For the uninitiated, Laguna Beach is Southern California at its most postcard-worthy, a stretch of the Orange County coastline filled with frothy waves, winding canyons and afternoon beachgoers. Yet it doesn’t take long to realize that it’s not just Laguna Beach’s sand that’s worth digging into.
Laguna Beach, for instance, is art.
The modern history of the beachside community often zeroes in on its artistic legacy. And for good reason. Plein air artists — that is, those dedicated to painting outdoors and capturing the beauty of a landscape or a moment — are believed to have begun descending upon the region in the late 1880s. In the early 1900s, it was plein air artists who established the Laguna Beach Art Assn., which ultimately led to the founding of the Laguna Art Museum.
And today, Laguna Beach stages two of Southern California’s most cherished art events. The Festival of the Arts, home to the summer tradition that is the Pageant of the Masters, and the Sawdust Art Festival continue to define Laguna Beach as an art-forward haven for free thinking.
Laguna Beach is also history.
The aforementioned Laguna Art Museum is one of the oldest artistic institutions in Southern California, its current location dating to 1929. The city’s Marine Room Tavern, established in 1934, is one of the oldest bars in Orange County, the site of the second liquor license ever approved in Laguna Beach. Its Catholic church, St. Francis by the Sea, was built in 1933 and once held the mantle of the smallest cathedral in the world. And the Laguna Playhouse is said to be one of the oldest not-for-profit continuously operating theaters on the West Coast, with a history dating to the 1920s.
And yet Laguna Beach is tension.
Summer crowds, a tourism necessity for the area, also bring with them a host of nuances for locals — traffic, trash, public drunkenness and the risk of dirtying up the city’s pristine beaches, five of which ranked among The Times’ list of the best in the state. It’s a privileged party atmosphere that no doubt once contributed to the area’s spotlight for trashy reality television.
Yet that wasn’t the real Laguna, as Laguna Beach is a community.
Today, it’s a place one can find a magical wonderland dedicated to the joy of fairy tales, and to walk its Coast Highway — or take in its sights via one of the city’s free trolleys — is to find a host of quirky surf shops, chocolatiers, wine and snack outposts, and a bounty of galleries. And, yes, those magnificent beaches.
The Pierce College cross-country course in Woodland Hills, used by thousands of runners since the 1960s, has been closed and will be unavailable to host the City Section finals and other high school meets this fall.
At a meeting last week attended by officials from the City Section and West Valley Eagles youth organization, Pierce College officials informed them that a new grass soccer field will be constructed in the area where races have previously started and which was also used as a warm-up area for runners.
Officials also told Jack Dawson of the Eagles and City Section commissioner Vicky Lagos they would revamp the whole course. They have already smoothed out path areas on the hilly course and fixed fencing.
A water truck and construction materials were seen in the area of the flat surface on Wednesday. Few people were made aware a soccer field would be built on a much beloved area used by runners. The school has a men’s and women’s soccer team. A school security officer said he was unaware of the plans, and he would be directly affected since security is hired weekly whenever a high school meet is held.
Dawson said, “The course is going to be beautiful. It’s, how are we going to use it?”
Either revisions have to be done on the soccer field or a new starting point for races has to be created.
Dawson and Lagos said they were informed that there would be no permits issued this year for the course. High schools that previously used the course are scrambling to find alternatives.
Monroe coach Leo Hernandez said his league is investigating using Woodley Park in the Sepulveda Basin as a possible replacement. Birmingham High once set up a course on its campus when Pierce College was unavailable because of heavy rains and could be used by the City Section for the finals.
Pierce College is also being used as a site to take in large animals during wildfires, so developing another course on campus this year is unlikely considering the uncertainty of the weather this fall.
Shoppers were left stunned when the holidaymaker decided to mount the life-sized model bovine outside a popular Ale-Hop store in Playa Fañabé, Costa Adeje, causing consternation among locals
The tourist was spotted atop the cow(Image: DAILY MIRROR)
Anglo-Iberian relations have taken another dent after a British man rode a well-known cow in Tenerife.
Shoppers were left stunned when the holidaymaker decided to mount the life-sized model bovine outside a popular Ale-Hop store in Playa Fañabé, Costa Adeje.
The shop employees calmed the man, who had declared himself a “real cowboy”, according to Canarian Weekly. He gave up on his attempts to remove the cow after giving it one big tug on its horns.
The incident has caused ire among locals, who have been left unimpressed by the daytime antics.
“It’s called disrespect, but well, that’s already normalized, like so many things,” one wrote beneath a post online including the video. Another wrote: “That’s the kind of tourism they send to the Canary Islands. It’s like this everywhere, and then the British press is surprised by the protests that take place.”
The incident is not the first cow-related shock to cause alarm on the Canary island. Back in 2019, tourists visiting Tenerife were left baffled by the sight of dead cows floating in the sea and being washed up onto the beaches.
The animals were spotted in areas popular for Brits over a seven-day period. One cow was washed up on the tourist beach of Playa de La Jaquita near the coastal resort of El Médano. Council workers were called to dispose of the carcass.
The cow corpses came from freighters loaded with live cattle, which travelled from South America. Such boats are forbidden from mooring at some ports in Europe, including Las Palmas in Gran Canaria. If and when cows die during the crossing, they are tossed overboard.
When it comes to alcohol-related incidents that have caused strife between Spaniards and Brits, there are plenty. Late-night brawls that have spilled onto the streets of Playa de las Américas have been a regular occurrence, as have visitors leaping into hotel pools fully clothed.
A group of holidaymakers were fined for climbing onto a parked police car for photos back in 2023, around the same time that a stag party blocked traffic by staging an impromptu conga line over a busy roundabout in Costa Adeje.
Abuja and Nasarawa, Nigeria – In the neighbourhood of Kado Lifecamp on the outskirts of Nigeria’s capital, 29-year-old Eucharia Joseph grips a cooler box and sets out for her day. Inside are oral polio vaccines packed in ice.
Joseph’s route takes her through dusty lanes, past tin-roofed homes, mosques and churches. By nightfall, she and her team of six women will have vaccinated hundreds of children. Their mission: To ensure no child is left unprotected from the disease that once crippled thousands across the country.
In 2020, Nigeria was declared free of wild poliovirus by the World Health Organization (WHO) – a landmark achievement for a country once at the centre of global transmission. But the virus hasn’t vanished entirely.
A related strain, known as circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV), still threatens under-immunised communities. Unlike the wild virus, cVDPV emerges when the weakened virus from oral vaccines mutates and spreads via contaminated food or water, for instance, in areas where too few children are vaccinated.
That threat remains. Despite steady progress, Nigeria still reports sporadic outbreaks of cVDPV. As of March this year, the country had reported 10 cases of the mutated strain. Last year, 98 cVDPV2 cases were reported.
With ongoing insecurity in northern Nigeria and pockets of resistance elsewhere, the job of eradicating polio now rests heavily on the shoulders of women like Joseph, who are often the only ones granted access to households due to a confluence of cultural, religious and safety reasons.
“It’s my gift,” Joseph said of her work, as she adjusted her headscarf under the sun. “I go to different localities. I talk to mothers. I sit with them. I know how to convince them. That’s what makes this work possible.”
A polio vaccination drive in Mararaba town, Nigeria [Hanan Zaffar/Al Jazeera]
Women on the front lines
Female health workers like Joseph are the backbone of Nigeria’s polio response.
In rural or conservative communities, male health workers are often not allowed to interact with women and children. While in conflict-affected areas, strange men moving between households may be viewed with suspicion, as many of these areas are battling rebels.
