Observers of the first-round presidential elections in Colombia shared with Toward Freedom irregularities they encountered in Buenaventura, a predominantly Afro-descendant city on the Pacific coast. This comes as it appears a left-wing candidate who faces death threats is surging in a recent poll against his social-media-savvy competitor, reports TF Editor Julie Varughese.
Former militant-turned-politician Gustavo Petro had sharp words for his opponent, who is thought to have won first-round presidential election votes among the Colombian youth because of his presence on the social media platform, TikTok. TF editor Julie Varughese reports from Colombia.
The Russian “special military operation” in Ukraine has reached its 90th day and the Western press continues to be inundated with unverified claims of war crimes Russian forces allegedly have committed. However, reported Ukrainian military shelling that has killed more than 14,000 people since 2014 in the breakaway region of Donbass has received little media attention. TF contributor Fergie Chambers reports on the latest he found in the city of Donetsk, where attacks on civilians continue.
Al-Yusufiya cemetery in East Jerusalem remains under threat as the city’s government plans to build a promenade over the land, as part of a proposed "Bible Trail," a string of national parks, reports Jessica Buxbaum.
The Tanzanian government had planned to lease the 1,500 square kilometers of Maasai ancestral land to Otterlo Business Corporation, which a group of Dubai royal families own, according to petitioners. But after evictions in 2009, 2013 and 2017, the Maasai sought legal recourse, reports Charles Wachira.
The smear campaign against Lowkey has stepped up a gear over the past six months. In December, the rapper was booked for a gig in London’s Jazz Cafe. The venue came under pressure to call off the show, which celebrated the 10th anniversary of his album, Soundtrack to the Struggle, reports Kit Klarenberg.
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