Stories about Politics from May, 2017
Mexico's Indigenous Peoples Select a Woman to Represent Their Resistance in Upcoming Presidential Election
"Let this country shake with the resistance, rebellion and dignity of all the peoples of Mexico."
Police Threaten Maldivian Bloggers Abroad With Arrest Over Twitter
Four independent Maldivian bloggers and activists living overseas have been issued arrest warrants by police over the past week. Apparently, they were targeted because they promote secularism or secularists.
PHOTOS: More Than 70,000 Displaced by Clashes Between Philippine Troops and Suspected ISIS-Backed Group
Thousands of families have fled their homes in Marawi City to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
Facebook ‘Mistakenly’ Censored Tiananmen Massacre Tribute
Facebook said the image “belittles, threatens or attacks a particular person, legal entity, nationality or group.” Following an uproar among Hong Kongers, the company apologised and approved the image.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Rebukes Student for Exalting Free Speech in Graduation Remarks
Foreign ministry officials are using Yang's speech to prove a recycled conspiracy about overseas Chinese students being contaminated by Western ideology.
Old Names Dominate Nepal’s First Local Polls in 20 Years
Despite the slow counting and the continued dominance of big parties, some are cheering the victory of thousands of women candidates in Nepal's first local polls in 20 years.
Kazakhstan Is Preparing to Effectively Ban Political Opposition
The banning of independent candidates at presidential elections is yet another blow to hopes of a democratic future.
Croatians Are Planning a Repeat of Last Year's Massive Protests for Educational Reform
"Anyone who's thinking more than four years ahead knows that investing in education is worthwhile."
Lost in Translation in Central Asia: My Tokol's Car Is a Toyota
A Kyrgyz or Kazakh man's 'younger wife' is like 'a cow without horns'. She suffers social stigma and enjoys few rights.
Plagiarism Scandal Involving the Minister of Science and Education Still Stirs Croatia
A group of academics, supported by over 11 thousand signatories of an online petition, keep demanding the removal of plagiarists from high-ranking public office in Croatia.
When Journalists Are Attacked, Macedonian Authorities Are Dangerously Slow to Act
Some media workers who were targeted during mob violence at Macedonia's parliament in April haven't filed reports with police because they don't believe anything will come of them.
An Interview With Anna Veduta, Russian Activist, Expert, and Feminist
RuNet Echo speaks to Anna Veduta about her work for Russia’s anti-corruption crusader, her relocation to the United States, and her experience as a regional expert and feminist.
After Reelection, Iran's President Rouhani Abandons Promise to Free Green Movement Leaders
President Hassan Rouhani refused to commit to ending the more than six-year extrajudicial house arrests of three opposition leaders—a pledge he made during his first presidential campaign.
The Election of Dr. Tedros as WHO Director-General Isn't Exactly Uniting Ethiopians
"You won a free election, congratulations. Now, why don't you try that here in #Ethiopia?!"
Cries of Impunity as Macedonia's ‘Bloody Thursday’ Parliament Attackers Get Suspended Sentences
According to members of the security forces who spoke anonymously to journalists, the attackers planned to execute people, but were deterred by the eyewitnesses filming the event on their phones.
Is the Belt and Road Project the Answer to China's Economic Woes? Some Aren't So Sure.
"...the risk for bad debt is huge. While other countries can easily back down from the initiative, as the leader of the initiative, China will be the last to quit."
Trinidad & Tobago Ministers Rack Up Big Bills—and Social Media Outrage
Trinidad and Tobago netizens are tired of public officials wantonly spending taxpayers' money, especially in a sluggish economy.
A Russian University Wanted to Award Duterte an Honorary Doctorate, but He Flew Home Too Soon
One of Russia’s most prestigious universities planned to award controversial Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte an honorary doctorate, but he left the country before the ceremony could take place, Russian media reported on Wednesday. The Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), which is run by the Russian Ministry of Foreign...
Why Trump's Hostile Handshake Routine Was No Big Deal for Tajikistan's President
Never try to strong-arm the strongman.
Flooding Washes Up Jamaica’s Poor Planning and Environmental Practices
Changing weather patterns, poor planning and development, inadequate drainage, and careless waste disposal converge to create disaster zones in Jamaica after just three days of heavy rains.
Corruption Fighters Slapped with Corruption Charges in Graft-Prone Central Asia
"Everything turned rotten a long time ago. There is nothing left to save!"