In Borno State – the epicentre of Nigeria’s long-running Boko Haram rebellion and one of the regions hardest hit by polio outbreaks – the stakes are especially high. Male health workers have sometimes been suspected by the community of working with government forces or intelligence services.
In some neighbourhoods, the mistrust and resistance extend to female vaccinators as well.
“Most people in Maiduguri [the state capital] don’t always like the vaccine. They think it prevents them from giving birth,” said Aishatu, who chose not to reveal her last name. The community health worker leads immunisation rounds across several wards in the area.
Such rumours about the effects of vaccines have circulated for years, often fanned by misinformation circulating among community networks, some religious leaders, and occasionally by armed groups such as Boko Haram, which has attacked vaccinators and portrayed immunisation as part of a foreign agenda.
In some cases, religious teachings have been misrepresented, for example, claims that vaccines are forbidden during certain religious festivals or that immunisation interferes with divine will. There have also been conspiracy theories saying vaccines are a Western plot to sterilise children.
Combined with longstanding mistrust of government programmes in some areas, belief in these rumours has made vaccine acceptance a persistent challenge in parts of northern Nigeria, health workers say.
For front-liners like Aishatu, confronting the beliefs has become part of the job. Her strategy is persistence and patience.
“We handle it by trying to increase sensitisation,” she said, referring to the repeated community visits, one-on-one conversations, and informal group talks that female health workers use to counter vaccine myths and build trust among hesitant parents. “We keep talking to the mothers, telling them the truth. Some accept it slowly, some after seeing others take it.”
Aishatu has to balance this work with managing her household responsibilities. But she sees the job as something beyond a paycheck. “The work is a professional one,” she said. “But it also adds so much to life. I know I am helping people and I love it.”
But she also believes more needs to be done to expand the programme’s reach. “More female vaccinators are needed,” she said. “That’s the best approach for the government to use for creating more awareness about [the need and effectiveness of] polio vaccines.”
In areas or situations where male vaccinators face access constraints and restrictions, women doing the work have been more effective. And for some, their demeanour and approach to patients is what also makes a difference.
“Women are very social,” said Esu Danlami Audu, village head of Kado who has seen his village stamp out new polio cases because of efforts by women vaccinators.
“They are able to talk to parents, gain trust, and explain the importance of vaccines in ways men cannot. That is why they have played such an important role in our progress against eradication of poliovirus.”
This access has proven more critical in regions like Borno. According to the WHO, female vaccinators and community health promoters have been instrumental in reaching children in hard-to-access areas, sometimes even risking their lives to do so.
“All over Africa, despite facing life threats at many places, their [women vaccinators’] presence and persistence have helped overcome barriers of trust, cultural norms, and insecurity. This is especially true for conflict-affected areas of northern Nigeria where women are often the only ones allowed into households – especially those with young children – making their role irreplaceable,” said Dr Ndoutabe Modjirom, coordinator of WHO-led polio outbreaks rapid response team for the African region.
A neighbourhood in Kado village, Abuja [Hanan Zaffar/Al Jazeera]
Innovation, persistence and economic ripple effect
To further counter these challenges, health workers have also adopted a mix of innovation and local knowledge.
Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping now helps identify missed settlements. Community mobilisers, often local women, monitor newborns and report missed vaccinations. Mobile health units and door-to-door outreach campaigns are routine.
“We go to schools, churches, mosques and markets,” said Aminat Oketi, a vaccinator in Nasarawa State and a mother of six. “Sometimes we vaccinate 150, even 300 children a day. The work is tough. But when I see a child protected, it is worth it.”
Although Oketi earns some money from her work, the job is not well paid. Most vaccinators receive just 12,000 naira (about $8) from the government for a five-day campaign. Transport often eats into their earnings, forcing them to supplement this income with petty trade or hawking goods.
Aishatu supplements her income byrunning a small beans trading business in Maiduguri to earn an income. “I buy and sell beans,” she said. “I manage it by separating my time to work [as a health worker] and do business.”
While the campaigns has improved public health outcomes, it has also unintentionally created a foundation for economic empowerment among women, many say. Empowered by training and purpose, many of these women have become micro-entrepreneurs and informal community leaders.
Vaccinators like Oketi, who joined the programme four years ago, are not only safeguarding children but also building personal livelihoods.
She runs a small poultry business alongside her health work. “I have a shop where I sell chicken feed and I rear birds too,” she said. Her modest vaccine stipend barely covers transport, but the exposure to community networks and the sense of mission have translated into entrepreneurial confidence.
“When people trust you with their children, they also trust you to provide them with other services,” she said. “My customers come because they know me from the vaccination rounds. It is all connected.”
This is a common trajectory. While some female vaccinators have leveraged their community credibility to start small businesses, others, like Joseph, have set up informal health outreach networks, advising new mothers and coordinating care for sick children.
According to Cristian Munduate, UNICEF’s country representative, this dual role of healthcare provider and entrepreneur reflects a deeper shift. “They are not just women with jobs; they are agents of change,” she said. “Vaccination campaigns have opened a pathway for leadership, agency, and financial independence.”
Helen Bulus, a government health officer in charge of vaccinations in Mararaba town in Nasarawa, reflects on the sense of commitment female health workers share.
“We are mothers too. Women take care of children, not just their own. That’s why they don’t give up [even when there is hardship],” she said.
And as they persevere, their work creates other positive ripples, like contributing to higher school enrolment among girls in some regions, she added. “As mothers become more economically stable, they invest more in their daughters’ futures.”
A vaccination drive in a school in Kado village [Hanan Zaffar/Al Jazeera]
A global model – with challenges
While wild polio now remains endemic only in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Nigeria’s experience offers vital lessons. Its fight against polio, led by women, supported by community trust, and bolstered by innovative strategies, has reshaped how public health can be delivered in fragile settings.
The next step, experts say, is sustaining this momentum.
“Routine immunisation must be strengthened,” said Munduate. “And communities must be supported, not just during outbreaks but all year round.”
The polio infrastructure has also transformed Nigeria’s broader healthcare system. Cold chains, data systems, and human networks developed for polio now support routine immunisations, maternal health, and even responses to outbreaks like cholera and COVID-19.
“We have built a legacy platform. Female vaccinators trained for polio are now part of nutrition drives, health education, and emergency response. They have become health champions,” WHO’s Modjirom explained.
Still, hurdles persist. Insecurity continues to hinder access in parts of northern Nigeria. In conservative areas, misinformation remains rife, fed by rumours that vaccines cause infertility or are part of foreign agendas.
Despite gains, health workers say there is little scope for complacency. Experts warn that until every child is reached, the virus remains a threat not just to Nigeria, but to global eradication efforts.
“For each paralytic case, thousands more may be infected,” said Munduate. “That’s why we can’t stop and efforts have to continue.”
The reporting for this story was supported by UN Foundation Polio Press Fellowship
Chinese authorities have summoned domestic companies, including major internet firms Tencent and ByteDance, over their purchases of Nvidia’s H20 chips.
Authorities asked the companies on Tuesday to explain their reasons and expressed concerns over information risks, three people familiar with the matter told the Reuters news agency.
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) and other agencies also held meetings with Baidu and smaller Chinese tech firms in recent weeks, said one of the two people and a third source.
The Chinese officials asked companies why they needed to buy chips made by Nvidia, a US company, when they could purchase from domestic suppliers, the sources said.
Authorities in China expressed concern that the materials Nvidia has asked companies to submit for review with the US government could contain sensitive information, including client data, one of the sources said.
However, the people, who declined to be identified because the meetings were not public, said the companies have not been ordered to stop buying H20 chips.
Nvidia said on Tuesday that the H20 chip was “not a military product or for government infrastructure”.
