Stories about Weblog from April, 2011
Hungary: Hungarian-Roma Tensions Result in Clash in Gyöngyöspata
Last night, four people were injured in a clash between ethnic Hungarian members of the far-right group Véderő and members of the Roma community in the village of Gyöngyöspata. Contradictory accounts have been published in the Hungarian media about how exactly the fight started - and neither of the communities has taken responsibility for the clash.
Kuwait: Sit-in to Rename “Journalism Street” After Al-Saleh Planned
Kuwaiti journalists are planning to stage a sit-in tonight (April 27) to demand renaming "Journalism Street" after the late Mohammed Mousaed Al-Saleh, who was one of the very well known Kuwaiti sarcastic columnists, who wrote for Al-Qabas newspaper for years, criticizing different political and social aspects found in everyday life.
Peru: Hydroelectric Projects in the Amazon Under Discussion Again
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) requested the suspension of Brazil's Belo Monte hydroelectric dam, reopening the debate in Peru on similar projects and their impact on the Peruvian Amazon communities. In Peru, the most publicized hydroelectric megaprojects are the Inambari and Pakitzapango centrals, included in the Peru-Brazil Energy Agreement signed last year.
Macedonia: New Laws to Have an Adverse Impact on Cultural Heritage
An archaeologist blogger reacts to the new legislation that legalizes illegal construction in Macedonia, including buildings that destroy historical heritage sites.
Yemen: One Killed, Several Injured in Taiz Protests
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Taiz, Yemen, today, calling for the overthrow of the Ali Abdullah Saleh regime. According to Yemen Post, one protester was killed and four were injured by live bullets when republican guard forces attacked the protesters.
Egypt: Protesting for Syria
Scores of Egyptians joined Syrian students who gathered outside the Syrian Embassy in Cairo in protest against the killing of demonstrators and called for the overthrow of the Syrian regime of Bashar Al Assad. Protesters chanted in solidarity with the Syrian demonstrators.
China: The Rich Are Fleeing
A new survey conducted in part with one of China's biggest banks suggests that large numbers of wealthy Chinese have over the past two years begun moving their assets overseas, and gaining foreign citizenship in the process. If China is so bad, some wonder, now having lost all this capital and talent, is it about to get even worse?
Malaysia: Boot Camp to “Help” Effeminate Boys
Based on their effeminate tendencies, 66 schoolboys from the state of Terengganu in Malaysia were recently sent to a boot camp aimed at "helping them behave in a proper manner". The boys were identified by their schools, who were instructed last year to identify students who displayed feminine qualities. The blogoshere in Malaysia is divided over this issue.
Australia: Crusading Christian Lanced by Own Tweets
Australian Christian Lobby Director Jim Wallace tweeted on ANZAC Day that Australians didn't fight during World War I for gay marriage and Islam. He has since then deleted his tweet and apologized for his remark. Here are some online reactions from Australia.
Argentina: Bloggers Discuss Inflation
Inflation has long been a subject of controversy in Argentina, and as such is a recurring topic for discussion among bloggers. As an important political issue, it is expected to be one of the main themes debated during the presidential race next October.
India: Gay Community Shown Support after Video Screening
Citizen video's power to promote change has been proven in Raipur, India. A screening of a video showing the hardships faced by the gay community enabled audience members from diverse backgrounds to relate to the discrimination and show their support by organizing a peaceful demonstration.
Puerto Rico: ‘Speak Your Mind’ Online
Under the slogan "Speak your Mind," the online magazine Qiibo covers everyday Puerto Rican politics and the latest entertainment and technology news. Global Voices author Cesar Santiago interviewed the staff about their interests, their place within Puerto Rico's online media, the possibility of alliances with traditional media, and the Puerto Rican blogosphere.
Hungary: For Gyöngyöspata's Roma, Evacuation – or an Easter Excursion?
First, there were the rumors of a right-wing paramilitary group's plans to hold training in the village of Gyöngyöspata. Then came the local mayor's resignation. Then on April 22, some 300 Roma women and children left the village. While media used the word 'evacuation' to describe what happened, government officials claimed the Roma had been taken on an Easter weekend holiday trip.
Thailand: Outrage Over Topless Teen Dancing
The buzz in Thailand in the past week was the scandal caused by the topless teen dancers during the Songkran Water Festival (Thai New Year). The photos and videos of the three girls dancing bare breasted immediately went viral and generated intense online debates on the real meaning of Thai culture and morality.
Pakistan: The Fight Against the Taliban and the Drones
Imagine how it is to live in Pakistan; a place where a day without any suicide bombing or drone attack can make the news, where citizens have to deal with emotions such as shock, rage, discomfort and a deep sense of helplessness on a daily basis.
Examining Africa's Growth
While the African Development Bank announced three days ago that it will downgrade its forecast for growth in Africa as a result of the turmoil in various regions of the continent, the rate of return on foreign investment is higher in Africa than in any other developing regions. Bloggers are unpacking the reasons behind the growth.
Argentina: Croatian Community Reacts to Sentence of General Ante Gotovina
On April 15, 2011, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) handed down sentences to the Croatian generals Ante Gotovina, Mladen Markač and Ivan Cermak. Gotovina and Markac were charged with "crimes against humanity and violations of the laws and customs of war" committed in 1995 by the forces of their country during "Operation Storm." In Argentina, where it is estimated that the Croatian community is the country's third largest, there have been various reactions.
Brazil: LGBT Scene Under Discussion
With recent legal advances and a proposed bill that criminalises homophobia in the Brazilian Senate, cases of violence against LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) groups and expressions of prejudice and heterosexism have come under focus. The online arena has been used to expose many reflections on the right to sexual orientation in the country.
Arab World: On Revolutions and Capitalism
For days, my tweeps have been retweeting thought nuggets from the Twitter account @_Capitalism_. Here, I will select a handful of reactions to the on-going Arab revolutions.
Syria: Blog Interview with Opposition Activist Ammar Abdulhamid
American blogger and Syria expert, Joshua Landis, conducted a video interview with exiled leading Opposition activist Ammar Abdulhamid on the Syrian unrest. Speaking on Landis' blog, Syria Comment, Abdulhamid was questioned on a variety of topics concerning the Syrian revolution, from the dangers of a sectarian breakdown, to the regional implications of a potential collapse in regime.
Nigeria: Tweeps Report And Discuss Post-Election Violence
Nigeria's presidential election was held in on 16 April 2011. Goodluck Jonathan was declared the winner. Some observers have alleged that the election was rigged to favor the incumbent. Post-election violence erupted in northern states where supporters of Muhammadu Buhari attacked churches, homes and police stations. This is a summary of reports and reaction from tweeps using NigeriaDecides hashtag.
