Stories about Politics from August, 2015
Chairman Mao Wasn't at WWII's Cairo Conference. So Why Is He on the Movie Poster?
Some believe President Xi Jinping is using 'The Cairo Declaration' film and a September 3 military parade to rewrite the Chinese Communist Party's involvement in fending off the Japanese.
This Ukrainian Artist Is Drawing Comics About His Imprisonment By Pro-Russian Militants in Donetsk
A Ukrainian guerrilla artist whose street art got him kidnapped and tortured by pro-Russian militants is working on a comic book to raise awareness of prisoners in occupied eastern Ukraine.
Malaysia’s 34-Hour Bersih Rally Against Government Corruption Gathers 100,000 People
"To many, Bersih 4 is something that gave them the courage to dream. To know that a fair and just Malaysia can truly exist."
Why Indigenous Communities in Mexico Need Community Self-Defence
"Today, the community suffers not only at the hands of criminal groups but also at those of the Federal Police and the Army of Mexico."
Tanzania General Elections 2015: A Defeat for Africa's Longest Ruling Party?
"Moved by fear of losing, the ruling party is now resorting to undemocratic methods to maintain its grip on power."
You Stink Movement Gives Lebanese Government 72 Hours to Meet Protesters’ Demands
Lebanese protesters today gave the government a 72 hour ultimatum to meet their demands or face further protests on Tuesday.
Puerto Rico Organizes From the Bottom Up in the Face of Economic Crisis
Various civil society groups have started to come together to find solutions to the severe socioeconomic crisis that the Caribbean nation faces.
India Has a Less-Than-Rosy Track Record on Media Freedom
The government recently threatened to pull the licenses of three news channels over criticism of the execution of Yakub Menon, convicted of the 1993 Mumbai bombings.
The Lebanese Get Creative in Their Protests Against the Trash Crisis
The Lebanese people show some humor and creativity in the way they protest. Over 20,000 people took to the streets in Beirut last weekend carrying all kinds of signs
Migrant Filipinos and Their Families Tell the Government: ‘Hands Off Our Balikbayan Boxes!’
"The implied accusation that they are out to cheat government is an insult they can never forgive and forget."
Ousted Trinidad & Tobago Minister ‘Gypsy’ Is Singing a Bitter Tune—Literally
When a government minister learns he has not been chosen to run in the country's upcoming general elections, things degenerate into nasty -- albeit melodious -- name calling.
Bahrain's Opposition, From Dialogue Tables to Prison Cells
Bahrain is closing in on Al Wefaq Islamic Society, the country's largest opposition group. One after the other, it's leaders are rounded up and jailed.
Mother Nature Hits ‘Nature Isle’ Dominica Hard With Tropical Storm Erika
"Nature gave the Nature Isle a rough make over" as the first major tropical storm of the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season hit the Caribbean island of Dominica.
China Won't Tolerate Anything but Praise for Its Showy World War II Parade
"...all news and comments related to the military parade must be carefully reviewed before posting to guarantee they are positive and not offensive..."
Videos Show How Lebanese Security Forces Violently Dealt With ‘You Stink’ Protesters
Videos capturing police violence against protesters in Lebanon are making the rounds online. Is protesting against mounting rubbish and government corruption worth being beaten up and teargassed for?
This Is What Happened When a Ukrainian Film Director Was Sentenced to 20 Years in a Russian Prison
When Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov was sentenced to 20 years in a high-security Russian prison on terrorism charges, Russian and Ukrainian Internet users were less than pleased.
You Can Also Demand Justice for the Journalists Killed in Mexico
Writers around the world ask President Peña Nieto of Mexico to probe journalist murders. (Here's their letter) https://t.co/qAkZI5K2MR — Susana Hayward (@mediasayer) August 16, 2015 More than 500 journalists, writers, artists...
Australian National TV Airs Lewd Twitter Handle About Prime Minister
The handle, "AbbottLovesAnal," was broadcast on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Q&A program.
The Story of Salim Alaradi, a Canadian National of Libyan Origin Detained in the UAE
Libyan-born Canadian Salim Alaradi has been in a UAE prison for a year, with no charges or access to a lawyer. His 17-year-old daughter is campaigning for his freedom online.
‘Why Does the Thai Government Want to Destroy Krabi With Coal Power Plant?’
The government is proposing to build a coal plant in Krabi to boost local power supply, but it also threatens to destroy a popular tourism destination and protected environment site.
Ecuador Cancels Visa for a Franco-Brazilian Journalist Assaulted During Protest
"Hostility to journalists, the media and activists has increased in Ecuador, and attacks on freedom of expression are becoming more frequent."