“China has ample supply of domestic chips to meet its needs. It won’t and never has relied on American chips for government operations, just like the US government would not rely on chips from China,” the statement said.
Baidu, ByteDance, Tencent and the CAC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Discouraged use
Earlier on Tuesday, Bloomberg News reported that Chinese authorities have urged domestic companies to avoid using Nvidia’s H20 chips, particularly for government-related purposes.
Several companies were issued official notices discouraging the use of the H20, a lower-end chip, mainly for any government or national security-related work by state enterprises or private companies, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.
In a separate report, The Information reported that ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent had been ordered by the CAC in the past two weeks to suspend Nvidia chip purchases altogether, citing data security concerns.
The CAC directive was communicated at a meeting the regulator held with more than a dozen Chinese tech firms, shortly after the administration of United States President Donald Trump reversed the export curbs on H20 chips, according to the Information report.
Reuters could not immediately confirm the reports, and Alibaba did not respond to a request for comment. Top contract chipmaker SMIC rose 5 percent on Tuesday on expectations of rising demand for locally-produced chips.
But even without an outright ban, the concerns expressed by Chinese authorities could threaten Nvidia’s recently restored access to the Chinese market as Chinese companies look to keep in step with regulators.
Nvidia designed the H20 specifically for China after export restrictions on its more advanced AI chips took effect in late 2023. The H20 has since been the most sophisticated AI chip Nvidia was allowed to sell in China.
Earlier this year, US authorities effectively banned its sale to China, but reversed the decision in July following an agreement between Nvidia and the Trump administration.
Threat to revenue stream
Last month, China’s cyberspace regulator summoned Nvidia representatives, asking the company to explain whether the H20 posed backdoor security risks that could affect Chinese user data and privacy.
State-controlled media have intensified criticism of Nvidia in recent days. Yuyuan Tantian, affiliated with state broadcaster CCTV, published an article on WeChat over the weekend claiming that H20 chips pose security risks and lack technological advancement and environmental friendliness.
The scrutiny threatens a significant revenue stream for Nvidia, which generated $17bn from sales to China in its fiscal year ended January 26, or 13 percent of total revenue.
China has accelerated work on domestic AI chip alternatives, with companies such as Huawei developing processors that rival the H20’s performance, and Beijing urging the technology sector to become more self-sufficient.
However, US sanctions on advanced chipmaking equipment, including lithography machines essential for chip production, have constrained domestic manufacturers’ ability to boost production.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump suggested that he might allow Nvidia to sell a scaled-down version of its advanced Blackwell chip in China, despite deep-seated fears in Washington that Beijing could harness US AI capabilities to supercharge its military.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday that it hoped the US would act to maintain the stability and smooth operation of the global chip supply chain.
The Trump administration last week confirmed an unprecedented deal with Nvidia and AMD, which agreed to give the US government 15 percent of revenue from sales of some advanced chips in China.
China’s renewed guidance on avoiding chips also affects AI accelerators from AMD, Bloomberg also reported. It was not clear, however, whether any notices from Chinese authorities specifically mentioned AMD’s MI308 chip.
AMD did not respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.
Assam, India – Makon Kumar’s wrinkled fingers are covered in dried-up clay. She squats on the damp dirt outside her one-room, bamboo-stilted home and spins a pottery wheel – a palm-sized grey bowl – with her left toe.
Inside the bowl is a lump of newly-bought wet clay, which Kumar slaps, flattens and curves into the pot’s base.
“My grandma and her grandma passed this practice down to us. We are not farmers, we have no land, and this is our work,” 60-year-old Makon said as she pressed her fist into the clay and carved out the pot’s mouth.
Makon belongs to the Kumar community of about 540 people, whose women have been known for their unique pottery work since the 16th century. These women avoid machinery or a potter’s wheel but rely on their toes to spin a plate or bowl with clay.
Makon Kumar sculpts a Tekele, a small sized pot used to carry milk [Ananya Chetia/Al Jazeera]
The Kumars live on Majuli, an island district between the Subansiri and the mighty Brahmaputra rivers in India’s northeastern state of Assam. Home to nearly 200,000 people, which includes people from other ethnic groups, Majuli has shrunk from 1,300sq km (502sq miles) to 483sq km (186.5sq miles) in a century due to erosion caused by annual monsoon rains and floods.
During the monsoon season, which can stretch from May to September, the floodwaters can get more than 1.5 metres (5 feet) high, forcing Makon and the other Kumars to either seek shelter at the highway bordering the village or stay trapped inside their homes.
Last week, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said there were more than 72,000 people taking shelter in 355 relief camps across the state due to the floods, which have also killed at least 24 people this year.
Access to riverside clay denied
During the floods, the Kumars’ pottery business comes to a halt, interrupting their main source of income. Moreover, the lack of flood prevention efforts by the authorities has worsened their condition.
“[Our family] used to get clay from the banks of the Brahmaputra River,” Makon told Al Jazeera.
Kumar men traditionally dug 18 to 21 metres (60 to 70 feet) deep on the riverbank to extract a glutinous, dark grey clay that locals call Kumar “maati” (soil).
The state-run Brahmaputra Board, which supervises the government’s response to the floods and soil erosion, began building river embankments in 2018, preventing the Kumars from digging the riverbank for clay.
“While the Brahmaputra Board deeply respects this traditional craft [of making pottery], extracting clay directly from the exposed riverbanks causes severe soil erosion, hindering the board’s efforts to protect Majuli island,” a spokesperson for the board told Al Jazeera.
The spokesperson said the board provided an alternative to the Kumar potters by making clay available through designated pits or boreholes that could be accessed after filling an application form. The board, however, did not say how many Kumars applied.
Makon said the embankment on the Brahmaputra forced her to buy clay from mainland Assam, increasing her expenses for a business already lacking commercial value or organised marketing.
November is their best month when floodwaters recede and foreign and Indian tourists take a 90-minute ferry from Jorhat, a city in mainland Assam, to Majuli’s Salmora village, where the Kumar women sculpt pots with their hands and feet. The tour brings extra cash for Makon’s two daughters studying in a secondary school.
On other days, the Kumars sculpt and sell pots of various sizes to local vendors. Tekelis, the most popular and smallest pot used for storing milk, is sold for just 10 rupees ($0.12) to vendors, who resell them for 20 to 100 rupees ($0.23-$1.15) at shops across Majuli and mainland Assam.
Salmora has long, narrow dirt roads, with rows of bamboo and concrete houses built on stilts. When the island is not flooded, hundreds of dried tekelis lie stacked on top of each other on a road bordering the village. The men bake those pots and sell them in the market.
‘No money in it’
However, it is not just a dying form of pottery that is under threat in flood-prone Majuli.
Almost 18km (11 miles) from Salmora lies Upper Katoni village, where the silence of the nights is often interrupted by young men and boys singing and thumping hollow drums. They perform a four-hour theatrical production known as Bhaona, mostly performed past midnight. Locals come for the performance after finishing their dinner, sit on the floor, and watch their neighbours, siblings, or friends perform.
The entirely male troupe of actors play characters from the Hindu epic, Ramayana.
A Bhaona actor performs at a Namghar in Upper Katoni, Majuli [Ananya Chetia/Al Jazeera]
“We’ve been rehearsing for the last three weeks,” said actor Jyoti Bhuyan, who plays a king in the dance drama. “Even in the hotter months, we’re able to perform.”
The Bhaona dates back to the 16th century and is performed at Namghars, open prayer houses unique to Assam. The island has more than 384 Namghars, according to a spokesperson from the Majuli District Office.
“I’ve been doing this since I was a young boy,” said Karunav Bhuyan, a Bhaona actor and political science professor at a college on the island. “What doesn’t change is that anyone from any background can come and watch us perform.”
