South Africa’s migrant delivery workers find safety in numbers

From sharing vital information to fundraising for medical bills, informal unions have become a lifeline for South Africa’s delivery workers. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

TikTok wants to turn millions of Americans into paid shopping influencers

You only need around 1,000 followers to earn money eating noodles and selling toys on TikTok Shop. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

Philippine chipmakers are embracing automation — and leaving low-skilled workers behind

Hundreds of workers at the Philippine unit of Nexperia threatened to go on strike over layoff fears, a sign of growing discontent over automation in the industry. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

Instagram helps Brazilians dodge a national sales ban on vapes

As Brazilian law clashes with Meta’s policies, illegal vapes flood social media and the streets. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

Dozens of police influencers are running for office in Brazil

A history of policemen using violent content to build their online personalities has policymakers on edge. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

Quiz: Can you guess where these tiny cars, EVs, and mopeds were made?

The weird, wild, wired world of new vehicles. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

Xiaohongshu has revolutionized Chinese tourism in Southeast Asia

The lifestyle and social media platform, often compared to Instagram, is turning obscure sites into must-see attractions. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

How Presto became Libya’s most successful tech startup

The delivery app now plans to expand to neighboring countries. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

Apple manufacturers moved from China to Vietnam. Now they’re desperate for workers

Recruiters are wooing new workers with bonuses and gifts. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

Virtual tomb-sweeping keeps a Chinese tradition alive

As Chinese migrants struggle to return home for traditional tomb-sweeping, virtual platforms are helping them pay respects from afar. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

PETA is building robot elephants for Hindu temples

For centuries, elephants have been captured to live in temples. Animal rights groups say replacing them with robots will minimize animal cruelty and risks to humans. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

The Turkish TikToker teaching young women to be religious girlbosses

Şule Kayatürk has become a star by making videos about being an observant Muslim who is also a high-powered businesswoman. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

South Indian temples are embracing digital donations with QR codes

Hindu temples are now accepting cashless payments for offerings, VIP tickets for festivals, and special prayer ceremonies. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

A step counter, but for your prayers

At least 20 apps exist to help Muslims track their dhikrs, a form of Islamic worship in which people repeat prayers and holy phrases. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

Argentina’s “TikTok nun” is bringing Catholicism to the masses

Sister Cattaneo has gained 200,000 followers through cumbia dances, influencer collabs, and preaching | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

This Hajj VR simulator helps Muslims prepare for the holy pilgrimage

The pilgrimage can be hard to navigate for first-timers, so Pakistan’s Labbaik VR offers a chance to virtually preview holy sites. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

The chatbot answering modern-day questions about an ancient religion

JainGPT answers inquiries ranging from “What is Jainism?” to “What happens after we die?” | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

This app makes sure dinner is halal

The Indonesian app Momasa features recipes, cooking lessons, and restaurants that meet the standards of Islamic law. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

Behold, the world’s first 3D-printed temple

Located in India, the Hindu temple’s layout follows ancient guidelines dating back to 1100 B.C. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

The augmented-reality app helping Muslims pray toward Mecca

Miqat uses 360-degree views and mapping software to help users determine the exact right direction for their prayers. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

Vietnam’s “TikTok monk” gives wisdom on life and love to millions of followers

Gen Z slang and social media trends help Giac Minh Luat connect with Vietnam’s lonely generation. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 2 months ago

India shuts down the internet far more than any other country

The country had 771 blackouts between 2016 and 2023, and there have been 51 so far this year. We mapped the affected areas. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

China is six months behind the US on AI, the US has to move faster: Div Turakhia

The India-born tech investor, entrepreneur and billionaire businessman spoke to Rest of World about the promise of AI technology, why the U.S. needs to move faster to compete with China, and the advantage the UAE has on building AI. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

Nigeria will become a net exporter of tech talent: Nigerian Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani

The tech entrepreneur-turned-bureaucrat spoke to Rest of World about his year in government, his administration’s priorities for advancing AI in Nigeria, and the difficult task of choosing between allies. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

“China’s K-pop moment”: Wukong’s global success sparks government embrace of video games as soft power

China is changing its long-critical stance thanks to the smash hit, according to Chinese game developers and industry analysts. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

Singapore’s gig workers worry new benefits could mean lower pay

A first-in-the-region law gives gig workers injury compensation and retirement benefits. But some workers fears the higher costs will be passed on to them. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

China’s biggest AI model is challenging American dominance

Alibaba’s Qwen has been shining on benchmark tests, despite chip restrictions. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

Quiz: How much do you know about money?

