Stories from 18 February 2012
Syria: Razan Ghazzawi and Female Colleagues Freed
Syrian Blogger and Freedom of Speech advocate Razan Ghazzawi, who was arrested for the second time earlier this week, was released on Saturday along with her female colleagues. Her male colleagues from the Syrian Center for Freedom of Expression in Damascus remain in detention.
Sri Lanka: Price Hike and Police Brutality in Enforcing Public Order
Sri Lanka is currently facing a turbulent economy with price hike and imposition of surcharges, which are provoking widespread protests. The police and the military are taking brutal measures on protesters and a number of people have been killed in the past few months.
Senegal: Week Before Elections Police and Protesters Clash in Dakar
A week before the presidential elections, Senegal is marred in pre-electoral violence over the candidacy of incumbent president Abdoulaye Wade seeking for a third term. Lova Rakotomalala reports.
Cambodia: Support Network for Young Entrepreneurs
A group of young business minded Cambodians have set up the SmallWorld website which serves as an education, networking, and small business resource and support center for students and budding entrepreneurs.
Peru is Hit by Strong Rains
Juan Arellano reports [es] that the rainy season in Peru has arrived with particular strength this year. He names some areas that have been affected by the rainfall in his blog Globalizado.
Colombia Issues Arrest Warrant for Former Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo
Colombia's Office of the Attorney General asked a judge to issue and arrest warrant and include an international Interpol red card for former peace commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo. Restrepo, who held said office for 7 years during the government of former president Álvaro Uribe, is now a fugitive and is...
Chile: Aysen Region Social Movement Gains Strength
Last year, the Aysen Region was on the national spotlight due to the controversial dam project Hydroaysén. Today people are once again paying attention to this region in the Chilean Patagonia after locals held a series of protests calling for better quality of life and lower living costs.
Armenia: Homophobia as PR for the Yerevan Municipality
Unzipped: Gay Armenia comments on homophobic comments left on the Facebook page of the new Mayor of Yerevan, Taron Margaryan, in response to recent environmental protests in the city. Noting that the discriminatory remarks were made by municipal employees, including the person responsible for public relations, the blog says that...
Egypt: Contemplating religion after sectarian clashes
Writing on the Magnum Foundation Emergency Fund's Tumblr, Rena Effendi comments on her conversations with Christians in Egypt who suffered from recent sectarian violence. The acclaimed photojournalist from Azerbaijan, a secular Muslim country, says faith is a personal issue and more about “relief from suffering than a path to forgiveness.”
Madagascar : Why Malagasies Cannot Use Paypal
The Malagasy blogger Sam bemoans on Reflexium the absence of an electronic payment system in Madagascar [fr]: ” It is ludicrous that Malagasy people can open accounts on Paypal but cannot withdraw money from their accounts or credit it. Madagascar launched a few initiatives to have Paypal services in the country. Yet, the...
Australia: Climate Skeptics in Denial Over Heartlandgate Controversy
Allegations of the Heartland Institute funding an Australian scientist to promote climate skepticism have brought denials from fellow skeptics in response to a barrage of criticism. Funding of and by think tanks, and their independence and objectivity, is an ongoing source of online debate in Australia
