Stories from January, 2025
Gendered food insecurity among adolescents in African communities
This imbalance and the practice of gendered feeding inequality in many African communities are often rooted in cultural norms and perceptions of value.
A bill reignites the discussion on same-sex unions in Peru
“The conservative movement’s ability to infiltrate media spaces, particularly after the pandemic, has been truly impressive.“
Global Voices statement on the U.S. foreign aid freeze
The abrupt halt in funding is already having devastating effects, with NGOs worldwide facing job losses, operational shutdowns, and critical service disruptions.
Belarussian leader Lukashenka reduced his total votes in the ‘elections’ to not surpass the ‘big brother’
“He still did not dare to surpass his ‘big brother’, but came close to his result: Vladimir Putin, according to the official version, gained 87.28% in last year’s elections.”
Interview with the author of a new French–Ewe dictionary in Togo
Slowly but surely, linguistic communities are benefiting from initiatives to promote local languages. A French–Ewe dictionary is now accessible, aimed at boosting language learning in West Africa.
Girls win: The UN condemns Ecuador and Nicaragua for forced pregnancies
The UN Human Rights Committee condemned Ecuador and Nicaragua for forcing three girl survivors of sexual violence to become mothers, marking a global milestone in reproductive rights.
How the Dominican Republic is charting its path towards renewable energy independence
“Given that we are not fuel producers, our vulnerability to climate change, and the abundance of renewable resources we have, the country has taken measures to promote renewable energy.”
Cognitive strength and community: Psychological coping mechanisms of displaced Palestinians
Displaced Palestinians rely on psychological strategies like reframing reality, social bonds, and faith to navigate the trauma of war and displacement.
Indonesian court acquits worker over defamation charges filed by prominent entrepreneur
"The judge's decision to acquit Septia is certainly good news, but this should not have happened when the law can be used easily to criminalize people who demand their rights."
Pacific nations react to Trump’s order withdrawing the US from the Paris climate agreement
"There is a moral responsibility by each global leader to think from the global perspective instead of from their own national-interest perspective."
ToTok, Baz and others: The UAE and KSA promote unsafe communication apps
Forensic analysis by SMEX reveals Gulf-promoted apps pose high privacy risks, prioritizing data collection over security.
Food in Bosnia and Herzegovina: A need, a love, a connection, and a sense of belonging
"Ćevapi, as the national dish of Bosnia and Herzegovina, are a symbol of unity and hospitality, bringing together people from different cultures and generations," says Admira Hajdarpašić, a restaurant owner from Banja Luka.
Why Trinidad and Tobago artists are up in arms about the country’s attempt to ‘decolonise’ its coat of arms
"Supposedly, the drive behind it was to push forward decolonisation. That's a necessary and good thing. However, the way they went about it doesn't feel like decolonisation."
Reclaiming narratives: African storytelling as a path to justice and reparations
Centuries of being overshadowed and misrepresented by colonial and other external perspectives have portrayed the continent through a lens of primitivism and inferiority. Such depictions served to justify colonial subjugation and exploitation.
Georgian government continues the purge, setting its sights on universities next
Universities are the latest target of Georgia's ruling party. Earlier in January, the Interior Ministry ordered the expulsion of 25 foreign nationals who had allegedly participated in anti-government protests.
Inside Saydnaya: Tales of survival and horror in Syria’s notorious prison
Amid the torture and inhumanity of Saydnaya, stories of survival and unbroken spirit offer powerful testimony to the human capacity for resistance.
A regional protest erupts in Azerbaijan following fatal car accident
The protest over an accident in which four schoolchildren were struck by a police car was met with a heavy-handed response from authorities.
What’s in store for Myanmar in 2025?
"The military is in a state of decline; it is weak and shrinking. The military has seen a wave of desertions, defeats, low morale and loss of dignity."
Kyrgyzstan surrenders its best private schools to Turkey's control
This was a shock to everyone associated with the schools, including leadership, teachers, students, and parents, who were informed of the decision only after it had been made.
Vodun Days festival 2025 in Benin hosts diverse collection of musical artists
The Vodun religion, also spelled “Vodou,” originated in the Kingdom of Dahomey, present-day Benin, Nigeria, Togo and Ghana.
In Turkey a fire at a skiing resort hotel once again highlights a history of negligence
Other experts who spoke to the media explained that, given the death toll, the likelihood of the hotel having properly functioning warning, detection and extinguishing system was slim.