Hey, this is Sham, your very own news curator. I'm in the process of setting up this subreddit for all of us. Can anyone help me with running it?
In issue #338, I focus on the recent humid heat wave in Asia (it's so scary), what civil society organizations in Madagascar are doing to protect land rights for the Malagasy people, and the sentencing of Guatemala's most critical journalists, Zamora, to prison. Of course, the capsized boats in Nigeria and Greece take up some (emotional) space, there was another ceasefire in Sudan, the Great Museum of Africa is in Algeria (for now), Japan raised the age of consent from 13 (!) to 16, an amazing long read on Kenya's Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, an Indian crime drama series (that I'm going to binge this week), and the most bewildering news from North Korea, the new member on the executive board of the World Health Organization (yes, I know). Plus, so much more.
If you like this newsletter, yay! These lengthy emails take me hours and hours to write, research and make fun-to-read. You can support my work if you become a paid subscriber or buy me coffee. Or, just forward it to a friend.
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Estimated reading time: 10 min
You have access to all of my sources by clicking on what's underlined.
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Civil society organizations in Madagascar are fighting to protect land rights
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What happened
Madagascar just passed a law allowing foreign investors to lease land for 99 years, sparking concerns among civil society organizations in the country.
Why this matters
There is a lot of conflict over land in Madagascar, preventing the country from creating a fair society that cares about everyone's well-being. Land conflicts there are a complex mix of colonialism, corruption within the country's justice system, and community struggles. According to a 2022 report from OBS Mada, land disputes account for a quarter of social conflicts in the country.
Tell me more
"Currently undergoing a constitutional review, if approved by the High Constitutional Court, it enables foreign investors and companies to lease land for 99 years and renew such agreements through emphyteusis, effectively granting them ownership of the land, write Velomahanina Razakamaharavo and Lalatiana Rakotondranaivo for African Arguments. "With such a law, 80% of the Malagasy are at risk of eviction from their land." Some observers say, 'this is perpetuating the colonial dispossession of the Malagasy people.' The government supports the law, stating it aligns Madagascar with international standards and attracts investments, benefitting all investors.
Did you know that when Madagascar was ruled by France as a colony, France set up a land registration system that allowed them to claim one-fifth of the arable land? That system is still in place today, and is the reason why this land is now being claimed by the descendants of colonizers, while locals who've worked the lands for generations face displacement and conflict. Madagascar gained full independence from France in 1960.
What about the other land conflicts?
It is not only descendants of colonizers or corporations that are vying for the land in Madagascar. In a recent case, the Karana community (descendants of Indo-Pakistani immigrants) forcibly removed a local community from their land. And then there's the sh*t ton of corruption within the Malagasy justice system (this is why the former Minister of Justice resigned) that denies locals access to land titles, even with legitimate documents. In short: It's super messy, and very difficult for Malagasy people to claim their own land. Many feel powerless in the face of all of this.
What now?
The World Bank has put a lot of money into helping Madagascar manage land titles better. The Malagasy government plans to give out around two million land titles this year. But, some people are worried about these efforts. The World Bank has been criticized because it only gave out 570,000 land titles in six years, even though it planned to give out 2.5 million. It's also surprising that they only set aside US$47 million for this.
Civil society organizations like SIF, CRAAD-OI, and Collectif Tany continue to advocate for the rights of local communities, focusing on the law's implementation phase. They are demanding regular reviews of the 99-year-long leases and that there is a checkup every 30 years to decide if the lease should be continued or stopped.
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There's a deadly heat wave in Asia right now – 'climate change made this 30 times more likely'
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What happened
 April and May are typically the hottest months of the year in Southeast Asia, as temperatures rise before monsoon rains bring some relief. But this year, they reached levels never experienced before in most countries of the region. It's unclear how many people died (a lot), but many have been hospitalized, roads have been damaged, fires sparked and schools closed.
Why this matters
In a recent report from the World Weather Attribution (WWA), an international coalition of scientists said the April heat wave in Southeast Asia was a once-in-200-years event that would have been "virtually impossible" without human-caused climate change.
