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shepherd with photo

Oil refineries in northeastern Syria are sickening people and polluting the environment

Across northeastern Syria, makeshift refineries pump out fuel for cars, heating and electricity. They are also a major source of income for local residents who have endured more than a decade of conflict. But this critical resource is also harmful.

Oil refineries in northeastern Syria are sickening people and polluting the environment
Polyethylene bags are used to protect bananas from pests and blight on a plantation in Costa Rica.

The shadow of the United Fruit Company still reaches across the globe today

The shadow of the United Fruit Company still reaches across the globe today
Many parts of the United States are desperately in need of doctors, especially in rural and medically underserved areas.

Virginia bill would give alternate licensing path to foreign doctors

Virginia bill would give alternate licensing path to foreign doctors
Ein 'Arik is a small village just west of Ramallah in the West Bank.

'No one is helping us': Palestinians in West Bank barred from Israel face unemployment, financial insecurity

'No one is helping us': Palestinians in West Bank barred from Israel face unemployment, financial insecurity
A buffalo grazes on the drenched land in the Cardamom Mountains, southwest Cambodia.

‘It’s a lose-lose situation’: Carbon ‘offset’ project in Cambodia accused of human rights violations

‘It’s a lose-lose situation’: Carbon ‘offset’ project in Cambodia accused of human rights violations
US dollars are now commonly used by businesses in Venezuela. The informal adoption of the dollar has helped to decrease inflation and product shortages.

Venezuela’s public sector workers take on multiple side jobs just to get by

To supplement their meager wages, many government workers in Venezuela are turning to side hustles that include driving taxis, baking cakes, selling clothes or taking care of pets. And that’s having an impact on the quality of public services.

Venezuela’s public sector workers take on multiple side jobs just to get by
street view

Cubans worry about inflation explosion after government austerity measures

Cuban government officials announced a new package of austerity measures, which includes massive hikes for transportation fares, as well as fuel, electricity and natural gas, and further restrictions on businesses. The new plan will go into effect on Feb. 1. 

Cubans worry about inflation explosion after government austerity measures
seniors on the street

New York City's older Chinese American population faces increasing housing challenges, poverty

In the Chinese American community in New York City, almost half of older adults are living in poverty, and paying rent is tough. Particularly given the gentrification of New York City's traditional Chinatown in lower Manhattan. Some agencies are trying to help them.

New York City's older Chinese American population faces increasing housing challenges, poverty
Uganda Women Birders tackles limiting gender taboos by giving women the experience and resources they need to prove they can do the job.

‘Birds are everywhere!’ Women bird guides in Uganda set a global example

Birdwatching is a rapidly growing and lucrative part of the tourism sector worldwide, but women make up a very small minority of professional guides. Uganda Women Birders, a bird guide club, is revolutionizing the industry by encouraging and supporting women who want to get into the business. Anita Elash reports from the town of Entebbe, Uganda.

‘Birds are everywhere!’ Women bird guides in Uganda set a global example
Workers in western Uzbekistan haul large bundles of cotton to a nearby truck.

‘Justice doesn’t exist here’: Uzbek farmers and cotton workers say abuse, exploitation continues despite reforms

For decades, the cotton industry in Uzbekistan was plagued with labor abuses, including the rampant use of child labor. Practices have improved dramatically in recent years, but some advocates are concerned that the exploitation of adults is still happening.

‘Justice doesn’t exist here’: Uzbek farmers and cotton workers say abuse, exploitation continues despite reforms
ruins

'We saw an immediate drop': Jordan's tourism industry is suffering amid the Israel-Hamas war

Jordan's economy relies heavily on tourism but since Hamas' attack on Israel in October and the ongoing war in Gaza, tourism in the country has slowed down. This is also the case in other countries in the region, including Israel itself, Lebanon and Egypt.

'We saw an immediate drop': Jordan's tourism industry is suffering amid the Israel-Hamas war
Illustration of a destroyed library.

Saving Ukraine’s cultural heritage with a click

Since the beginning of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has been bombing uniquely Ukrainian cultural sites. Preservationists are using "photogrammetry" — the act of deriving precise measurements from taking overlapping photos and rendering them in three dimensions. Dina Temple-Raston, the host of "Click Here," was recently in Ukraine and met those working to preserve the country's heritage — on their phones.

Saving Ukraine’s cultural heritage with a click
Zimbabwe's unique stone sculptures grace museums, gardens, and art lovers' homes worldwide.

Zimbabwe's stone sculptors struggle to keep carving

International art collectors purchased many of Zimbabwe's massive stone carvings. But buyers stopped coming in 2000 after conflict over land reform policies led to violence. Some sculptors are still trying to keep their art alive.

Zimbabwe's stone sculptors struggle to keep carving
Pre-trial detention hearing for RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva started in Kazan, Tatarstan, and was immediately closed for the press. 

Russian American journalist detained in Russia

This week, Russian authorities detained Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist who works for the US-funded Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty news service. The dual US-Russian citizen was accused of failing to register as a foreign agent and collecting information about the Russian military as a “foreign entity.”

Russian American journalist detained in Russia
Screenshot from "Prehistoric Planet" on YouTube.

For ‘dinosaur music,’ prehistoric instruments set the tone

Musicians Anže Rozman and Kara Talve invented prehistoric instruments to help transport viewers back in time for the BBC series, “Prehistoric Planet.”

For ‘dinosaur music,’ prehistoric instruments set the tone