China: John Kerry Talks Climate Change Internet Freedom and Palestine - by Christopher Spencer

Secretary of State John Kerry was racking up the frequent flier miles this week as he visited China and Indonesia to discuss issues such as climate change, Internet freedom, and the ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestine.

Kerry arrived in China this past Friday and discussed many issues with Chinese leaders. There was conversation about North Korea and its restarted nuclear program, as well as a “frank discussion” about human rights issues within the communist state. After this official meeting however, Kerry met with a group of Chinese bloggers who sought to address the issue of Internet freedom.

The bloggers pressed Kerry further arguing that the censoring of the Internet was decreasing the likelihood of democracy emerging in China. Kerry attempted to be more optimistic, noting that “slow progress” was occurring in China, and that while the Communist Party obviously dominated national politics, he noted that local politics were much more open to debate and differences of opinion. Internet freedom was not the only issue John Kerry addressed on his trip. He also talked about climate change and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Read more: John Kerry Talks Climate Change Internet Freedom and Palestine

Gay movement: Russia: No more rainbows: anti-gay sentiment rises in Russia - by Kristen Blyth

"Homosexuality is not a perversion. Perversion is hockey on grass and ballet on ice!" reads one picket sign, held aloft by a middle-aged man. "Against all forms of discrimination," proclaims another, held by a young woman. "My gender is my choice," says a third.

The scene was Moscow Pride. The year was 2007. This parade for recognition and celebration of gay rights was later violently attacked by anti-gay activists - a scene which has repeated itself basically every year since the event was first organized in Moscow in 2006.

The 2007 Pride rally, like every other year's gay rights event, was unauthorized. Moscow city officials have consistently refused to approve annual gay pride parades, and 2013 is no exception.

Authorities announced last Wednesday that they will not approve gay rights activists' request to hold a parade in the capital on May 25, saying the event would undermine morality and patriotic values. Applications to hold gay rights events in the designated free speech zones in Sokolniki Park and Gorky Park were also turned down.

The government's refusal to allow gay pride events is just one symptom of a broad movement against homosexual rights underway in Russia. Anti-gay sentiment has grown increasingly hostile in recent years, to a point which some critics label it a violation of human rights.

Read more: No more rainbows: anti-gay sentiment rises in Russia | RUSSIA | The Moscow News