Stories from 16 April 2012
Russia: Evgeni Malkin's Journey to the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Evgeni Malkin - a Russian-born ice hockey player who currently serves as the alternate captain for the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins - has led his team to the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Ecuador: New “Conectándonos” Blog Announces Gathering in May
The Ecuadorian version of the blog Conectándonos [es] (“getting connected”) announces the upcoming gathering in Loja, Ecuador on May 24-26. Rising Voices and a local university -the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja [es] (UTPL).- are co-organizing this event which aims “to promote [digital] integration and participation of groups and individuals...
Nigeria: Virality is a Cause
Emannuel Iduma discusses #SaveOke campaign in the context of Kony 2012: “I am interested, in joining my voice to #SaveOke, in telling ways in which KONY 2012 implicate readings of virality…If a #SaveOke video is made, and it goes viral, the complex questions of white supremacy and black inactivity will...
Kenya: Kenyan Films in Africa Movie Academy Awards
Hot Secrets blogs about Africa Movie Academy Awards: “The list of nominees for this year’s Africa Movie AcademyAwards (AMAA) has been released. Kenya has a total of 14 nominations. The organizerand founder said, “Our theme this year is Africa Rising. Africa’s economies areconsistently growing faster than those of almost any...
Ethiopia: PEN Awards Top Prize to Jailed Journalist and Blogger
Ethiopia journalist and dissident blogger is the recipient of 2012 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award: “Nega, a leading advocate for press freedom and freedom of expression in Ethiopia, was arrested on September 14, 2011, and is currently being tried under the country's sweeping anti-terror legislation…. He could face the...
Ethiopia: Teddy Afro's New Album Stirs Up Online Discussion
This is a roundup of reactions to Teddy Afro’s new album, Tikur Sew, which pays homage to King Menelik II, whose victory over the Italians at the Battle of Adwa in 1896 made him a pride of Africa. Teddy Afro is a popular Ethiopian musician and critic of the Ethiopian government.
Iran's “Electronic Curtain” Animated by U.S. State Department
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau for International Information Programs has released a short animation about Iran's "electronic curtain" on YouTube.
China: Feminist Questions ‘Date NGO Girls’ Charity Event
A nonprofit organization that supports the development of NGOs recently introduced a charity event in Beijing to help young female NGO staffers to find their marriage match. However, prominent feminist blogger Lu Ping questions why charities and NGOs are spending resources to promote a culture that reinforces gender, marriage and sexual stereotypes.
Brazil: Homage to the Victims of the Amazon in Washington, D.C.
President Dilma Rousseff's official visit to Washington, D.C. attracted around 100 people to the Brazilian embassy in an act of solidarity with the Amazonian victims. Learn a little more about the Brazilians who were killed and are being persecuted for protecting the rainforest.
Chinese Africans in Hong Kong
The Republic of the Gambia has no consulate in Hong Kong. But the city has a population of Mainland Chinese Gambian passport holders seeking residency in HK via the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES). More from David Webb.
Spain: Faces of the victims of the economic crisis
Al bloc "Els nous pobres" es recullen testimonis de persones que s'han vist afectades per la crisi, que ha limitat considerablement les seves possibilitats econòmiques i personals.
Australian Broadcaster Wins First Indigenous Journalism Award
The winner of the first journalism award for indigenous broadcasters hosted by the World Indigenous Television Broadcasters Network (WITBN) in Norway on March 29, 2012 was National Indigenous Television from Australia. The winning video and other finalists can be viewed on the WITBN website.
Tunisia: Book Readers to the Streets!
Following weeks of demonstrations in Tunis, a new event has been announced, called “L'avenue ta9ra”, or “The avenue reads”. The plan is for Tunisians to bring their books to Habib Bourguiba Avenue, the most symbolic thoroughfare of the capital, and take part in a collective reading session.
India: The Supreme Court Upholds Right to Education
Soumalya Ray at Medica-India explains the recent Supreme Court judgement which upheld the Right to Education and mandated 25% reservation in private as well as government-aided minority schools for children from the weaker sections of society.
India: Administration Backlash over a Political Cartoon and it's Aftermath
The recent arrest of an university professor in West Bengal, India, over a humorous political cartoon has been met by stiff resistance and protest both online and offline. On his blog Pabitraspeaks, blogger Pabitra Mukhopadhyay discusses how the incident is another in a slew of recent incidents that have negatively...
Mali: Timbuktu, a Cultural Treasure in Peril
The name Timbuktu conjures up a majestic, stately image. However, the war in northern Mali and the presence of small terrorist groups constitute a serious threat to the fate of Timbuktu. This treasure of humankind is in danger and numerous groups have raised the alarm.
Mexico: Children in Viral Video Shake Up Presidential Campaign
A video showing everyday examples of corruption, violence, and other scenes acted by children, has sparked mixed reactions in Mexico. The message of the video is that the country has "hit bottom," and it invites candidates to work for the country and not for political parties.
