Syria just hosted its first international tech conference in 50 years.
And no women made the list of the world’s 100 highest-paid athletes.
“The Intersection” is your bi-weekly briefing on global affairs, social innovation, culture, and design—offering fresh insights through the lenses of sustainable development, women-centered perspectives, and emerging global trends. The aim? To keep you informed, curious, and always ready with a compelling conversation starter at the dinner table.
New York’s tolerance for political spectacle is being tested like never before, as embattled Mayor Eric Adams faces a storm of controversy.
Brazil will host the BRICS summit in Rio on July 6-7, focusing on global governance reform and global south cooperation.
Sexual violence against children in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is surging, with UNICEF reporting 170 cases of children having been raped in a single week, between Jan. 27 and Feb. 2, amid escalating conflict. Meanwhile, hundreds of Rwandan troops have been killed during covert operations, contradicting claims from Kigali that its soldiers are not involved in the conflict there.
Twenty-six former and current USAID employees have filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk, stating the billionaire has decimated the agency without the authority to do so.
Greece is setting up an evacuation port on Santorini as seismic activity continues to rattle the Aegean island. Tens of thousands of mild quakes since January have prompted school closures, a construction ban, and a partial exodus of residents and tourists. While no major damage has been reported, scientists warn that the tremors—unprecedented even for Greece—could escalate. The island’s main ferry port, perched beneath steep cliffs, has been flagged as a weak link, prompting plans for a safer docking site. Though the quakes eased over the weekend, emergency measures remain in place, with experts cautioning that Santorini’s geological unrest could last for months.
Women’s sports had a blockbuster 2024, with record-breaking attendance, soaring TV ratings, and franchise valuations hitting new highs. Sponsorship deals followed suit, propelling the top 15 female athletes to a combined $221 million in earnings—a 27% jump from the previous year. Yet, despite this momentum, not a single woman made Sportico’s list of the world’s 100 highest-paid athletes for the second consecutive year. Coco Gauff, who led the pack with $30.4 million, still fell short of the $37.5 million needed to break in (she would have ranked 125th). Tennis remains the dominant force for women, with nine of the top 15 highest-earning female athletes coming from the sport. Still, the financial landscape skews dramatically in favor of male leagues, where soaring TV deals have inflated salary caps in the NFL and NBA. A decade ago, the 100th highest-paid athlete earned $17.3 million; in 2024, $37.5 million.
Meanwhile, women’s leagues continue to fight for a larger piece of the pie—the WNBA’s record-setting $200 million in team revenue still pales compared to the NBA’s, which is nearly 60 times that figure. The league’s upcoming media deal and collective bargaining agreement should provide a boost, but for now, endorsement deals remain the primary financial driver for top women athletes. China’s Zheng Qinwen, fresh off an Olympic gold medal (the first Asian tennis player, male or female, to win Olympic gold in singles), is cashing in on a booming endorsement market. She has a dozen endorsement partners, and IMG guiding her career. Until salaries catch up, it’s clear that for women in sports, marketing muscle still matters more than match results.
Atmos never disappoints, but their Venetian Renaissance editorial is a masterclass in turning castoffs into couture. Photographer Fee-Gloria Grönemeyer and stylist Sid Yahao Sun reimagine Venice’s forgotten flotsam—fishing nets, driftwood, tattered linens—into garments that feel as opulent as the city’s gilded past. A dress stitched from old curtains flows like a Renaissance fresco, while golden hair clips, once Christmas tree candle holders, add a festive touch of upcycling genius. Elsewhere, a corset of sculpted driftwood cinches over jet-black fabric, and broken tires find new life in avant-garde silhouettes. The result? A visual symphony that proves beauty isn’t just found—it’s repurposed.
With a memorable turn of phrase—“As bridges are burning, new bridges are being formed”—Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama delivered a pointed warning to the U.S. about the consequences of its aid cuts. Speaking candidly at the Munich Security Conference, he laid out the impact: Ghana has been forced to slash $156 million in spending, including $78 million in critical health funding for maternity care, HIV testing, and children’s services. Yet, Mahama struck an optimistic note, framing the crisis as a catalyst for African self-reliance, from boosting food production to breaking down trade barriers. The real sting for Washington? A loss of influence. “One thing the U.S. will lose is that soft power it has wielded in the world,” Mahama observed, noting that Ghana—and many others—are already looking elsewhere. He diplomatically avoided naming names, but the subtext was clear: as the U.S. retreats, China is waiting in the wings, ready to lay down those new bridges.
