From the war in Gaza and Ukraine, to aging in Brazil and Portugal and the unusual tales of Chinese influencers in Africa, there were many stories from 2023 which stuck with us long after reading. Worldcrunch’s staff, based in Paris and around the world, reflect on some of the stories which captured our attention this year:
The Russian Orthodox Church Has A Kremlin Spy Network — And Now It’s Spreading Abroad
GAZETA WYBORCZA
The Russian Orthodox Church has long supported Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. Now, members of the clergy in other countries are suspected of collaborating with and recruiting for Russian security forces.
Making It Political Already? Why Turkey’s Earthquake Is Not Just A Natural Disaster
DIKEN
The government in Ankara doesn’t want to question the cause of the high death toll in the earthquake that struck along the Turkey-Syria border. But one Turkish writer says now is the time to assign responsibility.
Meet Brazil’s “WhatsApp Aunts And Uncles” — How Fake News Spreads With Seniors
SAIBA MAIS
Older demographics are particularly vulnerable (and regularly targeted) on the WhatsApp messaging platform — something that played out in dramatic fashion during Brazil’s presidential election.
My Gaza Diary: The Massacre Has Resumed, Nowhere To Hide
DARAJ
Three days after the end of a temporary truce, the Israeli army announced that it had launched 10,000 airstrikes on Gaza since the beginning of the war. Total war continues, with the invader’s fiercest fight waged against life itself.
Settlers, Prisoners, Resistance: How Israeli Occupation Ties Gaza To The West Bank
MADA MASR
The fate of the West Bank is inevitably linked to the conflict in Gaza; and indeed Israeli crackdowns and settler expansion and violence in the West Bank is a sign of an explicit strategy.
Star Trek And The Journey From Science Fiction To Pseudoscience
QUESTAO DE CIENCIA
Fans of Star Trek live in a Golden Age, where old and new series are readily available. As one hardcore Trekkie points out, the franchise is a reminder of the similarities and differences between pseudoscience and science fiction.
Meet The Mufti Of Ukraine, From Friday Prayers To The Front Line
UKRAINSKA PRAVDA
Russia has a complicated history with Islam, often built on Moscow’s repression of the religious minority. Now, Muslims in Ukraine are ever more committed to a project for a multi-religious society that Kyiv espouses. Ukrainian Mufti Said Ismagilov has taken up arms for the cause, and to defend his nation.
Aging Cities Of The Future — How Urban Planning Can Factor In For Dementia
MENSAGEM
As the population ages, the likelihood of dementia and similar diseases is increasing. That means we urgently need to rethink how we design and build cities for the future. A look up close from Lisbon.
Amazon Greenwashing: How The World’s Largest Retailer Hides Its Carbon Footprint In Plain Sight
LA MAREA
An investigation reveals that Amazon does not own any of the three renewable power plants it claims to operate in Spain — and runs a scheme allowing the global corporation to dodge full regulatory oversight of its projects.
Business, Racism And Censorship: The Saga Of Chinese Influencers In Africa
THE INITIUM
After a BBC report on a Chinese TikToker producing racist videos, Beijing cracked down on citizens live-streaming from Africa. Though explicit racism is the exception, a deeper look at Chinese influencers in Africa finds a general lack of interest in the continent and its people. Meanwhile, some of the TikTokers are leaving, either for Southeast Asia or back to China.
