Stories from 28 February 2013
Christian Protests Target Puerto Rico's Rising LGBTQ Rights
In the past few weeks various key events have occurred with respect to LGBTQ rights, the most prominent of which may be a demonstration organized by conservative Christian groups called "Puerto Rico Rises Up" to protest against proposed amendments that would extend legal protection to same sex couples in cases of domestic violence.
Russia's Feds Now Using Bloggers to Investigate Bloggers
Last week, blogger and corruption fighter Alexey Navalny was on top of the world, after he published information that led to the eventual resignation of a Duma deputy. The Russian Internet, however, is a fickle mistress. Today, Navalny is himself the victim of bloggers, thanks to the Federal Investigative Committee.
Burundi: Violent Suppression of Demonstration Support for Imprisoned Journalist
The Court of Burundi revised the life sentence for journalist and Radio France International correspondent Hassan Ruvakuki on appeal, reducing his sentence to three years imprisonment. Media professionals demonstrated in sympathy weekly outside the Bujumbura Court building since the sentence was handed down until violent suppression of a march by the authorities.
Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe Make Music
Until March 1, 2013, Pantalassa, a cultural association working with Portuguese language countries, is organizing a multidisciplinary program of artistic residences in the “marvelous islands” of São Tomé and Príncipe, together with CACAU. The mutual sharing of experiences and affections is presented in a photo-album, which is being updated throughout the...
Zambian Opposition Lobby for Suspension from the Commonwealth
Zambia’s opposition parties travelled to South Africa to call upon the Commonwealth to suspend the country amid claims of a deteriorating political environment.
Powerful Union Leader “La Maestra” Arrested in Mexico
The arrest of union leader Elba Esther Gordillo for money laundering has caused a stir in Mexico. "La Maestra" is already behind bars at the Santa Martha Acatitla Social Rehabilitation Center in the outskirts of Mexico City.
Latin America Turns to iPhone App to Take Hammerhead Sharks Off the Chopping Block
Countries across Latin America are on a mission to get hammerheads onto the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) list for protection. They’re armed with a new iPhone app that promises to make fin identification quick and easy. Listing the sharks would help fund financially strapped programs in Latin America and restrict global trade.
In Burning Rage for Water, Iran Farmers Take On Security Forces
An anonymous video on YouTube shows angry farmers from eastern part of Isfahan in Iran on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 among burning busses in ongoing protests against water shortages.
World's Grumpiest Traveler Smiles Virtually :-)
It's not true that Vitaly Zelkovsky [ru], better known as “the world's grumpiest traveler,” never smiles. He does – virtually, at least. Reacting to the unexpected fame, Zelkovsky re-posted a Broken News Daily “report” about himself and exchanged a few words with two of his VKontakte friends. Both times, he...
Online Course in Spanish on Election Coverage
The Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas is offering a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in Spanish on “How to Improve Electoral Coverage.” The course will be taught by Colombian journalist María Teresa Ronderos from March 8 to April 19, 2013. Ronderos says the course is for journalists and...
Squatters Call Venezuela's Highrises Home
In Margarita Island, there’s Corocoro, an unfinished apartment block which was under the control of FOGADE (the State’s entity in charge of taking over assets from failed banks) until June 2009 when it was invaded. Right now, there are a thousand people living there. In Caracas Chronicles, Gustavo Hernandez Acevedo...
Misogyny Still a Problem in Bangladesh
Dibarah shares her experience of being back home in Bangladesh after studying abroad for 3 years. She criticizes the prevailing misogyny and public sexual harassment that women have to face everyday. Rather than being pessimistic, she decides to try to improve the situation “by staying defiant of misogyny.”
Chinese Parents of Gay Children Call for Equal Marriage Rights
More than 100 parents of gays and lesbians from different parts of China have sent an open letter [zh] to delegates of China’s National People’s Congress asking the government to legalize same-sex marriage.
