Cowed by cartels? Mexico journalists find new ways to get the word out.
UNDERSTANDING OTHERS
High levels of violence have caused many reporters to self-censor. But others are taking steps – like partnering with news outlets elsewhere – to keep reporting the news.
MCALLEN, TEXAS; AND MEXICO CITY — Reporter AJ Espinoza, rarely publishes stories that touch on recurring corruption, gun battles, kidnappings, or cartel violence that roil his home state.
At least, he doesn’t publish them in Mexico.
About two years ago, Mr. Espinoza, who uses a pen name for security, discovered one way he could counter the limits he faces as a journalist in Tamaulipas, where battling cartels – and allegedly aligned government officials – have fostered an environment of strict self-censorship.
Playing by the rules of power brokers who dictate what can and cannot be published or broadcast can mean the difference between life and death, observers say. Mexico, which ranks 149th out of 180 countries in the world press freedom index, is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to practice journalism, with five journalists killed within the first four months of 2016 alone. Ninety-three journalists have been murdered since 2000, according to Article 19, a free press advocacy group based in Mexico City.China's Xi Jinping denies House of Cards power struggle but attacks 'conspirators'
Chinese president warns of ‘cabals and cliques’ within Communist party and promises ‘resolute response to eliminate the problem’
Xi Jinping has rejected claims that a “House of Cards power struggle” is raging at the pinnacle of Chinese politics, but claimed “conspirators” were attempting to undermine the Communist party from within.
In a speech published in Beijing’s official newspaper this week, the Chinese president warned that the presence of “cabals and cliques” inside the party risked “compromising the political security of the party and the country”.
“There are careerists and conspirators existing in our party and undermining the party’s governance,” Xi said, according to the People’s Daily transcript of his comments.
Böhmermann: Merkel threw me to a 'despot'
The comedian under investigation for allegedly insulting the Turkish president has criticized the German leader for allowing the probe to proceed. A 19th-century law criminalizes 'insulting' foreign heads of state.
German satirical comedian Jan Böhmermann broke his media silence to slam German Chancellor Angela Merkel for apparently caving to Turkish pressure over a poem he'd read on public television mocking Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"The chancellor must not budge when it's a matter of freedom of opinion," Böhmermann told the Die Zeit newspaper in an interview printed in full on Wednesday. "But instead, she filleted me, served me for tea to a highly strung despot and made me into a German Ai Weiwei," he said, referring to the Chinese dissident artist.
The TV comedian triggered a diplomatic crisis by reading a poem on state television on March 31 that insulted Erdogan in a crude fashion. It suggested that Erdogan watched child pornography and performed sex acts with animals, prompting the Turkish head of state to file a defamation complaint.
Up to $15bn stolen from Nigeria in arms deals
Around $15-billion - equal to about half of Nigeria's foreign currency reserves - was stolen from state coffers under the previous government through fraudulent arms procurement deals, the vice-president said.
Africa's top oil exporter is going through its worst economic crisis in decades because of the drop in global crude prices. Ministers say these problems have been exacerbated by fraud under previous administrations.
President Muhammadu Buhari said the theft of "mind-boggling" sums of oil money meant state coffers were virtually empty.
Corruption charges have been levelled against former military chiefs and companies accused of involvement in an alleged arms procurement fraud during the tenure of Goodluck Jonathan. They have pleaded not guilty.
Why some voters in the Philippines want another Marcos
Updated 0912 GMT (1612 HKT) May 4, 2016
It's been 30 years since a Marcos has been at the highest echelons of the Filipino government.
Although Ferdinand Marcos' decades-long rule was tainted by widespread corruption and violence, the most recent survey shows his only son, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., as the favorite to become the Philippines' next vice president.
What's in a name?
Bongbong, as he is nicknamed, is one of Ferdinand's three children. Ferdinand ruled the country from 1965-1986 — including a nine-year stint under martial law, which he imposed in 1972 — before he was toppled in a revolt.
Wildfire forces evacuation of Canada's Fort McMurray
Massive blaze sweeps through oil sands region and prompts biggest evacuation in the history of Alberta state.
| Canada, Environment, US & Canada
The entire population of the Canadian city of Fort McMurray was ordered to evacuate late on Tuesday as a massive wildfire swept through Alberta province's oil sands region.
More than 80,000 residents were ordered to flee after an earlier evacuation order was extended to tens of thousands more people as flames continued to make their way into the city.
No casualties have been reported but damage has been extensive, with petrol stations exploding and a hotel and one of the town's many motor home parks going up in flames, local media said.
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