Stories from March, 2014
Lebanese Launch Campaign in Support of Syrians Facing Racism
People in Lebanon joined hands to call for an end of racism towards Syrian refugees in their country, writes Joey Ayoub. "Our home is yours," they said.
MENA: Hijab and Western Discrimination
Egyptian blogger Nadia El Awady wrote a blog post in which she questions if women wearing Hijab face discrimination in western countries or not. Nadia, as an Egyptian who grew up in the US and lived prolonged periods in Europe, adds from her personal experience in regards to reactions she...
Saudi Arabia: 2014 A Promising Year for Women
Saudi Arabian blogger Hala Al-Dosari shares on her blog an interesting piece from an annual publication by the Wislon’s Center on women in the MENA Region. The publication suggests that 2014 might be a potentially promising year for women status in Saudi Arabia.
‘NATO Air – Just Do It’ Meme Opens Old Wounds for Serbia and Kosovo
On the fifteenth anniversary of the NATO bombings of Yugoslavia, NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu retweeted a tweet by Kosovo Minister of European Integration Vlora Citaku, causing controversy and angering many.
After One Death, Pleas to Free Remaining Abducted Iranian Soldiers
Insurgents near the Iran-Pakistan border abducted five soldiers in February and have reportedly killed one of their prisoners, Jamshid Danaeifard. #FreeIranianSoldiers say Iranians on Twitter.
Australians Joust over Knights and Dames Revival
The revival of knights and dames had Australians all atwitter.
Thrive Show: On Living Well With Chronic Illness
Bedridden with a chronic illness called myalgic encephalomyelitis, online media virtuoso Jen Brea is launching a new interactive video series using Google Hangout called Thrive Show on how to live well with invisible and chronic illnesses. The first episode is today, March 27, and features a conversation with Eva Hagberg,...
Russia's Media Crackdown Spills into Academia
Three days ago, MGIMO University fired Professor Andrei Zubov for so-called academic misconduct. His supposed crime was writing an antiwar op-ed criticizing Russia's intervention in Ukraine.
Women Still Harassed on Delhi's Metro Despite Measures
Four seats are designated as women's only in every train compartment, and trains now feature special women's compartments. But harassment from men remains a problem for women on the Metro.
“Click Rights” Campaign for Digital Rights in Middle East and North Africa
The IGMENA campaign “Click Rights” aims to bring more awareness of digital rights to citizens, so they in turn can pressure governments and the private sector to uphold them.
In A Syrian Neighbourhood, Rocket Fire Becomes The New Normal
When her Aleppo neighbourhood is the target of rocket fire, Syrian activist Marcell Shehwaro's is both surprised, and not surprised, at how quickly life returns to "normal".
South Korea Singles Out Elderly Drives With ‘Silver Mark’
Seniors must place a special sticker on the back of their car to signify that they are elderly. Rates of fatal crashes involving seniors is on the rise.
Trinidad & Tobago: Minister Fired Over Plane Debacle
The government minister whose deplorable conduct on a flight between Tobago and Trinidad came to public attention, has been fired by the country's Prime Minister.
The Night the Lights Went Out in Jamaica: Politician Freed of Corruption Charges
The dropping of charges against a former minister of Parliament in a corruption scandal involving the distribution of light bulbs, has Jamaicans discussing whether the judicial system has a bias.
Corruption in Nepal: Is It Becoming Socially Acceptable?
People are angry and tired, and media houses often publish news about the connection between political leaders and goons but no one takes to the streets to protest corruption – an anomaly for a country where people have Nepal Bandhs, country-wide strikes for every distress. Siromani Dhungana posts an analysis...
Brazilian Congress Approves Pioneering Bill of Rights for Internet Users
Marco Civil has finally been approved in the lower house of Brazil's Congress and next should be voted in Senate. The bill of rights for Internet users became a worldwide trending topic on Twitter, following a large-scale campaign that was promoted during the day of the vote, March 25, 2014, under the hashtags #MarcoCivil and #EuQueroMarcoCivil (I want...
Why Filipinos Became Early Adopters of Western Music
Le Minh Khai refers to the book of D. R. M. Irving in explaining the long history of Filipino musicians playing Western music: …there was a rich experience of musical contact and exchange between Spaniards and Filipinos that began not long after the Spaniards established their control over the Philippines...
Ukrainians Desperate to Flip the Script on Fascism
Photoshoped swastika is making the rounds on RuNet.
Paraguayan President Faces First Major Test as Citizens Prepare for a General Strike
Paraguay will live its first general strike after two decades. Workers, peasants, teacher unions and students will give Horacio Cartes his first major test as president.
Caribbean Literature Festivals Up Their Author Ante
Literature lovers the world over will be interested to hear what the Caribbean's two major lit fests – Jamaica's Calabash and Trinidad and Tobago's Bocas – have planned this year.
Trinidad & Tobago Loses First Olympic Medallist
Repeating Islands notes the passing of Trinidad and Tobago's first ever Olympic medallist, weightlifter Rodney Wilkes.
