Stories from October, 2016
A Social Media About-Face in Trinidad & Tobago Highlights the Complexity of Domestic Violence
"The fact that she’s decided to return to that relationship […] means she can be seduced by affection and scared of retribution, like all human beings."
One of the Richest Political Parties in Europe Rules One of the Poorest European Countries
A recent documentary reveals that Macedonia's ruling party VMRO-DPMNE has amassed more wealth than its counterparts in the richest countries on the continent.
Meet Eufrasia Vieira, the ‘Next Angelina Jolie’ From Timor-Leste
"Sometimes, I take those compliments as a joke. Angelina is so beautiful and she’s just wow. I’m just ordinary woman living a simple life."
Paraguay, a Country Where Cows Fly While Schools Crumble
The first in a series by Kurtural on Paraguayan education and how the country is taking this right for all and turning it into a privilege for a few.
Threatened With Suspension Over Its Rights Record, Maldives Up and Quits the Commonwealth
"Don't we as...citizens get a say in whether or not we want to be a part of the commonwealth? Or is Maldives just a one man country now".
Myanmar’s Laws and Societal Attitudes Make Girls Vulnerable to Abuse
An 'International Day of the Girl' celebration in an internally displaced person camp in Kachin State, Myanmar highlights the lack of government protection of victims of gender-based violence in Myanmar.
Journalists Call on Timor-Leste PM to Drop Defamation Complaint Against Reporters
Around the world, reporters are trying to get the prime minister of Timor-Leste to abandon a criminal complaint against two journalists who say he was involved in government corruption.
How High Homicide Rates Affects Women from Low-Income Communities in Brazil
Homicide victims in Brazil are mostly men, young, black and part-black people from low-income families. How does this impact the future of black and low-income women?
WhatsApp and Viber Blocked on Election Day in Montenegro
Parliamentary elections in Montenegro had been marred with allegations of irregularities, reported via social networks, and a temporary ban on use of Viber, WhatsApp and similar messaging apps.
Why Caribbean History Matters
Because "the legacies of slavery, imperialism, and historical responses to it are...evident in all the “weightier” concepts we associate with modernity: notions of citizenship, individual freedom, collective liberation, and nation."
A Japanese Artist's Highly Realistic Paper Sculptures Are Coming to the US
"My animal sculptures, made from an accumulation of newspapers, might perhaps be portraying ourselves and our lives, on many levels."
A Hong Kong Lawmaker Raises Suspicions With His Surprisingly Swift Renunciation of UK Citizenship
"This is a substantial intervention in the Legislative Council president election in Hong Kong and will affect the autonomy of the law-making body."
An Animated Video Explains the Powers of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Not sure what the court does? This video might help.
Did Hong Kong Just Reveal What It Really Values With Controversial Award?
In her speech, Fonia Wong Leung-fong urged young people to follow her example and work “four times harder than the average person."
Nigerian President Says First Lady ‘Belongs to My Kitchen’ and ‘The Other Room’
"I don't know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room," the president said.
Mobs, Memes, Meanings, and Minds: Meet Porto's Medialab for Citizenship
The city of Porto, Portugal, is nearly ready for the ninth installment of “futureplaces”—a convention that combines citizen labs, performances, presentations, and debate.
A US City Recognizes Its Native American Past, Present, and Future
“History from his perspective is told by victor, and in our case the conqueror...Colonial perspectives of our history do not work for us. They’re wrong.”
Upcoming Book Celebrates Citizen Journalism in the Deserted Syrian City of Daraya
A small publishing house in Spain wants to launch a free book about one of Syria's best-known citizen journalist groups: “Enab Baladi.”
Iceland Is Trying to Elect Politicians Who “Know Who They Work For”
Icelanders' campaign to get their citizen-drafted constitution enacted "could be a rare victory for democracy reform this election cycle—and one that could inspire many elsewhere."
Meet a ‘Dreamer’ in the US Who Started His Own Company to Get Out the Vote
As an undocumented teenager, Antonio Valdovinos couldn’t become a US Marine. He went on to start a civic engagement organization instead.
Devastation of Hurricane Matthew Renews Talk of French Reparations to Haiti
As bloggers urge people to "help Haitians, not the disaster capitalists" post-Hurricane Matthew, discussions about the need for France to pay reparations are -- once again -- front and centre.
