Stories from 10 April 2013
Tunisian Graffiti Artists Fined, Most Serious Charges Dismissed
A Tunisian court fined two street artists for drawing pro poor graffiti today. The court, however, dismissed the charges of "disturbing public order" and "breaching the state of emergency".
Honduras’ Indigenous Reject Hydroelectric Project
Simply put, this dam is a death sentence to the indigenous communities that have lived here for generations.
Argentine Pope: Bergoglio and the ‘Slum Priests’
In Argentina, former cardinal Bergoglio - now pope Francis- is remembered for his work at "villas miseria", slums located in big cities around the country.
Venezuela: Fire Consumes Part of Canaima National Park
For over a week the Canaima National Park, one of the world's most precious green lungs has been burning beyond control. Many Twitter users are in dismay over the events, but not without pointing to the indolence of the Venezuelan state and that of Venezuelan politicians in general.
Russian Censors Partially Acquiesce to Wikipedia
Russian Internet censors at Roskomnadzor have reversed a decision to ban Wikipedia's entry for “cannabis smoking,” following a reexamination of the article after a new round of edits by Wikipedian volunteers. In a statement [ru] on its website today, April 10, 2013, Roskomnadzor announced the unbanning, though at least nine [ru] other...
U.S. Food Safety Groups Urge for Veto of ‘Monsanto Protection Act’
Food Safety activists are outraged over the passage of an act by the U.S Congress that protects genetically modified seeds from litigation regardless of the effects on the health of consumers.
Zambian Activist Arrested After Speaking Out for Gay Rights
Gay rights activist Paul Kasonkomona was arrested in Zambia after he appeared on live television arguing that the country, which criminalises homosexual acts, should respect same-sex relationships. His arrest came a week after four all-male couples attempted to get married in Zambia's capital city.
Turning Point for Sri Lanka's Muslims?
Sunanda Deshapriya at Groundviews opines that “the judicial case related to the violent attack on Muslim owned Fashion Bug head office and warehouse in Pepiliyana, 10 km away from Colombo, is destined to be a turning point in Muslim Rights in Sri Lanka.”
Chinese Authorities Cancel Indie Film Festival
The Yunnan Multi-Cultural Festival, one of the most important platforms for independent documentary film in China, has been cancelled by authorities without offering an explanation. Cui Weiping, social critic and professor at the Beijing Film Academy, expressed her disappointment on Sina Weibo. She thinks cancellation of this sort of film forum...
Djibouti: Arrests follow ‘Democratic’ Elections
Several opposition leaders were arrested in Djibouti after demonstrations which followed the February 22, 2013 general elections. The elections saw yet another victory for the party in power, the People's Rally for Progress. President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who has ruled since 1999, received 80% of votes cast, leading to allegations of fraud on a massive scale. Arrests were still continuing at the time of writing, April 2013.
Big Money and Sex Talks Shock in China
It’s a story about sex and money, but what catches the attention of many Chinese netizens is the “beyond imagination” gap between the country’s rich and poor. Offbeat China reports on a bizarre dispute on Sina Weibo between Internet celebrity Guo Meimei and members of Sports Car Club (SCC) about “who is...
Margaret Thatcher's Top Five China Moments
Pete DeMola from Beijing Cream reviews Margaret Thatcher's China policy by looking into her five most significant moments and positions in China, including 1. fell down the stairs at the Great Hall of the People; 2. advocated against the Great Firewall; 3. lobbied against serving sea slugs and shark fins...
Haiti: Too Fragile to Shoulder the Blame
Can I get an A-MEN? When it comes to an analysis of the country's aid management failures, kiskeácity admits she couldn't have said it better than Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck.
Macedonia's Media Law Lacks Media's Input
The Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) explains [en] why Macedonian journalists are demanding an open debate “on the scope and the contents” of the draft Law on the Media (via @Macedonia_en): […] It was prepared, in its entirety, by the Government and is offered today to the public to...
