Stories about Weblog from April, 2013
Police Besiege Barcelona District in the Run Up to May 1st
The day before May Day, a hundred protesters peacefully went through the streets of a Barcelona district, followed throughout the entire route by hundreds of riot police heavily armed with anti-gas masks and shotguns. Social networks were abuzz with reactions.
Brazil: Police Condemned for the Carandiru Massacre
Over 20 years after the rebellion in São Paulo’s Carandiru Penitentiary, ending with the deaths of 111 inmates, 23 military police have been condemned to 156 years in jail for a total of 13 fatalities.
Lenin Paladines: Science Fiction from Ecuador
We talked to the young writer from Loja, Ecuador, Lenin Paladines, author of a blog about science fiction with which he hopes to promote reading among young people.
Ukrainian Lawmakers Propose to Ban Abortions
In early April, three MPs from the opposition political force “Svoboda” registered a bill that would ban abortions in Ukraine. Tetyana Bohdanova reports on the online reactions to this legislative initiative.
To Cut or Not To Cut College Subsidies in the Bahamas?
Education, democracy and societal priorities are being called into question as Bahamian bloggers address the government's recent decision to reduce the subsidy it provides to the College of The Bahamas.
Malaysia: Which Party Has the Best Election Manifesto?
Malaysia’s 13th General Elections will take place on May 5 and fortunately, the major parties have unveiled their election manifestos which can guide voters in choosing the right candidates. Which party has the best manifesto?
Football and Beer Come Face to Face in Panama
The Panamanian Football Federation had its accounts seized following a demand made by the Baru Brewery. Reactions from Internet users and affected companies have waited for no one.
Chinese Corruption Spreading to Hong Kong “Like SARS & Avian Flu”
A misconduct scandal implicating Timothy Tong, the former chief of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), has Hong Kong and mainland Chinese people worried that ubiquitous corruption in China has spread to Hong Kong.
Anti-Hate Rally Attempts to Tackle Emerging Racism in Sri Lanka
Anti hate activists in Sri Lanka plan to gather in the capital city of Colombo on the 28th of April. The country has recently seen a spate of isolated violent attacks and broad based hate rhetoric against minorities.
Public Trust Wiped Away; Jamaicans at Risk from Tainted Toilet Paper
The poop has been hitting the proverbial fan in Jamaica recently over the sale of substandard toilet paper that has allegedly caused a slew of rashes and vaginal infections.
Chronicler of Saint Lucian History Remembered
Historian and conservationist Robert Devaux was laid to rest this week, having passed away on the morning of April 16th 2013, after a battle with cancer. St. Lucian netizens have been paying tribute to a man many consider to be an environmental hero and national visionary.
Indigenous People Occupy Brazil's Congress Over Land Rights Bill
The occupation of a plenary session of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies by around 300 indigenous people, on April 16, have caught congressmen by surprise and have put the spotlight on proposed amendment to the Constitution number 215, which transfers the power to demarcate indigenous land from the Executive to the Legislative power.
Female Homicides on the Rise in Mexico
The mothers of female homicide victims have taken to the streets to demand justice as femicides continue unpunished in Mexico.
Animal Welfare Included in Singapore School Syllabus
Good news for animal lovers. Singapore’s Ministry of Education has confirmed that animal welfare will be included in the new ‘Character and Citizenship Education’ syllabus for primary and secondary students.
Saudi Arabia Summons Human Rights Activist for Interrogation
Omar Al-Saeed, a member in the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), has been summoned for interrogation on April 22 and asked to re-appear next week. He is the latest in a series of human rights activists being interrogated and on trial in Saudi Arabia.
“Drone Strikes are the Face of America in Yemen”
22-year-old Yemeni Farea Almuslimi, appeared before the U.S. Senate hearing on America's secret drone war and gave a powerful testimony. The activist and freelance journalist comes from Wesab village, which was hit by a US drone strike on April 18, 2013.
Ahmadis Boycott Upcoming Elections in Pakistan
The Ahmadi community in Pakistan, comprising of 200,000 members, has decided to boycott the upcoming elections. The decision has been taken to protest the state's discrimination towards the community.
Giants, Hackers, Trolls: Where Mythology and Online Activism Meet
The online world has much more in common with the mythological world than you might expect. A look at Bradley Manning, WikiLeaks, and Anonymous and their corresponding roles in mythology.
Spain: The Bishop and the Global Conspiracy Against Humanity
José Antonio Reig Pla, bishop of the Spanish city of Alcalá de Henares, refers to abortion as an "international conspiracy to reduce the population." The news has spread quickly on social media sites.
Hong Kong Boycotts Donations for Sichuan Earthquake
HK Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s call for donations to China’s quake-hit Sichuan province has been denied by legislature due to overwhelming opposition by Hongkong citizens.
Chinese and Western Media Bias Claims in Xinjiang “Terrorist Attack”
A terror incident took place in Bachu County of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region on April 23 2013, in which 15 police officers and community workers were killed and 6 suspects were shot dead. Chinese media outlets depicted the incident as a terrorist attack and criticized western media for not using the term "terrorists" to describe the suspects.