Stories about Weblog from March, 2016
For These Syrian Women, Their 20s Have Been Defined by War
Lebanon was a relatively welcoming place to Syrian refugees when the war started five years ago. Not so much anymore. Three Syrian women tell their stories.
A Shocking Murder Has Chinese Wondering If Education Does Enough for Students’ Mental Health
"Within the existing education system, only focusing on scores has made students more and more selfish, lacking love and kindness."
Nigerian Police Beat Up Yomi Olomofe, Who Was Assaulted Last Year Over His Corruption Reporting
"Arresting magazine publisher Yomi Olomofe for beating the men he says beat him to a pulp is nothing short of obscene."
Jamaicans Adopt a ‘Wait and See’ Approach to New Political Leaders
The new Jamaican voter is keeping a keen eye on the government to ensure that issues are addressed and public officials are held to a higher standard.
Colorized Photos Show Street Scenes of Vietnam, Singapore, and the Philippines During the 20th Century
Take a nostalgic trip to the past by checking out these hand-colored photos of vintage street scenes in the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam.
The Amazonian City of Pucallpa Has Been Protesting For Days, but Peru's Media Isn't Taking Notice
"Sixth day of regional strike in Pucallpa and there isn't one news story in the Sunday programmes."
Why One Elephant's Long Walk Is a Hopeful Sign for War-Torn Somalia
"Miracles happen, now we must keep an eye on this elephant, and the Somalis should be encouraged toward conservation and not killing."
Moroccans Rally for Unity, While Sahrawis Push for Independence After Ban Ki-Moon’s ‘Occupied’ Remark
"When will you be relieved from your prolonged pain? Oh, my homeland. Peace be upon you"
Europe Negotiates With Turkey to Slam the Door on Refugees
"Europe’s concern goes no further than guarding its external borders and containing people within Turkey – depriving vulnerable people and children fleeing war and persecution from seeking asylum in Europe..."
Street Artists Paint Equilateral Triangles on Earthquake-Damaged Buildings in Nepal
"...a man approaches me smiling, and pointing to some heaps of bricks he cries "welcome to my home." Thats when I painted the rubble of the first triangle."
How a Cyber Heist Ended the Career of Bangladesh's Respected Central Bank Governor
"Dr. Atiur has resigned, that's his bold and honest move. But what happened to nabbing the thieves? How was the server hacked? Who was looking after the cybersecurity?"
Let’s Tour the Lima and Mexico City of Yesteryear
Some images make us travel to periods and places considered other people's memories; but thanks to images shared online, you can travel in time and space to Lima and Mexico.
In Iran, It's Norooz Tradition to Jump Over Fire for Good Luck
Chaharshanbe Suri or Red Wednesday is an evening of bonfire jumping and fireworks in Iran which marks the beginning of new year celebrations.
Gymnast Thema Williams’ Long, Fraught Road to Representing Trinidad & Tobago in the Olympics
Thema Williams, the gymnast whose topless pic caused a social media firestorm, has finally been chosen to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the Rio Olympics Test Event.
American Reporter's Assault Reveals How Common Sexual Violence Is in Mexico City
"Women become targets, sometimes without the victims or victimizers being fully aware of it, of expressions that place women second to men, that turn them into objects to be admired."
‘Nude’ Photos of Australian Aboriginal Women Trigger Facebook Account Suspensions
Facebook has been attacked over its suspension of people in Australia for posting a photo of topless Aboriginal women performing a public ceremony.
Two Writers Publicly Resign Amid the Chinese Communist Party's Tightening Grip on Culture
"Suzhou has been a place where literati gather since ancient times. It has a very good tradition of pursuing the ideal. But these traditions have almost vanished now."
Syrians Mark Fifth Anniversary of Revolution with More Protests
More than a quarter of a million Syrians have been killed since the start of anti-regime protests five years ago. Despite the killing spree, protesters are back on the streets.
Ten Years on, Families Keep the Memories of 65 Miners Killed in Mexico Alive
The families of the miners killed at Pasta de Conchos want to prevent a tragedy from happening again: "We're united by the certainty that life is worth more than coal".
For 237 Weeks, Maheen Taseer Never Gave Up Hope Her Kidnapped Husband Would Return
Maheen Taseer kept count of the number of days she was separated from her husband Shahbaz. She could finally stop counting on March 8, when he was rescued.
I Found My Voice in Spanish, a Language Once Used to Subjugate My Ancestors
In part two of her post, Shirley Campbell examines how Spanish is a language at once discriminatory and liberating.