Stories about Politics from December, 2014
New Taxes in Macedonia Send Freelancers and Part-Time Workers Into the Streets
In a country where unemployment sits at nearly 29 percent, freelancing and working part-time is all that's available to many people.
I Have Never Known A Cuba That Wasn't Blockaded
A personal take on the rapprochement between the United States and her native land by Cuban journalist and activist Sandra Alvarez.
Hate Crimes on LGBTI People in Macedonia Spark ‘Body Bag’ Protests
In October, masked hooligans assaulted a celebration organized by an LGBTI group in Skopje, wrecking a cafe and beating up several people. Police have sat on their hands.
Democratic Republic of Congo's Dr. Mukwege: ‘How Can One Stay Silent’ in the Face of Sexual Violence?
Dr. Denis Mukwege moved some European parliament members to tears with his speech accepting the 2014 Sakharov Award on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Facebook and Twitter ‘Won't Block’ Navalny in Russia, As Kremlin Continues to Block Protest Mentions
Tv Rain reports Facebook and Twitter have decided not to block any more Navalny protest pages, aware that this might mean their whole websites may be blocked in Russia.
#IAm26: Open Letter Inspires Malaysians to Speak Out Against Religious Intolerance
Twenty-five retired senior officials, who came to be known as the "prominent 25", urged the Malaysian government in a widely supported open letter to review the country's Islamic laws
Pakistanis Say #ReclaimYourMosques From Radicalism in Rare, Bold Protests
After the horrific Taliban attack on a military-run school in Peshawar that killed more than hundred and thirty students, a controversial cleric refused to condemn the massacre, sparking protests.
Tunisians Head to Polls to Elect a New President
Tunisians are heading to polls today to elect a new president. Political veteran Beji Caid Essebsi, aged 88, faces outgoing interim president Moncef Marzouki.
Navalny Protest Rally Facebook Event Page Blocked in Russia
Just one day after supporters of Putin critic Alexey Navalny set up a Facebook event page for a protest rally in his support, the page has been blocked in Russia.
Is A Citizens’ Awakening The Cure For Mexico's “Cancer”?
Recent protest activity on the part of Mexicans may be the beginnings of a cure for the "cancer that’s eating Mexico from the inside," writes Robert Valencia.
Some of Miami's Cuban Exiles Are Disgruntled at Obama's New Approach to Cuba
Our author, Robert Valencia, is in Miami, home to the largest community of people of Cuban descent residing outside of Cuba.
Hong Kong Police's Arrest of Teen ‘Shopping’ Protesters Sparks Concern
Human rights activists worry that Hong Kong police are targeting minors participating in "shopping" pro-democracy protests. Young activists may not be aware of their legal rights.
Freedom of Speech is a Top Target in Erdogan's War on the ‘Parallel State’
In Turkey, 31 journalists and police officers are being charged with directing and founding and belonging to an armed terror organisation.
#IndiaWithPakistan: Indians Show Solidarity With Their Grieving Neighbors After Peshawar Attack
"Yes, I am Indian. So what? The pain of losing a child is universal. #IndiawithPakistan"
Have the Japanese Become ‘Numb’ to Earthquakes?
Following a strong 6.8 earthquake in November, Twitter users noticed that the Japanese seemed to brush it off easily, only three years after the 3.11 Tohoku Triple Disaster killed thousands.
Does the Caribbean Have a Rape Culture?
Is Caribbean society doing everything it can to protect women from rape? Some activists have had enough with the region's passive acceptance of a rape culture.
As the Sydney Siege Comes to an End, Hundreds of Thousands of Tweets Show Solidarity with Muslims
The #IllRideWithyou campaign was meant to show solidarity with Sydney Muslims who might feel uncomfortable taking public transport following the Sydney siege.
Behind Prison Walls, Violence Against Women Is Often Ignored in Argentina
Women in lockup in Argentina face humiliating searches, lack of prison amenities in comparison with men, poor health care, and a lack of interpreters if they don't speak Spanish.
Ukrainian Hackers Leak Russian Interior Ministry Docs with ‘Evidence’ of Russian Invasion
Ukrainian Cyber Forces hacker collective has leaked documents from Russian Interior Ministry servers that activists claim show evidence of Russian military presence in Ukraine.
Australian Prime Minister's About-Face on Sexism, Two Years Late
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has accused critics of his chief of staff of being sexist. Abbot was famously the target of former PM Julia Gillard’s misogyny speech in 2012.
The Ruble May Be Falling, But Russian Memes Are Soaring
Amid growing anxiety about Russia’s currency and economy, RuNet Echo has collected several of the most popular and amusing examples of “ruble memes” on Russian Twitter.