Stories about Politics from July, 2014
Bahrain's Justice Minister Tweeted About Giving His Political Opponents a Political ‘Slap’
Slapping, kicking and other forms of physical violence were found to be part of the government's systematic mistreatment or torture of political opponents since the 2011 uprising.
Why July 25 Is a Tragic Date in Puerto Rican History
Constitution Day is celebrated on July 25, but it is also the date of the U.S. invasion in 1898 and the murder of two young pro-independence activists.
Vanity Military Selfies Are Spoiling Russia's Attack in Ukraine
"We shelled Ukraine all night long." These are the words a young Russian soldier wrote online last week, where he published a photograph of military equipment in an open field.
Camera Phones vs. Kalashnikovs in Ukraine's Separtist-held Luhansk
How "streamer" journalism both empowers and endangers civic reporters in eastern Ukraine.
The Mouthpiece of Totalitarian Propaganda — Crimea's Colonel Cassad
Colonel Cassad has little love for Vladimir Putin. Despite this his blog has become massively popular among Putin's supporters. It has also earned him the ire of Ukraine's intelligence services.
Spanish Soldier Who Penned a Best-Selling Novel About Military Corruption Gets Jail Time
Luis Segura, a lieutenant in the Spanish army, is in prison for criticizing the military during interviews for his novel "Un paso al frente" (A step forward).
Massive Amounts Paid Out in Trinidad & Tobago's LifeSport Programme
As more details come out about the corrupt LifeSport programme in Trinidad and Tobago, Wired868 focuses its satirical energies on Adolphus Daniell, a contractor who was reportedly paid TT$34 million...
China's State Media Reveals Unapproved Genetically Modified Rice Is on the Market
A deteriorating environment and decreasing arable land threaten China’s ability to feed the world’s biggest population. The country is looking into GMO technology, but rice remains in a research stage.
‘Terrified’ Founder Decides to Shutter Hong Kong Pro-Democracy News Site ‘House News’
Some are speculating that the site was pressured to shut down as part of a wider crackdown by Beijing on Hong Kong's media.
Macedonian Authorities Claim Social Networks ‘Have Always Been Blocked’ in University Dorms
Residents of a state-run student dormitory in Skopje began an online campaign to expose the horrific living conditions. Then, access to Facebook and other websites was cut off.
Victory Speech of Indonesia's New President
Indonesia's President-elect Joko Widodo or Jokowi delivered a victory speech recognizing the spirit of voluntarism among citizens: This presidential election has sparked new optimism for us, for this nation. Free...
“Shrinking Democratic Space” in Myanmar
The new United Nations Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, has concluded a visit in the country and issued an initial report about Myanmar's human rights situation: The opening up...
The Philippines’ ‘Anti-Corruption’ President Is Facing Impeachment Calls Over Accusations of Corruption
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, who won on an anti-corruption platform, is now accused of corruption after one of his fund programs was dismissed by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional.
What Owen Arthur's Resignation Says About Barbados’ Politics
Owen Arthur has resigned from the political party he led for 14 years – a move which Barbados Underground thinks should give Barbadians pause: The incapacity of a former Prime...
Venezuela Suspends -and Brings Back- Flights to Netherlands Antilles
On Friday June 25, 2015, Venezuela government announced the suspension of all flights between Venezuela and the Netherlands Antilles (Aruba, Curazao, Bonaire, Saint Marteen and other islands). According to Venezuelan...
Trinidad & Tobago Minister Passes the Buck with Failed LifeSport Programme
Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister has shut down the controversial Life Sport programme following the results of an audit, which uncovered the ministry's inability to account for millions of dollars...
Tajikistan Still Blocking Popular Russian Social Network
Tajikistan's government takes its role as public morals guardian - and protector against anti-government slander - very seriously. Russian social network Odnoklassniki joined YouTube on the blocked list July 18.
Russia Is About to Lose “Fake News,” But the Internet Freedoms Going with It Are Real
The owner of an independent TV channel has staged a curious "intellectual provocation" to shock people into understanding the peril of Internet freedom in Russia.
Iraq Moves Toward a New Government With Fouad Masoum's Election as President
Iraq finally has a new president. Fouad Masoum, a 76-year-old Kurdish politician, has been elected to the post.
Indian Prime Minister Modi's First Budget Promises Lots of Change, Including an Expensive New Statue
Narendra Modi's first budget as India’s new prime minister was greeted with mixed reactions. The $34 million budget allocation for a 600-foot statue in his home state generated much buzz.
Cuba's Customs Clamps Down in “Illegal Imports”
On September 1, 2014 the Customs Service of the Republic of Cuba will begin enforcing new regulations intended to combat illegal trafficking of merchandise by relatives, friends and ‘mules’ (a...
