Stories about Weblog from April, 2016
Imprisoned Iranian Cartoonist Hadi Heidari Goes Free
"By the grace of God, I was released from Evin Prison tonight after serving time. Thank you all for the kindness," Hadi Heidari wrote on Instagram.
Xulhaz Mannan, an LGBT Activist in Bangladesh, Is the Latest Victim in a String of Brutal Killings
Since 2005, at least 23 bloggers and activists have been killed and scores of others attacked or threatened with death for their progressive and secular views.
French Activists Say If You Are Harassed or You See Harassment on the Street, Speak Up
One 2014 study revealed that 85% of women in Paris "have little faith" that anyone would come to their aide if they were assaulted on the metro.
After Weeks of Scorching Heat, Myanmar Is Hit by the Worst Hailstorm in 50 Years
Strong winds struck Mandalay, Sagaing, and the states of Shan and Chin, while hailstones as big as golf balls rained down on these regions.
Latin America's Women Confront Sexual Harassment By Sharing Their Stories of Abuse
Over the past few days, tens of thousands of women across Latin America have shared harrowing testimonies of their first (and often not their last) experiences with sexual harassment.
Ecuadorians Come Together Online to Help Those Affected by the Earthquake
"Citizens have taken charge of all the organizing and the collaboration, there was no need for Rafael Correa in this country."
Iranian Cartoonist Atena Farghadani's Prison Sentence Reduced From 12 Years to 18 Months
"To my cartooning colleagues around the world: let's keep watching and speaking out for Atena Farghadani."
A University Professor Is Hacked to Death, Another Victim of Deadly Intolerance in Bangladesh
Rezaul Karim Siddique joins a long list of intellectuals, bloggers and foreigners who have lost their lives in similar killings purportedly carried out by Islamist militants.
The ‘Urabá Diaries’ Lay Bare the Struggles and Hopes of Young People in Colombia's North
Stories of the Urabeños who, despite armed conflict, the government's indifference, and education systems lacking tolerance, refuse to let history define their future.
Journalist Zoran Božinovski's Supporters Fear Extradition to Macedonia Puts Him at Risk of Torture
"The Serbian government will bear responsibility if Božinovski is exposed to inhuman treatment in Macedonian prisons."
Puerto Ricans Take Heart in ‘Hamilton’ Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda's Success
While Puerto Rico is in the midst of a financial crisis, dramaturg Lin-Manuel Miranda's success has brought happiness and hope.
Japan Gets Ready to Plant Rice During ‘Golden Week’
"Flooding the fields before planting really makes this a representative scene of Japan. The call of the Japanese nightingale echoes throughout the valley. I am entranced by the scene."
Macedonian Crisis Deepens as Protests Increase in Number and Intensity
Protests are piling up in Macedonia, and a government that had enjoyed the fruits of impunity for so long is reaping what it sowed.
Some Iraqi Refugees Who Made It to Europe Are Choosing to Return Home
“If there was a hope I would get asylum soon, I would have stayed. But there was no hope.”
These White Butterflies from Nepal are Spreading a Message of Hope and Social Change Throughout the World
Usually flight attendants say, "Thank you for flying with us." Whenever I meet them I say, "Thank You for flying with me!"
Cheers and Jeers as Ugandan Female Researcher Undresses to Get Her Office Back
"Our society really needs to stop objectifying women!We need to understand them through the lens of intellectualism not sexism.#RotAtMISR"
Pressure Mounts on Gambia’s President Over Worsening Human Rights Situation
Unhappiness at President Jammeh's 22-year rule is growing every day and the opposition is under huge pressure.
A Feisty 12-Year-Old Shows Us What Life in Nepal Is Like After the Earthquake
Shreesha lost her home in Nepal's 2015 earthquake, but she has managed to stay in school. Now she just needs the other kids to stop taunting her for being homeless.
Jamaica's Christian Conservatives Point Fingers at International Agencies Over Comprehensive Sex Education
"How can [...] advocates and health practitioners who understand the real world and people of faith [...] reach a point of common understanding for the benefit and welfare of all?"
Goodnight, Sweet Prince: The Caribbean Bids Farewell to the Consummate Artist
"Going to wear assless pants and eyeliner out of respect. I guess this is why Doves Cry. #Prince."
Malaysia Will Likely Force ‘Political Blogs’ and News Websites to Register With the Government
Human rights groups and media freedom advocates denounced the proposal as a curtailment of free speech, adding that the move reverses Malaysia's earlier stated commitment to promoting Internet freedom.