Bhaona actors wear special masks, made from bamboo and a mix of clay and cow dung. The masks typically have wide, almond-shaped eyes; thick, furrowed brows; and a mouth flaunting a full set of teeth or bright red lips. The mask’s sharp, angular facial features, paired with contrasting eye and hair colours, are often displayed inside the houses of Majuli residents.
“At first, no one wanted to make masks because there was no money in it,” 67-year-old mask maker Hem Chandra Goswami told Al Jazeera.
Goswami, who lives in Majuli’s Samaguri village, started making smaller, easy-to-hang masks and has been teaching the art to high school students since 2012. He was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, in 2023 for promoting the art form.
A Bhaona actor performs at a Namghar in Upper Katoni, Majuli [Ananya Chetia/Al Jazeera]
Traditionally, only men made masks and used them for Bhaona performances. But that is changing.
Brishti Hazarika, a 25-year-old theatre student, is learning mask-making at Majuli University of Culture, an institution dedicated to preserving the local art forms. “Whether we get financial help from the government or not, it doesn’t stop us from putting on shows or enjoying our festivals,” Hazarika said.
The island’s more well-known tourist attractions are the Satras – the cultural and religious centres where celibate male monks, draped in white cotton cloth, reside.
Known as Bhakats, these monks join the Satras during preadolescence and spend their lives worshipping Lord Krishna, unlike the polytheistic pantheon of numerous gods in mainstream Hinduism.
A Namghar at the Kamalabari Satra in Majuli, Assam [Ananya Chetia/Al Jazeera]
But annual floods and land erosion have reduced Satras from more than 65 to just 35 in the past decades, according to the Majuli District Office spokesperson. Worse, not every Satra is properly maintained.
Unlike Makon, the Samaguri Satra is located away from the Brahmaputra River and has, therefore, been spared the devastation caused by annual floods. That explains why Pradip Goswami, another local mask artist and a cousin of Hem Chandra, wishes there were more opportunities to produce the masks commercially.
“The way for mask making to continue spreading is by having a bridge over the river to connect us to the mainland,” he said.
In 2022, the Assam government announced the construction of an 8km (5-mile) bridge connecting Majuli to Jorhat. But the $70m project was halted in September last year after Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation Limited (UPSBCL), a state-run entity tasked with building the bridge, withdrew from the project over payment disputes, according to local media reports.
Al Jazeera reached out to the UPSBCL for its response to such speculations, but did not receive any reply.
In May this year, the Assam government said it was looking for a new contractor to construct the bridge. But Majuli residents say the government has been apathetic towards their lives and livelihoods affected by the floods.
The Majuli Cultural Landscape Management Authority (MCLMA), created in 2006 to oversee the island’s development and protect its cultural heritage, has not held a meeting in more than a decade, alleges MCLMA executive member Sanjib Borkakoti. Even the office where he used to attend meetings twice a year does not exist any more, he says.
“There is no [government] supervision,” Borkakoti told Al Jazeera. He said the Indian government tried at least twice – unsuccessfully – for a UNESCO World Heritage Site status for Majuli, a tag that would have brought “international attention and pushed the local government to protect what’s remaining”.
Al Jazeera reached out to a government spokesperson and Majuli’s local officials for their response to Borkakoti’s allegations, but did not get any reply.
Meanwhile, for Majuli residents like Makon, art goes beyond just preserving a cultural identity. It is rooted in survival.
“We just don’t know if we will have a home tomorrow,” Makon says as she gives shape to a clay pot, using a wooden bat. She spins the pot one last time to check for any bumps and says, “This is all we know.”
This story was funded by a Reporting Fellowship grant from the South Asian Journalists Association.
POUNDLAND has confirmed the full list of 12 more store closures amid a massive restructuing.
Sites across Canterbury, Coventry and Brigg have been named as destinations due to shut.
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Poundland has revealed the locations of more stores facing closureCredit: Alamy
Poundland’s retail director Darren MacDonald said:“While our anticipated network of around 650-700 stores remains sizeable, it is of course, sincerely that we’re closing a number of stores to allow us to get us back on track.
“We entirely understand how disappointing it will be for customers when a store nearby, closes but we look forward to continuing to welcome them to one of our other locations.
“Work is underway to with colleagues through a formal consultation process in stores scheduled to close, exploring any suitable alternative roles.”
You can check out the full list of closures here:
Brigg: Cary Lane, Brigg, DN20 8EY
Canterbury: Unit 2A, Marshwood Close Retail Park, Canterbury, CT1 1DX
Coventry: 63 Hertford Street, Coventry, CV1 1LB
Newcastle: Unit 15-18, Killingworth Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE12 6YT
Kings Heath: 74-76 High Street, Kings Heath, B14 7JZ
Peterborough: Unit 19, Orton Gate Shopping Centre, PE2 5TD
The ancient Lindos Acropolis in Rhodes is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island — but one local’s tip will help you avoid the crowds
The views were unbelievable(Image: Vita Molyneux)
Cruising along the twisting coast of Rhodes towards Lindos, with the breeze wafting through the car on a scorching June day, I was buzzing with anticipation for the day’s plans. My family and I were soaking up the sun in Greece, eager to explore the ancient Lindos Acropolis — a site brimming with history, including the Doric Temple of Athena Lindia, the Castle of the Knights of St John, an amphitheatre, and staggering views across the sea.
Yet, as we turned the bend and caught sight of the mountain crowned by the Acropolis, my excitement waned at a concerning sight. Through the gaps of the distant columns, I spotted tiny black specks weaving around them, packed so densely they seemed to merge into one.
“Is that… people?” I queried, half in disbelief, to which my family responded with reassurances that it simply couldn’t be — there were far too many of them.
But as is often the case, my instincts were spot on. Nearing the mountain, the reality became clear: a snaking queue of visitors stretched down the path to the Acropolis, motionless.
During the day, the Acropolis is swarming with people(Image: Getty)
The historic site was swarming with tourists, disgorged en masse from the multitude of coaches parked below. It was an ominous sign indeed, reports the Express.
Undeterred, we sought out a parking spot to give it a go, but the moment we stepped into the old town, it was apparent our efforts would be futile.
The streets were chock-a-block with people, prompting us to retreat to our car. However, on our way out, we paused for a chat with the ticket operator, who revealed his clever trick for avoiding the throngs.
He suggested that if we returned around 5pm, the tourist rush would have subsided, and with the Acropolis open until 7:30pm, there’d be ample time for exploration.
Intrigued, we decided to test his theory the next day and, as it turned out, he was spot on.
During the evening, the space is almost abandoned(Image: Vita Molyneux)
We arrived at the Acropolis at 6pm, after a leisurely day of sunbathing on the beach, to find the town considerably quieter.
While there were still tourists meandering through the streets, by the time we ascended the mountain to the Acropolis, the crowds had largely dispersed, leaving only about 20 people strolling around the grounds.
The vastness of the space meant it didn’t feel congested at all, and compared to the previous day’s view from afar, it was a striking contrast. The vistas were breathtaking, and, visiting later in the day, the summer heat, though still hot, was more bearable.
We didn’t feel rushed either; the climb to the Acropolis took about 15 minutes, leaving plenty of time to drink in the sights.
I beat all the crowds(Image: Vita Molyneux)
With so few people around, our photos turned out much better; the near-empty Acropolis allowed us to fully appreciate its grandeur.
If you’re planning a trip to Rhodes, visiting the Acropolis is an absolute must. To avoid the throngs of tourists, we recommend going in the evening, just as we did.
Public media outlets around the country were preparing for the worst. Early Thursday morning, the worst arrived.
