Stories about Politics from May, 2017
Russia's State Duma Invites a YouTube Star to Speak
A woman who once submerged herself in a bathtub filled with potato chips for her 5 million YouTube subscribers, Sasha Spilberg addressed the State Duma this Monday.
Russian Crooner Joins Effort to Attract Tourists to War-Torn Eastern Ukraine
Nearly three years into the war in eastern Ukraine, the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics are making a renewed attempt to attract foreign tourists to their Russian-backed statelets.
Malaysian Editors Face Cybercrime Charges for Posting a Video that Criticized Attorney General
In the video, which was taken during a press briefing, a former member of the ruling party called for the resignation of the attorney general.
Lebanese Activists Disturb Talk by Politicians and Call for Better Political Representation
"We wanted to tell them: You Stink, your expiry date has passed...you stole people's rights by not allowing them to vote."
Beirut's Municipality Deals Another Blow to the City's Green Space
The municipality's recent policies are threatening the capital's last remaining major green space
Ethiopia’s Cholera-Denying Candidate to Lead the World's Top Health Body Is Taking a Battering Online
"I fear that the WHO’s reputation will be tarnished and credibility questioned if it elects Dr. Tedros Adhanom."
Why Doctors and Students Are Protesting Against Sri Lanka's Only Private Medical College
"It remains to be seen, if the Medical Mafia will continue to deprive the right to a private medical education for our youth."
Viral Video Triggers Debate Over Patriotic Education in China, Again
"My kids do not need to follow so-called 'heroes' who killed their fellow countrymen. They should learn how to love the environment, recycle used items, act in a civilized manner."
Argentines Rally Against Ruling That Could Shorten Prison Sentences of Dictatorship-Era Criminals
"Argentina cannot go backwards on human rights issues. The message of impunity cannot invade our streets”
Azerbaijan Blocks Independent Media (And Actually Admits it)
"This was one thing we had left and they have taken it too. May God punish them. All they think about is how to shut people up."
For Some Mexicans, a Presidential Hopeful Bears Worrying Similarities to Venezuela's Maduro
"It's no wonder people continue to believe in AMLO, if in Venezuela there are still those that continue believe in Nicolás Maduro, there are naive people everywhere"
President Maduro Threatened This Venezuelan Journalist on Twitter, Then His Passport Was Suddenly Declared “Invalid”
César Miguel Rondón was detained at the airport, and his whole family's passports were declared invalid.
#FreeThe5KH Campaign Seeks Release of Five Detained Human Rights Activists in Cambodia
The five have been recognized as among the finalists in the prestigious Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders in 2017.
Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients in Australia Raises Discrimination and Privacy Concerns
"The overwhelming Twitter response to the plan to drug test welfare recipients: drug test politicians and their staff too"
Political Bad-Mouthing in Trinidad and Tobago Sullies Opening of Stadium Named for Cricketer Brian Lara
Politics and sport may be inextricably linked, as evidenced by the online commentary following the opening of the Brian Lara Stadium in south Trinidad.
Iran Elections 2017: Hassan Rouhani Ran on Openness. But What Did He Actually Achieve?
Hassan Rouhani has been both the candidate and President of "hope and moderation" for Iranians. Article 19's report assesses how this has had an affect on freedoms online.
Beirut Activists Launch Heritage Watch Day to Defend Threatened Historical Sites
The laissez-faire privatization and development frenzy in Lebanon’s capital has destroyed much of the country’s heritage. Activists are determined to stop that trend.
As WHO Director-General Election Nears, Ethiopia’s Candidate Is Accused of Cholera Cover-Ups
"Finally! The @NYTimes calls out @WHO DG candidate @DrTedros for covering up cholera epidemic using the euphemism of Acute Water Diarrhea."
Ukraine Sanctions VKontakte, Other Russian Social Media Websites
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed an order instructing the country's Internet providers to block several major Russian social media websites.
Did Tajikistan’s ‘First Parrot’ Flee Its Gilded Cage?
A media blackout regarding the status of the bird supposedly belonging to a top member of the ruling family failed to stop the jokes.
Everybody Is Hailing Billboard-Topping Musician Teddy Afro, Except Ethiopian State Media
State broadcaster EBC failed to air an eagerly awaited interview with a beloved artist known for his political independence.
