The experience of flying thousands of feet above the earth should be one of wonder, a moment to marvel at the world from a distance. Yet, for the author, the view of the Alps—resembling a sugary, iced cake—was overshadowed by a gnawing, internal dread. While most travelers worry about turbulence or missed connections, the author’s fear was rooted in the existential terror of standing before a passport control booth. Born stateless, the author lacks the fundamental nationality that grants most people the “right” to exist globally. Every step of their journey to Geneva to represent the Global Movement Against Statelessness…

As Germany approaches a pivotal cycle of regional and local elections this September, a shadow has fallen over the digital landscape. Recent investigations by Deutsche Welle’s fact-checking team have uncovered a sophisticated disinformation campaign dubbed “Matryoshka”—or “Overload”—which is actively working to manipulate public opinion. By planting more than 180 fake social media posts across platforms like X, Bluesky, and TikTok, the operation aims to cast doubt on political candidates and reopen old social wounds within the German populace. This isn’t just a collection of random lies; it is a calculated effort to destabilize the democratic process by eroding trust in…