Stories from 19 May 2011
FSU: Deportations of Crimean Tatars and Soviet Colonialism
J. Otto Pohl of Otto's Random Thoughts writes about the Soviet colonialism (here and here), and about the 67th anniversary of the deportation of the Crimean Tatars (here and here), linking to his earlier posts and articles on the subject.
Russia: Sakhalin Island Experiencing Serious Connection Problems Due to Cable Wreck
Broadband cable that connects Sakhalin island with the mainland has been damaged, Rian.ru reported [ru]. The websites are opening with serious delay (or don't open at all). Unstable Internet connection is still a problem for nearly half a million inhabitants.
Russia: Police Requests Data of Users Who Commented on Secret E-surveillance Unit Rumors
On April 17th, 2011 Yevgeniy Roizman, Yekaterinburg-based politician, wrote [ru] that police creates secret “I-departments,” new police units that will collect data on Internet users. After local news site URA.ru republished [ru] his post and some users started to mock the idea, the website administrators received an official police request...
Brazil: Special Coverage on Sounds and Colours
During the month of May, Sounds And Colours dot Com - an online magazine dedicated to southamerican music and culture – is focused on Brazil. A good opportunity to learn about the “importance of music in Rio de Janeiro” and the “unmistakable tarde and flavour of cachaça“, among other cultural...
Mozambique: Portuguese, the Language of Mozambicanness
In Mozambique, while national languages have been introduced into the education system, the decision to ratify the new accord on the Portuguese language is being debated. Global Voices brings together a series of reflections on the role of the language in the construction of a national identity.
Cape Verde: Creole and Portuguese Languages, an Unofficial Pair
On the day that Portuguese speaking countries celebrate the Day of Portuguese Language and Culture, in Cape Verde the status of Crioulo, a mother tongue and unofficial national language, is equal to that of Portuguese.
Spain: Photos of Protests
The photographer Juan Luis Sánchez (@juanlusanchez) of the digital magazine Periodismo Humano is sharing his photos of the protests in Madrid, Spain.
Uganda: First Female Speaker of Parliament: Should We Celebrate?
Ms Rebbeca Alitwala Kadaga was today sworn in as the Speaker for the 9th parliament in Uganda. She is Uganda's first female speaker of parliament. Is it worthy a celebration? Rosebell does not think so: “In a world that cherishes women’s rights and empowerment (or pretends to), this should be...
Cuba: Effects of a Beating
Crossing the Barbed Wire blogs about his efforts to make a film about “Alberto Lairo Castro, a young Holguin native who in 2007 was a victim of a ‘Double Nelson’ lock applied onto him by the National Revolutionary Police” and was left disabled as a result.
Uganda: Walk to Work Protests in Photos
Ugandans are taking to the streets to protest rising fuel and food prices and rapid inflation. Police have been using pink paint, tear gas and live bullets against the protesters. Here is the story of walk to work protests in photos.
U.S.V.I.: “The Caribbean Writer”
A Nation or Nobody is enjoying his new copy of The Caribbean Writer: “The topics…rang[e] from the Virgin Islands’ place in the Caribbean community to concerns over the homicide rate in the territory…”
Puerto Rico: Opening the Flood Gates
Gil the Jenius is incredulous about the cause of his neighbourhood's most recent incident of flooding.
Cuba: “El Yuma”‘s Visit
Bloggers have their say about Ted Henken's visit to Cuba.
Guyana: Caribbean Law
Signifyin’ Guyana interviews regional legal expert Abiola Inniss about her new book and possible “solutions to some of the major issues which plague Caribbean law today.”
Iran: “We are Everywhere” Campaign Against Homophobia
This year, on May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, several Iranians raised their voices by launching a “We are everywhere” campaign, on YouTube, Facebook and blogs against homophobia worldwide. In Iran, homosexuality is punishable by death.
Cameroon: Google Android Developer Challenge in Douala
Bill Zimmerman shared photos on Twitter from the Google Android Developer Challenge which took place in Douala, Cameroon on May 14, 2011. A post is also available on his blog, 27 Months. More pictures were posted by DotCom on their Facebook Page.
France: Anti-Racism Group Expelled from Slavery Commemoration Event
During a National Slavery Day ceremony in Paris attended by French president Nicolas Sarkozy on May 10, eight members of anti-racism group Alliance Noire Citoyenne [Black Citizens Alliance] were expelled for wearing shirts that said “Anti Negrophobia Brigade”. A video of the action has been viewed more than 600,000 times.
France: The Fall of Dominique Strauss-Kahn?
On Sunday 15 May, 2011, France awoke to a political earthquake: a sex scandal involving the (now former) French president of the IMF, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, arrested for an alleged sexual assault against a housekeeper in a New York hotel. On day three after the revelation, French bloggers are still struggling to grasp the implications of this global scandal on French politics.
Lebanon: “Mabrouk” to Lebanese Women
Rita Chemaly congratulates Lebanese women on recent progress toward gender equality in Lebanese law. Several laws have been modified to grant women more rights in the areas of income tax, inheritance, and social security. To read her post, Mabrouk! [congratulations], click here.
Hong Kong and China: Immigrant discontent
Lucia Lou from China Hush translates a local news story about Hong Kong society's reactions towards the influx of mainland Chinese new immigrants to the city.
Why China’s left is up in arms?
David Bandurski from China Media Project explains why there is a resurgence of China’s hardline Maoist left.