Stories from May, 2017
A Russian University Wanted to Award Duterte an Honorary Doctorate, but He Flew Home Too Soon
One of Russia’s most prestigious universities planned to award controversial Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte an honorary doctorate, but he left the country before the ceremony could take place, Russian media...
New Database Aims to Track Rights Violations of Caribbean's Most Vulnerable Communities
The Caribbean has just launched its first online database aimed at tracking human rights violations and providing data to assist advocacy work.
Why Trump's Hostile Handshake Routine Was No Big Deal for Tajikistan's President
Never try to strong-arm the strongman.
A Wikipedia Made for—and by—the Atikamekw First Nation in Canada
An ongoing project, funded by the Wikimedia Foundation, is working with the Atikamekw community to develop Wikipedia content in their own language.
Flooding Washes Up Jamaica’s Poor Planning and Environmental Practices
Changing weather patterns, poor planning and development, inadequate drainage, and careless waste disposal converge to create disaster zones in Jamaica after just three days of heavy rains.
Corruption Fighters Slapped with Corruption Charges in Graft-Prone Central Asia
"Everything turned rotten a long time ago. There is nothing left to save!"
Russia's State Duma Invites a YouTube Star to Speak
A woman who once submerged herself in a bathtub filled with potato chips for her 5 million YouTube subscribers, Sasha Spilberg addressed the State Duma this Monday.
An Afro-Colombian Model on “Social Bleaching”
"I wonder how many children "whiten" themselves socially without even realizing it. They are...ignorant of their ancestors and of the people who fought so history wouldn't repeat itself."
Mumbai Technologists Are Using TV Spectrum to Bring More Internet Access to India
Poor Internet infrastructure leaves the vast majority of Indians limited to mobile Internet only, making it difficult to engage deeply with Internet technology.
Diaspora* and Other Free Software Are Available in the Occitan Language, Thanks to Volunteer Translators
"I don’t like when people decide that one language has more value than another. In my opinion, every language is as equal as the next."
In Japan, Plastic Food Models Aren't Just for Restaurants Anymore
"Is there anyone out there who is going to say, "Wow, cool, I can customize my smartphone case with salmon roe?" I think I'll be the only one."
Russian Crooner Joins Effort to Attract Tourists to War-Torn Eastern Ukraine
Nearly three years into the war in eastern Ukraine, the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics are making a renewed attempt to attract foreign tourists to their Russian-backed statelets.
Malaysian Editors Face Cybercrime Charges for Posting a Video that Criticized Attorney General
In the video, which was taken during a press briefing, a former member of the ruling party called for the resignation of the attorney general.
A Photographer Shines Light on the Abuse Women Suffer at Illegal ‘Conversion Therapy’ Clinics in Ecuador
"My first thought was that it could be me held there and told that, as a gay woman, I needed to change."
Lebanese Activists Disturb Talk by Politicians and Call for Better Political Representation
"We wanted to tell them: You Stink, your expiry date has passed...you stole people's rights by not allowing them to vote."
Panic Over Russian Online Suicide Game Sparks ‘Whale Hunt’ in China
Pro-government groups are waging a campaign against the game, and internet censors have predictably gone into overdrive.
Beirut's Municipality Deals Another Blow to the City's Green Space
The municipality's recent policies are threatening the capital's last remaining major green space
‘No to Silence': Javier Valdez's Murder Highlights Persistent Perils for Mexican Journalists
Seven journalists have been murdered in Mexico this year. Since 2012, less than one percent of attacks on journalists have resulted in a criminal conviction.
Ethiopia’s Cholera-Denying Candidate to Lead the World's Top Health Body Is Taking a Battering Online
"I fear that the WHO’s reputation will be tarnished and credibility questioned if it elects Dr. Tedros Adhanom."
Why Doctors and Students Are Protesting Against Sri Lanka's Only Private Medical College
"It remains to be seen, if the Medical Mafia will continue to deprive the right to a private medical education for our youth."
