Stories about Politics from December, 2014
New Distribution of Colonies and Native Nations in Mexico City
On his personal blog Hbt, Olivera Herbert writes about a new district distribution (starting on October 2014) and the popular referendum about participatory budgeting 2015 (November 2014), that allowed us to assess and ellaborate a new Catalog of Colonies and Native Nations 2013 in Mexico City. Herbert has prepared a...
Argentinan Slums’ Identity Crisis
Argentina's shantytowns are in an identity crisis. These communities could soon be getting some help, however, now that the government might make October 7 "Slum Identity Day."
Booted From Occupy Central, Hong Kong's Pro-Democracy Protesters Take on New Battlefields
Until the promise of genuine democracy is fulfilled, pro-democracy advocates say they won't back down.
Fear of ISIS Threatens Media Freedom in Kyrgyzstan
A Kyrgyz media outlet refused government requests to delete a reposted video of Kazakh children training in ISIS camps. Now it is partly blocked in both countries.
Slain Photojournalist Luke Somers’ Deep Connection to Jamaica
Luke Somers, the photojournalist who was murdered by al-Qaeda in Yemen, was known and loved the world over. One Jamaican reading centre, for whom he volunteered, remembers his life.
Russia's ‘Anonymous International’ Promises New Wave of Leaks
A former Kremlin youth group organizer is at the center of a developing data leak scandal. What does Russia's "Anonymous International" have planned?
The Fall of the Georgian Currency in Photoshopped Images: From 50 Cent to ‘Saving Private Lari’
Georgia's national currency, the lari, has been weakened by "internal and external factors" according to the country's central bank, leaving it languishing as the butt of online jokes.
Why Going Viral Was a Source of Fear for One Hong Kong Citizen Journalist
Hung Lai Fong published an article under her real name about Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests, and when it became widely read, she began to fear retaliation from China.
How Social Media Helped an Independent Candidate Beat the Odds in Taiwan's Elections
Ko Wen-je won the race for mayor in Taiwan's capital city by a landslide. The island's political culture favors a two-party system, but Ko says social media helped him win.
Lawmakers Watching Porn, Playing Games, and Sleeping on the Job Is a Thing in Southeast Asia
Several politicians across Southeast Asia have been caught watching porn, sleeping, and playing a game on Ipad during Parliament or Congress sessions.
Forensic Experts Identify Remains of One of Mexico's Missing Ayotzinapa Students
Forensic experts identified the remains found in a garbage dump in the town of Cocula were of Alexander Mora Venancio, 21, one of Mexico's 43 missing students.
Bahrain Comes to a Standstill for the King's Son to Cycle, Run and Swim
A burial service was delayed, airline travel was disrupted, doctors could not go to work and patients were left without care while the king's son swam, ran and cycled.
#ICantBreathe: Thousands Block Traffic, Demand Justice in Boston
Demonstrators are bringing voice to hashtags like #blacklivesmatter and #icantbreathe that have flooded social media since last week's decision to exonerate the police officer who killed Ferguson teen Michael Brown.
Uruguay's Voters Give Former President Tabaré Vázquez His Old Job Back
Tabare Vazquez, who served as president of Uruguay from 2005-2010, easily won Uruguay's presidential election against rival, center-right Luis Lacalle Pou.
Ukraine's New “Ministry of Truth” Ridiculed on Social Media
The creation of a new Ministry of Information Policy within the Ukrainian government has caused widespread consternation among Ukrainians, leading critics to dub it the "Ministry of Truth."
Turkey's Growing Corruption Problem Is Getting Harder to Hide
Transparency International has released its annual Corruption Perceptions Index. Turkey's five point decline in the index is the biggest of any country this year.
With Blood New and Old, Ukraine's Next Parliament Is Sworn In
As a new Ukrainian Rada is sworn in, a diverse group of MPs immediately faces high political stakes and intense public scrutiny.
India's ‘Braveheart’ Sisters Fight Back Against Sexual Predators
For defending themselves so assertively, people across India have praised Rohtak and Pooja as shining examples of how women should have the strength and willpower to fight back against attackers.
Guyanese President Shuts Down Parliament to Avoid ‘No-Confidence’ Vote
President Donald Ramotar has prorogued the country's parliament for six months (discontinuing the body, without dissolving it), aggravating already polarized political times in Guyana.
Baton-Happy Police Beat Back Pro-Democracy Protesters in Hong Kong
In response to the clearing of protesters from a sit-in site last week, two student activists groups attempted to occupy roads around government headquarters. Police stopped them with force.
Historic Church Building Razed in Trinidad & Tobago Is ‘Still Worth Saving’
"no understanding of culture and history... no joy and awe for the hand made building and the sweat and tears of our ancestors..."