Tell me more
There are many news reports. Here are some details that stood out to me and that make this 'heat wave' headline a little bit more palpable. Basically,
- Bangladesh: It's so hot in Dhaka that the roads are melting.
- India: In Kuno National Park, India, three cheetah cubs died on May 23 and 25. The cubs were the first to be born in India in over seven decades. As of yesterday, 54 people in Uttar Pradesh and 44 people in Bihar died due to the heat over the past three days.
- Pakistan: On 21 May, Jacobabad reached 49 °C.
- Cambodia: There is a water shortage in the entire country (Thailand needs a lot of it right now), and temperatures of 41.6 °C were recorded in Kratié and the Ponhea Kraek district, setting a new national May record.
- Laos: In the beginning of May, Vientiane reached 42.5 °C, breaking the city's all-time record.
- Malaysia: No more outdoor activities in schools.
- Philippines: Schools here are also adjusting. Think distance learning and shortened hours.
- Singapore: In general, May 2023 was the warmest May on record for Singapore.
- Thailand: Power outages have become common due to the high use of air conditioners and refrigeration. Thailand saw its hottest day in history at 45.4 °C on April 15.
- Vietnam: Authorities in Hanoi are shutting down public lighting sooner to keep the power system running. Parts of Thailand and Vietnam have been affected by thick smog during the heat wave. Expect more respiratory, cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Vietnam’s all-time record was broken in early May with 44.2 °C.
- China: According to climatologist Jim Yang, over 100 weather stations broke their temperature record on April 17. On June 7, temperatures over 45 °C were recorded in the country.
- Japan: In June, the Japan Meteorological Agency said that Japan finished its warmest March to May period on record.
- Siberia: On June 7, multiple all-time heat records were broken in the country.
- Western Asia: A Nature Sustainability research paper in May found that the majority of people in the "Middle East" will be exposed to extreme heat by 2050. Another study published in The Lancet found that by 2100, around 138,000 people would likely die of heat-related causes every year in Iraq.
How dangerous is this?
Extreme temperatures are bad. Add humidity to it, and it gets very bad. Humidity, on top of extreme temperatures, makes it even harder for your body to try and cool itself down. Heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion, have severe symptoms and can be life-threatening, especially for those with heart disease and kidney problems, diabetes, and pregnant people.
Plus, just like Covid-19, extreme weather events also expose systemic inequalities. Meaning, the poor and vulnerable are affected the most. A concrete example: If you lose a day at work, and you work in the informal economy – more than 60 percent of the employed population in Southeast Asia work in informal employment, and over 80 percent in Cambodia and Myanmar, according to this 2018 ILO report – you lose a day in wages. Now multiply that. Not to mention all the sh*t extreme heat does to the environment and animal welfare.
I apologize if this summary is making you feel all types of negative feelings like overwhelm, frustration, fear or panic. Your feelings about this news are valid. I know that there are a lot of people working towards changing the debate around climate from "this is inevitable and bad" to "this is bad, yes, let's learn how to deal with it as best we can". Would you like me to focus more on this side of the climate change reporting? Let me know by replying to this mail or send a tweet.
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The free press in Guatemala is in danger
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What happened
Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora, one of the most renowned investigative journalists in the country, was sentenced to six years in prison for money laundering. He was also fined US$40,000.
Why this matters
Zamora's conviction raises concerns about freedom of expression in Guatemala. Many also see this news as a significant step towards authoritarian rule in the country. The Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) called the conviction "legal and judicial harassment to discourage journalistic investigation."
Tell me more
The whole case is built on the claim that Zamora has received a lot of money, some US$40,000, to invest in his newspaper, and tried to hide it. To that, Zamora says 'yes, I received the money, but it was from people who wanted to support my newspaper. They wanted to remain anonymous because the newspaper is very critical of the government, and they didn't want to get into any trouble. This was no money laundering scheme, I swear." Then he turned to former banker Ronald García Navarijo —probably a bad call, as the guy has been indicted on money laundering since 2016— and asked him to cut him a check in return for the cash. García Navarijo became the main witness against Zamora. The court considered that Zamora’s decision to obscure the origin of the funds proved that it was illicit. The trial process was highly irregular (they built the case against him in 72 hours, says elFaro), and Zamora's newspaper, elPeriódico, was forced to close.
