
Nigeria, one of Africa's largest producers of natural gas, has proven gas reserves of 206.53 trillion cubic feet as of 2021. However, the infrastructure for compressed natural gas remains limited.
Year in review: Climate justice remained a pressing issue for the Caribbean in 2024
Nearly 40 percent of Caribbean-based Global Voices stories this year were about the environment: a look back at some of the climate-focused posts that defined the past year across the archipelago.
Exploring the longstanding cultural tug-of-war between Thailand and Cambodia
While state-to-state relations are mostly positive, under the surface Thai and Cambodian citizens have been playing a game of cultural tug-of-war — with each laying claim to shared historical traditions.
Exploring the depths of Nepali poetry: A conversation with poet Bhupeen
In an email interview, poet Bhupeen Khadka shared insights into his literary path, poetry's social impact, and Nepali poetry's evolving role in global literature.
Kusturizatsiya: One word that explains Kyrgyzstan’s fight against economic crimes
The term is a combination of the Kyrgyz word “kusturuu” (to induce vomit) and the Russian suffix “-zatsiya,” which is used at the end of words to describe a process.
How to stop battery-operated rickshaws from causing new problems on Dhaka's roads
The rapid rise of makeshift battery-powered rickshaws and government bans has sparked controversy, highlighting challenges in regulation and raising concerns about employment issues in Bangladesh.
Exploring the feminine sublime and the passage of time with photographer Maryam Eisler
Through my photography, I seek to capture the essence of femininity as a multi-layered experience, not just as a surface image but as an exploration of strength, sensuality, and identity.
The death of Desi Bouterse: Shadows of the past amid Suriname’s political crossroads
Rising to prominence in a 1980 coup, Bouterse's rhetoric of unity was overshadowed by 1982's December Murders, where 15 of his political opponents were executed in a harrowing display of unchecked power.
Latin America ends the year with rock ‘n’ roll, salsa, and ballads — listen to how its music captures the spirit of the season
Listen to these varied songs from Latin America to celebrate the Christmas season and bid farewell to the old year.
Closed borders in Azerbaijan: Security measure or a violation of human rights?
The authorities changed their narrative around closed borders for the first time following a deadly terrorist attack in Moscow in March 2024.
Mali adopts openly anti-LGBTQ+ legislation
In Africa, there is a growing trend towards the criminalization of homosexuality. The recent change in Malian legislation is a prime example.
How artificial intelligence can be weaponized for harassment
A 2023 analysis of over 95,000 deepfake videos found that up to 98 percent of them were deepfake pornography, and, of those, 99 percent of the individuals targeted were women.
The future of truth: Carlos Hernández-Echevarría on fact-checking and AI
Fact-checkers create communities of engaged individuals who actively work to prevent disinformation, becoming more aware and critical of the information they encounter both online and offline.
Mongolia's free trade deal with the Eurasian Economic Union gets postponed after backlash from businesses
The consequences could be catastrophic with hundreds of thousands of people losing their jobs and sources of income.
New documentary explores Sri Lanka’s Buddhist supremacy and minority communities
Sri Lankan Filmmaker Sulochona Peiris talks about her latest documentary, which explores how contested religious sites incite complex ethnic tensions between Sri Lanka's Buddhist Sinhalese and Hindu Tamil communities.
Malaysia’s Mufti Bill sparks debate on religious plurality and accountability
"Policies shaped by restrictive fatwas could marginalize non-Muslims and discourage intellectual and religious discourse."
The complex nature of Turkey's relations with Syria
Since 2016, Turkey has launched series of military operations in northern Syria with the goal of securing its southern border from Kurdish forces and establishing a 'safe zone' for Syrian refugees.
