Stories about Politics from September, 2015
When Online Kremlin Propaganda Leaves the Web, It Looks Like This
"Material Evidence" is one of few pro-Putin Internet projects connected to Russia's "troll factories" with a significant offline trail. Because of this, we can trace its operations unusually well.
Kazakhstani Textbooks Send Local Patriots and Ukraine into a Tantrum (Clue: It's About Crimea)
"People are working for the promotion of Putin's "Russian World" into the minds of Kazakh children. In my opinion, this is ideological sabotage."
Vladimir Putin's UN General Assembly Speech: Beyond Hashtags
RuNet Echo showcases what about Putin's speech in New York seemed to resonate best with Russian-speaking Twitter users.
Six Ways Pro-Government Forces Went After Hong Kong's Occupy Movement
"The [Occupy Central] movement suggests that both the Internet and Hong Kong are at a crossroads, that both cannot take its freedoms for granted," writes Lokman Tsui.
‘A Syrian Love Story’ Follows One Family's Journey Through War and Exile
“I think the message of hope is in the defiance — the defiance of one family, who have all pulled through.”
Greece’s Latest Transport Deputy Minister Was Too Racist, Homophobic, and Anti-Semitic to Keep His Job
The reason for the sudden ouster were revelations that, over the past two years, Kammenos published on a now-deactivated Twitter account, @portaporta ("door-to-door"), several racist, anti-Semitic, and homophobic remarks.
Reflections on the One-Year Anniversary of the Disappearance of Students in Ayotzinapa
"For us, the night of September 26 hasn't ended," says one survivor of the Ayotzinapa tragedy. "They thought that over time they could defeat us. But that's not the case."
A Series of Outrageous Events Fuels Catalans’ Distrust Before Historic Election on Independence
The Catalan people's distrust towards the Spanish government has been exacerbated by several unfortunate public faux-pas in the weeks prior to Catalonia's regional "independence" election on September 27.
Welcome to India’s War on Malnutrition
Several Indian states have been battling malnutrition for decades now. While new official data show improvement and testify that multiple programs seem to be working, there remains much to do.
‘Halal’ Internet Advertisements Pop Up in Toronto, Canada
'Halal' Internet refers to Iran's national intranet project, but ads for censorship software associated with groups of parents protesting Ontario's sexual education curriculum are using the term.
Refugees and Police Aren’t the Only Ones At Odds in the Balkans
When it comes to the refugee question, recent friction between EU leaders has done more to rekindle old animosities than resolve the current crisis.
#PinjraTod Gives Voice to Indian Women Fed Up With Draconian University Hostel Rules
"What is clear from all these stories is the need for an all-out rejection of these restrictive rules and the patriarchal protectionism they are built on."
Zone9 Bloggers Are Not Alone: More Ethiopian Netizens Face Terrorism Charges
Alongside the now-famous case of the Zone9 bloggers, there are so many detained Ethiopian bloggers, online activists and politicians, whose names are not yet on the map. Last year on July...
Haitian President's Sexist Comments Remind Caribbean Feminists They Still Have a Long Way to Go
From schoolboy raps to ministerial threats, women across the Caribbean continue to pay the price for speaking out, says the Code Red feminist blog.
3 Keys to Understanding the Burkina Faso Coup
Learn who is behind the coup, what this has to do with upcoming elections and why all eyes are on citizen movements' reactions to the crisis.
As Election Draws Near, Myanmar Turns to Social Media at Democratic Turning Point
The election is widely seen as a test of the government's willingness to hold a clean election, and as an important step in the country's transition to a modern democracy.
New Mobile App Helps Belarusians to Keep an Eye on Violations in Presidential Election
The creators of "Vochy" hope the mobile app helps broaden Belarusian citizens' knowledge of their voter rights and provides an opportunity to quickly report election violations to independent observers.
UN Does Not Recognize Taiwanese Passport, Denies Entrance to Geneva Office
Several Taiwanese citizens were denied entrance to the United Nations offices, after the receptionist there said the passport issued by Taiwan (ROC) was not a valid identity document.
Surprise Swings Lead to Landslide Victory for Singapore's Ruling Party
Singapore's ruling party, which has been in power since 1959, clinched a landslide victory in the recent general election. Many were surprised by the results.
Ugandan Minister Mysteriously Dies, the Internet Goes Haywire
The sudden death of General Aronda, Uganda's Internal Affairs Minister and former Chief Of Defence Forces, created an outpouring of condolences and a wave of conspiracy theories on social media.
Saudi Court's Death Sentence for Young Ali Al-Nimr Disputed by Human Rights Defenders
Saudi Ali al-Nimr was arrested when he was 17. Now, at 21, he is sentenced to be beheaded, and then have his body strapped to a cross to rot.
