RIP Pepe, the philosopher-president! Like Mandela, made from a hard and rare material, Mujica went from intrepid revolutionary to open-minded democratically elected president, changing his views but preserving his humility and frugality. www.npr.org/2025/05/13/nx-s1-5288793/uruguay-jose-…

Uruguay's former President José Mujica dies at 89 : NPR

José Mujica, the charismatic former guerrilla fighter who later went on to lead Uruguay and became known as "the world's poorest president" for his austere…

In an EU where the rise of the xenophobe right also raises borders once more, wolf populations, just recovered from near extinction, are again under threat: www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/opinion/europe-borders-…

UK-Spain: TTG reports that overtourism protests and angst are brushed aside by travel agents who sometimes have to convince the more anxious among elderly visitors that protests are just about 'Airbnb'. So it's business as usual in terms of demand unless something extraordinary really happens. www.ttgmedia.com/sustainability/agents-forced-to-r…

TTG - Sustainability - Agents forced to reassure 'anxious' clients about Spain after last summer's protests

Several travel agents have told TTG their clients had to be reassured about travelling to Spain this year, because of perceived anti-tourist sentiments

Republic of the Congo: An investigation by Omnia Strategy (a specialist Human Rights law firm led by Cherie Blair, hired by African Parks) following allegations (by Survival International and Mail on Sunday) of human rights abuses at Odzala National Park comitted by park guards against Baka community members, has concluded. The detailed findings and recommendations are being kept secret, however...Republic of the Congo: An investigation by Omnia Strategy (a specialist Human Rights law firm led by Cherie Blair, hired by African Parks) following allegations (by Survival International and Mail on Sunday) of human rights abuses at Odzala National Park comitted by park guards against Baka community members, has concluded. The detailed findings and recommendations are being kept secret, however in a press release, African Parks acknowledged that some Human Rights abuses did take place and that recommended operational changes will be effected. (www.africanparks.org/sites/default/files/African%2…) Omnia Strategy's press release is here: omniastrategy.com/wp-content/uploads/Omnia-Strateg… . Survival International's comments are at: www.survivalinternational.org/news/14205 Show more

Gaza: The last restaurant, a Thai restaurant, is no more. The fact that there was still a restaurant while there is no food is by itself amazing. But the main questions are, what will it take for this nightmare to stop, how much damage to our collective psyche, how much cynicism is this mindless slaughter causing, and for how many generations the generated hatred will last in the area...Gaza: The last restaurant, a Thai restaurant, is no more. The fact that there was still a restaurant while there is no food is by itself amazing. But the main questions are, what will it take for this nightmare to stop, how much damage to our collective psyche, how much cynicism is this mindless slaughter causing, and for how many generations the generated hatred will last in the area. www.dropsitenews.com/p/massacre-thai-restaurant-ma… Show more

Covid: we still do not know for sure if it was a product of a natural mutation or a deliberate combination, if it was a lab or a wet market accident. In every case China and the US (and others) should cooperate, rather than blame each other, so that we all avoid a repetition! www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/science/covid-coronavir…

Tanzania: The Zanzibar Tourism Commission (Web: www.zanzibartourism.go.tz) issued a stark 'reminder on proper dress code' to Hotels and Tour Operators holding them responsible if tourists do not cover up and threatening "establishments and individuals" with "strict penalties and legal actions" from May 1, 2025. The warning was posted on the Commissions' Facebook page. It is unclear what...Tanzania: The Zanzibar Tourism Commission (Web: www.zanzibartourism.go.tz) issued a stark 'reminder on proper dress code' to Hotels and Tour Operators holding them responsible if tourists do not cover up and threatening "establishments and individuals" with "strict penalties and legal actions" from May 1, 2025. The warning was posted on the Commissions' Facebook page. It is unclear what prompted this decision and if it means that penalties will also be applied to tourists. Show more

India: A group of Jenu Kuruba, the indigenous people evicted from Karnataka's Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, 40 years ago, have returned and started building houses the traditional way. Survival International has called on the Indian government not only to accept the fact, but to encourage more Jenu Kuruba to return "as tigers thrive alongside the Indigenous people". What is clear is that the fortress...India: A group of Jenu Kuruba, the indigenous people evicted from Karnataka's Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, 40 years ago, have returned and started building houses the traditional way. Survival International has called on the Indian government not only to accept the fact, but to encourage more Jenu Kuruba to return "as tigers thrive alongside the Indigenous people". What is clear is that the fortress conservation model - conservation without the people - needs radical rethinking! www.survivalinternational.org/news/14199 Show more

India: Evicted tribe re-occupies their homes inside famous tiger reserve, in landmark event

In unprecedented action, Jenu Kuruba people return to their forest at Nagarhole

At the young age of 99, and ever optimistic, the legendary naturalist-documentarist Sir David Attenborough is still campaigning and enlightening us about the paramount importance of safeguarding our planet's ecosystems. His movie-length 'Ocean' documentary premieres tonight at London's Royal Festival Hall.

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Voluntourism: an interesting selection of options from NY Times, with a passing reference that it may have more to do with a 'saviour complex' rather than meaningfully/effectively supporting conservation/real progress in those destinations. For example, instead of taking the trip and paying most of the funds to airlines, organizers etc, consider the alternative of donating the same amount to an...Voluntourism: an interesting selection of options from NY Times, with a passing reference that it may have more to do with a 'saviour complex' rather than meaningfully/effectively supporting conservation/real progress in those destinations. For example, instead of taking the trip and paying most of the funds to airlines, organizers etc, consider the alternative of donating the same amount to an organization hiring local people and scientists to do the same work. Which one would be more effective. So voluntourism is certainly good for the voluntourist (feel good, CV use, health benefits etc) but of dubious benefit to the destination. Also, voluntourism (for a week or so) is different than long-term volunteering. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/travel/6-remote-places-… Show more