Stories about Weblog from February, 2019
Dijaawa Wotunnöi: an animated short film helps revitalise the Yekuana language
Several Yekuanas -- an indigenous people who live in Venezuela and Brazil -- participated in the project as translators and researchers, and also contributed their voice to the film's characters.
This Trinidad and Tobago steelband changed its tune, prompting discussion on a steelpan policy
"I don’t think people really understand what happens in a panyard. Problems like the one with Exodus will resurface if we keep looking at pan as pure entertainment."
Egyptian parliament endorses constitutional amendments that could allow Sisi to rule until 2034
"Proposed amendments to Egypt’s constitution, including granting the armed forces authority to intervene in government, would undermine judicial independence and expand executive powers that are already being abused."
The repatriation of African artifacts to countries of origin is tricky business
Many of Africa's "stolen artifacts from colonial times were generally given or donated to French public collections. Thus, these artworks ... have become a property of the French state."
Protests in Haiti may have halted, but its fragile institutions still struggle
The government announced new measures to relieve the suffering of Haitian citizens, but are they enough to solve the current crisis and stem further unrest?
A steep price hike for passport applications pushed Angolans to protest
The fee increased from 8 to 97 US dollars.
Mexican women protest for their lives as kidnappings and femicides surge
More than 150 people, most of them women, have been kidnapped from Mexico City's subway system over the past four years.
Australian court's historic rejection of coal mine highlights the impact of climate change
"NSW Land and Environment Court decision in #Australia on coal and #climatechange is sending shockwaves around the world."
Life, death, and puppets: the stop-motion animation of Tomoyasu Murata
Murata, born in 1974, has produced films since at least 1998 and has recently gained attention outside of Japan.
A ‘digital nomad’ from the UK advocates for solar power in all island nations
"The Caribbean is no different from other parts of the world. Most people do not think about where their electricity is being generated. The big difference is its phenomenal cost."
Will Felix Tshisekedi bring an end to turmoil in Democratic Republic of Congo?
President Felix Tshisekedi said that the court's confirmation of his win was a victory for the entire country and promised to build a nation of unity, peace and security.
Albania's democracy hangs by a thread as opposition quits parliament, launches mass protests
The EU and other Western powers criticized the lawmakers' decision. NATO-member Albania aims to begin full EU-membership negotiations in 2019.
How Saudi leaders are using religion to consolidate power and silence critical voices
''Oppression is a comprehensive system, and [in our country] it is enabled by religion.''
Journalists, teachers, and activists targeted in attacks on free speech in the Philippines
"These are attempts by those in power to drown out the voice of the marginalized...displaying Duterte’s fear of committed journalism that seeks to inform, educate and guide the public."
‘Space is about dreaming’ — an interview with International Space University president
"We hope that space will not become a space of confrontation (...) Space makes children dream and all of humanity as well."
Singaporean activist sentenced to 16 days in jail after hosting video chat with HK youth leader Joshua Wong
"There’s no sentence that I’d consider fair, because he should never have been charged."
Mozambican's garbage-themed act wows audiences on Italian TV talent show
When explaining his performance to the jurors, Amós mentioned Hulene, Maputo's single waste disposal site where a garbage slide in 2018 killed 16 people.
Catalonian football team expelled from competition after players insult female squad
"It seems that every time #futfem takes a step forward, some men have to come out their caves and make a scene"."Iros a la cocina, iros a fregar, sois unas mierdas, sois unas guarras": así insultaron los veteranos del Terrassa FC a sus compañeras del equipo femenino.
Tension between India and Pakistan mounts after terror attack in Kashmir
"amidst the political upheaval, some are urging the public to remember that when there is violence -- everyone suffers"
Facebook, robot vacuum cleaner and pro-surveillance politician voted worst privacy intruders in Czech Republic
The Big Brother “anti-awards” ceremony is designed to shame those who violate people's rights to privacy and data protection.
Samoa arrested blogger ‘King Faipopo’ accused of defaming prime minister
"New legislation, based on old criminal libel laws from colonial times, forces Samoa leaders to look backwards, not forwards."
