Stories about Breaking News from May, 2012
Portugal: Police Evicts Squatted Building in Lisbon
Going against an injunction approved by the Supreme Court of Lisbon, the police evicted today, May 31, the collective São Lázaro – “the only public squat in the capital” of Portugal. There are reports [pt] of detentions and violence. The activist platform Tugaleaks is sharing updates on its Facebook wall.
Kenya: #NairobiBlast Rocks Nairobi, Trends on Twitter
Following a huge explosion that struck one of Nairobi's main avenues, Moi Avenue, Kenyans and friends of Kenya took to Twitter to report, share information, advice and discuss the tragedy.
Mali: Coup Leader Sanogo To be Sworn in as New Interim President
Various online reports state [fr] that coup leader Captain Sanogo will be sworn in as new interim president after former interim president D. Traoré got injured following protests earlier in the week.
Bulgaria: The Strongest Earthquake Since 1917
A 5.6 magnitude earthquake, the strongest since 1917, shook Bulgaria's capital Sofia and the perimeter zone of around 100 km last night, followed by a number of strong aftershocks. No victims have been reported so far. The website Earthquake Reports has published live updates and social networks such as Twitter...
Guadeloupe: “Political Manipulation”
In a post entitled “On Kalkil Politik” [Cr], Guadeloupean blogger Gwakafwika explains his complete distrust in the recent appointment of 1 Guianese and 2 Guadeloupean-born Ministers in the new socialist French government. He calls it a political manipulation.
Mali: Interim President Injured as Protesters Enter Presidential Palace
Malijet reports that Interim President Dioncounda Traoré was hurt [fr] during protests [fr] that asked for his removal and caused three casualties.
Mayotte: Capsizing Boat Kills at Least 5 Economic Refugees
Malango Actualité provides the social context [fr] related to the sinking of a boat that killed at least 5, including 3 children and an infant. The fishing boat was carrying 43 people from Comoros to the French territory of Mayotte. It is the third disaster of such kind in 2012 for Comoran...
Portugal: Unemployment as the New ‘Thang’
Portuguese Minister of Economy Álvaro Santos Pereira‘s speech on the Parliament today, May 18, has become a national joke [pt], with the hashtag #Coiso (slang for “thing”) trending on Twitter. The minister stated [pt] that “we all must to work together – unions, employers and parties so that we can...
Norway: Discussing Latin America at the Oslo Freedom Forum
Last week the fourth gathering of the Oslo Freedom Forum was carried out, organized by the Human Rights Foundation in the Norwegian capital. The event covered a series of topics that involved other world regions, including Latin America.
Colombia: 5 Dead, 19 Injured After Bomb Blast in Bogotá
Netizens are reacting to the explosion of a bomb on a bus on Caracas Avenue and 74th street in Bogotá, Colombia's capital. The attack was allegedly directed at former Interior Minister Fernando Londoño. The latest reports [es] list 5 dead and 19 people injured. Related words and phrases like “74...
South Korea: Monks Caught in Gambling, Smoking and Drinking Scandal
In South Korea, six leaders of the nation's biggest Buddhist order were caught playing high-stakes poker, along with drinking and smoking. The case was disclosed through leaked video footage that shows high-profile monks gambling at a luxury lakeside hotel just days before a national holiday celebrating the birth of Buddha.
Mexicans Condemn Massacre in Cadereyta, Nuevo Leon
Netizens shared their reactions after the dismal finding of 49 mutilated corpses in Cadereyta, Nuevo León, near the border with the United States.
South Korea: Continuing Mad Cow Controversy Over US Beef Imports
Since last week, South Korea has seen continuing protests against importing beef from the United States after mad cow disease broke out in California. Korean government dispatched its inspection team to the US to quell the public anger incited by the government's unkept promise to halt the beef import immediately when the disease was detected. However, the inspection team's lack of control over the investigation process and the biased member selection process further deepened South Korean's distrust of the government.
Brazil: Homeless Movement in Belo Horizonte Surrounded by Police
“Ocupação Eliana Silva” [pt], a camping site of around 300 families in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, which had been occupied mostly by homeless workers [pt] on April 21, in protest against lack of housing conditions, was sieged by the military police today, May 11. Journalist Adriano Ventura (@adrianoventura) is tweeting photos...
Madagascar: Teachers Strike over Stipends Repressed by Armed Forces
The teachers association in Madagascar has been on strike for a week [fr] over disagreement regarding their monthly wages. The protests have been repressed by tear gas launched by the armed forces [fr]. Students have also joined in the protests [mg] (via Jentilisa's photoblog).
Thailand: Grandfather Jailed for Lese Majeste Dies
Amphon Tangnoppakul, the 62-year-old Thai jailed for Lese Majeste (royal insult), died in prison today. His 20-year jail sentence was criticized by human rights advocates who are also demanding an amendment of the controversial law.
France: Reactions to Presidential Election Results in Photos
The 2012 French presidential election delivered its verdict on May 6, 2012. Francois Hollande collected 51.90% of the votes against 48.10% for incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy. Both happiness and sorrow is on display in online photos.
South Korea: Fearing Mad Cow Disease, New Protests Against US Beef
Thousands of South Koreans held candlelight vigils this week to demonstrate against continued beef imports from the United States. After mass protests four years ago, the government promised to halt imports if mad cow disease was ever detected again.
Pakistan: Public Reaction on PM's Contempt Verdict
The long process of contempt case against Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani ended with verdict of a symbolic punishment of 37 seconds against him. Analysts say that the decision would not end the prevalent constitutional confusion, rather, it only have increased it.
Madagascar: Two Journalists in Jail on World Press Freedom Day
Lalatiana Rakotondrazafy et Fidèle Razarapiera, two radio journalists of Free FM Radio in Madagascar are held at the police station [fr] of Betongolo, Antananarivo for libel and diffusing political news [fr] that do not conform with the original radio programming agreement. Blogger Teraka Randriatsoa explains the context of the conflict [fr] between Free FM Radio station,...
Tunisia: TV Station Chief Sued for Broadcasting ‘Persepolis’
On May 3 Tunisian courts will announce the verdict in the trial of Nabil Karoui, owner of the private channel Nessma TV, who has been prosecuted for broadcasting the animated film Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi.
