Stories about Breaking News from June, 2014
Google's Eric Schmidt Makes a Surprise Visit to Cuba to Promote Internet Freedom
If the US wants change, it should empower Cubans with smartphones, encourage freedom of expression and give them information tools, Schmidt said.
Two Killed as Egypt's Government Fails to Notice Militant Group's Blatant Bombing Warning Online
Egyptian police came under fire after failing to act on a terror threat posted online, with the location of today's bomb explosions, which killed two officers.
A Kissing Sit-In and An Open Letter for LGBT Rights in Cuba
The second "Kiss Sit-In for Diversity and Equality" in Havana takes place this year during challenging moments for the LGBT community on the Island.
The Lights and the Shadows of the New Cuban Labor Code
The new Labor Code in Cuba has sparked controversy because it excludes important protections in the workplace for certain marginalized communities, such as transsexual people.
It's Official: Puerto Rico's First Openly Lesbian Judge Has Been Appointed to the Supreme Court
While some deny that her sexual orientation is relevant, others insist that it plays a fundamental role in what she can bring to the table.
Informal WiFi Networks Have Been Dismantled in Havana
The networks are primarily used to play games, share TV shows, series, and movies.
The Story of Famine Refugees from Niger in Eastern Algeria
In the past few weeks, hundreds of Sub-Saharan immigrants from Mali or Niger have migrated to Algerian cities by the Eastern border. Liberté Algérie narrates the stories of those who made the choice to immigrate and why [fr] : Les conditions de vie au hangar de la cité Bourroh sont inhumaines....
Mapping the 567 Ebola Cases in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone
On June 16, 49 new Ebola cases, 12 of them deadly, were reported by the WHO. Bart Janssens, director of operations of The international NGO Doctors without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres, or MSF)) released a statement saying that: The epidemic is out of control, with the appearance of new sites in...
Twitter's Game of Cat and Mouse in Russia
A pattern is emerging in the relationship between the Kremlin and Twitter, where Moscow makes sweeping demands of the website and then touts the resulting compromise as a victory.
Australian Shock and Outrage at Egyptian Sentencing of Al Jazeera Journalists
Journalists have led the way on social media in expressing Australians' shock over the prison sentences for the Al Jazeera journalists in Egypt.
Debunking Rumors that Algerian Fans Burned Down a Church in Lyon, France after World Cup Win
On June 22 at the World Cup 2014 in Brazil, Algeria defeated South Korea 4-2 to keep its chance of qualifying to the knock-out round alive. Scenes of joy were numerous in Algeria [fr] but also in France where a dynamic Algerian community resides. The joy was tempered by rumors that...
Hundreds of Thousands of Hong Kongers Are Defying China and Demanding the Right to Nominate Their Next Leader
A total of 700,000 people have already voted in an unofficial referendum on democratic electoral reform, despite condemnation from China and massive DDoS attacks against the website.
“We are Leaderless” in Cuba
In an emotional post by Rafael González, author of the blog El Microwave, he questions: Are any of us willing to sacrifice time, prestige, fortune and emotional stability in support of an improbable change in the climate of the state of affairs in Cuba? The author builds on multiple issues...
Do You Know About the Deadly Violence Against Muslims in Sri Lanka? Not If You're Reading Local Media
Clashes between extremist Buddhists and Muslims have left at least four people dead, but Sri Lanka's mainstream media isn't giving the situation much coverage.
Neighbor Bhutan Rolls Out the Welcome Mat for India's Prime Minister Modi
It is newly elected Narendra Modi's first foreign visit as India's prime minister. Some aren't convinced that it's the best choice.
Meet Valentin Agon, Pioneer of Local Cures Against Infectious Diseases in Benin
Valentin Agon is the creator of the Api-Palu pill, a locally produced remedy based on endemic plants. He was just awarded [fr] the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Award for his new product against malaria. Pascal Hounkpatin reports for La Presse du Jour: De la cueillette des feuilles au produit fini (gélules...
Social Media Sites Unblocked in Iraq, But is the Worst Yet to Come?
"Apparently blockage of social media sites were removed now in #Iraq, the fear is that the Gov is getting ready 2 cut the Internet," tweets Mohamed Najem.
Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are Blocked in Iraq
Local media and at least one ISP are reporting that the Ministry of Communications ordered Internet providers to shut down Google and social media sites, fearing security risks.
Why You Should Pick France as Your 2nd Favorite Team at the 2014 World Cup
Graham MacAree at SB Nation posts an entertaining comment on why one should pick the French national team as their 2nd favorite team after their home team at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil : You'll want to watch France games because if they're on, they'll be lovely to watch,...
‘Stadium of Exception': Brazilian Police Arrest Anti-Cup Activists
Collective Midia Ninja denounces [pt] that activists against the World Cup are being arrested in the city of Rio de Janeiro one day before the kick-off of the matches. These arrests are meant to prevent “future crimes in an attempt to intimidate” those who are willing to go on the...
Heartbreak for Ibrahim and Djouma in the Central African Republic
Djouma and Amadou Moussa are Ibrahim's parents. Djouma and Ibahim are the two lone survivors of an incredibly violent attack by militiamen that took the lives of 5 of Ibrahim's siblings in the Central African Republic, near the border with Cameroon. The militiamen came while Amadou Moussa was away. Djouma, 30, recalls...