Zamora intends to appeal the decision, as he believes his rights were violated during the process. He claimed that all the evidence he presented was rejected, and he went through nine (!) lawyers who were either imprisoned or left the country.
What did elPeriódico report on?
Corruption, corruption, corruption. For example, in 2021, elPeriódico and other outlets found irregularities in how Guatemala bought Russian Sputnik vaccines for US$80 million. There were also claims of Russian misconduct related to a nickel mine in El Estor. Additionally, there were accusations that the president had received illegal payments from Russian businessmen. elPeriódico also looked into the president's close friends, interference in the justice system, and possible connections between the president's allies and drug traffickers. President Giammattei has denied the allegations. However, there hasn't been a thorough investigation to address these concerns.
Is Guatemala becoming more and more authoritarian?
Unfortunately, yes. Guatemala has seen prominent figures fighting against corruption, such as former Attorney Generals Thelma Aldana and Claudia Paz, judge Miguel Ángel Gálvez, and lead prosecutors like Juan Francisco Sandoval, leaving the country in recent years. Human rights activists, journalists, and justice operators have also fled since President Giammattei's government took office in 2020.
What now?
Five journalists from Central American media are nominated to Gabo Awards, one of the continent’s most important journalism prizes. Congratulations to Contracorriente’s Daniel Fonseca, Plaza Pública’s Simone Dalmasso and Eduardo Say and El Faro’s Carlos Barrera and Carlos Martínez. It’s a sign of hope given the circumstances of the free press in the region.
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Uganda: At least 42 people are killed and eight more injured during an attack by five Allied Democratic Forces militants at a secondary school in Mpondwe, Western Region, Uganda. (BBC News)
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Greece: At least 78 people died, and 100 others were rescued after a boat carrying refugees and migrants from Libya to Italy capsizes near Pylos, Messenia, Greece. Hundreds are still missing. (Al Jazeera) Here's a list of media reports that have talked to survivors. It's very likely, if not proven, that Greece is responsible for the capsizing.
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Nigeria: At least 100 people were killed when a wedding boat capsized on the Niger River in Kwara State, Nigeria. (Sky News)
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Sudan: The Sudanese Air Force launched airstrikes in Khartoum, killing at least 17 people and destroying dozens of homes. The armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces then agreed to another ceasefire. (BBC News)
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Fiji / New Zealand: Fiji and New Zealand signed a defense pact in Suva, Fiji, which includes military cooperation and humanitarian aid. (The Guardian)
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Moldova / Ukraine: Moldova and Ukraine signed an agreement to build a bridge across their border over the Dniester river between Cosăuți, Moldova, and Yampil, Ukraine, bypassing the unrecognised state of Transnistria. (Yahoo! News)
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Mexico: Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard resigned and announced he will run for president of Mexico in the 2024 elections. The mayor of Mexico City, Claudia Sheinbaum, also announced her resignation to focus on running for president. (Al Jazeera)
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Yemen / Saudi Arabia: A Yemenia flight with 277 passengers departed from Sanaa International Airport for Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport, the first commercial flight from Yemen's primary international airport to Saudi Arabia after a seven-year blockade. Additional flights have been scheduled to accommodate thousands of Hajj pilgrims. (AFP via France 24)
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Algeria: The Great Museum of Africa (GMA), a key part of the African Union's Agenda 2063 for Africa's future development, has found a temporary location at Villa du Trait in Algeria. The project was launched on June 15th, in line with the agenda's goal of promoting arts and culture in Africa. The museum's permanent home is currently being designed by Algerian architect Nadir Tazdaït's firm, Readymade. The building will be a vast 160,000 square feet, set within a 34-acre area full of native African plants. The museum's exhibitions will cover five key periods of African history, from 10,000 BC to the present day. The permanent site will also house a Slave Trade Memorial and a range of works by modern and contemporary African artists. (African Union)
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United States: The gunman in the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history, was found guilty on 63 charges. (ABC News) Plus, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay announced that the United States will reapply for membership in July, after the Trump administration withdrew the United States from the agency in 2018. (AFP via The Manila Times)
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Japan: Japan raised the age of consent from 13 to 16 and criminalizes voyeurism. (AFP via The Guardian)
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Chile: A study published in Science Advances revealed that scientists from the Chilean Antarctic Institute have discovered the fossils of an unprecedented herbivorous hadrosaur called Gonkoken nanoi, which inhabited Patagonia approximately 72 million years ago. Scientists have digitally reconstructed its skeleton, which will be 3D printed for public exhibition. (CNA)
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Watch... the Netflix series: "Scoop", an Indian Hindi-language crime drama series created and directed by Hansal Mehta and Mrunmayee Lagoo Waikul for Netflix. The series is based on Jigna Vora's biographical memoir Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison. It follows the real-life story of Jigna Vora who was accused of murder of mid-day (a daily Indian newspaper) reporter Jyotirmoy Dey in June 2011. He was an expert on organized crime in Mumbai. New whlw reader Himadri recommended it to me, saying I have to watch it because it is, "The story of a female crime reporter who broke the glass ceiling and paid the price for it." He's not alone. Santanu Das for Hindustan Times called it "one of the best shows of the year".
