Some of your Fellow Readers…
World News
- King Charles’s France visit postponed amid pension protestsFrench president condemns violence that erupted in protests against raising citizens' retirement age from 62 to 64.
- Hotel Rwanda hero Paul Rusesabagina’s prison sentence commutedRusesabagina, who was serving a 25-year sentence in Rwanda on 'terrorism' charges, is expected to be freed on Saturday.
- Ecuador: ‘Modern-day slaves’ seek justice in landmark trialDozens of current and former workers who harvested fibre for Furukawa Plantaciones say their human rights were violated.
- ‘We shouldn’t have been there’: US vets consider legacy of IraqTwenty years after the US invasion of Iraq, veterans question its purpose and struggle with the lingering effects.
- Kamala Harris to discuss China influence, debt distress in AfricaThe US has unleashed a charm offensive in Africa under President Biden as it seeks to rival Russia and China.
- Cuba’s new parliament will face a familiar economic hangoverSlammed by sanctions, the pandemic, and high inflation, Havana is making piecemeal reforms which may not be enough.
- Bangladesh investigative journalist’s brother ‘beaten with rods’Zulkarnain Saer Khan was part of Al Jazeera's investigation that unearthed corruption at the highest level of power.
- Calls for more pension protests as hundreds arrested in FranceInterior minister says hundreds of police injured in the most violent day of protests since they began in January.
- My mom’s chicken zorbiyan connected me to Yemen, and her memoryAkram Said, a chef from New York, shares his mother's recipe for chicken zorbiyan, and the journey to her homeland.
- Reactions to India’s Rahul Gandhi losing parliament seatOpposition leaders condemn Gandhi's disqualification and accuse PM Narendra Modi's government of 'killing democracy'.
- Afghanistan and Pakistan set to play first T20I cricket seriesNeighbours set to square off at match played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.
Global Voices
- One-hundred years later: Reflections on Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani's centenaryOn the day making Nizar Qabbani's birthday we need to acknowledge that despite differing critical opinions on his poetry, his enduring popularity a quarter century after his passing is indisputable.
- The stork and the fisherman — a real life fableThe duo has become a symbol of an unusual friendship but also turned them into celebrities. There is even a documentary film called "Yaren," that can be watched on YouTube.
- The story of a Ukrainian woman who delivered a baby under the Russian occupation"I realized that if I gave in, it would be easy, because it’s not hard to leave your body. But how would the baby manage without me?"
- Like father, like son: Turkmenistan’s new president carries on his predecessor’s repressive policiesThe latest developments have further undermined the belief that Serdar Berdymukhamedov will seek to break away from the legacy of his father and pursue a more humane state policy.
- ‘Winnie the Pooh’ horror film pulled in Hong KongHK's censor approved the film, but it was later axed without explanation. Mainland Chinese censors regularly ban images of the cartoon bear as many compare it to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- Argentine feminist movement continues to diversify its ranksIn 2023, feminist struggles in Argentina continue to diversify as the realities of all women are being taken into account both in their activities and in their identities.
- Global Voices seeks a Social Media Global Fellow for Sub-Saharan Francophone Africa Global Voices seeks a Social Media Global Fellow for Francophone Africa to engage with audiences and create attractive content.
- Global Voices seeks a Social Media Team Lead Global Voices is seeking a Social Media Team Lead who is responsible for managing all social media platforms for Global Voices and leading a team of colleagues.
- Central Asians fighting in Ukraine are both defending and attacking itThe authorities in Central Asia have issued stern warnings to their citizens not to fight in Ukraine, threatening lengthy prison sentences for participating in armed conflicts abroad as mercenaries.
- Weathering Russian xenophobia in everyday lifeIn recent months, there has been more talk about "Russophobia" — anti-Russian sentiment. What they face is nothing compared to what national minorities face in Russia.
- How young people around the world experience AI, in their own words“AI is more present in our daily lives than we think, and that policymakers should’ve acted to regulate the industry from very early on.”
Bahá’í World News
- DRC Temple: Anticipation builds on eve of dedication Anticipation grows as visitors arrive at DRC temple site for Saturday’s dedication of first-ever national Bahá’í House of Worship.
- “A collaborative artistic effort”: Architect reflects on DRC temple project Architect Heinrich Wolff’s journey in designing the DRC temple emphasizes collaboration, unity, and inspiration from the Bahá’í principle of service to humanity.
- Bahai.org: New section on Bahá’í calendar added to siteNew Bahai.org section offers an overview of the Bahá’í calendar, significant dates, and a downloadable calendar with Bahá’í dates mapped on Gregorian ones.
- Maryland Bahá’í Chair: Marking 30 years of promoting dialogue and peaceThe 30th anniversary of the Bahá’í Chair at the University of Maryland provides an opportunity to reflect on long-standing efforts to foster a more harmonious world.
- Black History Month: House of Worship fosters onenessBahá’í temple in the United States hosts event during Black History Month promoting racial harmony and social cohesion.
- BIC New York: Women’s engagement in reimagining digital technologiesA new BIC statement explores the impact of digital technologies on women and the need for much greater inclusion of women in the processes of innovation.
- BIC Brussels: Policies alone not sufficient to address racial prejudiceThe Bahá’í International Community’s statement calls for a shift in how institutions view human capacity, suggesting grassroots participation in policymaking processes.
- Türkiye: Emergency desk created to coordinate relief effortsThe Bahá’í National Spiritual Assembly’s emergency desk coordinates relief efforts through informal networks formed among participants of community-building initiatives.
- Kazakhstan: The arts can foster social harmonyThe Bahá’ís of Kazakhstan explore how the arts can awaken noble sentiments and play an in important part in contributing to social progress.
Notes from An Alien 