Stories about Feature from January, 2016
Expand Your Movie-Watching Horizons With These 16 Films From Around the World
Follow the exploits of a transgender dad, a rotten tomato, Iranian rockers, a janitor-turned-mayor and others in this list of films that take you to the world beyond Hollywood.
The Internet Helps an Unknown Brazilian Footballer Beat Messi to Win a FIFA Award
Wendell Lira didn’t have a club to play for when he was nominated for the most beautiful goal of 2015. But thanks to the Internet, he turned things around.
Russian Study Finds that One in Nine Duma Deputies Is an Academic Phony
Dissernet's investigation of dissertation texts found that one in nine lawmakers in the Russian State Duma has plagiarized content in their thesis, raising suspicion about their academic degrees.
The Creeping Politicisation of Theatre, Film and Public Media in Poland
Censorship of a play by Nobel Prize winner Elfriede Jelinek calls attention to the precariousness of state-funded art in Poland.
Taiwan Welcomes First Woman to Be Elected President
Taiwan has elected its first female president, Tsai Ing-wen, an opposition candidate who won 56.12 percent of the popular vote (almost 7 million ballots), soundly defeating her rivals.
Viral Story About Special Train Service for Hokkaido Schoolgirl Causes Problems for Student
Heard of that viral story about the train station in Japan with just one young passenger? It's full of inaccuracies. And the female student is being harassed by train nerds.
The Victims of Mexico's Drug War Deserve to Be in the Spotlight, Not El Chapo and Sean Penn
"Only when the names of those who were killed are known, when the stories of their suffering are heard...people everywhere will call out to end the war."
Enterprising Refugees Invited to Show Off Their Business Acumen in Europe
While many see refugees arriving in Europe as a burden, one organisation in the Netherlands is looking for entrepreneurs among the influx so they can contribute to the economy.
The African Legacy of Alan Rickman and the Harry Potter Series
Reducing the wide range of his talents to a few blockbusters doesn't do justice to Rickman's career, which involved supporting charities that benefited people all around the world.
Printers Censor Another New York Times Article, Shedding Light on Pakistan's Stifled Speech Environment
"...this blank space in the newspaper speaks volumes about the conditions under which we live and write in Pakistan today."
Matt Damon Was Right. NASA Is Studying Peruvian Potatoes for Possible Farming on Mars
There are 4,500 varieties of potato in Peru, whose International Potato Center has been tasked with helping NASA find the best one for potential farming on Mars.
Macedonia's Highest Court Confirms Fine for Journalists Who Quoted Statements Alleging Corruption
Fokus magazine had quoted Macedonia's former ambassador to the Czech Republic, who accused ex-head of the secret service Sasho Mijalkov of corruption. Mijalkov sued for defamation and won.
Hong Kongers Fear That Their City's Autonomy From China Might Be Next to Disappear
"I mean, maybe one day we will be taken away just because we are not happy about the political system."
The Caribbean Mourns David Bowie
Bowie translated so well, Internet users in the Caribbean tell Global Voices, because "his music was about pushing boundaries and creating new personas".
Zam Zam Cola, a Symbol of Happier Diplomatic Times Between Iran and Saudi Arabia
Tensions rage between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Saudi has ended diplomatic ties, and Iran has banned all Saudi imports. But where does this leave Iran's popular Zam Zam Cola?
Mapping the Deaths of Protesters in Ethiopia
When the Ethiopian government says that only five protesters have died in the recent violence, don't believe it.
‘Russian Ebola': Civic Project Tracks Russians’ Deaths in Police Custody
Almost every day, Russians die in police custody, often under mysterious circumstances. An online project called "Russian Ebola" is recording each death to raise awareness of the human rights issue.
A Live Surgery Draws Attention to Black Lung Disease in China
A black lung patient prepared a coffin for himself after ten years of languishing with the disease before receiving a lung transplant watched online by millions.
Mexico Recaptures El Chapo Guzmán. But Is it Mission Accomplished?
"President Enrique Pena Nieto saying "missing accomplished" is about as credible as when George Bush said it about Iraq. Same silly line."
‘You Just Need To Be White To Win’ Ad Denounced as Racist in Thailand
"Thai advert says you can be a winner if you have white skin. This is the most racist advert I've ever seen."
A Revolution of Music and Poetry From Behind the Computer Screens of Nicaragua
Blogger Heydi Ortega argues that today's Nicaraguan youths are in a unique position, beset with a new generation's troubles, and poised for revolutionary actions, if they're willing.
