Stories from 27 February 2016
Desperate for Safer Roads, Russians Are Literally Filling Potholes with Money
In the past five weeks, there’s been a new slew of pothole-related scandals. Depending on your attitude about lousy public services and motorways, these stories will either entertain or disconcert.
Hokkaido's Popular Poplar Cut Down Because of Misbehaving Tourists
The tree had increasingly become a tourist attraction in recent years, with people traveling to visit the tree to snap its picture.
Disenfranchised Hongkongers Flood Their Chief Executive's Facebook Page with New ‘Angry’ Emoji
Hongkongers are making their feelings about the head of their government known, thanks to the launch of Facebook's new "Reactions" feature, which gives them the freedom to express their disapproval.
Can Mountains of Animal Bones Boost Food Security in Ethiopia?
By turning a wasted resource into fertilizer, researchers aim to help a hungry nation replenish depleted soils
Young Women in Kosovo Are Writing Code to Fight Harassment
Developers of a new app, Walk Freely, hope it will help solve Kosovo’s sexual harassment problem.
Anti-Extremism Police in Yakutia, Russia, Say They Have Ways of Finding You on WhatsApp
WhatsApp messenger is hugely popular in Yakutia—and the anti-extremist police force are on it.
Efforts Continue to Free Indigenous Activist and Ex-Director of Community Police in Mexico
Thirty months after Nestora Salgado's arrest, efforts to free her continue. The charges against her haven't been dropped even though international bodies have recognized her detention is illegal and arbitrary.