Stories about Feature from May, 2017
The Myth of the ‘Nice Canadian’
Is Canadians' reputation for niceness preventing Canada from really achieving true greatness as a country?
For Afro-Colombians, Police Racism Is a ‘Daily Reality’
"You put me between a rock and a hard place, and then you call me extremist?"
Facebook ‘Mistakenly’ Censored Tiananmen Massacre Tribute
Facebook said the image “belittles, threatens or attacks a particular person, legal entity, nationality or group.” Following an uproar among Hong Kongers, the company apologised and approved the image.
Kazakhstan Is Preparing to Effectively Ban Political Opposition
The banning of independent candidates at presidential elections is yet another blow to hopes of a democratic future.
A Jamaican Cultural Landmark Gets Some Much-Needed Tender Loving Care
"My first time putting foot inside the much touted #WardTheatre.... and immediately a sense of history dawned upon me..."
On the 45th Anniversary of Okinawa's Return to Japan, People Protest US Presence
It's been 45 years since the United States returned Okinawa to Japan. But American bases still dominate the landscape, and the politics of the prefecture.
When Journalists Are Attacked, Macedonian Authorities Are Dangerously Slow to Act
Some media workers who were targeted during mob violence at Macedonia's parliament in April haven't filed reports with police because they don't believe anything will come of them.
Kaqchikel and Other Guatemalan Languages Gain Momentum Online Thanks to Digital Activism
The Digital Activism Meeting for Indigenous Languages took place in Guatemala and brought together important initiatives for the visibility and strengthening of Mayan languages through technology.
Cries of Impunity as Macedonia's ‘Bloody Thursday’ Parliament Attackers Get Suspended Sentences
According to members of the security forces who spoke anonymously to journalists, the attackers planned to execute people, but were deterred by the eyewitnesses filming the event on their phones.
Trinidad & Tobago Ministers Rack Up Big Bills—and Social Media Outrage
Trinidad and Tobago netizens are tired of public officials wantonly spending taxpayers' money, especially in a sluggish economy.
Corruption Fighters Slapped with Corruption Charges in Graft-Prone Central Asia
"Everything turned rotten a long time ago. There is nothing left to save!"
An Afro-Colombian Model on “Social Bleaching”
"I wonder how many children "whiten" themselves socially without even realizing it. They are...ignorant of their ancestors and of the people who fought so history wouldn't repeat itself."
‘No to Silence': Javier Valdez's Murder Highlights Persistent Perils for Mexican Journalists
Seven journalists have been murdered in Mexico this year. Since 2012, less than one percent of attacks on journalists have resulted in a criminal conviction.
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."
Netizen Report: Chelsea Manning and the Power of Transparency
This week, Chelsea Manning was finally released from prison, Ukraine censored Russian web platforms and Thailand threatened legal action against Facebook.
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.
Palestinian Prisoners Remain ‘Determined’ One Month Into Hunger Strike Against Israeli Prison Conditions
Thirty days have passed and over 1,500 Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli prisons continue their mass hunger strike.
Why Is China Home to Half of the Computers Infected With WannaCry Ransomware?
Chinese computer users may be more vulnerable to the attack as many commonly use unlicensed (i.e. pirated) or outdated versions of Windows OS and thus do not receive security updates.
A Global Call for Justice Unites Artists in Guatemala
It's been two months since 41 girls burned to death in a fire at a state-run home for children. But Guatemalan authorities have been slow to act.
Three Decades and Several Films Later, a Creative Translation of ‘Alien’ Endures in the Balkans
"Then there's Alien or Osmi Putnik which literally translates to "The Eighth Passenger". What was the sequel translated as? More Passengers?"
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.
