Emily Johnson

Carnegie Hall in New York, May 12, 2020. 

As war rages at home, Ukrainian choir heads to Carnegie Hall to celebrate 100 years of ‘Carol of the Bells’

In 1922, a Ukrainian choir sang the song “Shchedryk” at New York’s Carnegie Hall. The tune became a Christmas sensation known as “Carol of the Bells.” This Sunday, a Ukrainian choir will once again perform the famous song at Carnegie Hall. 

As war rages at home, Ukrainian choir heads to Carnegie Hall to celebrate 100 years of ‘Carol of the Bells’
Cayuga Lake is the longest of central New York's glacial Finger Lakes.

A leadership dispute flares in Cayuga Nation amid evictions, arrests and demolitions

A leadership dispute flares in Cayuga Nation amid evictions, arrests and demolitions
The Kyiv Symphony Orchestra rehearses at the National Philharmonic in Warsaw, Poland, the day before the premiere performance of the "Voice of Ukraine" tour that took them to nine cities across Poland and Germany

The Kyiv Symphony Orchestra fights on the war's 'cultural front'

The Kyiv Symphony Orchestra fights on the war's 'cultural front'
Students at the Warsaw Ukrainian School (SzkoUA), in Warsaw, Poland, sing during an English lesson.

'Their lives collided with war': Ukrainian refugees in Poland open their own schools

'Their lives collided with war': Ukrainian refugees in Poland open their own schools
Ukrainian Nicolai, 41, says goodbye to his daughter Elina, 4, and his wife Lolita, on a train bound for Poland fleeing from the war at the train station in Lviv, western Ukraine, Friday, April 15, 2022.

‘Home is home’: Ukrainians in Poland consider options as Russia’s war enters new phase 

‘Home is home’: Ukrainians in Poland consider options as Russia’s war enters new phase 
Shamans, like Tsering Yangzom in the Haa Valley, often treat patients experiencing symptoms of mental illness. She describes them as being afflicted by deities and treats them by invoking mantras.

Bhutan, known for its Gross National Happiness Index, comes to terms with mental health crisis

The country’s tourism council paints an image of a real-life Shangri-La. But Bhutanese identity has been undergoing a seismic shift as it is thrust into a modern age, prompting a mental health crisis in a country that is struggling to keep up.

Bhutan, known for its Gross National Happiness Index, comes to terms with mental health crisis
soldier in mogadishu

Inside America's shadow war against al-Shabab

The US is quietly ramping up its military presence in Somalia, sending in more special operations forces to complete more missions. But is it enough to fight al-Shabab?

Inside America's shadow war against al-Shabab
Refugees at Bidi Bidi refugee settlement in Uganda fill jerrycans at the water tank.

Uganda has been a welcoming place for South Sudan's refugees

South Sudan's refugee crisis seems to be getting worse. But there's reason for optimism, and it all comes down to Uganda’s unusual and progressive refugee policy.

Uganda has been a welcoming place for South Sudan's refugees
Mosque Musa in Mombasa

Raids and rehabilitation: Kenya’s dual fight against Islamic extremism

Increasingly, the Kenyan government has been taking steps to root out terrorists on its own soil, but the crackdown has been marked by disappearances and extrajudicial killings, which has only inflamed the simmering resentments of young men in the coastal city of Mombasa. 

Raids and rehabilitation: Kenya’s dual fight against Islamic extremism
Tibet

Despite government surveillance, Tibetans turn to WeChat

Tibetans are embracing WeChat to communicate with friends and family who have left the remote part of China. But WeChat isn't just like any other social network, it's heavily monitored by the Chinese government.

Despite government surveillance, Tibetans turn to WeChat
Kenya

Kenya basically bans all drone use — despite potential benefits they may yield

There is vast potential for drone use in the developing world. In recent years, an explosion of initiatives has popped up across the continent of Africa, from unmanned peacekeeping missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Facebook’s high-hovering drones that bring the Internet to remote places. But the technology has proliferated faster than regulations can keep up. A couple countries have banned them altogether, including Kenya. Recent terrorist attacks have much to do with the restrictions there, but innovators think the country has more to gain from drones than it has to lose.

Kenya basically bans all drone use — despite potential benefits they may yield
Girls Forum

Saving teen girls from early marriage — and mutilation

A practice that often goes along with child marriage is female genital mutilation — the tradition of cutting a girl's clitoris before she marries. It's estimated that 125 million women and girls have had that done to them. And advocates say you can’t address child marriage without addressing this practice.

Saving teen girls from early marriage — and mutilation
sitawa lead

Fighting the 'funk:' How one Kenyan battles her mental health problems by helping others

Though there is an increasing need for mental health services in Kenya, the country has only 79 working psychiatrists, according to the African Mental Health Foundation; that’s one for every 500,000 people. One woman is using technology to work around the shortage and bring scant mental health resources to Kenyans.

Fighting the 'funk:' How one Kenyan battles her mental health problems by helping others

Banda Aceh Authorities Arrest Punk Rock Concertgoers for 'Moral Rehabilitation'

Last month, the Islamic government of Banda Aceh staged a mass arrest at a punk concert over perceived threat to Islamic values.

Banda Aceh Authorities Arrest Punk Rock Concertgoers for 'Moral Rehabilitation'