Stories from 10 April 2017
Russia Blocks Walkie-Talkie App Zello As Truckers Strike
Russia's media regulator has announced plans to block Zello, a mobile push-to-talk app that Russia's long-haul truckers are using to organize protests—including to coordinate an ongoing three-week strike.
Colorized Photos Show Epic Battle Between American and Japanese Forces in Okinawa During World War II
On the 72nd anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa, a Japanese researcher has made Twitter posts featuring archival photos of the battle that have been colorized using a software tool.
Fed Up With Local Government, Siberian Environmentalists Beg Leonardo DiCaprio for Help
In Krasnoyarsk, the third largest city in Siberia, local environmentalists have found their savior: Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio.
The Thaw Is Over: The Next Wave of Repression in Belarus
The regime in Belarus hasn't changed; it’s just pretending to be democratic to get what it wants.
Iraqi Journalists Face Threats From ISIS, Armed Militias and the State
"As the war intensifies, and the number of armed groups and their influence in Iraq grows, the pressure on Iraqi journalists will increase.”
Facebook Among First 100 Companies to Pay Russia's ‘Google Tax’
On Sunday, the Russian newspaper Vedemosti reported that Facebook will pay the so-called "Google tax," an 18 percent value added tax (VAT) on foreign companies selling electronic content.
How a Teenager's Mysterious Death in China Is Eroding Public Trust in Authorities
"To prove netizens' version of the story wrong is not difficult. Authorities just need to release more information and the rumors would fall apart"
Satirical News Show ‘China Uncensored’ Censored by Apple in Hong Kong and Taiwan
"There is no point in disputing your app store decision with respect to mainland China…but Hong Kong and Taiwan [...] operate under independent legal systems."