Stories from September, 2016
Convicted of Sexual Assault, Elite Japanese University Students Get Suspended Sentence
After the sexual assault of a university student, sex, class, privilege -- and strong cultural attitudes -- all play a role in the lighter sentences handed down to the perpetrators.
Two Palestinian Ex-Prisoners Open Up Ramallah's First Food Truck
After spending years in an Israeli prison, these two Palestinian men are hoping their concept for an urban food truck catches on in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Sudanese Authorities Use ‘Pornography’ as Evidence in Criminal Trial of Human Rights Advocates
Sudanese authorities are using what they deem as "pornographic" and "immoral" evidence in a trial of ten civil society activists, six of whom are facing capital punishment charges.
Yemen's ‘Forgotten War’ Intensifies After Saudi-Led Air Strike in Al Hudaydah
Earlier this week, Saudi-led airstrikes struck Yemen's key port city of Al Hudaydah, killing at least 30 people.
How an ‘American Spy’ May Have Exposed Russian Election Fraud
Depending on how you interpret the numbers, it’s possible that a journalist from Reuters managed to reveal what real elections in Russia last Sunday would have looked like.
Iran Executes Hundreds of People Each Year in Its UN-Funded War on Drugs
Those who are executed are often individuals who are marginalized in Iranian society, such as undocumented migrants and refugees from neighbouring Afghanistan and ethnic and religious minorities.
Reformist Editor Arrested Ahead of Iranian President’s Trip to the United Nations
Sadra Mohaghegh, the social affairs editor of the reformist Shargh newspaper, is well known for his reports on environmental issues and informative social media postings.
The Struggles of Peacebuilding in Mali
Between the signing of the peace accord on June 20, 2014, and June 25, 2015, Mali recorded 191 attacks, leaving 385 people dead.
Drone Video Exposes Illegal Burning of Land on Palm Oil Plantations in Indonesia
A drone video has captured the extent of land clearing in western Indonesia, which has caused a cloud of haze to descend in the region and in nearby countries.
A Specially Designed Keyboard Allows Yorùbá and Igbo Speakers to Type Their Languages
"With this keyboard, we are addressing technical barriers to the use of Yorùbá and Igbo online."
Poles Dress in Black to Protest Legislation That Would Mean a Near Total Ban on Abortions
Thousands of Poles share photos of themselves dressed in black to protest against legislation that would criminalize almost all kinds of abortion and toughen the country's already severe anti-abortion laws.
Netizen Report: Internet Shutdowns Are Ever-Present in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula
While telecommunications cuts continue in North Sinai, Russians contemplate a porn-free Internet and a Kuwaiti royal faces jail time for insulting the emir on Snapchat.
The Russian Political Prisoner's Cookbook
You lose a lot when you're locked up in prison, but one thing you gain is time to hone your talents. Russian political prisoners are certainly familiar with this experience.
Why Aren't We Talking About Mexican Prisons?
Mexican prisons are an example of inequality in the country. We look at prison facilities and the impact the implementation of the New Penal Justice System will have on them.
The Office on Missing Persons in Sri Lanka: A New Chapter or Another Empty Promise?
Thousands of people have disappeared in Sri Lanka since the 1980s stemming from conflict in the country, and their loved ones still don't know what happened.
What Central Asian Leaders Can Learn from Ban Ki-moon’s Last Speech as UN Secretary General
"My message is clear: serve your people. Don't subvert democracy. Don't pilfer your country’s resources. Don't imprison and torture your critics."
In Bulgaria, an Example of How Refugees Need Not Be a Problem, but a Solution
Refugees can help solve shortages of workers—if they're given the chance.
A Toxic Mix of Illegal Logging and Corruption Is Devastating Europe’s Last Primeval Forests
The documentary film “Clear Cut Crime” shows the toxic effects of collusion between illegal logging and politicians in Romania and Ukraine.
Hong Kong's ‘Pro-Beijing’ Camp Is Imploding From Within in the Media
Some critics believe the shocking move from Sing Pao Daily, which is otherwise known to be pro-Beijing, shows fissures within Hong Kong's pro-Beijing camp.
Expelled by Assad's Forces, Daraya Residents Receive a Hero's Welcome in Rebel-Held Syria
"You’re from Daraya, sir. You have everything. You’re our teachers."
Life in Russia After Porn
A week after Russian censors banned two of the most popular pornography websites around, ordinary Web users are firing back with an online flashmob that mixes satire and protest.
