Stories about Politics from January, 2017
Will 2017 Be a Year of Political Change in Angola? Most Think Not.
After 37 years in office is President José Eduardo dos Santos really going to step back from power, as he seemed to announce?
In Venezuela, a Conductor's Lack of Political Opinion Hits a Sour Note in Some Circles
The "apolitical" position of celebrated musician Gustavo Dudamel is unacceptable for many Venezuelans at this critical time, and has reignited the debate on the connection between the arts and politics.
A Young Russian Governor's Fascist Chic
The acting governor of Kaliningrad, 30-year-old Anton Alikhanov, has a winter coat with some unusual arm patches. Some unusual fascist arm patches.
Hong Kongers Snap Protest Selfies With Government’s Palace Museum Project ‘Exhibition’
After a cultural project proceeds without public consultation and the government spends even more money on a television series to promote it, Hong Kongers stage acts of protest through selfies.
Will 2017 Be a Better Year for Turkey's Media?
Turkey's government continues to conflate journalism it doesn't like with terrorism and other crimes against the state.
‘The Richest Political Party in Europe’ Gets Its Wealth From Corruption, According to Macedonian Journalists
A documentary states that the party owns pastures and apartments. Macedonian law prohibits real-estate ownership by political parties, with the exception of office space.
All the President's Fishermen: Who's Standing Behind Vladimir Putin?
Why is Putin meeting with fishermen from Novgorod so much? Are they really fishermen?
Introducing ‘Vovinam’, a Vietnamese Martial Art Steeped in Political History
Vovinam, a response to French occupation of Vietnam, is an explosive hybrid of older practices found across the southeast Asian country.
Singapore's Prime Minister Leads Netizens in Expressing Gratitude for Foreign Workers
Local observers argue that real policies to protect migrant workers' rights are still absent in the wealthy Asian city state, however.
‘Gasolinazo': How Gasoline Price Gouging Has Spurred “Collective Bad Temperedness” in Mexico
2017 has got off to a shaky start for Mexico.
How Russia’s Conservative Movement Broke Through Online
In the last few years, we witnessed a conservative renaissance on the RuNet, though it's unclear where the community goes from here.
‘Europa’, a Guidebook to Help Migrants and Refugees Understand Europe
"Europa: An Illustrated Introduction to Europe for Migrants and Refugees" tries to explain the continent's history and politics through the lens of conflict and migration.
In Uzbekistan, a YouTube Video Sparks a Debate about Homophobia
"I do not in any way justify those that beat him, but… I don’t want our people to be tolerant of these kind of sick freaks."
Survey Finds Young Social Media Users in Hong Kong Tend to Distrust the Government
The survey also found that despite young people’s frequent online activity, most of them seldom participated in offline political events.
Outspoken Fashion Designer Arrested By Turkish Authorities
The arrest of a public figure like Şansal, who is unaffiliated with any political party, has other government critics fearing they could be next.
Mistaken Identity?: Kyrgyzstan's Name Tarnished in Attack on Istanbul Nightclub that Killed 39
Whatever the truth, the damage to the little-known country's image has already been done.
Revelation Blows a Hole in Trinidad & Tobago President’s Explanation of Controversial Housing Allowance
"What the president did was remain in housing that was beneath his standards and put the money in his pocket."
The Best and Worst of Russia's New Year's Laws
Every year, the Russian State Duma schedules laws to come into effect on January 1st. RuNet Echo marks the highlights and lowlights of the 2017 New Year's laws.
