Stories from 23 May 2013
Bangladesh's Planned Coal Power Plant Threatens Sundarbans Mangrove Forest
A plan to erect a coal-fired power plant in Bangladesh next to the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world which straddles Bangladesh and India, is drawing fire from activists in the country who say it would destroy the world heritage site.
The ‘News in Rap’, an Unconventional News Broadcast from Senegal
TV audiences in Senegal have witnessed the rise of a new genre of broadcast journalism that tackles current affairs through rap. The two artists driving the project discuss it with Anna Guèye.
Spanish TV Offers Parents Tips on How to Dress Kids Appropriately
A news report on Spanish television showing parents how to ensure their children do not dress provocatively has unleashed protests on the web. Ever since the Rajoy government changed the top brass of the public broadcaster, there has been no shortage of denunciations about lack of independence and journalistic rigour.
Peru: New Collectible Coin
The Central Reserve Bank of Peru released on May 22, 2013, the thirteenth collectible coin part of the numismatic series “Wealth and pride of Peru” . The coin has an image of the crossed hands from the Temple of Kotosh, located in the department of Huánuco.
Twin Suicide Car Bombings in Niger Kill 23
Benjamin Roger for Jeune Afrique reports [fr] that 18 soldiers, one civilian and four terrorists were killed early morning in an suicide car bombing in Agadez, Niger on May 23. He adds that military school students are currently being held hostages by another attacker following the bombing. Simultaneously, another car...
Second Segment of Fiber Optic Cable Connects to Cuba
U.S. company Renesys announced on its blog that in the last week they have observed "a second connection" of the fiber optic cable ALBA 1 between Cuba and Jamaica.
PHOTO: Locusts Invade Madagascar After Cyclone
Locust swarmed many regions of Madagascar and even a few of its cities. This disaster comes as a result of the humid conditions[fr] that remained after cyclone Haruna's landing. The FAO states that 60% of rice production will be affected by the invasion.
Peru: Is Junk Food Synonymous with Freedom?
The recent Law for the Promotion of Healthy Eating by Boys, Girls, and Adolescents, promulgated by Peruvian President Ollanta Humala, has generated debate about wether it restricts freedom of choice for parents in the way they raise their children. Others see threats to their freedom to advertise.
‘Discover Somalia’ Photo and Culture Blog
Discover Somalia is a cultural and photography blog dedicated to Somalia. The blog aims at promoting a more accurate media image of Somalia and the potential of its people, beauty and natural resources.
Trinidad & Tobago: Invented E-mails or Political Demise?
Monday's sitting of Trinidad and Tobago's Parliament saw the Opposition Leader quoting from several e-mails, which, he alleged, implicate key government ministers, including the Prime Minister, in attempting to cover up her administration's actions surrounding the Section 34 controversy. Netizens have been debating whether the e-mails are even real and what it could mean politically if they are...or are not.
Well-Known Chinese Leftist Advocates Militarized Internet
A prominent Chinese nationalist has called for China to take tighter control of the country's Internet in part by building an online army of civilians to monitor the Web and promote the communist party.