It’s the world economy, stupid. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

Political campaigns embrace AI to reach voters across language barriers

Advocacy groups like AAPI Victory Alliance are using ChatGPT and Claude to reach speakers of Hindi, Tagalog, and more. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

Netflix and thrill: the hunt for the next Squid Game in Southeast Asia

As Amazon and Disney step back, Netflix invests in “locally authentic” content to grab subscribers in the region. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

New data reveals exactly when the Chinese government blocked ChatGPT and other AI sites 

Rest of World received exclusive access to a platform that tracks patterns and timing of Chinese online censorship. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

Destined for clicks: YouTube is driving an astrology boom in Pakistan

Pakistanis are looking for certainty. Astrologers on YouTube want to help. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

Brazil banned X. Right-wing politicians are still using it

Echoing Elon Musk, the politicians claim they are defending free speech. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

How InstaDeep became Africa’s biggest AI startup success

Karim Beguir is the co-founder and CEO of InstaDeep, a Tunisian startup that was acquired for $682 million by BioNTech. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

Mexican shoppers say Shein and Temu’s delivery partner is stealing their stuff

Former employees at third-party logistics company J&T Express say the high volume of packages from the two Chinese companies has become unmanageable. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

Alibaba.com’s U.S. expansion hinges on wooing mom-and-pop shops

President Kuo Zhang tells Rest of World in an exclusive interview that the company is bullish about the U.S. market. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

Alibaba.com’s U.S. expansion hinges on wooing mom-and-pop shops

President Kuo Zhang tells Rest of World in an exclusive interview that the company is bullish about the U.S. market. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

Extreme weather is making life harder for Vietnam’s delivery riders

From intensive heat to flood risks, climate change has made the working lives of hundreds of thousands of gig workers harder and more dangerous, so many are banding together to help their communities cope. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

Pakistan’s China-style firewall is rattling its tech industry

Internet speeds in the country have dropped by up to 40% due to the government's efforts to monitor internet traffic, said service providers. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

Filipinos are embracing electric three-wheelers faster than officials can regulate them

Unregistered three-wheelers big enough for whole families are a popular antidote to the country's terrible gridlock. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

Amid a surge in violence in Tijuana, ride-hailing apps and authorities implement new safety measures

Uber launched a panic button linked to state-run emergency centers to keep drivers and users safe — but violence remains unabated. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

Around the world with Rest of World

Put your geography knowledge to the test. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

Malaysia’s homegrown car brands bank on cheaper models to compete with Tesla and BYD

Proton and Perodua are betting on low prices and an emotional connection with Malaysia’s drivers to compete with BYD and Tesla. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

How Bangladesh’s tech industry navigated an unprecedented political crisis

July’s internet blackout and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s sudden exit is estimated to have cost the industry $300 million. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

Uber drivers in Kenya are ignoring the app and charging their own rates

The local gig workers’ union defends the practice, which Uber forbids, as a form of peaceful pushback against low earnings. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

The Uruguayan company teaching people how to turn regular cars into EVs

Organización Autolibre is teaching individuals and companies across 14 countries to retrofit vehicles. Critics worry about the process’s safety. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 3 months ago

When EV startups shut down, will their cars still work?

As Chinese EV makers close, drivers of “smartphones on wheels” say software updates and maintenance are in jeopardy. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 4 months ago

Buy-now-pay-later plans lead to rampant scams and bad debt across Southeast Asia

From Thailand to Vietnam, a loophole in buy-now-pay-later schemes that allows users to get cash is raising concerns. | Continue reading


@restofworld.org | 4 months ago