Stories from January, 2015
Five Issues that Matter to Kyrgyzstan's Girl-Activists
Kyrgyzstan's 'Devochki-Activistki' are young girls fighting for gender equality in schools and within families. Meet them ahead of their appearance at the Global Voices 2015 Summit in Cebu.
How Muslim and Christian Women in Nigeria Banded Together to Fight Violent Extremism
Pastor Esther Ibanga and local Muslim religious leader Khadija Hawaja founded Women Without Walls a few years ago in a bid to return safety and security to their communities.
Asian Cup 2015: Iran Advances After Win Against Qatar
Iran booked its passage to the next round after beating Qatar.
Reports of Forced Religious Conversions Grab Headlines in India
On Christmas day, 59 Christians in Kerala reportedly were "converted" to Hinduism by two Hindu nationalist organizations with ties to the leading BJP party. What happened to religious tolerance?
Colombia's New Minimum Wage Generates Minimum Enthusiasm
On December 30, 2014, Colombia's government raised the minimum wage by 4.6 percent to 644,350 Colombian pesos ($273). On social media, the disappointment of many has been palpable.
Outrage in Colombia over ‘Little Miss Thong’ Child Beauty Pageant
In a controversial Colombian beauty pageant known as "Little Miss Thong," participants, sponsored by the local city hall, are bikini-wearing girls as young a six-years-old.
‘I Am Shuhrat': Tajiks Come to Jailed Lawyer's Defence on Facebook
Shuhrat Qudratov, a Tajik lawyer with a reputation for defending politically endangered clients, has been sentenced to nine years in prison on charges many citizens feel are bogus.
How the Philippines Hid Social Injustice From Pope Francis
Activists, street children, and urban poor residents were some of those who were "hidden" by authorities during the state visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines.
Antarctic Misadventure Sparks Scandal for Russian MPs
When two Duma deputies set off to plant the Russian flag atop the highest mountain in Antartica, they probably did't expect their trip would spark a political scandal.
Civil Liberties vs. Terrorism: What Are We Willing to Give Up?
European Union Interior Ministers are considering measures to combat terrorism in the region, which many have branded as draconian.
This Newspaper's Headlines Have Become Too Much for Many Readers in Venezuela
Últimas Noticas' January 12 front page mobilized Twitter users this week, when readers decided the newspaper's political bias has gone too far.
Why Hasn't the Baga Massacre Made as Many Headlines as the Charlie Hebdo Attack?
Is it because of Western media's skewed news priorities? The Nigerian government's own tight-lipped response? Local Nigerian media's ineptitude? The answer is all three, argues Nwachukwu Egbunike.
A 16-Year-Old's Death Is Forcing Ethiopia to Confront Its Sexual Violence Problem
Hanna Lalango was 16 years old when she was kidnapped while riding home from school, gang-raped and left severely injured on an Addis Ababa street.
Déjà Vu in Brazil as Police Crack Down on Protests Against Public Transportation Fare Hikes
January 2015 already resembles June 2013: hikes in transport fares in different Brazilian cities have sent hundreds of people into the streets, only to be met with police violence.
Outspoken ‘Israeli Zionist Arab Muslim’ Teen Emerges from Hiding in the US
"I had to leave Israel...for trying to show the world the real face of regular Arabs and Muslims who're simply sick of their leaders' corruption and unlimited hate..."
‘Africapitalism': Africa's New Way Forward?
Acting on a concept he invented five years ago, a Nigerian economist and philanthropist now says he's ready to invest $100 million in young African entrepreneurs.
Plastic Waste Documentary Brings China's Environmental Crisis Home to Netizens
Chinese have expressed their shock and anger at the lax regulations on plastic waste exposed in "Plastics Kingdom".
Sketch Comic Faces Accusations of ‘Glorifying’ Terrorism in Spain
The day after the attack on Charlie Hebdo in France, a Spanish judge summoned satirist Facu Díaz for questioning about a satirical sketch broadcast on his online TV show.
Philippines Evicts Small Vendors Ahead of Pope's ‘Mercy and Compassion’ Visit
The Luneta street vendors have protested the eviction notice: "We love the Pope. We will not harm him. We are not terrorists."
Saudi Arabia to Erect a 600 Mile “Great Wall” to Fend off ISIS
Last week, two Saudi guards and a general were killed when ISIS suicide bombers attacked the Suweif border post, 80km from Al Nukhayb, Iraq.
Is Syria Ready for TEDx Damascus With Its Free Thinkers Dead, in Jail or Exile?
Innovation can hardly flourish while innovators like Bassel Safadi remained imprisoned, and when the majority of Syrian free thinkers have been killed, detained or forced to leave the country.