India’s Ayodhya wakes up to harsh realities after Modi’s Ram temple event | Religion News

India’s Ayodhya wakes up to harsh realities after Modi’s Ram temple event | Religion News

Ayodhya, India – As half a million people converged on the gates of the new temple to the Hindu deity Ram, Brijesh Pathak looked on. It was the day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had consecrated the shrine amid a national frenzy that had turned the attention of a…

‘Blood and sweat’: Myanmar resistance fights to overturn military coup | Conflict News

‘Blood and sweat’: Myanmar resistance fights to overturn military coup | Conflict News

On February 1, 2021, a military coup in Myanmar sparked widespread nonviolent protests that quickly turned into an armed uprising after the military responded with brutal force. Ethnic armed organisations fighting for autonomy along the country’s borders also joined the anti-coup groups in a war, which has since reached an…

Lagos ban on styrofoam and plastics brings applause and concern | Environment

Lagos ban on styrofoam and plastics brings applause and concern | Environment

From trash-strewn pavements to street vendors packing meals in polystyrene containers, plastic waste is a constant menace in the urban landscape of Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital and the continent’s most populous city. That image could soon change if the local Lagos State government manages to implement its recent ambitious ban…

‘Slank U’: Indonesian presidential candidates try to harness power of music | Elections News

‘Slank U’: Indonesian presidential candidates try to harness power of music | Elections News

Medan, Indonesia – On a blisteringly hot and thundery day in the city of Medan, fans peeled off their T-shirts and hoisted each other up onto shoulders to get a better view of one of Indonesia’s most famous rock bands. “Don’t forget to spread the virus of peace across Indonesia”…

Malaysia prepares for ‘hands-on’ king as Johor Sultan takes the throne | Politics News

Malaysia prepares for ‘hands-on’ king as Johor Sultan takes the throne | Politics News

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The last time a Sultan from the state of Johor was on the throne of Malaysia in the late 1980s, the country was embroiled in a constitutional crisis as then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad sought to clip the wings of the judiciary. Now, as the current Johor…

Voices of the occupied West Bank: ‘I’ll keep speaking with love’ | Israel War on Gaza

Voices of the occupied West Bank: ‘I’ll keep speaking with love’ | Israel War on Gaza

Occupied West Bank – In a continuation of Al Jazeera’s conversations with people in the occupied West Bank about how they view the endless tragic news from the besieged and bombarded Gaza Strip and the realities of trying to make a life as a Palestinian under occupation, here are four…

The Indian ‘lost tribe’ that wants to move to Israel, even ‘fight Hamas’ | Religion

The Indian ‘lost tribe’ that wants to move to Israel, even ‘fight Hamas’ | Religion

Aizawl, India – Joseph Haokip, an undergraduate student in Manipur, is excited at the thought of going to Israel. He is ready to join the Israeli army to fight Hamas in a war in which Israel’s brutal assault on Gaza has killed more than 26,000 people, mostly women and children….

In Myanmar’s Kayah, medics treat war wounded in hidden hospitals | Conflict News

In Myanmar’s Kayah, medics treat war wounded in hidden hospitals | Conflict News

Kayah State, Myanmar – When the military seized power in February 2021, Dr Ye was living a life many young people in Myanmar only dream of – working as a doctor in London. Hailing from a military-supporting family, he had given little thought to politics before then. “Before the coup,…

Cracks in India’s opposition alliance against PM Modi ahead of elections | Elections

Cracks in India’s opposition alliance against PM Modi ahead of elections | Elections

New Delhi, India — Over the weekend, a popular joke on Indian social media featured Nitish Kumar, the 72-year-old nine-time chief minister of the east Indian state of Bihar. Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) party, or just JD(U), had been a part of the INDIA opposition bloc – a group of…