Stories about Weblog from July, 2018
Sharing a passion for permaculture in Suriname
An interview with Alex Yakaumo, a permaculturalist who spends his time lecturing and running workshops about self-sustaining agricultural ecosystems in his community in Commewijne.
Why do Venezuelans see their country reflected in George Orwell's “1984”?
"Chávez's eyes are on display throughout Venezuela [...] All with the same intention [...] to tell us: "We are the power and we are watching you".
Australian conference debates threats to human rights in the Asia-Pacific
The message from Australia's human rights law conference: We cannot just “support human rights until it gets hard”.
Netizen Report: Russia and Sudan join the ranks of countries looking to outlaw ‘fake news’
On the heels of recent legislation in Malaysia, Philippines, Brazil and France, the latest draft laws on “fake news” come from Sudan and Russia.
One of Europe's last primeval forests crumbles in the hands of the Polish government
Watchdog environmental organizations say at least 160,000-180,000 trees were felled since 2016, after the Polish government tripled the amount of wood to be harvested from Białowieża.
From state censorship to western stereotypes, an interview with Iranian artist Maryam Palizgir
Maryam Palzigir's experience fought against both state censorship of artistic expression in Iran and now Western stereotypes of Iranians in the U.S.
In India, police protects cows while lynching victim accused of cow smuggling is delayed care
"It’s sad to know that cow protection is more sacred than saving a human life...Are minorities in the country really being marginalized and treated as second-grade citizens?"
Will a World Cup joke force France to have a necessary conversation about Africa?
"By calling them an African team it seems you are denying their Frenchness."
Southern Iraq rages over dire living conditions
With frequent power cuts intensifying the effects of a brutal heatwave, people have taken to the streets to demand better public services, jobs and an end to corruption.
Go sightseeing in Japan, right on YouTube
What makes the videos useful for travelers or anyone interested in Japan is each video includes annotations in English, with time stamps, of what particular sightseeing spot is on screen.
Attack by municipal guards signals rising threats against journalists in Ukraine
Municipal Guards for the city of Odessa attacked a group of journalists with teargas and rubber batons.
Ghanaians challenge their government over a telco monitoring program, claiming privacy violations
Petitioners say the system will monitor more than just revenues, warning that it will allow for easy government snooping on calls and messages.
Social media users are trying to combat harassment in Pakistan — but will state institutions do their part?
Aimal Khan's arrest following public outcry on social media is a good sign. But will justice prevail?
Nigeria is launching a new national airline — but will it take off?
"A national carrier is something we have tried and failed multiple times...[On] what basis are you hopeful that an administration that has failed more than others will be successful?"
Yet another vaccine scandal hits China's big pharma, sparking fear, rage — and censorship
For over a decade, a series of similar scandals have plagued China's emerging pharmaceutical industry, and people seem to have lost faith.
Cambodia’s ‘clean finger’ campaign urges voters to boycott ‘sham’ election
"No #CNRP, no real #election! No voting, no dirty finger!"
In the run-up to Mali's 2018 presidential elections, will President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta survive his scandals?
"Malians have the right to question where the hundreds of billions are really going, which were approved for the army to be able to tackle the jihadist threat."
‘They can’t duck the question of decolonisation and transformation anymore’
"That's partly why I’m here in Trinidad. It’s really important for us to have spaces and places where [such] concerns are central, in really deep, rigorous, creative, investigative, explorative ways."
Why Bamyan province brings out the best of Afghanistan
"These pictures give us a clear message: security, awareness and gender equality. I wish to have such gatherings in all provinces."
In Hong Kong's Gig Economy, Freedom Remains Elusive for Most ‘Slashies’
The 'slashie', according to Hong Kong's media, is the worker who embraces the gig economy by choice rather than necessity. But is that an accurate portrait of all outsourced work?
A guide to Pakistan's 2018 general elections
A handy guide to the parties, the issues and what's at stake in Pakistan's upcoming general elections.