The U.S. Senate voted to approve the Trump White House’s proposal to claw back $9 billion in federal funding previously allocated for foreign aid and public broadcasting. The 51-48 Senate vote means that the Corp. for Public Broadcasting, which administers the funds for NPR radio stations and PBS TV affiliates, is on track to lose $1.1 billion that had been budgeted for the next two years.
The House of Representatives is expected to give final approval for the Trump administration’s request later Thursday.
The reaction from NPR was swift. The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit has two major affiliates serving the Los Angeles area: LAist, or KPCC-FM (89.3), and KCRW-FM (89.9).
In a statement after the vote, NPR Chief Executive Katherine Maher warned of dire consequences for smaller communities that depend on public broadcasting outlets. “Nearly 3-in-4 Americans say they rely on their public radio stations for alerts and news for their public safety,” she said.”We call on the House of Representatives to reject this elimination of public media funding, which directly harms their communities and constituents, and could very well place lives at risk.”
PBS leaders sounded a similar alarm.
“These cuts will significantly impact all of our stations, but will be especially devastating to smaller stations and those serving large rural areas,” PBS President Paula Kerger said in a statement. “Many of our stations which provide access to free unique local programming and emergency alerts will now be forced to make hard decisions in the weeks and months ahead.”
PBS and NPR have both filed suit against President Trump and other administration officials over the president’s May executive order calling for the funding cutbacks. They say the order is a case of “viewpoint discrimination” driven by the White House’s unhappiness with the content of public media. Trump has called NPR and PBS government-funded “left-wing propaganda.” Republicans have for decades called for cuts to public broadcasting because of the perceived liberal slant of its programming.
Public media outlets in Southern California’s urban areas are less dependent on federal funding than stations in smaller, rural markets, which don’t get the same kinds of donations from wealthy locals, for example. But they will feel an immediate impact as the money TV and radio stations expected from Corp. for Public Broadcasting in October is now on the verge of disappearing.
Connie Leyva, executive director of KVCR Public Media in San Bernardino, which operates PBS and NPR affiliates, said earlier this week that the Senate action will mean losing $540,000, about 6% of its operating budget. Thus, she has to consider cutting five positions on an already lean staff.
In addition to serving the Inland Empire, KVCR operates a service called First Nations Experience (FNX), which produces programming for and about Native Americans and world Indigenous cultures. Such initiatives are endangered by the funding cuts.
“We just created an app, which is free to download and get Indigenous material wherever you are,” Leyva said. “But without funding, how do we continue to keep that relevant and fresh?”
Leyva said KVCR will likely have to reduce its block of PBS children’s TV programming that reaches her community through over-the-air antennas. “I heard one senator say, ‘You can have Disney or Nickelodeon,’” she said. “He doesn’t understand you have to purchase that. All of our programming is free, and these cuts harm our poor communities.”
LAist, based in Pasadena, was set to receive $1.7 million, about 4% of its annual budget. Alejandra Santamaria, president and chief executive of LAist, said the money is equivalent to 13 journalist positions at the local news operation.
“We have to make some tough choices,” Santamaria said.
Santamaria said the station has already reached out to donors to cover the expected shortfall. “We may not ever again get federal funding, so you have to fundraise the money to fill that gap in perpetuity,” she said.
Classical California, which operates radio stations KUSC-FM (91.5) in Los Angeles and KDFC-FM (90.3) in San Francisco, receive around $1 million annually in government funding. KCRW in Santa Monica, which produces tastemaking noncommercial music programs as well as news content, was expecting $264,000 from the CPB.
Tensions are palpable in the West African nation of Togo as highly anticipated local government elections are being held following weeks of angry protests calling for leader Faure Gnassingbe to resign.
Although small, Togo commands weight as a developing maritime and transit hub in the region because of an important port in the seaside capital, Lome, which is perched on the edge of the Atlantic. The country serves as a gateway into inland Sahel nations and is also home to a major West African airline, meaning unrest there could reverberate across the region.
Voters heading out to cast their ballots on Thursday, July 17, are expected to elect leaders of the country’s 117 municipalities, amid a heavier-than-usual security presence and shuttered land borders.
At the same time, demonstrators have scheduled protests in the capital, Lome, to intentionally clash with the date of the vote, prompting fears of possible widespread violence.
Led largely by the country’s youth population, antigovernment demonstrations erupted in June after a controversial constitutional change. Protests have been met with brute force from Togolese security forces; at least seven people have died, local rights groups say. The protests are only the latest in the restive country, where more frequent demonstrations in recent years are pressuring the decades-long dynastic government.
Here’s what to know about the current political situation in Togo:
Demonstrators set up a barricade during a protest calling for Faure Gnassingbe’s resignation in Lome, Togo, on Thursday, June 26, 2025 [Erick Kaglan/AP]
Why are Togolese protesting?
Large demonstrations have been held in Lome in recent years, with Togolese calling for Gnassingbe, who has led the country since 2005, to step down.
Between 2017 and 2018, thousands of protesters took to the streets in demonstrations tagged “Faure Must Go” and “Togo stands up”. The uprising rocked the nation of four million and resulted in violent crackdowns from security officials. The government thereafter banned public demonstrations for “security reasons”.
Although officially a democracy, Togo operates in practice as a militarised state, with the army heavily involved in politics. The capital is crawling with stern-faced, armed gendarmes who are often accused of arresting and torturing dissidents.
This year’s bout of protests was triggered after popular rapper and TikToker Tchala Essowe Narcisse, popularly known as Aamron, was arrested for publishing a video where he called for protests to mark the president’s June 6 birthday.
However, anger had been simmering over the high costs of living in the country, and particularly, over new constitutional reforms that opposition leaders and civil society organisations say could see Gnassingbe rule for life. Thursday’s municipal elections will be the first polls held under the new reforms.
First approved in April 2024 by a parliament dominated by the governing Union pour le Republic (UNIR) party, the constitutional amendment swapped the presidential system in the country for a parliamentary one.
Controversially, though, it also introduced a new all-powerful position: President of the Council of Ministers. The role essentially regains all the powers of a president and is without clear official limits. Opposition leaders argued at the time that it would allow Gnassingbe to appoint a dummy president and remain the de facto leader until at least 2030. They called it a “constitutional coup”.
On May 3 this year, Gnassingbe was sworn into the new executive role, as critics predicted. Politician Jean-Lucien Savi de Tove, 86, is now president, and is the oldest in Togo’s history.
In late June, thousands of demonstrators poured into the streets of Lome in anger, calling for Gnassingbe to step down from office after rapper Aamron’s arrest and alleged torture. Protesters set up barricades and hurled stones at security forces, who responded with force, firing tear gas canisters into the crowd, according to reporting by the Reuters news agency.
Le Front Citoyen Togo Debout, a coalition of 12 civil society and human rights groups, accused security officials of arbitrarily arresting civilians, beating them with batons and ropes, and stealing and destroying private property.
At least seven people were discovered dead in the aftermath of the protests, according to the coalition, including two minors. Their bodies were discovered days after the demonstrations in various lagoons and lakes around Lome.
Meanwhile, a Togolese government statement said the deaths were caused by drowning and cautioned residents living near water bodies to be extra careful in the current rainy season.
The ‘Don’t Touch My Constitution’ movement demanded an international investigation into the claims, while Togo’s Catholic Bishops said the levels of violence were “unacceptable and unjustified”.
Togo’s Faure Gnassingbe at a session during the United Nations climate change conference COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, November 13, 2024 [File: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters]
Who is Faure Gnassingbe?
Just days after his father died in 2005, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe was hurriedly installed as the country’s president by the army, extending decades of his family’s rule over Togo.