Listen to... the trailer of a new podcast on African history: "The Republic: A Podcast" by The Republic. "The Republic: A Podcast" is a narrative podcast series exploring pivotal Nigerian and broader African historical events and figures. In the first season, host Wale Lawal traces the significance of the June 12, 1993 election, 30 years on. June 12, which marked the political rise of Moshood Kashimawo Olawale ‘M. K. O.’ Abiola and culminated in his arrest and death, no longer feels inanimate. Why was it such a pivotal moment? What did it feel like to experience it? And why has it remained engrained in Nigeria’s political consciousness?The first episode of The Republic will be released on October 1, 2023.
Read... the long read: "Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o: three days with a giant of African literature" by Carey Baraka for The Guardian. Baraka explores the intellectual journey of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. He, along with writers like Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka, were big parts of the African literature scene in the 1950s and 60s, during the end of colonial rule in Africa. Now 85, the renowned Kenyan novelist, scholar, and post-colonial theorist continues to fight against imperialist ideologies and confronts the political elite in Kenya. He believes that the process of freeing the African mind from colonial influences is underway. However, he points out that there are still obstacles to overcome, like negative governmental policies towards African languages and a lack of publishers who produce work in these languages. Every year, people predict he will win the Nobel Prize for literature, but it hasn't happened yet.
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"Omo Ologo" by Zlatan is on my mind 24/7. It came out three months ago, with a really catchy chorus, ‘Omo ologo, to ba ti ri mi o romo ologo,’ which translates to ‘Glorious child, when you see me, you see glory.’ Zlatan is into God, hard work and just being kind to one another. Last year, he went on the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast for three hours. Get to know this huge Nigerian rapper and songwriter from Ikorodu, "a far-flung place on the outskirts of Lagos, where dreams are seldom pursued." Of course, I added the song to this newsletter's Spotify playlist, 'Go Global Weekly'.
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North Korea won a seat on the executive board of the World Health Organization (WHO).
"What this means is that one of the world's most horrific regimes is now a part of a group that sets and enforces the standards and norms for the global governance of health care," said Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, an independent non-governmental human rights group in Geneva.
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That's it from me. I didn't finish my 10k steps today. This is all because of you.
For the maps, say thanks to Wikimedia Commons.
Map 1: John Doe / CC-BY-SA-3.0
Map 2: John Doe / CC-BY-SA-3.0
Map 3: John Doe / CC-BY-SA-4.0
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Hey, I'm Sham, the person behind this newsletter. Since 2014, I email a bunch of strangers once a week, curating news headlines from Asia, Africa and Latin America. I work under the assumption that, here in the West (I live in Berlin, Germany), we don't read or know much about the global majority, aka the rest of the world.
My goal is to help you burst your Western-centric bubble.
If you want to know more about me, visit my website or follow me on Twitter or Instagram.
Questions or feedback? Just reply to this email. I intend to write back.
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