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Surfing instructor Godpower Tamarakuro Pekipuma in Lagos, Nigeria.

In Lagos, Nigeria, surfing is relatively new. Interest in the water sport is growing.

The West African country of Nigeria is lucky to have a long coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. In the coastal community of Lagos, where many people didn't grow up learning to swim, interest in surfing and water sports is growing.

In Lagos, Nigeria, surfing is relatively new. Interest in the water sport is growing.
Smoke rises from the Trade Ministry in Baghdad after it was hit by a missile during US-led attacks, March 20, 2003.

An Iraq vet grapples with lingering toll of war

An Iraq vet grapples with lingering toll of war
Artwork by Nelli Isupova, who lives in Kyiv, Ukraine.

A family of artists expresses how the war in Ukraine impacts their creative work

A family of artists expresses how the war in Ukraine impacts their creative work
Young men chat near Al-Mutanabbi street in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, Feb. 24, 2023.

Young Iraqis reflect on the US-led invasion, its aftermath and their hopes for the future

Young Iraqis reflect on the US-led invasion, its aftermath and their hopes for the future
Lake Palcacocha is located in Peru's Ancash region, at 15,000 feet above sea level.

'We are worried': Melting glaciers lead to dangerous overflow in this Peruvian lake

'We are worried': Melting glaciers lead to dangerous overflow in this Peruvian lake
Guyana faces risks from climate change that include rising sea levels that could eventually submerge the capital Georgetown.

Guyana’s discovery of oil reserves has the nation split between boosting the economy and preserving the environment

Guyana is hoping that newly discovered offshore crude reserves can help transform the country's economy and offset its ongoing poverty crisis. But some people are concerned about what this may mean for the environment.

Guyana’s discovery of oil reserves has the nation split between boosting the economy and preserving the environment
The view from the Emerald Line commuter rail, which follows the Pinheiros river and ends at Vila Natal, one of the enclaves of Venezuelan migrants in São Paulo.

'We have to fight': Venezuelan women lead migration to Brazil

Yoselin Calcurian, 35, is among some 400,000 Venezuelans who went to Brazil, fleeing economic collapse and political chaos. She and many others say they are now struggling to find jobs and learn a new language.

'We have to fight': Venezuelan women lead migration to Brazil
Singer Gloria Estefan performs at the Statue of Liberty Museum opening celebration at Battery Park, in New York, May 15, 2019.

Gloria Estefan is set to be the first Hispanic woman to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

She's already won numerous awards and has been a pioneer of Latin music.

Gloria Estefan is set to be the first Hispanic woman to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Iraqi cellist and conductor Karim Wasfi leads a performance at the National Theatre in Iraq, Baghdad, March 11, 2023.

Iraq’s revived art scene is helping to heal the country’s wounds

Years of war and violence have interrupted and undermined Iraq’s music scene, with many musicians fleeing the country. But the current relative stability has created a space for its revival.

Iraq’s revived art scene is helping to heal the country’s wounds
Ghaith Abdul-Ahad, author of the book, "A Stranger in Your Own City: Travels in the Middle East's Long War," in Istanbul, Turkey.

Iraqi author Ghaith Abdul-Ahad on the 'unbuilding' of Baghdad

Iraqi author Ghaith Abdul-Ahad has a new book called, "A Stranger in Your Own City: Travels in the Middle East’s Long War." It's an ode to a city shattered by war. Abdul-Ahad speaks with The World’s Marco Werman about his childhood home, the cycle of sectarian violence set in motion by the US-led invasion in 2003 and what might lie ahead for the centuries-old, cosmopolitan city.

Iraqi author Ghaith Abdul-Ahad on the 'unbuilding' of Baghdad
Ramrati reads Ramcharitmanas every morning on the lane that connects Barakhamba to KG Marg, in New Delhi, India, March 29, 2014.

This 16th-century epic poem sparks political controversy in India

In recent months, a 16th-century epic religious poem has ignited a political storm in India, after several officials said it was offensive to women and those at the bottom of India’s religious caste hierarchy. As the country heads toward general elections next year, some say that different parties are using the poem to appeal to various voters.

This 16th-century epic poem sparks political controversy in India
Wide view of Almeria in southern Spain.

Migrant farmworkers in Spain living in makeshift encampments have little hope for formal work

Many migrant farmworkers in Spain say they can't afford housing, so they live in makeshift plastic housing near the farms where they work. Local governments have tried to remove these informal settlements and relocate people to shelters far from the farms — but they keep building back.

Migrant farmworkers in Spain living in makeshift encampments have little hope for formal work
All Assam Students Union (AASU) activists hold hands together as they form a human chain to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act on a road in Gauhati, India, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. Critics say the bill threatens the secular fabric of India. 

Citizen pain: Part I

Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter by Inkstick Media, takes a deep dive this week into how states determine citizenship, with a spotlight on Assam, India, as the case study.  

Citizen pain: Part I
PTAK Expo Center in Warsaw, Poland.

Ukrainian refugees in Poland will now be charged to stay in state-funded housing

Poland has taken in more Ukrainian refugees than any other European nation. But from March 1, the Polish government has ruled that Ukrainians living in state-funded accommodation will have to start contributing toward their housing and food costs. 

Ukrainian refugees in Poland will now be charged to stay in state-funded housing
To get certified by the Starlight Foundation, Villa de Leyva, Colombia, plans to change its streetlights so they only point downward and use light bulbs with warmer colored temperatures.

This Colombian town is dimming its lights to attract more tourists to view the night sky

Thousands of people gather every year in Villa de Leyva, Colombia, for the annual Astronomy Festival. Now, event organizers are working with the local government to implement lasting improvements for the town to draw more tourists to see the stars.

This Colombian town is dimming its lights to attract more tourists to view the night sky