Journalism centered on Asia, Africa, and the Americas
Join 38,000+ readers who are curious about news and perspectives from the wider world.
What Happened Last Week
House of Xi
What's next for Syria's Kurds?
Why the election in the Central African Republic matters
Maduro out. Trump in?
Somaliland got recognized. Sort of.
The A in AI stands for African
Don't say 'genocide'
Volcanos in Africa
Leso-too-late, but finally a win
Justice vs the Second Congo War
Australia just found a US$1.6 billion way to disappear people
Meet Tanzania’s first female president, again
Who really owns Africa’s minerals?
How to lose a government in four months
The One Piece Generation
Goodbye Kitty, or Japan's far-right
Cancer isn't equally deadly everywhere
Nepal’s uprising feels very 2025
Don't Cry for Him, Argentina
Bye bye, leftist politics in Bolivia
Peru vs. international law
Data centers in the desert
Doctors in Sudan speak out
I talked to a journalist who just returned from Gaza
The Goodies
You Should Probably Read
Sham Jaff + Gishty
Journalist Sham Jaff launched Gishty to highlight news that centers
perspectives from under-represented regions, topics and groups.
It grew out of a weekly newsletter that has covered Asia, Africa and the Americas since 2014 and built a committed readership interested in a wider view of the world.
Read full story →
It grew out of a weekly newsletter that has covered Asia, Africa and the Americas since 2014 and built a committed readership interested in a wider view of the world.
Read full story →
Readers love it
Sukriti Sharma
Toronto, Canada
After struggling with clickbaity mainstream news, this newsletter has been exactly what I needed. I value the newsletter for its balanced, neutrally worded coverage and its consistent focus on the Global South. The mix of positive and challenging news offers a fuller perspective on the world. I love the “why it matters” summaries and the option to read further, at my own pace, when I want to. I’m very grateful for the thoughtful curation and care that goes into every issue.
Edson Chilundo
Maputo, Mozambique
What Happened Last Week is the volume knob I’ve been looking for. Sham curates a necessary expansion of our collective map. It’s algorithm-free, deeply human, and reminds me that the Global Majority is where the real story is often happening.
Emil Lamprecht
Ljubljana, Slovenia
What Happened Last Week delivers what international desks of the main stream no longer can: rigorous, readable journalism on global events both big and small-ish. For me it represents the glory days of editor-lead journalism in one little weekly package; with no advertiser influence or board of controlling interests. I look forward to this newsletter every week for direct, readable reporting on stories that I would otherwise miss, and representing voices I might otherwise never hear. Thanks for everything you do!
Fenja Haacke
Berlin, Germany
I've been reading the newsletter for several years and I love how it broadens my horizon to topics that the Western media does not cover. I can recommend it to everyone, especially nowadays, where independent and well researched journalism is not a given.
Analena Bachmann
Germany
I've been reading whlw for a while and for me, it is one of the best ways to stay informed about what is going on in the Global South. It can be overwhelming to try to keep up-to-date with everything that is going, so I am very thankful for the weekly roundups with detailed and yet concise explanations about important events that go largely un- or underreported in media outlets in Western Europe. This is why I greatly appreciate and happily support the work that goes into whlw.
Selina Goldenstein
Bremen, Germany
I am a big big Fan of WHLW. Thank you so much for your work! I am working to integrate your newsletter into my youth work.
Aninia Schwarz
Berlin, Germany
I feel a sense of relief in my whole body when I'm reading The Goodies. To think, all of this, too, is reality at the moment.
Kate Dearden
Berlin, Germany
Your newsletter has become an essential part of my reading each week because it brings me news from all over the world - not just the global/north/western parts.
These are stories that I don't have time/know where to find myself, but that I want to know about! I also love the cultural insights/tips for songs/short videos/longer essays, etc.
I also love that you manage to fit in "positive" stories along with the terrible stuff, and that there is humour in there too.
Richard Pilgrim
Dublin, Ireland
I like reading What Happened Last Week because it helps me learn about what is happening in the wider world but in addition it provides an easy to read context behind the news in different regions, helping me to gain a greater understanding. I find it is helpful for me personally as my partner is from Mexico and it helps me keep up with developments in Mexico and Latin America. I recommend WHLW to everyone I know when I chat about my news sources that I follow.
Adam Karnbrink
Karlstad, Sweden
I really like the ambition and idea behind this project, and admire the execution. Your writing is clear and concise, while also being friendly and funny.
Arezoo Saeedi
Duisburg, Germany
Major news outlets often felt strange to me, but with 'WHLW,' I feel genuine empathy and connection to the people affected by the news.Checking it every Monday has been a vital routine that keeps me genuinely informed and in touch with the world.
Zora Marie
Leipzig, Germany
I really love your newsletter and I think it is not just one, but the most important contribution to the one-sided news world in Germany. I learn a lot and really benefit from your newsletter! Plus, i really like how it is written: You know the audiance and how to introduce a topic and decribe complcated topics in an "entertaining" way. Thank you so much for this very important perspective, I really don't understand how you do it all.