Stories about Weblog from December, 2014
Did You Miss Our Top 14 Stories of 2014?
This year we've been focusing on sifting through misinformation in overreported stories, while continuing to shed light on the most important underreported stories around the world.
Somber Scenes as World Mourns Pakistani Children Slain in Peshawar Attack
Vigils remembering those killed when a group of Taliban gunmen stormed an army school in Peshawar, Pakistan, have taken place around the world, from Canada to Tanzania and Sri Lanka.
One Dead, Dozens Injured as Myanmar Farmers Continue to Oppose Chinese Copper Mine Project
Clashes over a controversial mining project in Myanmar have claimed the life of a 56-year-old farmer and protester, who reportedly died after being shot in the head by police.
This Trailblazing School in Haiti Teaches Younger Kids in Creole, Not French
French has long been the language of education in Haiti, even though few Haitians actually speak it. A national movement is now pushing for instruction in native tongue Creole.
Internet Memes Protest Killing of Anti-Mining Villager in Myanmar
Those outraged by the shooting death of a woman protesting the mining project have used popular Internet memes to point out the absurdities of the case.
New Taxes in Macedonia Send Freelancers and Part-Time Workers Into the Streets
In a country where unemployment sits at nearly 29 percent, freelancing and working part-time is all that's available to many people.
I Have Never Known A Cuba That Wasn't Blockaded
A personal take on the rapprochement between the United States and her native land by Cuban journalist and activist Sandra Alvarez.
Mainland Chinese ‘Bad Behavior’ Abroad Is a Strategy for Success at Home
Following a recent brawl on a flight from mainland China to Hong Kong, a Singapore news website argued that a 'fierce' attitude is necessary to succeed living on the mainland.
Hate Crimes on LGBTI People in Macedonia Spark ‘Body Bag’ Protests
In October, masked hooligans assaulted a celebration organized by an LGBTI group in Skopje, wrecking a cafe and beating up several people. Police have sat on their hands.
Democratic Republic of Congo's Dr. Mukwege: ‘How Can One Stay Silent’ in the Face of Sexual Violence?
Dr. Denis Mukwege moved some European parliament members to tears with his speech accepting the 2014 Sakharov Award on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
#IAm26: Open Letter Inspires Malaysians to Speak Out Against Religious Intolerance
Twenty-five retired senior officials, who came to be known as the "prominent 25", urged the Malaysian government in a widely supported open letter to review the country's Islamic laws
Pakistanis Say #ReclaimYourMosques From Radicalism in Rare, Bold Protests
After the horrific Taliban attack on a military-run school in Peshawar that killed more than hundred and thirty students, a controversial cleric refused to condemn the massacre, sparking protests.
Tunisians Head to Polls to Elect a New President
Tunisians are heading to polls today to elect a new president. Political veteran Beji Caid Essebsi, aged 88, faces outgoing interim president Moncef Marzouki.
Learn Something Surprising About Africa, Courtesy of ‘Africa Facts Zone’
Isima Odeh, a 17-year-old Nigerian student, uses Twitter and Facebook to give people refreshing facts about Africa and Africans.
Navalny Protest Rally Facebook Event Page Blocked in Russia
Just one day after supporters of Putin critic Alexey Navalny set up a Facebook event page for a protest rally in his support, the page has been blocked in Russia.
Is A Citizens’ Awakening The Cure For Mexico's “Cancer”?
Recent protest activity on the part of Mexicans may be the beginnings of a cure for the "cancer that’s eating Mexico from the inside," writes Robert Valencia.
Some of Miami's Cuban Exiles Are Disgruntled at Obama's New Approach to Cuba
Our author, Robert Valencia, is in Miami, home to the largest community of people of Cuban descent residing outside of Cuba.
Harrowing Tohoku Tsunami Stories, Translated Into English
The Kahoku Shimpo, a major newspaper in Tohoku, is publishing English translations of its unique first-hand accounts of the March 11, 2011 "triple disaster" with the help of Harvard University.
Mexican Soap Opera's Gay Couple Thrown Back into the Closet on Brazilian TV
Brazilian SBT channel has cut out scenes and changed dialogue in its rebroadcast of the Mexican telenovela “Sortilegio” in order to hide the romantic relationship between two male characters.
Washington's $60 Million for Russian Democracy Promotion Is ‘Essentially a Recommendation’
A source in Washington says, “The authorization language is essentially a recommendation, and we’re not expecting it to result in any new appropriations for Russian media or civil society.”
Is India Ready for the ‘Big Time’ in World Sports?
When it comes to many world sports, India is considered a "sleeping giant". As the nation expands its presence in football and tennis, interest in the "giant" is rising.
