Stories about Feature from March, 2013
Parveen Rehman Killed, Pakistan's Largest Slum Loses its Guardian Angel
Parveen Rehman, a leading social worker in Pakistan was shot dead close to the country's largest slum Orangi, in Karachi were she had worked tirelessly for three decades. A trained architect, Parveen documented land in the ever-growing city to protect it from Karachi's notorious land mafia, who she had been receiving death threats from for years.
The Old Woman and a Potato: Ukraine's Poverty Story Goes Viral
Journalist Olena Danko wrote a short post about her supermarket encounter with an old woman who had just enough money to buy a single potato. A heartbreaking story, typical for Ukraine, with nothing in it that could surprise anyone who has lived in the country. Yet, within hours, it went viral.
Global Voices Podcast Special: Habemus Podcast!
With two African cardinals considered at one point to be potential successors to Pope Benedict XVI, we spoke with Steve Sharra and Abdoulaye Bah from our Africa team about the possibility of an African pope.
Japan's Jaded Public Pushes for Nuclear Truth Post-Fukushima
Two years after the powerful earthquake and resulting tsunami off the northeastern coast of Japan triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in what became the largest nuclear disaster since Chernobyl, the Japanese people are becoming increasingly frustrated with the government's reluctance to come clean on the risks associated with nuclear power.
Allegations Tie Pope Francis to Argentina's ‘Dirty War’ Past
Was Jorge Bergoglio -now Pope Francis- involved in Argentina's deadly military dictatorship? Many around the world are asking this question as netizens continue to share information on Bergoglio alleged role in the country's 'Dirty War'. Others have pointed out that Bergoglio has repeatedly denied these accusations, and some have come to his defense.
Assault Against Immigrant Causes Outrage in Spanish Town
Moulaye Ndiaye, a street vendor from Senegal, was thrown from a bridge in Buñol, Valencia, Spain. There has been a large civilian mobilisation to condemn the attack and find the perpetrator.
Argentinians, the Government and Pope Francis
The announcement "Habemus Papam" caused a lot of happiness among Argentinians when they found out that the new pope is a fellow countryman. Argentinians analyzed his relationship with the current government and celebrated the conclave's decision.
Aung San Suu Kyi Endorses China-backed Mine in Myanmar
The commission formed by the government and headed by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to probe the violent dispersal of protesters in the Chinese copper mine project has released its report. It found out that police used smoke bombs to disperse protesters. But it still approved the project as long as reforms are implemented in the contract. Residents are criticizing the report
Cigarette Vendor Sets Himself on Fire, Self-immolations Continue in Tunisia
Twenty-five months after fruit street vendor, Mohamed Bouaziz had set himself on fire, the phenomenon continues in Tunisia. Out of socioeconomic despair, Adel Khadri, a cigarette street vendor set himself alight on March 12 in the capital Tunis. He died today [March 13].
Italy: Fire Destroys Interactive Museum ‘Città della Scienza’ in Naples
On 4 March a fire (presumably arson) destroyed the cultural centre. Alongside worried comments, netizens (and some local authorities) immediately launched a campaign to rebuild this public structure, well appreciated throughout Europe and important scientific centre for the youth and future generations.
Angry Mob Torches Christian Neighbourhood in Pakistan
Riled by blasphemy charges, a Muslim mob of 3,000, torched 100 houses in Joseph Colony, a largely Christian neighbourhood in Pakistan's second largest city Lahore, on Saturday, March 9, 2013.
Thousands of Dead Pigs Found Floating in Shanghai River
Thousands of dead pigs have been found floating in the Huangpu River, which flows through the middle of Shanghai. While the local authorities asserted that the dead pigs have not polluted the city's water supply, people are skeptical of these claims.
Video: Police Brutality at Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Video involving participant Jamie Jackson at the iconic Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras on March 2, 2013 has sparked claims of police brutality.
Saudi Court Sentences Reformists to 10 and 11 Years in Prison
Earlier today, March 9th, the Riyadh Criminal Court issued its verdict against the two prominent reformists and human rights activists Mohammad al-Qahtani and Abdullah al-Hamid, after being prosecuted for “breaking allegiance to the ruler and his successor” and “trying to impede the country’s developments”. al-Qahtani was sentenced to 10 years in prison and al-Hamid was sentenced to 5 years in prison in addition to completing his previous sentence (7 years, released after a year with a royal pardon).
How Using Twitter Can End Your Political Campaign in Russia
Earlier this week, a judge in Krasnodar disqualified a politician running for city council, after determining that his campaign materials infringed on copyrights of three popular Internet social networks: Twitter, Facebook, and Vkontakte. What exactly was this man’s crime? He ran a black-and-white newspaper advertisement that included the three websites’ logos.
Breaking All-Male, Offline Trend, Cambodia's First Female Lawmaker Blogs
Meet Mu Sochua, the first woman ever to be elected in Cambodia's Parliament and one of the very few politicians in Cambodia who actively use social media.
Beauty & the Beast? “Ethnic” Pageant Winner Enrages Russian Nationalists
When top Russian blogger Rustem Adagamov posted the news of Abdrazakova's victory in the 2013 Miss Russia pageant on his blog, along with some her photographs, his post attracted comments like "Are there still Russian girls in the Russian Federation?"
Haitian Artist's “Soliloquy of Chaos”
Haitian-American painter Sophia Domeville is starting to make waves in the art world. Last year the abstract impressionist (who earned a B.F.A. from the College of New Rochelle) held her first solo exhibition, “Soliloquy of Chaos.” Right now Domeville is one of thirty artists selected to exhibit along side Janet Taylor Pickett for Art in the Atrium's “Generation Next”. (The exhibit closes on March 8th.) In addition to...
Iran's President Says “Chavez Will Return with Christ”
“I have no doubt Chavez will return with Jesus Christ and all the other righteous ones,” said Ahmedinejad in his condolence message for Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.
Hiding $2.34 Trillion in China
The Chinese hide as much as 14.7 trillion yuan [2.34 trillion US dollars] in income per year from the government's official numbers, deputy director of the National Economic Research Institute Wang Xiaolu reported during a recent talk at the Finance Museum.
South Koreans Dub North Korea's Armistice Threat a Daring Aid Ploy
North Korea has threatened to nullify the armistice that ended the Korean War, escalating the already heightened tension in East Asia region and leaving some South Koreans whirling at the brazen threat from their northern neighbor.