Despite outrage in the country, which led to widespread protests in which at least 500 people were killed, the younger Gnassingbe did not relinquish power and went on to organise and win elections that year, which many critics called a ruse.
His father, the late Gnassingbe Eyadema, seized power in a military coup and ruled the country with a tight fist for 38 years (1967-2005), making him the longest-serving African ruler at the time he died. His “rule of terror” was characterised by a one-party system and deadly repression of dissent, according to Amnesty International. The younger Gnassingbe, while having fostered multi-party rule and infrastructural development in the country, appears to be angling for his father’s record, critics say.
Combined, the father-son duo has commandeered Togo for 58 years. With 60 percent of the population under 35, most Togolese have never experienced life under a different political administration.
Gnassingbe has won every election since 2005. In 2019, in an attempt to circumvent demonstrations calling for his resignation, parliament ushered in constitutional amendments that, the government argued, automatically reset Gnassingbe’s terms. That allowed him to run for the 2020 and 2025 presidential elections.
At first glance, the latest reforms from 2024 appear to acquiesce to what some critics have been demanding: A weakened president elected by the parliament for a single six-year term, rather than an all-powerful leader.
However, what most did not see coming was that Gnassingbe would be appointed to a more powerful position.
A picture of Jacques Koami Koutoglo, a 15-year-old who died in recent mass protests in Lome, Togo [Erick Kaglan/AP]
Are protesters being targeted? And what is the M66 Movement?
As tensions simmer, demonstrators and civil society accuse Togolese officials of targeting protest leaders, many of whom are living in exile in neighbouring countries, as well as France and the United States.
Last week, the government issued international arrest warrants targeting those believed to be leading organisers, especially members of the M66 Citizens’ Movement – a political collective of bloggers and activists, named after Gnassingbe’s June 6 birthday date. Officials say the group is “inciting unrest and terrorism” in the country.
“The countries where these individuals reside are urged to cooperate,” Security Minister Calixte Madjoulba said at a news briefing. “Wherever they are, we will pursue them.”
M66 members called for renewed protests on July 16 and 17 in a bid to boycott the municipal elections, which form part of a wider push by the government to devolve power at the centre and attempt to improve local governance. Local elections were not held between 1986 and 2020, as the government kept postponing them. Instead, the central authorities designated special administrators who critics say served the government’s interests.
Some opposition leaders have also called for boycotts, although Jean-Pierre Fabre, leader of the main opposition National Alliance for Change, told reporters this week that taking part in the vote was necessary to show Togolese what’s possible.
“The elections will not change anything in this country and we know it very well,” Zaga Bambo, a France-based music artist who claims to be a member of the group, said in a Facebook post. Bambo also dismissed the arrest warrants, telling French media channel RFI that he was unfazed by it.
Activist Farida Nabourema echoed calls for boycotts on social media platform X. “You participate, you lose, you cry out, then you fall silent. And every five years, you start over,” she wrote.
In a bid to deepen local peacebuilding efforts and also confront the growing threat of online extremist propaganda, HumAngle Foundation, sister organisation of HumAngle Media, on Wednesday, June 25, brought together 15 civil society actors for a multi-stakeholder roundtable discussion in Kaduna, North West Nigeria.
The event is part of the organisation’s “Advancing Peace and Security through Journalism” project, which aims to equip journalists and civil society groups with tools to strengthen civic accountability and reduce conflict triggers.
With support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the Foundation had earlier, in April, trained 15 journalists from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones during a three-day workshop in Abuja. The April training focused on conflict-sensitive reporting and innovative storytelling tools.
At the Kaduna roundtable, Angela Umoru-David, Director of the Foundation, introduced the participants to the HumAngle Freedom of Information (FOI) platform. Launched in 2024, the platform simplifies and facilitates the process of demanding accountability from government institutions.
Participants during the virtual presentation by Angela Umoru-David, Director of HumAngle Foundation, on the HumAngle FOI platform, designed to simplify accountability demands. Photo: HumAngle.
“It is not just about asking what money was spent on,” Angela said. “It’s about probing how inclusion is budgeted for. Is there a ministry responsible? How do [ministries, departments, agencies] use their funds? What are the policies around gender inclusion and mainstreaming? These are the questions civil society actors should ask.”
She explained that HumAngle’s headquarters in Abuja is strategically placed to support FOI submissions on behalf of organisations working at the grassroots. Participants were also given a walkthrough of the platform’s interface and practical tips for navigating it.
The next session on fact-checking extremist content online was led by Aliyu Dahiru, who heads HumAngle’s Extremism and Radicalisation desk. He explored the strategies used by extremist groups for propaganda, radicalisation, and recruitment, particularly through social media platforms.
“In Northern Nigeria, Facebook is the dominant platform used by extremist groups,” Aliyu said, highlighting how extremists exploit emotional appeals and information overload to spread false narratives and incite violence.
He cited injustice, poverty, lack of opportunity, and ethno-religious mistrust as key drivers of radicalisation in the region. Aliyu encouraged civil society organisations (CSOs) to monitor local Facebook and WhatsApp groups for misinformation, train community members to detect fake and radical content, and partner with social media influencers to push counter-narratives.
“You can also document and share harmful content with us,” he added. “At HumAngle, we fact-check, analyse, and monitor. If you share with us, we will help verify the claims.”
Aliyu introduced the participants to practical verification tools such as InVID and Google Reverse Image Search for authenticating videos and photos.
Participants engage in a multi-stakeholder roundtable on peacebuilding efforts in Kaduna State. Photo: HumAngle.
The event concluded with a roundtable discussion moderated by Salmah Jumah, HumAngle Foundation’s Senior Programmes Officer. During the discussions, participants exchanged insights on extremist campaigns they have witnessed and the emerging challenges around the use of new media in conflict contexts.
While commending HumAngle for the initiative, Zainab Ibrahim, a participant who works with the Kaduna State Corporation, said that the roundtable reminded her that the spread of disinformation on violent extremism is not limited to social media. “Even the mainstream media is guilty of that,” she said, pledging to be more mindful in her coverage of sensitive issues.
Another participant, Hadiza Ismail, noted that she learned more about the growing influence of artificial intelligence in fuelling confusion and spreading fake content. “AI is here to stay, fortunately and unfortunately,” she noted, pointing out that AI-generated images and videos are often circulated by older people who may struggle to distinguish between real and fake visuals.
Hadiza said she is committed to contributing to community-level sensitisation to bridge this generational knowledge gap and reduce vulnerability to misleading content.
The roundtable reaffirmed HumAngle Foundation’s commitment to empowering local actors with the knowledge and tools necessary to counter extremism and foster inclusive, sustainable peacebuilding in conflict-affected regions.
HumAngle Foundation held a multi-stakeholder roundtable in Kaduna, Nigeria, to enhance local peacebuilding and address online extremism. The event, part of the “Advancing Peace and Security through Journalism” project, aimed to equip journalists and civil society with tools to demand accountability using the HumAngle FOI platform and counter extremist propaganda. Participants received training on fact-checking extremist content and learned strategies to combat misinformation on platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp.
The discussions emphasized the role of misinformation in violent extremism, highlighting the challenges posed by AI-generated fake content. Participants, including Zainab Ibrahim and Hadiza Ismail, shared insights on the influence of social media and AI in spreading false narratives, committed to local sensitization efforts. The roundtable reinforced HumAngle’s dedication to empowering local actors to foster sustainable peace in conflict-affected regions in Nigeria.
