Stories from August, 2016
In Nigeria, You Risk Arrest If Your Dog Has the Same Name as the President
"Anyone that is still in doubt about the political nature of this case should search his inner conscience closely."
Daraya, Symbol of Non-Violent Revolution and Self-Determination, Falls to the Syrian Regime
"The people of Daraya paid a heavy price for their dream of freedom. For four years they defended their autonomy from the Assadist state, and kept going despite the siege."
Brazil’s Highest Mountain Is Reopening for Ecotourism Guided by the Yanomami People
Closed off to tourists since 2003, the trail to Brazil's highest mountain is set to reopen in 2018, managed by the indigenous peoples themselves.
Africans Have a Laugh at Themselves Imagining ‘If Africa Was a School’
"Madagascar would be the kid no one invites to a party coz they live out of town."
Netizen Report: Bangladesh and Ethiopia Flip the Switch on Internet as Political Tensions Rise
Web blocking continues to plague Bangladesh and Ethiopia, Peru drops US $22 million on spyware, and sharing just might become a crime in Colombia.
Twenty Years of Russian Political Campaign Ads
RuNet Echo looks back at the most memorable political advertisements in Russia over the past two decades, highlighting some of the strangest, silliest, and scariest videos put out by politicians.
Wife of Persecuted Labour Activist Goes to Trial Over Facebook Post
The wife of a labor activist has been charged with posting “insulting” content on Facebook even though she is not a member of the social media site.
What Monica Puig's Olympic Gold Medal Means for Puerto Ricans
"I think I united a nation."
Earthquake Destroys More Than 200 Ancient Temples in Myanmar
The ancient temples of Bagan are as important as the Angkor Wat of Cambodia and Borobudur of Indonesia.
WikiLeaks: From Collateral Murder to Collateral Recklessness
From rape victims to democratic party donors, WikiLeaks' latest data dumps demonstrate a disturbing trend of publishing the personal information of private individuals.
Where’s the Outrage Over Iran’s Exploited Children?
"I dream every night that my parents and brothers and sisters are looking for me. I wake up every morning crying."
ISIS Left Thousands of Mines in Manbij Before Fleeing. It Hid Them Inside Everything.
"Mines were found inside a garlic and onion basket, a staircase, and even normal-looking rocks across the fields."
Here's to Dilshod Nazarov and Four Other Tajikistan Sporting Success Stories You've Never Heard
Unless you are North Korea, never mess with this country in ITF Taekwon-Do.
Ahmad Abughaush, Jordanian Gold Medalist, and the Erasure of Palestinian Identity
To those who know the history of Palestine, Ahmad Abughaush's surname speaks volumes. Yet this information was absent from news reports on his gold medal triumph at the 2016 Olympics.
American University of Afghanistan Besieged in Suspected Militant Attack
At least 12 people were killed in the violence.
Want to Celebrate Blog Day? Get Yourself to Paraguay!
On August 31, the world celebrates Blog Day. A group in Paraguay is making something special of the holiday.
Activists and Government Divided Inside and Outside of Honduras About the “Berta Cáceres” Law
Lawmakers want to "suspend US aid to Honduran police and military until human rights violations by security forces cease and those responsible for of such crimes are brought to justice.”
In Syria and Beyond, Protesters Make Sure the World Doesn't Forget the Ghouta Chemical Massacre
"We must teach all dictators a lesson, that all people will come together against any dictatorial regime in the world."
Independent TV Station and Two Community Radio Stations Suspended Amid Disputed Elections in Zambia
"Zambia is slowly becoming a court room. We all must be careful when we speak out on issues of national interest."
These Videos Expose the Dirty and Destructive Impact of Large-Scale Mining in the Philippines
Residents and investigative journalists have been using mobile phones and even drones to expose how mining is destroying the country’s watersheds and rivers.
An Ethiopian Runner Makes a Brave Gesture of Anti-Government Protest at the Olympic Finish Line
"#FeyisaLilesa used the biggest stage of his life to express a muzzled generational cry for freedom. He spoke without words. #courage"