Syria recently hosted its first international tech conference in 50 years, signaling a potential rebirth for the country’s tech sector after years of civil war. The SYNC 25 conference, organized by Syrian-American entrepreneurs and investors, sought to connect Silicon Valley with Syria’s emerging tech ecosystem, offering workshops on artificial intelligence and data security. The event, which attracted industry leaders, was designed to foster strategic partnerships and help create 25,000 new tech jobs by 2030. Amid ongoing political transitions, with Syria’s interim government seeking to rebuild international ties, the conference marked a significant step towards rebuilding infrastructure, with entrepreneurs emphasizing the need for better internet access and investment. Despite Syria's ongoing challenges—ranging from outdated telecom systems to Western sanctions—the event underscored the resilience of the country’s tech talent, including engineers who have continued to thrive even amid scarce resources. For many, it was a symbol of the country’s potential and the hope that the rebuilding process, both in technology and beyond, could now begin in earnest.
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has unveiled plans for its latest project in Shaoxing, China: the Zhejiang Shaoxing Shangyu District Cao’e River Culture and Art Centre. Set to be the heart of a new cultural quarter, the centre will host a range of performances, from opera to theatre, blending local heritage with cutting-edge design. The striking, undulating roofline draws inspiration from traditional glazed tiles and pitched roofs, while the contemporary façades nod to the region's Celadon ceramics. Sustainable features, such as solar panels and open courtyards, complement the centre’s functional design, creating a seamless connection between interior spaces and the surrounding landscape. Inside, a 1,400-seat theatre, museum, art gallery, and education facilities will be linked by winding walkways and curving platforms, embodying a harmonious fusion of tradition and innovation.
In Serbia, a student movement has taken the country by storm with a model of direct democracy that is as methodical as it is impassioned. What began in November with a megaphone announcement at the University of Novi Sad has now transformed into a nationwide force, bringing faculties to a standstill and drawing support from professionals across industries. Students have built an intricate system—security teams with walkie-talkies, an app to track uninvited guests, and even “the Beavers,” a motorcycle-gear-clad rapid response unit—to keep protests running smoothly. Decisions are made through marathon plenary assemblies, where every voice counts, and the flaws of representative democracy are rejected outright. Their impact is undeniable: Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and Novi Sad’s mayor have already resigned, and even Madonna has taken notice, calling it the country’s largest student uprising since 1968. Yet, despite their growing influence, the students remain cautious, wary of outside interference, and reluctant to align with opposition parties. With no formal leaders to bribe or discredit, they are proving a challenge to Serbia’s establishment, and as they carefully weigh their next moves, one thing is clear—this is a movement that refuses to be co-opted.
Margaret Atwood, the 85-year-old literary doyenne, is finally turning the pen on herself with Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts, her first memoir, set for a November 2025 release. With 17 novels (including The Handmaid’s Tale and Cat’s Eye), 19 poetry collections, and even a few graphic novels under her belt, one might wonder why it’s taken her this long. The answer? She thought it would be boring—until her publishers twisted her arm. “They made me do it,” she told British Vogue. Atwood, never one for sentimentality, describes the process as a mix of blood, sweat, and laughter, packed with “stupid things, catastrophes, revenges, times of political horror,” but also moments of joy and, naturally, books. Time for a re-read before the grande dame of dystopia delivers her own origin story.
As Germany heads into February’s election, the economy and climate action are being framed as an either-or dilemma—an outdated tug-of-war that ignores the real issue. While the nation’s industrial backbone groans under high energy costs, sluggish global trade, and a slow pivot to e-mobility, politicians like CDU’s Friedrich Merz are promising to keep fossil fuels burning for the sake of industry. Yet, experts argue that climate policy isn’t the culprit—structural inefficiencies and geopolitical upheavals are. Meanwhile, the renewable sector is booming, adding nearly 400,000 jobs and positioning Germany as a leader in green tech—if only it chooses to double down. The stakes couldn’t be higher: climate-related disasters cost Germany €7 billion ($7.2 billion) in 2024 alone, and global economic damage from climate change is projected to be six times higher than the cost of cutting emissions, according to Nature. The world is shifting irreversibly toward a climate-neutral economy, with rapid advances in renewables, heat pumps, and electric vehicles already reshaping industries. The biggest threat to Germany’s economy isn’t climate regulation but political indecision—hesitation now means competitiveness lost later. The choice isn’t between the economy and the environment; it’s between clinging to old models or embracing a future where sustainability and prosperity go hand in hand. The election is this Sunday; find out who is who here.
Amid the vast Bidi Bidi refugee settlement in Uganda, where more than 250,000 people seek respite from conflict, a flute’s melody drifts from the 1,000-seat Bidi Bidi Performing Arts Centre. Built in 2022, the venue offers young refugees a stage to swap trauma for transformation—through music, dance, and storytelling. “People always gathered under this tree to sing and dance,” says Edward Byemba, a Congolese refugee-turned-music teacher, pointing to an ancient fig tree where the centre’s dream took root. For many, like 21-year-old Ceaser Godfrey, the centre is more than an escape; it’s a lifeline. “I used to be a headache—fighting, drinking, trying to forget,” he admits, before breaking into song, his voice swelling with amapiano beats: I am no longer a slave to sin. The centre, run by the Ugandan NGO Sina Loketa and funded by Swiss philanthropist organisation To: Foundation and the Playing for Change Foundation, champions the idea that creative expression is a human right and a tool for healing trauma and bolstering social cohesion. Traditional musician and South Sudanese refugee Moses Modi takes that mission to heart. “If there is no peace, I will sing about peace,” he says, dreaming of a return home, not with weapons, but with the lessons learned in exile. Offstage, he’s a chef, flipping rolex wraps in the settlement’s bustling market. The hope? That a decade from now, Bidi Bidi will outgrow its transience, with livelihoods blooming alongside its music. “It’s not just about the songs,” says music teacher Victor Aluonzi. “We’re playing for real change.”
