India administers 1 billion COVID-19 vaccinations, while Russia implements new restrictions as cases and deaths soar. Also, the government of Eswatini has directed mobile operators to suspend Facebook and its messenger app amid protests against King Mswati III. And, several countries have called on the UN to downplay the need to move away from a dependence on fossil fuels.
Bholoja is perhaps the biggest music star in the tiny southern African nation of Swaziland. The World's Alex Gallafent spoke with him about his most recent album 'Swazi Soul'.
In the last absolute monarchy in Africa, Swaziland, the people have grown discontented with the poverty and lack of freedoms they must endure. Thus far, though, the spirit of Arab Spring has remained far away from the country, near South Africa.
Swazis are restless and their king is widely viewed as corrupt. But despite some protests, The World's Alex Gallafent reports that Africa's sole remaining monarchy seems likely to survive.
Mnikwa Dlamini, an 88-year-old chief of Swaziland, is an unlikely World War II veteran. He fought to avoid becoming chief, and to win greater freedom for his country.
The World's Alex Gallafent brings us the story of an 88-year-old tribal chief from Swaziland. He's also a veteran of World War Two.
The US State Department has been sending musicians overseas for years. The World's Alex Gallafent meets a pair of American jazz musicians, Keri Chryst and Jeff Hoffman, as they deliver a workshop to a group of young vocalists in Swaziland.
Alex Gallafent played some of his favorite music to a Swazi youth organizer.
For inspiration into a potentially life-saving device, students at Rice University looked to the humble salad spinner.
Anchor Lisa Mullins talks to the BBC journalist Thulani Mthethwa about protests in Swaziland over a lavish shopping spree by 8 of the country's 13 queens.