28 January 2013

Stories from 28 January 2013

Homosexuals – The Invisible Minority of Bangladesh

  28 January 2013

The LGBT communities in Bangladesh remain underground as they face discrimination, verbal abuse, physical abuse, social and legal challenges everyday. This invisible minority uses the internet and social networking to communicate between themselves and learn about the psychology and politics of sexual orientation.

Mexico: Indigenous Long-Distance Runner Wins International Race

  28 January 2013

El blog HuffPost Voces [es] picked up the story of Maria Salome, a tarahumara indigenous woman who easily won the 10 km of the OXXO international half marathon in Chihuaha, Mexico. The remarkable thing about her victory is that she ran wearing her traditional costume, with no running shoes and no preparation from notorious coaches. Maria...

Naming the Victims of the Algerian Hostage Crisis

  28 January 2013

If the press have the energy to expose the names of victims and their pictures, why can't they pour the same energy into covering the information and wisdom that would prevent further tragedies? A professor of Islamic studies Naito Masanori commented on Twitter [ja] about the press coverage of the Aménas hostage crisis...

An ‘Evolution in Thinking’ in Afghanistan

  28 January 2013

Afghans and some foreign observers claim that Afghanistan is a vastly different country now than it was under the Taliban. Few of these observers can tangibly explain exactly what they mean by this change apart from pointing to the number of students in school, the proliferation of TV channels and the improved road networks... [I]t’s the evolution in thinking and expectations that has made Afghanistan such a different place now than it was a mere 10 years ago.

Brazil: “Massacre of Pinheirinho”, One Year Later

  28 January 2013

January 22, 2013 marked one year since the violent eviction of the Pinheirinho settlement in the city of São José dos Campos, Brazil. A demonstration to commemorate the date took place at the entrance to the grounds of Pinheirinho. The land has since remained empty and the people who lived there remain homeless.

Hong Kong: Law Amended to Hide Company Data

  28 January 2013

The revision of company ordinance in Hong Kong will allow corporates to hide significant company data and the public is worried that the decision has been made under the influence of Chinese government. (via Asia Sentinel)

Search for Missing Boy Unites Malaysia

  28 January 2013

News about the disappearance of six-year old William Yau triggered a widespread campaign in Malaysia to help find the kid. Netizens helped in spreading news about the case. There was an outpouring of grief for William’s family on social media when the death of the boy was confirmed by the police on January 28

Colombia: Campaign Against Smoking

  28 January 2013

Las Colombianadas del Facebook posts a video [es] where two children ask smoker adults to light up a cigarette for them. The adults refuse, claiming their are too young and it's wrong, but they are surprised when the children handle them a paper with the message: “You are worried about...