#Media36

11 Mar 2026

Viral videos and Addis Ababa’s new boulevard

After President Erdoğan’s visit, a motorcade video of a new Addis Ababa boulevard went viral. A similar reaction followed an influencer livestream. The corridor project aims to modernize the city but faces criticism amid conflict and humanitarian needs.

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Photo by Moti Abebe, Unsplash

10 Mar 2026

Why the Oscars still matter

The 98th Academy Awards are on March 15. Viewership is much lower than before, but experts say Oscars still shape careers and the Academy is changing to reach new audiences.

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21 Feb 2026

Internet blackout and protests in Iran

Protests began in late December 2025 and the Iranian authorities shut down internet services in January 2026. When connections returned, videos and reports suggested wide state violence and many arrests and deaths.

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20 Feb 2026

Pakistani human rights lawyers sentenced over social media posts

Two Pakistani human rights lawyers, Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha, were sentenced to 17 years on 24 January 2026 for social media posts about alleged military abuses. The fast trial and use of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act drew wide criticism.

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12 Feb 2026

How romantic films shape relationship expectations

Virginia Tech experts say romantic movies—from childhood fairy tales to Hallmark-style films—can shape what people expect from real relationships. They warn these films often show idealised love and may omit real-life difficulties and diversity.

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26 Jan 2026

Senegal win AFCON final amid VAR row and walkouts

Senegal beat hosts Morocco 1-0 in the AFCON 2025 final on January 18, 2026, after a late VAR penalty decision and a player walkout. The match and post-game events led to wider controversy about refereeing and hosting.

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25 Jan 2026

African fashion finds its own voice

Designers across Africa are gaining global recognition. A media platform founded by Ramata Diallo highlights craftsmanship, ethical production and how visibility at shows and in media brings orders and supports brands.

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29 Dec 2025

Sexual images in Japan's public spaces

Sexual images are visible across Japan's public spaces and many people worry about the effects on children and gender roles. Petitions and store decisions have brought debates about magazines, online adverts and sex education.

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23 Dec 2025

AI learns why headlines work

A Yale study shows that teaching generative AI the reasons why some headlines attract clicks helps it write more engaging and trustworthy headlines. Researchers tested hypotheses on real A/B test data and found the new model outperformed standard AI.

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20 Dec 2025

Luciano Huck criticised over request to 'clean up' Indigenous culture

A behind-the-scenes clip from Luciano Huck's TV shoot at Parque Indígena do Xingu went viral. Indigenous organisations criticised his request to remove visible phones and 'clean up' culture, saying technology is a right and part of daily life.

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18 Dec 2025

Why People Watch Holiday Romances

Virginia Tech researchers explain why viewers choose formulaic holiday movies. Experts say predictability, seasonal celebration and escapism — tidy stories with happy endings — help people relax and feel more positive during the holidays.

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15 Dec 2025

Moharaj Sharma: poet, journalist and documentary maker

Moharaj Sharma is a Nepali poet, journalist and documentary maker. He works at AP1 Television, studies Nepali language roots, and has made a documentary about Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees while writing poetry about identity and social change.

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15 Dec 2025

Australia sets new social media age limit

On 10 December 2025 Australia introduced a law to stop under‑16s having accounts on major social platforms. Ten large services were named and companies must take steps to block children or face big fines.

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