Stories from 13 May 2013
Chilean Michelle Bachelet's Bid for Presidency
Center-left coalition leader and former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet looks for a second Presidential term, focusing on themes of inequality, universal education, and tax reform. But have lessons been learned from the previous coalition terms? This is how Upside Down World's Matthew Owens starts an extensive analysis on Michelle Bachelet's...
Interview: Chadian Blogger and Journalist Expelled from Senegal to Guinea
The Senegalese government expelled Chadian journalist and blogger Makaila Nguebla on May 8, 2013, sending him to Guinea. He explained his situation in an interview with Global Voices' Anna Guèye.
‘Not Just About Writers': Talking with NGC Bocas Lit Fest Founder
Global Voices interviews the founder and director of Trinidad & Tobago's NGC Bocas Lit Fest, the indefatigable Marina Salandy-Brown, about how her germ of an idea has now evolved into the biggest literary festival in the Anglophone Caribbean.
‘Syria Untold': The Storytelling of the Syrian Revolution
Syria Untold is a new independent digital media project exploring the storytelling of the Syrian struggle and the country's diverse forms of resistance. The project will be partnering with Global Voices Online.
Japan's Pregnancy Handbook Plan Forgets Men
To counter the dropping birth rate, the Japanese government is proposing compiling a handbook with information on pregnancy and family planning to educate teenage girls on the subject. This plan to distribute the so-called “women's handbook” has been met with criticism by women's groups, which argue that the issues of...
‘Black 505’ Post-Election Rallies Spread in Malaysia
The Opposition-led ‘Black 505’ rallies are spreading in Malaysia. In the past week, hundreds of thousands gathered in Kuala Lumpur and in other parts of the country to protest the outcome of the recent election. ‘Black 505’ refers to the May 5 General Election which was tainted by allegations that the ruling coalition committed massive electoral fraud to remain in power.
Is Ukrainian Right-Wing Blogger Eligible for the Bobs 2013 Award?
Ukraine was having a trouble-free debut at this year's The Bobs, Deutsche Welle's international blogger contest, until blogger Olena Bilozerska became the User Winner in the Best Blog Ukrainian nomination. Her victory turned sour and a scandal ensued when the Ukrainian netizens alerted the contest's organizers to her blog's ultra-right content. Oleg Shynkarenko reports.
Anonymous Hacks North Korea Again
Hacker collective Anonymous appears to have launched another round of attacks on major North Korean websites over the weekend. A guideline on targets and tools of ‘Operation North Korea Second Project’ was shared via Pastebin, North Korea tech explains in detail.
South Korean President's Spokesman Sacked Over Sexual Assault Allegations
South Korean President's press spokesman, Yoon Chang-jung was fired on May 10, 2013 over allegations that he sexually assaulted an embassy intern during the president’s high-profile trip to the US.
Kyrgyzstan Celebrates, Debates Victory Day
Victory Day on May 9, marking the end of World War II, is a national holiday celebrated vibrantly in many former Soviet countries, including Kyrgyzstan. This year, Kyrgyzstani Internet users expressed their frustration that the country's "true heroes" are remembered only once a year, and that the holiday has now turned into an excuse to get drunk.
Save Lhasa, Tibet from Destruction
High Peaks Pure Earth has published Elliot Sperling's translation of prominent Tibetan writer, Woser's recent blogpost urging the world to save Lhasa from being turned into another tourist shopping mall.
China: Report on Sexual Assault
Patrick Lozada and James Griffiths from Shanghaiist explained on the findings of a report that found that around 50 percent of Chinese men admit to sexually assaulting their partners: In publishing our original post, and this follow up, we are not seeking to demonise Chinese men […] Domestic violence is...
Popular Chinese Writer's Microblog Scrubbed from Sina Weibo
The online Sina Weibo microblogging account of Murong Xuecun, one of China's most popular writers and one of the country's foremost critics of censorship, has been deleted from the site, suspected to be part of the government's efforts to crack down on online rumors by targeting high-profile users.
Ukraine's Freedom Party Crusades Against Gay Pride Parade
On May 25, Ukraine will once again attempt to hold its first gay pride parade ever. The previous attempt failed a year ago, when the event was cancelled shortly before it was to begin and one of its organizers was beaten by a group of masked men. Judging from the online reactions that began to appear as soon as the upcoming Equality March was announced, things may not go very smoothly this year as well.
