Mexico’s Bullfighting Ban
Bullfighting is a tradition in many Latin American countries that dates back five centuries. But recently, the practice has been officially banned by Mexico’s legislature. While animal rights activists are celebrating the decision, others are protesting the loss of what they see as a tradition and an art. What Happened? Bullfighting began in Latin […]
South Korean President Removed From Office
Do you know what Martial law means? Martial law is when the military temporarily takes over the government and suspends ordinary laws. This may happen during times of crisis or national emergency, when the government is unable to maintain order. In December 2024, South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol attempted to impose martial law on […]
Modern Renovations for the Louvre Museum
When you think of Paris, France, you probably think of the Eiffel Tower. But the city is also the home of the Louvre–the most-visited museum in the entire world. The Louvre houses an estimated 35,000 pieces of priceless art and welcomes about 9 million visitors every year. But the ancient building is in need of […]
Soma Bags Upcycles for Education
You have probably heard of recycling, but have you learned about upcycling? Upcycling takes waste materials and finds new and important uses for them. This week btw takes a closer look at Soma Bags, a Tanzanian start-up company that meets a vital need by upcycling discarded cement bags into a way to help children in […]
Ghana Fights Back Against Fast Fashion
You’ve heard about fast food, but what about fast fashion? That’s the term used for clothing that is mass produced very cheaply, usually in Chinese factories, and then purchased in Western countries like the U.S. The clothing is so cheap that Westerners often only wear it for a little while, before donating it or throwing […]
India’s Farmers Struggle with Climate Change
Climate change is altering weather patterns around the world and conditions like rainstorms and dry periods are becoming more extreme. These sudden and dramatic shifts are affecting many industries, especially farming. Farmers in the Asian nation of India have been especially hard hit. Too Much Rain, Too Little Weather in the southern regions of India […]
Sri Lanka’s New President
The people of Sri Lanka, the island country located southeast of India, elected a new president: Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dissanayake has vowed to end government corruption and strengthen the country’s economy. Who Is Anura Kumara Dissanayake? Dissanayake was born in 1968 in Galewela, a town in central Sri Lanka. Dissanayake attended college and acquired a […]
China Increases Worker Retirement Ages
China’s legislature recently approved a policy that raises the retirement age for workers. The new policy raises the retirement age of men from 60 to 63. The retirement age changes for women are based upon the type of work they do. The retirement age for women with professional careers will change from age 55 to […]
The Annual Replastering of the Great Mosque of Djenné
The city of Djenné is located in the Inland Niger River Delta of West Africa. This small city is one of the most culturally significant locations in the nation of Mali. It has long been a center of trade and Islamic learning, closely connected to the famous city of Timbuktu. At the heart of Djenné […]
Mexico’s New Government
Mexico’s first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum, will be sworn in on October 1, 2024. She is expected to continue the policies of outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Sheinbaum will serve through 2030, as Mexico’s president serves one six-year term. A Background in Science and Government Service Sheinbaum has a background as a scientist, teacher, […]