Stories from April, 2017
This Is What ‘Racist Glasses’ Look Like in Russia
Russian animator Alexey Yurevich has produced his own version of Rudy Mancuso’s 2016 viral hit, “Racist Glasses,” using the same premise with a uniquely Russian spin.
Gazans Protest Against ‘Massacre of Salaries’ by the Palestinian Authority
Tens of thousands of Gazans are condemning the Palestinian Authority's salary cuts of public and security employees.
Students Protest in Kashmir Amidst School Closures and Mobile Internet Blocking
"Where in the world are student protests crushed with such force & brutality, pellets & tear gas shells rain today many got injured"
Japanese Metal Legends LOUDNESS Turned Away at US Border
"After spending 27 hours in the air I'm back in Osaka. Just devastated."
A São Paulo City Councilor Surprised Schools With an Inspection for ‘Leftist Indoctrination’
Fernando Holiday was inspired by the Escola Sem Partido (School Without Party) campaign, which divides opinion in Brazil.
Marine Le Pen's Comments on the Vel d'Hiv Roundup During WWII Reawaken France's Painful Past
"The victims of #veldhiv have been pulled from eternal rest to serve as a tool in the electoral plot of infamous politicians without brains or morals."
The Day Russia Outlawed Jehovah's Witnesses
It’s strange to see this in writing, let alone know that it’s true, but here it is: Russia has formally banned Jehovah's Witnesses.
Ethiopia's Human Rights Commission Admits Protesters Were Killed, but Shifts Blame Away From Government
“God Save Us from Subservient Human Right Commission that intimidates the public”
Netizen Report: Mexican Journalists Were Threatened Online, Then Killed
Kashmiris see more cuts to basic communications services, a Japanese artist gets fined for her 3D vagina art, and Thailand tells Facebookers to "unfollow" state critics.
Puerto Ricans Hold a ‘Vigil for Light and Truth’ to Demand an Audit of Public Debt
"The people of Puerto Rico refuse to pay a debt that is not ours. We will not choose between education or healthcare. Our elders will not have their pensions reduced."
Critics Say Albanian Parliament Is Trying to Amnesty Crooked Politicians, Under Pretext of Judicial Reform
Following protests, Albania's president has rejected legislation that could have spared the hides of many corrupt politicians. But it could still become law, regardless.
The Viral Video That Showed a Kashmiri Man Tied to an Indian Military Jeep
The video is from the recent by-poll election in India's northernmost state Jammu and Kashmir, where more than eight protesters were killed and dozens were wounded by Indian security forces.
Surveillance, Privacy and the Right to Know: A Delicate Imbalance in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has strong legal protections against telephone surveillance, but scant protections for Internet-based communication.
Burundi's Political Instability Is Worsening the Country's Food Crisis
While the whole of East Africa has been hit with a serious food crisis due to extreme weather, Burundi's political volatility has made the situation worse.
For Venezuela's Government, Protesting Is “Terrorism”
"The money is never enough, there are no medicines, and the streets are full of criminals, and you won't let me protests on top of it all?"
31 Years Later, the Lights Come Back on in Chernobyl
Last week, group of Polish adventurers lit up the abandoned town of Pripyat, three miles from the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
A Video Game Offers a Rare Nuanced Glimpse Into the 1979 Iranian Revolution
A new Iranian-designed video game achieves the rare feat of providing an accessible and authentic narrative on Iran’s history without compromising on either content or creativity.
“Bodies Die, Countries Don't”: What the Venezuela Crisis Takes Away From Us
"Two years ago..there wasn't yet talk of people searching for food in the trash. Now, they not only look for it, but fight over it."
Thailand Tells Internet Users to Unfollow Junta Critics on Social Media — Or Face Consequences
"This is a ridiculous and oppressive order but I don't want any innocent people being targeted just because they follow my journalism," wrote former Reuters journalist Andrew MacGregor Marshall.
The Kremlin Is Reportedly Planning a Major Mudslinging Campaign Against Putin's Biggest Critic
The Kremlin has reportedly decided to unleash a major mudslinging campaign against opposition leader Alexey Navalny, after his anti-corruption efforts shaved 10 points of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s approval rating.
A Collaborative Project Maps the World’s Vulnerable Communities Before Disaster Strikes
The Missing Maps project combines the work of volunteers contributing remotely, on-the-ground community leaders, and humanitarian organizations.