In 2006, a mass HIV infection occurred in children's hospitals in the Shymkent region of Kazakhstan, affecting 149 children. Thirteen years later, the situation was revisited to understand the events. The infection was linked to corrupt practices and inadequate medical procedures, including reusing disposable syringes and improper blood transfusions. The Kazakh government took drastic measures in response, including closing blood collection centers, prosecuting medical staff, and compensating affected families. A new HIV center for mothers and children was built in Shymkent, and the country has since improved hospital hygiene and blood testing protocols. Despite these efforts, the HIV epidemic continues to grow in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, while it declines elsewhere globally.

In French schools, cases of sexual harassment and relationships between teachers and students are often known but not acted upon. Despite multiple reports, teachers like Mr. Benoît in Vaucluse continue their careers with clean records. The fear of false accusations and the lack of appropriate response mechanisms contribute to the inaction. The Aix-Marseille Academy and the National Education Ministry have procedures to react to reports, but implementation is inconsistent. Since 2017, there have been thirteen dismissals for sexual misconduct. The article highlights the need for better training and awareness among teachers and school administrators to prevent and address sexual harassment and violence.

In Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, a gay bar named London serves as a safe haven for the LGBTQ community, including Alek, who faces discrimination and has been ostracized by his family and society. Despite the risks, the bar provides a place where individuals like Alek can be themselves and find support among friends.

The Adventurists are organizing the Ice Run for the third time, where teams will ride side-car motorcycles across the frozen Lake Baikal for ten days. This year's race is particularly challenging due to unstable temperatures ranging from -30°C to +6°C, causing holes and cracks in the ice. The Ural motorcycles, originally built for the Red Army in the 1940s, add another layer of difficulty to the race.

The Adventurists are organizing the Ice Run for the third time, where teams ride side-car motorcycles across the frozen Lake Baikal in Siberia. The event is challenging due to unstable temperatures ranging from -30°C to +6°C, causing holes and cracks in the ice. Participants, briefed by Siberian Dmitry Yaskin, face the additional difficulty of mastering the Ural motorcycle, a vehicle originally built for the Red Army in the 1940s.

Bulgaria, the poorest country in the EU, has been struggling with corruption and clientelism despite efforts to reform its judicial system since 2007. A recent scandal involving Bulgartabac, a company with historical ties to the state and a significant role in European tobacco production, has highlighted the issue. Tzvetan Vassilev, a former banker, alleges that Delyan Peevski, a prominent figure in the Movement for Rights and Freedom, has been using a complex network of companies to control Bulgartabac and profit from it. Peevski is a controversial figure, often at the center of corruption scandals. Despite public outcry and evidence of corrupt practices, Peevski remains untouched, allegedly protected by Prosecutor General Sotir Tsatsarov. Hristo Ivanov, leader of the anti-corruption party

Kokoko!, a band formed in Kinshasa by Makara, Dido, Boms, Bovic, and French producer Debruit, represents an artistic revolution with their unique sound created from recycled materials. Their music, neither world music nor traditional African, challenges conventional genres. After a successful European tour, they plan to record an album and continue their project, which includes a broader collective of dancers, sculptors, and artists contributing to the Congolese wave of innovation. Their music reflects a desire for change from the rumba-dominated scene and serves as a form of expression in a politically restrictive environment.

The article discusses the use of rape and sexual violence as weapons of war in the Ukrainian conflict, particularly in the separatist-controlled regions. It details the harrowing experiences of victims like Léna, a journalist who was captured, tortured, and sexually assaulted by pro-Russian separatists. The report highlights the increase in sexual violence since the conflict began, with both men and women being targeted for abuse in detention facilities and at checkpoints. Despite the gravity of these crimes, the article notes the challenges victims face in seeking justice, including societal stigma, the ineffectiveness of local law enforcement, and the limitations of international legal mechanisms. The article also touches on the role of propaganda in the conflict and the difficulties in obtaining accurate information about the extent of sexual violence.