Abstract: Amidst the challenges of digital transformation in developing countries, M-Pesa emerges as a local innovation that successfully empowers communities through mobile phone-based financial services. Launched in Kenya in 2007, M-Pesa expands access to financial services, drives regional economic integration, and opens up new opportunities for small businesses. While offering great potential to expand global financial inclusion, M-Pesa faces challenges such as global fintech competition, digital security risks, and regulatory misalignment between countries. To maintain its relevance, M-Pesa must continue to innovate while remaining rooted in local needs and the principle of inclusivity.
In the midst of global digital transformation, many developing countries face major challenges in accessing and utilizing technology to drive economic growth. Limited infrastructure, low levels of digital literacy, and unequal access to financial services are major obstacles in this process. Despite these challenges, local innovations have emerged that address the specific needs of their communities. One example is M-Pesa, a mobile phone-based financial service introduced in Kenya in 2007. From a simple need for a safe and fast money transfer system in areas with limited access to banks, M-Pesa has grown into a global phenomenon that is changing the face of local and regional economies.
M-Pesa not only offers easy financial transactions for individuals but also opens access to microcredit, insurance, and business payment services (Kagan, 2023). Thus, M-Pesa shows how innovation based on local needs can be a catalyst for inclusive digital transformation. The presence of M-Pesa contributes to economic integration, both at the national level and between countries in the East African region. This service proves that digital solutions designed with local context in mind can address structural challenges, accelerate economic growth, and improve social stability. Through the design of M-Pesa, it can be understood that empowering local innovation is essential in driving sustainable digital transformation for local needs while strengthening economic connectivity in an increasingly digitized world.
M-Pesa: Local Innovation in the Digital Age
In the discourse of digital transformation in developing countries, M-Pesa has become a hot topic of discussion as one of the successful models of innovation based on local needs. Understanding the significance of M-Pesa needs to be seen through the process of formation, development dynamics, and the implications of this innovation on socio-economic structures. M-Pesa emerged in 2007 in Kenya, developed by Safaricom—a subsidiary of Vodafone—as an answer to the lack of access to formal banking services (Wachira & Njuguna, 2023). At the time, the majority of Kenyans, especially in rural areas, did not have bank accounts. This created a need for a simple, cheap, and widely accessible financial system. Herein lies the main strength of M-Pesa, which does not seek to replicate Western banking systems but rather builds solutions that fit local realities. This shows that successful innovation in the digital age is not a mere transplant of global technology but rather a smart contextual adaptation.
The rapid development of M-Pesa brings features from an SMS-based money transfer service to a financial ecosystem that includes bill payments, goods purchases, savings, microloans, and insurance (Schachter, 2018). This transformation not only expands financial services but also disrupts the traditional role of banks, which has been exclusive to the upper middle class. Amidst the praise for M-Pesa’s financial inclusion, there is also criticism about the unequal access to technology. Although based on a relatively simple SMS, the service still requires ownership of a mobile phone and a stable telecommunications network, two things that are unevenly distributed across Kenya and East Africa. This shows that digital innovation, if not accompanied by investment in basic infrastructure, can deepen the gap between those who are connected and those who are left behind. M-Pesa is proof that local innovation can be a lever for structural change. In the current context of globalization, the challenge ahead is to ensure that digital transformation based on local innovation is not just a tool of market integration but also an instrument of sustainable social empowerment.
M-Pesa as an Instrument of Economic Integration
In the era of economic globalization, integration is no longer only determined by the relationship between large countries but also by the ability of lower society groups to connect directly through technology. In this context, M-Pesa emerges as an innovative instrument that accelerates economic integration, especially in the Global South, which has often been marginalized in global finance. M-Pesa accelerates cross-border transactions by providing a simple and fast money transfer solution, even without requiring access to a traditional bank. Services such as Mobile Money Transfer (MMT) enable migrant workers in the East African region to send money to their families at a much lower cost and in a much faster time than conventional financial institutions (Safaricom, 2023).
M-Pesa also opens up opportunities for small businesses to connect with a wider market. With easily accessible digital payment services, micro-merchants can conduct transactions across regions without having to rely on expensive banking infrastructure. This strengthens the position of small businesses as important actors in the global supply chain while encouraging more inclusive, people-based economic growth. Innovations in M-Pesa are able to overcome classic barriers, such as the inability to access credit. With M-Pesa, there is an increase in regional financial connectivity, particularly in East Africa. With widespread adoption in Kenya, Albania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, India, Lesotho, Mozambique, Romania, and Tanzania, M-Pesa creates a kind of digitally connected regional financial ecosystem (Owigar, 2017). This reduces both domestic and cross-border transaction costs and ultimately increases the efficiency of the region’s economy. In the long term, M-Pesa shows potential to accelerate the formation of a more integrated and competitive regional market.
Opportunities and Challenges of M-Pesa in the Future
Given its multiple successes in revolutionizing financial services in East Africa, M-Pesa has a great opportunity to expand its role in the global digital economy. M-Pesa’s success cannot rely solely on the old model. Continuous innovation and adaptation to new technology trends are key to sustaining M-Pesa. Despite its success in Kenya and several other countries, many other regions in the Global South still face similar problems. By adapting its approach to local characteristics, M-Pesa has the potential to become an inclusive financial platform that transcends regional boundaries and becomes a global player in digital financial inclusion.
While M-Pesa offers great opportunities to expand financial inclusion and strengthen economic integration, it is undeniable that the platform also faces serious challenges that could hinder or even reverse its achievements. When M-Pesa is not managed properly, its success today can become a source of vulnerability in the future. One of the main challenges is the increasing competition from global financial technology companies. With the entry of big players like PayPal and various local fintech startups, the digital financial services market has become increasingly competitive. When M-Pesa fails to innovate or expand services according to the needs of the new digital generation, it will be very risky to be abandoned, especially by the younger generation, who are more sensitive to faster and more flexible technology options. In addition, digital security issues are a threat that cannot be ignored. The growing volume of transactions through M-Pesa makes the platform a potential target for cyberattacks, data theft, and digital fraud. In a context where many users do not yet have strong digital literacy, a security breach can destroy the trust that has been built over the years and worsen the stability of the service.
As M-Pesa expands, differences in legal frameworks and consumer protection between countries are a major obstacle. If there is no alignment in terms of policies, users in certain countries may become more vulnerable to data abuse. In facing the future, M-Pesa must stay true to its core principle of addressing the needs of the community through simple, affordable, and inclusive technology. Consideration of digital risk resilience, the courage to compete fairly, and a commitment to maintaining economic justice in the midst of an increasingly complex digital ecosystem need to be improved. Innovation created from local needs is the key for M-Pesa to survive, not only as a transaction tool but also as the foundation for a more equitable and sustainable digital economy.
With the holiday season fast approaching, most people will be busy seeking out the perfect destination. However, for chief holiday officers (CHOs), trip planning goes well beyond the simple question of “where to go?”. While everyone else is dreaming about sipping cocktails by the pool or taking in the unforgettable vistas from a popular hiking path, CHOs are the ones building the “who’s paid what?” spreadsheets, reading every single review in painstaking detail, and downloading the multitude of apps that will introduce everyone to a wealth of local experiences. Yes, they are the people who thrive on good planning. CHOs love a bit of legwork, get great satisfaction in thinking of the unthinkable, and exude the role of organiser – especially when it comes to putting together a trip to remember.
However, even the best CHOs could do with support, and to make their lives easier Barclays has curated a suite of products, including the Travel Pack1 (£14.50 per month), which offers cover for lost bags, cancellations and breakdowns for those who are looking for great value as well as peace of mind, and the Travel Plus Pack1 (£22.50 per month), which not only offers traditional travel insurance, but also a wealth of extras that help make any holiday feel safe, comfortable and – dare we say it – an adventure. From discounted fast-track security at airports to 24/7 concierge service, this means being looked after at every stage of the trip. So buckle up, these are the holiday gamechangers you never knew you needed.
