Stories about Breaking News from March, 2014
Russian Officials Sanctioned Over Crimea Scoff on Twitter
"Comrade Obama, what should people who don't have any foreign bank accounts or property do? Did you not think of that?)" -Dmitry Rogozin
Did Russia's Most Famous Actor Just Denounce Vladimir Putin?
In Russia, it is exceedingly rare for anyone who regularly appears on television or the silver screen to criticize, let alone denounce, Vladimir Putin. But did Khabensky?
Malaysia Airlines MH370 Mystery Fuels Conspiracy Theories
After a week of waiting for answers in the disappearance of flight MH370 and its 239 occupants, conspiracy theories have cropped to fill the void about what happened.
China's Crackdown on WeChat
Some popular public WeChat accounts were shut down on the night of March 13, 2014 without forewarning. Most of these accounts became a popular venue for discussing politics during the past few months since the big crackdown on Weibo last year. These deleted accounts include highest profile WeChat account by...
Update: Russia Blocks Fifth Liberal Website
Russian ISPs blocked the website of the liberal radio station Echo Moskvy.
Russia Blocks Four Opposition Media Portals
"I don't even know if anyone is reading this anymore." - Putative opposition leader Alexey Navalny in his blog which was blocked today by order of Russia's Attorney General's office.
Russia’s Best News Portal Decimated
In Russia’s jingoist climate today, it is now much easier for corporate owners and state authorities to meddle in the politics of the country’s news websites.
Macedonian Students Campaign Against Unlivable Conditions in Dormitories
Macedonian students demanding better life conditions in public university dormitories published a blog entitled “Operacija studentski” [mk] (“Operation Dorm”) displaying photos of everyday life in the facilities and urging students to contribute. Many of the photos show highly inadequate living conditions in the student dormitories. The blog and photos have...
Captive Saudi Princesses Speak Out on Twitter
It's the stuff of fairytales for princesses to be locked in towers, but in today's Saudi Arabia, four princesses say they have been held against their will for 13 years.
Mexican Government Censors Website That Documents Human Rights Abuses
The closing of a website that denounces human rights abuses has revealed an alleged censorship collaboration between the Mexican and US governments.
Peru Considers Eliminating Environmental Impact Studies for Oil Exploration
The announcement by the Minister of Energy and Mines that oil exploration activities would no longer require environmental impact studies has surprised Peruvian environmentalists. Experts are mostly against it.
China's Tencent to Step Up Competition With JD.com Stake
The move is widely viewed as a strategic collaboration to shore up the two parties against their common competitor Alibaba, China’s largest e-commerce company.
Major Unrest in Burundi ahead of Presidential Elections
At least 19 violent incidents have been documented since the beginning of 2014 in Burundi ahead of the presidential elections. The unrest centers on amendments to the constitution proposed by president Nkurunziza that could allow him to run for a third term. The CNDD-FDD ruling party and its youth wing...
Malaysian Plane Carrying 239 People Reported Missing
Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing lost contact with air traffic controllers, with the authorities being unable to locate the aircraft since. The flight was carrying 239 people
China Dismisses WWI Comparison Amid Tense Relations With Japan
“2014 is neither 1914 nor 1894, it’s better for [Japan] to regard post-war Germany as a role model than make a fuss about Germany before WWI.“
GV Face: What's Next for Ukraine?
What's next for the #Euromaidan movement? Protests and bloodshed led to the fall of a corrupt president. But now, as Russia looms with military might and Crimea considers succession, there are endless unanswered questions about Ukraine's future political moves and relationship to the European Union.
Saudi Arabia Lists Muslim Brotherhood as a Terrorist Organisation
Saudi Arabia has declared the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation. Netizens wonder what will happen to MB members in nearby countries, like Bahrain.
Venezuelan Protesters Behead Hugo Chávez Statue
This photo of a statute of the late president of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, has rapidly gone around the world since it was tweeted last week: En Táchira tumbaron el MONUMENTO del Difunto ASESINO y lo decapitaron. PSUV TEMBLAD te llego la hora. #26FMegaTranca pic.twitter.com/4eSOhs4QWG — Christopher Bello R. (@Ethical_Group) February...
Venezuela Cuts Ties with Panama
The Venezuelan government cut diplomatic and commercial ties with Panama. Social networks have exploded with comments full of surprise at this decision.
Venezuelan TV Station Didn't Air Oscars for the First Time in 39 Years
Your oscar speech can help save lives in Venezuela. Speak Up! #OscarsForVenezuela #Oscars2014 #SOSVenezuela pic.twitter.com/38EAZ32mtu — ¿Sabías que? (@sabiastuque_) March 1, 2014 Given the rumors that the Academy Awards Ceremony would include artists’ messages regarding the protests in Venezuela, the event was not aired [es] by Venevisión, the biggest television...
Code Pink's Medea Benjamin Brutally Arrested by Egyptian Police
Famous US Peace activist and co-founder of Code Pink Medea Benjamin was detained and violently handcuffed without explanation by the Egyptian police, breaking her arm. She tweets her ordeal.