6 June 2011

Stories from 6 June 2011

Egypt: IMF Deal Sparks Controversy

Helping Egypt overcome the cash crunch that ensued in the wake of the January 25 Revolution, the International Monetary Fund agreed on Sunday to a 3 billion dollar loan package to the Arab World’s most populous country.

Syria: ‘Gay Girl in Damascus’ Seized

Amina Arraf has seen a quick rise to fame. Blogging pseudonymously, as Amina Abdullah, she writes about politics, the recent uprising, and being a lesbian in Syria. A dual citizen of the United States and Syria, her powerful words have shown the reality on the ground in Syria over the past few weeks. Today, on Amina's own blog, it was reported that she had been kidnapped by authorities.

Palestine: Hopes Dashed as Rafah Crossing Stays Closed

On May 28 Egypt opened the Rafah Crossing between it and the Gaza Strip, supposedly on a permanent basis. However, Palestinians soon discovered that Egypt was limiting the number of people who could pass through the crossing, and thousands were left waiting in frustration. A week later the crossing was closed again by the Egyptians, “due to renovations“.

Cuba: Striking for “The Student”

  6 June 2011

Uncommon Sense blogs about the Cuban government's response to Guillermo Farinas’ hunger strike to demand an investigation into the death of dissident Juan Wilfredo Soto Garcia, while Mario Barosso says:...

Dominica: Existing Sodomy Law

  6 June 2011

“Either accept it is part of the belief system the country wants to communicate to the world, or consider that controlling sexuality through a combination of religious thought systems and...

Trinidad & Tobago: To Resign or Not?

  6 June 2011

Tattoo examines the arguments being put forward in favour of removing Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner from his post amidst FIFA bribery allegations, saying: “In the end only one...

Colombia: No to Cell Phones With Blood

  6 June 2011

Cell phone theft and its subsequent illegal commercialization have represented a problem of public order for Colombia, so much that this year the national government has decided to confront it. But as expected, the measure has generated various opinions.

North Korea: The Food Aid Dilemma

  6 June 2011

In the Council on Foreign Relations site, Toni Johnson published an analysis on North Korea's food situation and the dilemma in sending food aid to the country.