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UN recognizes compas, a Haitian music and dance genre that has marked generations and brought joy

UN recognizes compas, a Haitian music and dance genre that has marked generations and brought joy

Compas, a beloved Haitian music and dance genre inspired by merengue and infused with percussion, has made UNESCO’s cultural heritage list

Blenheim Palace Restoration Uncovers Century-Old Graffiti, Sparking Public Interest

Blenheim Palace Restoration Uncovers Century-Old Graffiti, Sparking Public Interest

Conservators at Blenheim Palace in the UK have uncovered a series of mysterious graffiti inscriptions dating back to the 19th century during restoration work. These inscriptions, found on the ceilings of the Great Hall and Saloon, include names and phrases left by past workers. The discovery challenges previous assumptions that the current restoration is the first access to these ceilings in centuries. The restoration project, led by OPUS Conservation and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Blenheim Foundation, aims to address material and structural instabilities in the palace. The project, costing £12 million, includes a £1 million allocation for the restoration of paintings by Baroque artists James Thornhill and Louis Laguerre. The palace is seeking public assistance to identify the individuals behind the graffiti, which includes names like 'J F Brennan 1968' and 'T Harwood Plasterer 1843'.

UNESCO Recognizes Italian Cooking as Intangible Cultural Heritage

UNESCO Recognizes Italian Cooking as Intangible Cultural Heritage

UNESCO has added Italian cooking and its associated rituals to its list of intangible cultural heritage. This recognition highlights the cultural significance of Italian culinary traditions, such as family meals and the passing down of recipes through generations. The designation celebrates the social and cultural aspects of Italian cuisine, emphasizing the importance of cooking as a gesture of love and community. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni praised the recognition, noting that Italian cuisine is a vital part of the nation's identity and cultural heritage.

UN agency reports rise in violence against women journalists and activists linked to online abuse

UN agency reports rise in violence against women journalists and activists linked to online abuse

UN Women partners has published a new study that found more than two-thirds of women journalists, rights defenders and activists have reported violence online

UN Women Report Highlights Rising Violence Against Women Journalists and Activists Due to Online Abuse

UN Women Report Highlights Rising Violence Against Women Journalists and Activists Due to Online Abuse

A recent study by UN Women, in collaboration with other partners, has revealed a significant increase in violence against women journalists, rights defenders, and activists, linked to online abuse. The report, titled 'Tipping Point', indicates that over two-thirds of these women have experienced online violence, with more than 40% facing real-world attacks as a result. The study draws on data from over 6,900 participants across 119 countries and highlights the role of social media and artificial intelligence in escalating such violence. The report follows a similar 2021 UNESCO study and emphasizes the growing global crisis of online violence against women. It notes that women involved in human rights advocacy are particularly vulnerable, often targeted through deepfake images and manipulated content.

New report shows rise in violence against women journalists and activists linked to digital abuse

New report shows rise in violence against women journalists and activists linked to digital abuse

A new study says more than two-thirds of women journalists, rights defenders and activists report online violence and over 40% of them have faced real-world attacks linked to digital abuse

UNESCO Heritage Status Sought by Bangladeshi Handloom Weavers to Preserve Tangail Saree Craft

UNESCO Heritage Status Sought by Bangladeshi Handloom Weavers to Preserve Tangail Saree Craft

In Bangladesh, the handloom weavers of the iconic Tangail saree are seeking UNESCO heritage status to preserve their traditional craft. The Tangail saree, a cultural symbol of Bangladesh, is crafted using colorful silk and cotton threads in a process that involves both men and women. However, the craft is facing challenges due to rising raw material costs and competition from cheaper, machine-woven alternatives. The weavers hope that UNESCO recognition will help sustain interest in the craft among younger generations and secure its future.

Italian cooking and its rituals get UN designation as world heritage

Italian cooking and its rituals get UN designation as world heritage

Italian food is known and loved around the world for its fresh ingredients and palate-pleasing tastes, but the U.N.’s cultural agency is giving foodies another reason to celebrate their pizza, pasta and tiramisu by listing Italian cooking as part of the world’s “intangible” cultural heritage

Somali Poets Strive to Preserve Cultural Heritage Amidst Conflict

Somali Poets Strive to Preserve Cultural Heritage Amidst Conflict

In Mogadishu, Somalia, a group of aging poets gathers at the National Theater to keep the tradition of Somali poetry alive despite decades of conflict that have eroded the country's cultural wealth. The theater, once a target of a suicide bombing, now serves as a venue for these poets to share their work and foster a sense of community. The Somali Council of Poets, chaired by Hirsi Dhuuh Mohamed, includes 400 members, many of whom are part of the diaspora. The poets emphasize themes of peace, security, and good governance in their work, avoiding direct political engagement. Despite financial and security challenges, they continue to perform at community events and on local radio, striving to maintain their cultural heritage.

Southern Ocean's Rising Heat and Rainfall Impact Global Climate Patterns

Southern Ocean's Rising Heat and Rainfall Impact Global Climate Patterns

Recent research highlights significant changes in the Southern Ocean's climate, particularly around Macquarie Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The study, published in Weather and Climate Dynamics, reveals a 28% increase in annual rainfall since 1979, attributed to more intense storms rather than an increase in storm frequency. This change is affecting the island's ecosystem, with iconic megaherbs retreating due to waterlogging. The Southern Ocean, a critical player in global climate, absorbs excess heat and carbon dioxide, influencing weather patterns worldwide. The study utilized long-term climate records from the Bureau of Meteorology and the Australian Antarctic Division to validate these findings.

AI-Driven Methodology Revitalizes Qing Dynasty Embroidery Patterns for Cultural Preservation

AI-Driven Methodology Revitalizes Qing Dynasty Embroidery Patterns for Cultural Preservation

A study explores the use of AI technology to reconstruct and generate Qing Dynasty embroidery patterns, focusing on official rank badges. The research highlights the cultural significance of these patterns, which reflect the political and social ideologies of their time. By digitizing these patterns, the study aims to preserve and innovate cultural heritage. The methodology involves using AI models like generative adversarial networks (GANs) and diffusion models to create high-quality digital representations of the embroidery. The study also emphasizes the importance of cultural gene extraction and structured knowledge representation to maintain the authenticity and cultural relevance of the generated patterns.

Kenyan police arrive in Haiti in first deployment since UN expands mandate

Kenyan police arrive in Haiti in first deployment since UN expands mandate

By Harold Isaac and Sarah Morland PORT-AU-PRINCE, Dec 8 (Reuters) - A new contingent of 230 Kenyan police arrived in Haiti on Monday, Haiti's national police said, marking the first foreign deployment since the U.N.