Stories from January, 2017
The Difficult Work of Building an Inclusive, Women-Led Coalition to Resist Trump
"If you want to know if you are going the right way follow women of color, brothers and sisters."
The Day Bangkok and Other Thai Provinces Turned Green on Google Maps
"When did we get so many forests in Bangkok?", asked a Twitter user.
A Russian Pilot Fights to Keep His Aging Aircraft From the Scrapheap
Alexander Poddubny has taken extraordinary measures to keep his Ilyushin Il-14 from the scrapheap, and now he's drowning in debt for his efforts.
Russian Political Prisoner Ildar Dadin Files Request to Move Prisons
"Are there really no colonies closer to Moscow?" Dadin's wife asked Russia's State Penitentiary Service.
Better Late Than Never? Trinidad & Tobago Wins 2008 Olympic Gold After Jamaican Athlete Found Guilty of Doping
"It started off as a sprint but ended up as a marathon."
Could Trump Solve Trinidad & Tobago's US Tax Law Stalemate? The Opposition Leader Seems to Hope So.
When Trinidad and Tobago's opposition was in government, it introduced the FATCA bill in parliament; ever since, it has been sidestepping passing the legislation. Enter a letter to Donald Trump.
The Struggle to End Female Genital Mutilation in Africa
"If I had previously known what I know today, I would never have circumcised a single woman. We have caused much suffering to many daughters and wives."
In Moldova, Civil Society Stands Up to ‘Big Brother’ Law
Pressured by civil society, Moldovan legislators debate whether to amend the flawed surveillance-enabling legal changes, called the "Big Brother" Law, or to demand a completely new proposal by the government.
Russian Developers Launch ‘Airbnb for Homophobes’
A new Russian website supposedly calculates the number of LGBT persons in cities around the country, in an effort to help people evade anti-discrimination policies by homestay networks like Airbnb.
Netizen Report: Trump Administration Kicks Off With Media Gags, Anti-Protest Measures
The Trump era begins, Cameroon shuts down the Internet for English-speaking regions, and Iranians wonder if Telegram will be blocked on election day.
Puerto Rico Celebrates Political Prisoner Oscar López Rivera's Release
San Juan major Carmen Yulín announced that the city will be preparing a special event for his arrival in May.
Australia Day Ads Promoting Diversity Stir Controversy Before National Holiday
"If you’re not sure how to feel about the ad, why not ask an Aboriginal person who they feel about it. And if you don’t know any Aboriginal people… well…"
Meet the Young Ecuadorians Behind the First Kichwa-Language Radio Show in the US
“The show is about expressing oneself and not being afraid to do it.”
Russian Police Lose an Easy Way to Trap ‘Internet Extremists’
On Tuesday, by revising one of its default privacy settings, the Russian social network Vkontakte significantly reduced the number of shared photographs publicly visible on individual account pages.
Popular Chinese Selfie App Meitu Prompts Privacy Fears
"I think it’s just a very shady business practice to try to gather as much data as you can without asking for permission."
Azerbaijan's Last Rail Stop Before Nagorno Karabakh Is a Quiet Place, When It Isn't Getting Hit by Shells
Welcome to Kocharli: the end of the line.
The Tyrants Bring the Invaders: What Follows After Russia Helps Secure Assad's Victory
Russian’s bombing campaign in Syria has helped put an end to Aleppo’s civil democratic experiment, once a beacon of hope. What next?
From Facebook Live Questions to a Police Investigation, the Curious Case of a Trinidad & Tobago Presidential Housing Allowance
The police have begun investigations into the legality of the president's housing allowance, but in a country where faith in the police service is low, netizens are hoping for transparency.
The First Non-US Animated Short to Win an Oscar Was Made by a Director From Croatia
With Academy Award nominations around the corner, learn about the director from Croatia who won the Oscar in 1961 for Best Animated Short Film.
Russia Says No to Political Crowdfunding by Individuals
Russia's version of PayPal is shutting down the transfer of money to individuals collecting funds for political purposes—a decision that will undermine one presidential bid to challenge Putin in 2018.
Hardliners Pressuring Iran's President Rouhani to Ban Popular Telegram App, This Time for 2017 Election
“This (the internet) isn’t freedom. It’s the worst kind of bondage. Polluted anti-religious networks are functioning in this country because the organizations in charge are not doing their jobs.”