Stories about Feature from October, 2012
Saint Lucia: Jounen Kwéyòl Festivities (Creole Day)
On Sunday, Saint Lucia celebrated its annual Jounen Kwéyòl (Creole Day). The day of activities were the culmination of Creole Heritage Month. On Jounen Kwéyòl, selected communities host a fair where the Creole culture is celebrated through dress, music and most of all, food.
Former Brazilian Model Turned Beggar Stirs Debate on Racism
Tall, blue-eyed and wrapped in a blanket while roaming the streets of Curitiba, Rafael Nunes, a former Brazilian model, has gained international attention after his picture and story went viral on Facebook and Twitter. The case of "the photogenic beggar from Curitiba" has grown into a racial-oriented discussion about how Brazilian society reacts to situations of social exclusion.
Afef Abrougui, Blogging From Tunisia
Afef Abrougui, a contributor for Global Voices in Tunisia, tells us about her experience in the demonstrations that took place in her country in 2011 and what she expects for the immediate future of Tunisian politics. She also shares with us some of her daily life and chores.
Syria Destruction in Photos
Syrian photographers are using social media to share images of destroyed neighborhoods and streets. Despite the limited media resources, what comes out shows the horrific reality that Syria is under destruction.
Abuse Photos Attest the Need for Child Protection Law in China
A viral photo showing a smiling female kindergarten teacher lifting a child by his ears who then bursts into tears, has triggered online discussion on child abuse in China and the need for further child protection legislation.
Tajikistan's ‘Million Dollar Baby’ Hangs Up Her Gloves
Mavzuna Chorieva, Tajikistan's female boxer who brought the country its only medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, has married and hung up her gloves, at least for a year. While many people in the country are happy for Chorieva, some have been disappointed over her decision.
Sanctions in Iran: Who Stole My Medicine?
The lives of six million patients in Iran have been adversely affected due to shortages of medicine, as an immediate result of unprecedented sanctions. Patients with cancer and multiple sclerosis - who cannot afford interruptions or delays in treatments - are most affected.
Cuban Government Lifts Travel Restrictions for Citizens
On October 16, the Cuban government announced plans to eliminate controversial travel restrictions on Cuban citizens. The policy will take effect in January of 2013.
Confusion over Agreement with OIC to Establish Office in Myanmar
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has proposed the establishment of an office in Myanmar to help the Muslim minority in the country. The government initially agreed but changed its decision after protests erupted in many parts of the country.
Caribbean: Hurricane Sandy's Wake
As Hurricane Sandy closes in on the east coast of the United States, bloggers in the Caribbean who have already experienced the storm share their experiences.
Russia: the Scuffles of the Moscow Literati
Most online conflicts in the RuNet remain virtual. Sometimes, however, members of the Moscow creative class feel that fisticuffs are their only recourse, as a recent Twitter spat between blogger Maksim Kononenko and Pussy Riot lawyer Mark Feygin demonstrated.
Chile: Mapuche Prisoners End Hunger Strike After 60 Days
After 60 days on hunger strike, four Mapuche prisoners have ended their protest after the Chilean Supreme Court agreed to some of their demands. This struggle has also brought to light divisions about the conflict among Chileans.
Brazil: The Cry of Resistance of the Guarani Kaiowá
Under yet another threat of eviction from their lands, the Brazilian indigenous community of Guarani-Kaiowá released a letter that has rippled across the press and the web as a cry of resistance.
Mercenaries from Mali to Foment Unrest in Côte d'Ivoire?
A recent United Nations report claims that Côte d'Ivoire’s opposition is recruiting Islamists from Mali to destabilize the Ouattara government. But controversy surrounds the actual status and accuracy of the report’s findings.
Global Voices Seeks Rising Voices Editor
Global Voices seeks a Rising Voices Editor to produce and manage its online content flow related to citizen media development and outreach in global underrepresented communities. Find out more about this exciting opportunity.
China: Failure to End the Slaughter of Migratory Birds
The migratory bird season has come in China; yet instead of searching for food in the warm lake areas, a large number of birds are being slaughtered for human consumption. Every year, more than 150 tonnes of wild birds are caught in certain villages in Hunan province.
Mexico: Central American Mothers in Search of Missing Migrants
In the last six years around 70,000 migrants have disappeared in Mexico. Central American mothers of abducted and missing migrants are traveling in a caravan all over Mexico looking for their sons and daughters who have disappeared on their way north. The women also hope to capture the media's attention and raise awareness on this issue that has been largely ignored.
Guyana: Upcoming Chris Brown Concert Upsets Anti-Violence Advocates
When news broke that Barbadian-born singer Rihanna's then-boyfriend Chris Brown had allegedly assaulted her, Caribbean bloggers were outraged. Talk of an upcoming Chris Brown concert in Georgetown has bloggers speaking out about the dangerous message it sends about gender violence.
Panama: Protests Erupt in Colón Over Land Law
The sale of the land in the tax free zone of Colón has sparked a series of protests in Panamá. Government and protesters face off, and neither side seems to want to budge.
Kuwait: The Country's Biggest Protest?
Tear gas and stun grenades were used to disperse a protest in Kuwait against changes to the electoral law. The Sunday march attracted about 150,000 out of the country's population of 3 million. Media outlets considered this number to be the biggest in the small Gulf emirate's history.
Cambodia Mourns the Death of King Father Norodom Sihanouk
Cambodia is mourning the death of King Father Norodom Sihanouk who died last October 15, 2012. Millions of people waited in line along the way from the international airport to the Royal Palace to pay respect to the King