Stories about Politics from March, 2017
‘Zelyonka': the Anti-Putin Antiseptic
"Brilliant green" is becoming the unofficial color of Russia’s opposition movement.
Here's Why This Election Year in France Is Completely Unprecedented
People feel that the future is bleak and that the old recipes of established parties are not working.
Russian Opposition Leader Offers European Court Shield to Thousands
Citing his group's past success, Alexey Navalny implies that coming out to demonstrate against corruption could net as much as 10,000 euros for each person wrongly detained and fined.
Hong Kong's Hottest Fake News Headlines Target Refugees, Foreign Domestic Workers
Hong Kong's increase in fake news prompted media activists to create the Facebook page Kau Yim to verify important information and identify fake news.
Kathmandu’s Pollution Is So Bad, Even Gods Need Masks
The level of pollution in Kathmandu has surpassed the minimum acceptable level and the residents are reacting by putting masks over their faces, just like the city's iconic statues.
With Romance and Nostalgia, This Comic Is Taking on Corruption in Mexico
"Readers will find stories written in colloquial language that will inform them about the problem of corruption and of how the National Anticorruption System works."
Brazil’s Deadly Prison System and the Internet Comedians Cheering It On
A crisis in Brazil's prisons has raised alarms about systemic violence, and also highlighted a vocal segment of Brazilian society apparently cheering on the bloodshed.
Don’t Make Russia’s Anti-Kremlin Opposition Angry. You Wouldn’t Like It When It’s Angry.
What started out as a playful response to an attack on Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny quickly turned into an online protest.
This Is How a Russian School Principal Talked to Her Students About Patriotism
Leaked audiotape reveals how a Russian school principal insulted her students, saying they lack patriotism, after they challenged her criticisms of opposition leader Alexey Navalny.
India Fights to Bring ‘My Freedom Day’ to Its 12 Million Slaves
This year, roughly 12 million slaves in India couldn't celebrate My Freedom Day. That number could rise to 18 million, if more isn't done to help India's most vulnerable.
Brazilian Facebook User Prosecuted for Posting a Joke About a Politician
The administrator was prosecuted not for defamation, but rather for violating Brazil's anonymity laws.
Photography Project Urges Mexicans Never to Forget Crimes that Have Gone Unpunished
"State crimes in our country remain unpunished since the same system that committed them covers them up. Without justice they remain as open sores."
St. Petersburg Investigators Agree to Review Ballot Stuffing Allegations
It doesn't happen often in Russia, but police have agreed to investigate a case of potential voter fraud from last September's elections in St. Petersburg.
You a Bad Politician in Mexico? You Could Get a Tomato in the Face
A citizen activist and former public servant in Mexico is leading an unorthodox campaign to rub politicians' faces in the public's dissatisfaction.
Donald Trump Was Right: Iranians Do Play With Fire
The ancient Iranian festival of fire, known as Chaharshanbe Suri, proves that Donald Trump was absolutely right — albeit unwittingly — when he recently accused Iran of “playing with fire.”
Remembering Soviet Pop: the USSR's Vocal-Instrumental Ensembles
While the West twisted, discoed, and boogied, the people of the Soviet Union were treated to a bland but charming, state-censored version of Western music: the so-called vocal-instrumental ensembles (VIAs).
Macedonians Mourn Folk Singer Vanja Lazarova, Whose Plight Inspired Facebook Activism
Vanja Lazarova became part of digital activism history in Macedonia after her tough circumstances late in life inspired the innovative use of Facebook as a tool to petition the government.
In Kyrgyzstan, Prosecutors Sue Media for Offending President
"By advising him to sue internet publications, they are really doing him a bad turn."
Reckless Diplomacy: Turkey-Netherlands #TulipCrisis Is Scary Viewing for Minorities in Europe
A rally, a crackdown and a diplomatic standoff that stands to benefit nationalist politicians in both countries, but almost no-one else.
Georgian Town of Batumi Suffers Riots Over a Parking Ticket, Local Grievances
Social media users have been tweeting about the situation in the city under the hashtag #BatumiRiots.
