Stories from 20 February 2012
Russia: Dmitry Rybolovlev, the Quintessential ‘New Russian’
Billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev serves as an example of the quintessential 'New Russian' through his controversial activities during the Yeltsin era, his modern business practices, and his extravagant international spending - he has just purchased the most expensive New York City apartment to date.
United States: Another Assault on Immigrant Culture
The decision to eliminate the Mexican-American studies program from the curriculum of schools has caused outrage. Yarisa Colón covers several initiatives that have been launched to stop this act of censorship against the culture of immigrants in the United States.
Sri Lanka: Promoting Reconciliation and Hope to Young People
Reconciliation is a much discussed buzzword across Sri Lanka. While there has been much talk about how to do it, a group called Sri Lanka Unites is actually doing something. They are uniting the youth of all ethnic and religious groups across Sri Lanka and promoting hope and reconciliation to them.
Mali: The River Niger in Pictures
Boukary Konaté, a member of the Global Voices community in Mali, recently toured rural schools on a traditional Malian boat as part of a digital literacy project. This boat trip was an opportunity to explore his own country and to illustrate the many aspects of the 2,600 miles-long Niger river. Here are some snapshots, taken during the journey.
Yemen: All Set for the One Man Presidential Election
Just one more day to go to Yemen's uncontested and unprecedented “one man” election”, which will start tomorrow, February 21. It will end 33 years of President Ali Abdullah Saleh's rule and cost the country more than US$48 million.
Egypt: Among Bulaq's Ruins in an Unfinished Revolution
Bulaq Abu el-Ela is one of Cairo’s main informal neighbourhoods, threatened with demolition and its inhabitants resettled into apartment blocks in the middle of the desert. Italian film-makers Davide Morandini and Fabio Lucchini, made a documentary entitled "Bulaq: Among the ruins of an unfinished revolution" about Bulaq, its inhabitants, their issues and suffering from forced evictions.
Malaysia: Petition Against Sarawak Dams
An online petition urges the Malaysian government to review its plan to build twelve “highly destructive” hydroelectric dams in Sarawak that will displace tens of thousands of people and flood...
The “Brazilebanese”, or Brazilians from Lebanon
The return of Lebanese immigrants and their Brazilian families to Lebanon has resulted in the creation of an important community of "Brazilebanese". This community has been making efforts to keep ties with Brazil through the Portuguese language, which has more speakers than Arabic in some villages.
Cambodia: Information About Land Evictions
Stories Without Borders provides links to pertinent news articles, videos, and other documents about the land evictions in Cambodia. Over 250,000 Cambodians have been displaced by illegal land evictions in...
Vietnam: Land Rights Violations
Adam Bray writes about the struggle of Vietnamese villagers for their land rights. He accuses the government of secretly demolishing homes and forcibly evicting religious and ethnic minorities in the...
El Salvador: Facebook Photo Album Documents Worst Examples of Campaigning
Legislative elections for El Salvador are scheduled for March 11, 2012. Tim's El Salvador Blog reports on an interesting Facebook initiative: “The Facebook page called “Sociedad Civil” (Civil Society) is...
Singapore Budget 2012
Leong Sze Hian analyzes the Singapore budget presentation for the year 2012. He concludes: “Need to cut rhetoric, and do something, anything, if the government wants to regain some credibility.”
Hong Kong: Videos Against Homophobic Bullying in Schools
A LGBT group in Hong Kong has released a series of advocacy videos against homophobic bullying in schools. Oiwan Lam reports.
Azerbaijan: Sari Gelin
Əli Novruzovun bloqu [AZ] writes a review on a new novel penned by Ali Akbar, author of “Artush and Zaur,” the controversial tale of a homosexual love affair between an...
Egypt: Architecture without Architects
In this short video, Omnia Khalil reflects on the massive change society underwent on social and political aspects during the last three decades in architecture, urban developments and art. Full...
Tunisia: A Year After the Revolution, Limitations on Freedom of Expression Continue
A year after the ouster of the Tunisian ex-president, pressure on freedom of press continues in Tunisia. This week, three newsmen from Tunisian printed newspaper "Ettounisia" were arrested for publishing a controverted picture of Tunisian and Real Madrid soccer player Sami Kedira and model Lena Gercke's naked photograph.
South Korea: Judge Who Lampooned President on Social Media Resigns
In South Korea, a judge who posted an insulting message ridiculing the President on his Facebook wall has resigned amid controversy. Although it seems the resignation is due to his poor evaluation result, his fellow judges and activist groups said that the Justice's decision was to gain the favor of President by punishing the judge who made headlines for lampooning him.
China: New Monetization Model for Sina Weibo
Jin Ge from China Bubble Watch introduces a new monetization model for Sina Weibo.
