Development

Students cheer on speakers during a gathering to mark the first anniversary of student groups stormed the parliament in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, March 18, 2015.

10 years ago, the Sunflower Movement pushed Taiwan away from China

March 18 marks the 10-year anniversary of a movement that changed Taiwanese politics for a generation. The Sunflower Movement saw hundreds of students occupy Taiwan’s Legislature — demanding that lawmakers reconsider a trade deal they were about to ratify with China.

10 years ago, the Sunflower Movement pushed Taiwan away from China
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
The defense chiefs from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries excluding Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea and Niger, gather for their extraordinary meeting in Accra, Ghana, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, to discuss the situation in Nig

3 coup-hit West African nations exit ECOWAS citing sanctions, no support against terrorism 

3 coup-hit West African nations exit ECOWAS citing sanctions, no support against terrorism 
Florida is home to the largest Haitian community in the US with more than 300,000 people of Haitian ancestry.

Miami’s Little Haiti: What is lost when a community is displaced?

Miami’s Little Haiti: What is lost when a community is displaced?
seniors on the street

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

New York City's older Chinese American population faces increasing housing challenges, poverty
Quilombo Machado community, one of 11 quilombo communities in Porte Allegro, Brazil, 2017. 

'Existing and resisting': Black quilombo communities fight for land, rights in Brazil

Monday is Black Consciousness Day in Brazil. It falls on day of death of Zumbi dos Palmares, the leader of Palmares Quilombo, a community of runaway slaves and their descendants, in 1695. There are still thousands of quilombos across Brazil, and many continue to fight for their land and their rights.

'Existing and resisting': Black quilombo communities fight for land, rights in Brazil
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
People marching in street with a Panamanian flag

Copper mine protests roil in Panama

The government approved a new contract with the mine late last week. Since then, protests have rippled across Panama, and people are afraid they could bring the country to a standstill.

Copper mine protests roil in Panama
beach

Why corals in American Samoa are thriving despite warmer oceans 

Despite prevailing narratives of coral bleaching and decline, the reefs of American Samoa have been particularly resilient to warming temperatures that have laid waste to other corals. Scientists there are finding out why, and looking for ways to use this knowledge to help reefs in other parts of the world.

Why corals in American Samoa are thriving despite warmer oceans 
College campus crowded with multiple people

Accreditors approve historic shortened bachelor’s degrees in the US

In much of Europe, India, Australia and New Zealand, three-year undergraduate degrees are standard. Now, a US college accrediting body is allowing Brigham Young University in Idaho and affiliated Ensign College to offer shorter programs that require fewer credits.

Accreditors approve historic shortened bachelor’s degrees in the US
sign

Delhi is rolling out the welcome mat as leaders arrive for the G20 summit in India

But critics say that India has turned the G20 into a marketing campaign for itself — and for Prime Minister Narendra Modi — ahead of general elections next year. The summit will also be a test for India as it seeks to establish itself as a rising power and as a voice for the global south.

Delhi is rolling out the welcome mat as leaders arrive for the G20 summit in India
Rising poverty, unemployment, and inflation have plagued Costa Rica. Every few blocks, a person is passed out or sleeping on the street.

‘This is not a peaceful country’: Violence and poverty soar in Costa Rica

Costa Rica sells its image as a “green paradise,” with ample nature reserves and no standing military. But many say this reputation is more myth than reality as violence, poverty and unemployment is on the rise.

‘This is not a peaceful country’: Violence and poverty soar in Costa Rica
The Rhine River passes through Basel, a Swiss city that sits near the borders of Germany and France.

Salmon are returning to Europe's Rhine River, but a key barrier remains

European countries that border the Rhine River are working together to restore an old migration route, but manmade structures present a major hurdle.

Salmon are returning to Europe's Rhine River, but a key barrier remains
A woman seen washing pots and pans

Despite lack of govt loans for college in Cambodia, these students are making it work

Most Cambodians live in rural areas, with many struggling to make a living on small farms. Even with low public school tuition fees, sending a child to college is nearly impossible. Those who want a higher education must be resourceful.

Despite lack of govt loans for college in Cambodia, these students are making it work
three white women outside laughing on a campus

Denmark pays students to go to college. But free education does have a price.

Borrowers in the US and the UK rack up the highest debt in the world. In Denmark, tuition is free and students are given grants to pay for things like food and housing. Hardly anyone takes out loans, but free education comes with a price.

Denmark pays students to go to college. But free education does have a price.