Guatemala's failure to address systemic sexual violence has left countless young girls vulnerable to forced pregnancies, with devastating consequences for their health, education, and access to justice. The 85-page report, “‘Forced to Give Up on Their Dreams’: Sexual Violence against Girls in Guatemala,” by Human Rights Watch documents the numerous barriers that girls who are survivors of sexual violence face accessing essential healthcare, education, social security, and justice. Despite laws classifying sexual activity involving children under 14 as violence, over 14,000 girls between 2018 and 2024 gave birth, many as a result of abuse. Barriers to essential healthcare, including lack of trained personnel, stigma, and long travel distances, exacerbate the situation, while the education system fails to support pregnant girls or young mothers, leading to high dropout rates and societal stigma. Legal protections remain inadequate, with cases of sexual violence often dismissed, leaving survivors without justice or reparations. Comprehensive reforms are urgently needed to prevent sexual violence, ensure access to education, healthcare, and social security, and guarantee legal protections for survivors. Without action, Guatemala’s young girls will continue to face insurmountable barriers to realizing their basic rights.
US Vice President JD Vance made waves this week at a global AI summit in Paris by refusing to sign a declaration on the technology’s future, asserting that excessive regulation could stifle the industry’s growth. His stance echoed fears of a tech policy rollback under Trump, potentially shielding American tech giants from oversight. However, the broader global picture painted in Paris points to a different direction. Some 60 countries, including China, Canada, and the EU, endorsed a statement on inclusive and sustainable AI, while a smaller group of nations and 37 tech companies formed a Coalition for Sustainable AI, aiming to tackle environmental concerns and ensure AI transparency. Notably, Canada signed the Council of Europe’s AI and Human Rights treaty, committing to domestic laws on AI ethics while the UK refused to sign. Despite US reluctance, the growing international consensus suggests AI regulation is gaining momentum, with sustainability and inclusivity taking center stage. The winds of change in AI policy may be unstoppable and may not require the U.S.
Washington’s latest diplomatic wordplay on Taiwan has ruffled feathers in Beijing, pleased Taipei, and been shrugged off as routine by the State Department. A quiet update to the department’s fact sheet has removed the once-standard line that the US “does not support Taiwan independence,” while subtly reinforcing Taiwan’s right to resolve its dispute with China “free from coercion.” Beijing sees it as provocation, Taipei as affirmation, and Washington insists it’s just an administrative tweak. But in a region where language shapes strategy, even a few missing words can speak volumes.
A great read on the power of cross-cultural friendships. “Friendship, in general, tends to be associated with more original problem-solving, as each individual within our social circle introduces us to new ideas and viewpoints that we may not have come across before.”
The Feminist Five—Li Maizi, Wu Rongrong, Zheng Churan, Wei Tingting, and Wang Man—became symbols of defiance and resilience after their arrest in 2015 for planning a protest against sexual harassment on public transportation. The five, prominent Chinese feminists, were active within grassroots movements and initiatives like Wu’s Gender Equality Work Group, where they participated in bold actions such as the “Occupy Men’s Toilets” protest and the “Bloody Brides” campaign against domestic violence. Their arrest sparked both domestic and global outrage, leading to widespread protests and petitions, and drawing attention to China’s growing feminist movement.
Though the Feminist Five were released after 37 days in detention, their activism came at a great personal cost. Detained and interrogated in brutal conditions, they endured psychological and physical stress, including medical neglect for Wu Rongrong, who suffered from hepatitis B. Yet their actions reverberated beyond their release, inspiring a wave of feminist activism across China, despite the ongoing threat of state surveillance and censorship. In the years following their arrest, restrictions such as the “Overseas NGO Management Law” made feminist organizing even more challenging, forcing the shutdown of Wu’s Weizhiming Women’s Center and stifling efforts to raise funds or mobilize.
Despite the setbacks, the Feminist Five’s legacy endures. Their fight for women’s rights in China galvanized young women to identify as feminists, even as they faced growing governmental pushback. The international outcry that followed their arrest helped spotlight China’s feminist movement, with organizations and activists worldwide continuing to advocate for their cause. Today, the Feminist Five remain criminalized, but their story serves as a beacon for those who, inspired by their courage, persist in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Which was your favourite topic to learn about in this edition of The Intersection? Any topics you want to see more or less of?
Jennifer
xxx