Stories about Politics from January, 2020
How ‘fake news’ and disinformation were spread in the run-up to Taiwan's presidential elections
Puma Shen, director of DoubleThink Labs, shares his observations on the ways in which fake news and disinformation were disseminated prior to Taiwan's January 11, 2020 presidential elections.
Facebook apologizes for translating Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s name as ‘Mr. Shithole’
"And the president of China, Mr. Shithole, signed a guest record of the house of representatives."
What is the future of Moldova's ‘law against propaganda'?
Despite objections from the socialist party, the law came into force in 2018. But with the socialists now dominating Moldovan politics, will they succeed in revoking it?
Despite legal threats and harassment, thousands join the ‘Run Against Dictatorship’ in Thailand
"The reactions by the authorities and intimidation tactics are not just wrong but also absurd. As the country has returned to democracy, no citizen should face such intimidation."
From Indonesian exile to Czechoslovakian pop star: An interview with Rony Marton
Jaroni Surjomartono, an Indonesian scholar, arrived in Prague in 1963. He and hundreds of scholars were later banned from returning home after General Suharto rose to power.
This community library is changing the chaos narrative in Haiti's Cité Soleil
The epitome of the ills that have plagued Haiti for decades, Cité Soleil wants to use its library project as a channel for the larger discourse around national reconstruction.
Ukrainian workers battle controversial new labour code
Ukrainian and international labour rights activists believe that the draft labour code will radically weaken employees' rights and the role of trade unions in the workplace
In Modi’s India, anti-Bangladeshi-immigrant rhetoric is used to justify changes in citizenship laws
The implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens in India and the rhetoric of deportation of "illegal Bangladeshis" have put the India-Bangladesh relation on stress.
Victory for labor rights in Cambodia as largest casino workers’ strike ends in peace
Despite the success of the strike, workers could face sanctions for breaching the court order which declared the protest as illegal.
Zanzibar mourns the death of Omani sultan who strengthened historical ties with East Africa
Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman was known to many as a "quiet diplomat" who modernized Oman and restored and strengthened historical ties with Zanzibar and East Africa.
#AustraliaBurning: Prime Minister's handling of national disaster sparks widespread criticism
"Our country is leaderless & while it burns, instead of being the leader we need & want, Mr "I can't hold a hose" Morrison is having a NYE party."
Taiwan presidential election: Tsai Ing-wen re-elected with record-breaking votes
Tsai said: 'I want to once again call upon Beijing authorities to remind them that peace, clarity, democracy and dialogue are key to positive cross-strait interactions and long-term development.'
Thai journalist convicted over a 2017 Twitter post about a labor conflict
"There is a high level of self-censorship in Thailand… When you forbid freedom of expression… you forbid an open society."
Will 2020 be the year of the Nigerian girl and woman?
The year 2019 saw major movements to advance the rights of girls and women in Nigeria. Will 2020 continue this momentum?
Interfaith harmony disturbed after Sikh holy site attacked in Pakistan
Sikh holy sIte Gurdwara Janam Ashtam at Nankana Sahib city near Lahore Pakistan was attacked by violent mobs and communal and hateful slogans against the Sikh minority community were raised.
The impact of Hong Kong protests on Taiwan’s presidential election and cross-strait relations
The axis of Taiwan’s political dynamics has shifted from the country's economy and administration to China factor and cross-strait relation.
Is Taiwan an unrecognized country?
"While today the international community is happy to maintain the current status-quo when dealing separately with Taiwan and China, certain political forces in both places are advocating for a change."
Philippine art town unites against mining extension
Citing grave damages to their environment after five decades of gravel extraction, the people of Angono town are petitioning against the extension of mining in their area.
Deadline looms for biometric SIM card registration in Tanzania
The biometric SIM card registration process means Tanzania joins a growing list of African nations gripped by the biometric data and digital identification revolution in Africa.
Ahead of Taiwan's presidential election, KMT accuses DPP of ‘green terror’ and Beijing echoes
The political label “green terror” is also circulating widely on mainland Chinese state-affiliated media and social media outlets.
Beijing’s new top man in Hong Kong says he hopes city will return to ‘the right track’
The new director of Beijing’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong reiterated Chinese President Xi Jinping's expressed desire for "a harmonious and stable environment".