Stories about Weblog from August, 2021
Quilombola communities lament environmental damage of industry around Aratu Port, in Brazil’s Bahia State
Local residents report the disappearance of shellfish and mangroves, blaming factories for water pollution.
Digital Campaign in Bangladesh gains momentum as women speak up against misogyny
A feminist grassroots network in Bangladesh has started an innovative campaign on Facebook to protest the media trial, moral policing and sexist language in covering women celebrities.
Train attack in Japan exposes misogyny and gender violence
"The common trait among mass shooters, serial killers, and other serial perpetrators of gendered violence is an intense hatred of women."
Eccentric reggae pioneer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry dies at 85
"Jamaica has lost the rhythm and soul of a prolific music icon who has inspired many. Perry was one of the most important creative figures to come out of Jamaica."
#KeepItOn: How the Twitter ban is affecting young Nigerians
Twitter is a connected public square for many young Nigerians. The ban is taking a toll on their businesses, advocacy, and social life.
As Ebrahim Raisi begins his presidential role, oppression is set to soar in Iran
Iran's former Chief Justice and head of the regime's judiciary apparatus won the presidential election on June 19 in a landslide victory.
Employees of Hungarian-owned TV in North Macedonia conduct partial strike over unpaid salaries
Since 2018, money funneled through Hungarian companies have bolstered media peddling populist propaganda in Slovenia and North Macedonia.
Little chance of justice for Colombia's murdered journalists
Only one out of 161 murders of journalists resulted in a conviction of all perpetrators.
Ken Behrens-Canberrans caption error creates Australia's accidental COVID-19 hero
"In response to Chief Minister Andrew Barr’s kind words, I’d like to say 'You’re welcome' ;p. Though please don’t tell him that I’m not actually at home right now!"
Facebook user gets 18-month prison sentence for mocking Cambodia’s prime minister
"This verdict is a message that makes those who have constructive ideas or criticisms in relation to social issues be fearful and hesitant and will limit their freedom of expression."
Russian court issues bigger fines to social media companies for breaching data localization rules
The data localization law, adopted in 2015, requires all internet companies processing Russian users' data to store such data on servers physically located inside Russia.
Earth Defenders Toolkit launched to help communities navigate digital tools for defending environmental rights
Launched in July 2021, the toolkit aims to enable grassroots environmental protection communities to find and use the resources most helpful to them without seeding their dependence on external support.
After weeks of hesitancy and soaring COVID numbers, Jamaicans crowd vaccination centres
With the presence of the Delta variant confirmed, soaring rates of new COVID-19 infections, and the availability of the Pfizer vaccine, Jamaicans finally seem ready to get over vaccine hesitancy.
‘Recovering a Central American Native identity is key to stopping our erasure’
"We must leave behind colonial concepts such as homophobia, classism, possessive acquisition of lands and capitalistic ideals whereby capital is more important than Native livelihoods."
Woman breaks record for lying down at resting contest in Montenegro
After 117 hours lying down — with bathroom breaks — the victor came away with a new understanding of how hard it is to lie down.
Protestors call for the resignation of Thailand's Prime Minister Gen Prayut
Since last year, protestors have been calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Gen Prayut who came to power through a coup in 2014.
Who is glorifying terrorism: Hong Kong students or the Chinese government?
HK police arrested four university students on charges of 'advocating terrorism' because they mourned the death of a police assaulter. Meanwhile, China looks to cooperate with the Afghan Taliban.
Ukraine: 30 years in pursuit of equality
As the Ukrainian government celebrates 30 years of independence, the reality is that, for many, independence has not brought the prosperity they were promised.
Cambodia’s China-funded mega dam linked to rights abuses and loss of fisheries
"Today, everything the dammed-up rivers provided – food, water, an income from fishing – is gone."
Masks save lives, but they’re also becoming a gargantuan waste problem
The pandemic has led to an exponential rise in the amount of plastic waste and in Nepal, much of it is not properly segregated or disposed of.
The plight of Afghan women under the new Taliban regime
With the Taliban taking control of Kabul, women in Afghanistan are faced with the bleak prospect of a return to a society that denies their rights.