Upgrade your airport experience
According to the Civil Aviation Authority, flights from UK airports departed on average 18 minutes and 24 seconds late last year. While even the savviest of travellers do their best to take delays in their stride, it can be a drag arriving at the airport only to be hit with the news that you’re going to be waiting around a while – not to mention the inevitable check-in queues and uncomfortable waiting areas that have to be endured.
Thankfully, the Barclays Travel Plus Pack1 (£22.50 per month) is designed to help soothe these moments. It comes with the DragonPass Premier+ app2, which offers a discounted fast-track service at airport security – all you have to do is pre-book online to avoid the stress and walk straight past those seemingly neverending queues. Once through, you can enjoy six free visits to more than 1,000 airport lounges, with 25% off at selected restaurants. With this extra assistance, that typically harried time spent at the airport can be transformed into a relaxing – and enjoyable – experience. Even better, if you boost your regular Barclays account with Blue Rewards3, you get access to exclusive Apple Original shows and movies only on Apple TV+.
Make the most of your money
While escaping the great British weather is often at the forefront of most people’s minds when booking a trip, CHOs are often thinking about how to make the most of their expenditure. The Barclaycard Avios Plus credit card* allows you to collect Avios – the currency of the British Airways Club – with every £1 you spend on eligible purchases (T&Cs apply). Collecting Avios through day-to-day spending can save you money on flights, upgrades, hotels and car hire.
If you plan to use your credit card abroad, then a Barclaycard Rewards credit card** comes with zero foreign transaction fees. Even better, you get 0.25% cashback on eligible purchases (T&Cs apply). Top tip: always pay in local currency to get the best exchange rate on the day.
In 2025, keeping your bank account secure has to be a priority – and Barclaycard has a fraud team on hand in the UK and abroad. This means if the unfortunate does happen, Barclaycard will refund you for any fraud on your account, including associated interest payments. So keep your local helpline number close and get in touch as soon as possible if you think you’ve been targeted. The Barclays app4 also makes keeping your money safe abroad a breeze – you can temporarily freeze your account with the click of a button should you lose your card while away or fear it’s been compromised.
*Representative example. 80.1% representative APR (variable); purchase rate 29.9% p.a. (variable); based on £1,200 credit limit; monthly fee, £20. The approval of your application depends on your financial circumstances and borrowing history, so do the terms you may be offered. The interest rates may differ from those shown. T&Cs apply.
**Representative example. 28.9% representative APR (variable); purchase rate 28.9% p.a. (variable); based on £1,200 credit limit. The approval of your application depends on your financial circumstances and borrowing history, so do the terms you may be offered. The interest rates may differ from those shown. T&Cs apply.
Go local
Delving deep beneath the touristy hubs of any destination is a must when getting to know the wondrous places that host you. Visiting restaurants, markets and businesses that are owned and run by local communities not only enable you to experience the local way of life, but you can also be reassured your money is going back into the local economy and to those who need it the most.
A part of the Barclays Travel Plus Pack1 (£22.50 per month), the digital concierge service provided by Ten offers seamless access to the best activities, events and eateries wherever you are in the world. From booking top-name restaurants to activities unique to the destination, the Ten activities hub will guide you to a list of unmissable things to do. Additionally, Ten allows you to book room upgrades and spa experiences in hotels. If your timing is right, members might also be offered complimentary tickets to exclusive events in town, such as music gigs and sporting events.
Stay protected
Every good CHO knows that the best way to stay safe while travelling is to have reliable travel insurance that protects every aspect of your holiday. Teaming up with Aviva to include winter sports, cruises and even non-manual work outside of the UK, the Barclays Travel Pack1 (£14.50 per month) protects you on both family holidays and work trips, without any need for extra cover. And if you enjoy the freedom of having your own transport while travelling – especially with a family – it also comes armed with RAC breakdown cover, with unlimited UK callouts for account holders in any vehicle they are travelling in. Even better, this cover will ensure you have access to a hire car, alternative transport options (for example, you’ll be able to take a train or plane), and overnight accommodation, if your car was to break down – ensuring your holiday doesn’t come to an end too early.
If you intend to be away for more than 31 days, you can purchase a “longer trip upgrade” for up to 120 days. This option is ideal for those taking a sabbatical or those who are off on the adventure of a lifetime. A pre-trip call is all you need to remember, and then the fun can begin!
1 Terms, conditions, exclusions and eligibility criteria apply. You must have a Barclays current account, be 18 or over and hold this product for at least six months from the date of purchase – then you can cancel at any time.
2 Terms and conditions apply for the DragonPass Premier+ app and fast track security.
3 To join Barclays Blue Rewards, eligibility, conditions and a £5 monthly fee apply.
4 You must be 11 or over to use the app. T&Cs apply.
LAYING “snog, marry, avoid” with colleagues at work could be sexual harassment, a tribunal has ruled.
The “crass” and “inappropriate” game may breach the Equality Act, an Employment judge said.
The risqué quiz involves naming three people and then asking a person to pick which one you would like to kiss, which one you would get married to and which one you would steer clear of altogether.
In the BBC hit comedyGavin and Stacey, Pam, Mick, Gavin and Smithy played a version of it featuring celebrities during a car ride from Essex to Wales.
However, the tribunal found it may break workplace laws.
The ruling came in the case of a police officer who sued Derbyshire Police after a female colleague involved him in the game — using mugshots of sex workers.
The officer candidly admitted to the tribunal that she had “jokingly” played the game with co-workers and included PC Shafarat Mohammed in their discussion.
PC Mohammed claimed that during the discussion in May or June 2022 he was only shown images of black women and was asked what he liked about one of them.
He said he was “embarrassed” and “offended” by the questioning and felt it was inappropriate.
The tribunal judge said: “We agree that the questions were inappropriate.”
However, the tribunal found there was no racial or religious element to it as the sex workers were of varying ethnicities.
PC Mohammed lost his case for racial and religious discrimination and harassment.
Two top cops accused of mocking a colleague’s Irish accent in ‘grossly offensive’ leaving video
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A cop sued Derbyshire Police after a female colleague dragged him into a game of ‘snog, marry, avoid’ using sex worker mugshots (stock picture)Credit: Getty
WASHINGTON — A humanities federation and a state council have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to reverse local funding cuts made by Trump advisor Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Portland, Ore., by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Oregon Council for the Humanities, names DOGE, its acting administrator, Amy Gleason, and the NEH among the defendants.
The plaintiffs ask the court to “stop this imminent threat to our nation’s historic and critical support of the humanities by restoring funding appropriated by Congress.” It notes the “disruption and attempted destruction, spearheaded by DOGE,” of a partnership between the state and the federal government to support the humanities.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday, maintains that DOGE and the National Endowment for the Humanities exceeded their authority in terminating funding mandated by Congress.
DOGE shut down the funding and laid off more than 80% of the staff at the NEH in April as part of an executive order signed by President Trump.
The humanities is just one of many areas that have been affected as Trump’s Republican administration has targeted cultural establishments including the Smithsonian Institution, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Endowment of the Arts. The moves are part of Trump’s goals to downsize the federal government and end initiatives seen as promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, which he calls “discrimination.”
The humanities groups’ lawsuit said DOGE brought the core work of the humanities councils “to a screeching halt” this spring when it terminated its grant program.
The filing is the most recent lawsuit filed by humanities groups and historical, research and library associations to try to stop funding cuts and the dissolution of federal agencies and organizations.
The funding freeze for the humanities comes when state councils and libraries have been preparing programming for the summer and beginning preparations for celebrations meant to commemorate next year’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Requests for comment Friday from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the White House were not immediately returned.
