Clandestine Jewish Purim and Carnaval celebrations in Israel and Brazil, and the relevancy of the cultural celebration of Day of the Dead.
Posted inUnderreported
The Mekong River: Where Renewable Energy Threatens Southeast Asia’s Environment and Diplomacy
The Mekong River in Southeast Asia has been an important river for multiple countries, but it is now threatened by the numerous dams built without much international coordination.
Posted inFilm review
How a 1987 Box-Office Failure Challenges Hollywood’s Depiction of History Today
As biopics become increasingly popular, a lesser-known 1987 satire of the genre serves as a cautionary tale against nostalgia and historical figure worship.
Posted inExplainer
The Attack on Substantive Due Process: Roe v. Wade and Beyond
The overturning of Roe v. Wade by the United States Supreme Court has stripped rights held for nearly half a century and raises concerns about the new, conservative makeup of the Court. The landmark 1973 case established access to abortion as a federal right, stating overreaching state restrictions were unconstitutional. However, the 2022 Dobbs v. […]
Posted inEvent
Workshop: Mental Health in Journalism (September 10, 2022)
Sat, September 10, 2022 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM PDT On September 10th, Spheres Of Influence is hosting an online workshop on mental health in journalism, another widely overlooked and underreported issue in the field. The workshop will feature Dr. Saranaz Barforoush, a journalist and an assistant professor of teaching at UBC School of Journalism, […]
Posted inUnderreported
The United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Has Been, and Always Will Be, Impotent
After 22 years, the UN mission in the DRC has clearly failed to protect Congolese civilians and build the safe and peaceful environment they had hoped for.
Posted inNews
Rojava’s Last Stand: How the International Community failed a Burgeoning Democracy
Once backed by US troops in the Syrian Civil War, Rojava could now find itself surrounded by two hostile state militaries – a consequence of the International Community appeasing dictatorships over democracies.
Posted inColonial Legacies
The Hawaii Water Crisis: How the U.S. Military and Tourism Industry Exploits Hawaiian Water Sources
With the U.S. military and an overcapacity tourism industry exploiting water reserves, Hawaii is now facing a water crisis that disproportionately affects Indigenous and local communities.
Posted inOpinion
How Colombia’s New Leftist President Can Reset Relations with Canada and the United States
Colombia just elected its first-ever leftist President. Many assume this will lead to a break down in relations with the US and Canada. Instead, it offers a new progressive path for the three countries to set a global diplomatic precedent.
Posted inAnalysis
West Virginia v. EPA Spells Trouble for U.S. Leadership on Climate Change Action
This article examines the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on West Virginia v. EPA and questions the ability of the U.S. to lead domestic and international climate action.
Posted inFeature
Twelve New Staff Writers Coming in Hot!
This summer, Spheres of Influence has been honoured to welcome 12 new volunteer staff writers. Coming from diverse academic, professional, and cultural backgrounds, these new numbers bring unique perspectives on a number of pressing, underreported issues – ranging from the US-China trade war to the politics of Indian cinema to the legacy of queer history […]
Posted inThe Big Picture
Food Systems as Survival and Culture: The Importance of Preserving Vancouver Chinatown’s Grocers and Restaurants
Vancouver’s failure to preserve Chinatown’s rapidly dwindling grocers and restaurants showcases a lack of dedication to the city’s culturally significant food systems.
Posted inOpinion
The ‘B’ in BDS – Arguing in Favour of Cultural Boycotts
After previously defending their decision to schedule shows in Israel following public backlash, critically-acclaimed indie rock band Big Thief recently canceled their charity concerts in Tel Aviv. In their new statement, they backpedaled on their initial stance on ‘love beyond disagreement’, stating that, “We now recognize the shows we had booked [did] not honor that […]
Posted inInterview
Learning from Drug Crises in Vancouver and the Philippines
Vancouver’s opioid crisis and the Philippines’ war on drugs have more in common than you may think. Here is what we can learn from the two.
Posted inThe Big Picture
Why Japan, of All Countries, is Adopting a Four-Day Work Week
Japan is one of few countries whose economic policy officially encourages firms to adopt a four-day work week. Why is a country known for long working hours adopting a progressive policy, and could it be an antidote to Japan’s unique labor issues?
Posted inOpinion
Greenwashed Imperialism: How Global Wars are Fueling Climate Change and Why Green Military Technology Will Not Solve it
The world’s leading militaries contribute more greenhouse gas emissions than most countries, worsening climate change. The solution? Less, not greener, war.
Posted inThe Big Picture
Protests in Panama Reveal Deeper Trends of Poverty, Corruption, and Inequality
While Panama is considered among the most developed countries in Latin America, why are many people taking to the streets to protest the living costs in the country?
Posted inThe Big Picture
Biden’s Visit to the Middle East Signals Escalating Militarism in the Region
With the U.S. and the E.U. grappling with global inflation, Biden is attempting to foster new alliances between Israel and the Arab states that could provoke conflict with Iran.
Posted inAnalysis
Reliance on Russian Natural Gas Fueling Germany’s Energy Crisis
Germany is at risk of a self-inflicted energy crisis amid the war in Ukraine, revealing the need to transition away from Russian natural gas.
Posted inAnalysis
The Japanese Public’s Historic Support for Nuclear Disarmament is Now Shifting: What’s Changed?
Long a global leader in nuclear disarmament, recent months have seen Japanese public opinion shifting in favor of discussing nuclear sharing with NATO. While still far from official policy, what has prompted these developments?
Posted inUnderreported
Cobalt Mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: The Human and Environmental Costs of the Transition to Green Technology
With mining companies in the Global North exploiting and controlling its cobalt industry in the name of sustainability, the DRC and the Congolese people get the short end of the stick.
