Stories from 10 May 2011
USA: Native Americans Take Offense at Osama Nickname
For the United States government, "Geronimo EKIA" (Enemy Killed In Action) is the code for Osama Bin Laden's death. For many Native Americans, however, comparing their folk hero Geronimo to the world's number one terrorist is offensive. Geronimo was the most famous Chiricahua Apache figure who fought against Mexican and US armies to defend Apache lands.
South Africa: Corrective Rape Claims Another Victim
The unending cases of "corrective rape" that have plagued South Africa at alarming levels are still on the rise. Corrective rape is a criminal practice, whereby men rape lesbian women, purportedly as a means of “curing” the woman of her sexual orientation. The latest victim is a twenty-four year old soccer player from Johannesburg who was stabbed to death minutes after dropping off her girlfriend.
South Korea: Photos of Buddha's Day Celebratory Lanterns
South Korean Tweeters celebrated the birthday of Buddha on April 10 by tweeting photos of lanterns displayed in the busy streets of Seoul. Traditionally, lotus lanterns are displayed in the temple and street, but there are creative lanterns, such as a famous cartoon character, Pororo the Little Penguin celebrating the...
Ecuador: Blogger Detained for Offenses Against Attorney General
The detainment of Ecuadorian blogger Víctor Vizcaíno Luzuriaga for alleged offenses against Attorney General Washington Pesántez became a trend on Twitter, with strong reactions in the blogosphere and a harsh analysis regarding freedom of expression in Ecuador. Many have been commenting on the situation online with the Twitter hashtag #presoporopinar (in English: detained for expressing his opinion).
Brunei: Fake Bus Robbery Alerts Citizens
Last week, news of a bus robbery in Brunei spread fast on Twitter and Facebook. Residents immediately expressed their concern about the safety of public places in Brunei. Then it was discovered that the robbery was a fake. Netizens react to this issue.
Global Blogging Competition on Water Issues
The European Journalism Centre has launched a three month international blogging competition focusing on water issues called TH!NK5. Bloggers from 40 different countries joined the contest, aiming to win the final prize: a trip to Lisbon, Portugal. Here are some of the most popular and original posts written by some of the winners.
Macedonia: Alleged Photos of New Alexander the Great Monument
It's Tapsanov republished [mk] alleged photographs of the Alexander the Great statue that will adorn the main square in Skopje as part of the Skopje 2014 plan. Other photos of this “masterpiece that will hover over the heads of Skopjans” have been circulating in Macedonian media since last week.
