· May, 2011

Stories about Feature from May, 2011

“Shame for Brazil” Forest Defender Couple Murdered

  31 May 2011

Six months after he predicted his own murder in TEDx Amazônia, the environmentalist José Cláudio Ribeiro da Silva was assassinated together with his wife in an ambush possibly articulated by loggers of the region. Bloggers mourn the loss on the eve of the approval of the new Forestry Code.

Australia: SlutWalks Spread the Word

  30 May 2011

Following Toronto’s lead, Australians have started a series of SlutWalks with Melbourne’s first march on 28 May. The catchphrase: Make it known that those who experience sexual assault are never the ones at fault.

Mexico: Blood Fountains

  30 May 2011

During the last weekend of May 2011, activists from the movement "Let's stop the bullets, let's paint the fountains" stained the water of a famous statue in Mexico City blood red. Participants walked around the monument shouting slogans like "Not one more dead!" and "Out Calderón!"

China: Detained Rights Lawyer Interrogated About Sex Life

  30 May 2011

After three months in detention, Chinese lawyer Li Tiantian described on Twitter how her interrogators used intimate details of her personal life to harass her. In the past months, more than a hundred human right lawyers, activists, writers and artists have been arrested or prosecuted in China as a result of the crackdown on the Jasmine protests.

Honduras: Former President Manuel Zelaya Returns

  29 May 2011

Ousted president Manuel Zelaya returned to Honduras from exile nearly two years after he was removed from office through a coup. Bloggers report on the atmosphere before and after his arrival, and analyze what his return means for the country.

Peru: Growing Debate Regarding Genetically Modified Farming

  28 May 2011

The official signing of Decree 003, which permits the import of genetically modified seeds into the country, continues to generate debate between those in favor of the widespread use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and those who fear it would be harmful to the country's biodiversity and the health of its people.

Egypt: Mubarak Fined for Internet Blackout during Revolution

An Egyptian court has fined ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and other officials 540 million Egyptian pounds ($90m) for disconnecting the Internet and mobile phone services during the revolution. Mubarak's regime first shut down access to Twitter when protests started, then Facebook, before turning off the Internet on January 28.

Pakistan: TEDx Karachi Inspires Pakistanis

  27 May 2011

The second TEDx Karachi event took place on the 27 May, 2011, and it included speakers like Mukhtaran Mai, Raja Sabri Khan, Fasi Zaka and Imran Khan. Pakistani netizens share their opinions about the event which inspires to 'Make the Impossible Possible'.

Mexico: Consensus on Disapproval of TV Series: ‘The Team’

  27 May 2011

Mexican bloggers share their disapproval of the television series "The Team" ("El Equipo") that seeks to glorify the country's Federal Police. The series is set to be removed from the air on May 27, 2011, after signs that its transmission disturbed not only the audience but also high commanders of the army.

Spain: From Spanish Revolution to World Revolution

  27 May 2011

Mobilizations in Spain have ignited what has been called a “World Revolution”, with more than 600 demonstrations and camp outs taking place in solidarity with Spanish protesters. Websites, Twitter hashtags, and Facebook accounts are being used to spread and share information, thoughts, and opinions.

Egypt: Gearing Up for a Second Revolutionary Round

Egypt will not sleep tonight in preparation for its Second Day of Anger. Following Mubarak's ousting, many feel that the demands raised since the start of the January 25 revolution have mostly not been fulfilled. The calls for the second day of anger at Tahrir Square this Friday aim to reignite the revolution.

India: Malayalam Bloggers Campaign For Soumya

  26 May 2011

Kerala was rife with outrage, when 23 year old woman Soumya was thrown out from a moving passenger train, raped and brutally murdered. With the public losing the trust in mainstream media, blogs with the individual's voices question media's silent role and discuss many unnoticed aspects of the story.

Panama: Wikileaks Reach Panamanian Government

  26 May 2011

The diplomatic cables leaked by Wikileaks have wreaked havoc in global politics. Panama is not an exception. A cable that links the government party CD - Democratic Change - with the Colombian drug dealer David Murcia has triggered outrage among Panamanian citizens.

Azerbaijan: Eynulla Fatullayev Pardoned Following Twitter Action

Just two days after the UK branch of Amnesty International launched its Twitter campaign to call for the release of Eynulla Fatullayev comes news that the imprisoned journalist and prisoner of conscience has been included in a list of prisoners to be pardoned ahead of the 93rd anniversary of the founding of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.