Stories from May, 2014
Drawings With Coffee Foam
The blogger on El Francotirador shares [es] his experience on a fast food shop, when as the waitress gave him the coffee he had ordered, she added: “There you go… I drew a heart with the foam” – she said smiling. As a result of this gesture, the author reflects:...
Hong Kong Public Libraries Ignore Biggest Minorities’ Need
As government funded libraries in Hong Kong fail to serve domestic workers’ need, they have to set up mobile libraries during public holidays across the city. Tom Grundy has the story in Hong Wrong. Below is a video taken by Stories Beyond the Borders showing one of the mobile libraries...
Political Cartoon – Tombs in Beijing Tiananmen Square
Political cartoonist @badiucao's latest work is to commemorate the 25 anniversary of June 4 Incident – “If we are to set up tombs for victims of June 4, let the tomb stones cover the whole square”, the cartoonist explained his work in Twitter. #巴丢草 六四漫画【墓碑】#六四25周年 如果为六四的死难者立碑,就让她们铺满整个广场。 pic.twitter.com/bSDLUXXEZz — 巴丢草 (@badiucao)...
Trinidad & Tobago Media Association Slams Irresponsible Statement
A statement by the Commissioner of Police suggesting that “inaccurate reporting” may have led to death threats against a local journalist, has irked the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago: MATT hopes that the Acting Commissioner of Police was perhaps inarticulate in his characterisation of the threat because if his...
Montevideo Debuts on the Marathon Circuit
With nearly 2,000 athletes participating the first marathon organized in the Uruguayan capital was held on Sunday, May 11, 2014.
Internet Policy In India – Which Way?
The newly elected Bharatya Janata Party headed by Narendra Modi is expected to implement policies and regulatory reforms that will augment economic growth in India. Avantika Banerjee at India Law and Technology blog opines that there is a strong correlation between economic growth and internet access/internet freedom and the expected...
Apocalyptic Scenes in Andranondambo, Madagascar as Villages Fight Over Land
L'Express Mada reports that the entire village of Andranondambo in the South of Madagascar was destroyed [fr] during an inter-village conflict that stems from a dispute over land rights. The civilian conflict, which lasted from May 20 to 22, left no residents of the village alive. One of the military police...
Adventures of a Cyclist in Mexico City
Global Voices contributor Andrea Arzaba blogged about her adventures the first time she went through Mexico D.F.: There was no turning back. I took the card from my wallet and slided it through the Ecobici reader. This was the first time I went to work riding a bike. You usually...
PHOTOS: Hundreds Join Anti-Coup Protests in Thailand
Hundreds joined the 'Stop the Coup' gathering to challenge the military rule in Thailand. Anti-coup sentiments are also growing online.
Russia's Hashtag Activism in Ukraine
Russian activists are capitalizing on #BringBackOurGirls by framing in analogous terms Ukraine's capture of two Russian journalists, hoping for a similar groundswell of awareness and public outrage.
These Egyptians Say No to Mandatory Military Service
On May 15, a group of Egyptian young men and women started an online campaign against military service. Find out why.
Why the Press Needs Protection in Trinidad & Tobago
An investigative journalist testifies that his life was threatened. One Trinidad and Tobago-based blogger discusses how this troubling development challenges citizens' social contract with their democracy.
Deputy Minister Commits Suicide after Electoral Defeat in Malawi
City Press reports the suicide of Godfrey Kamanya, a Malawian deputy minister, apparently after losing his parliamentary seat during the general elections held on 20 May 2014 : The official results of Tuesday’s election are still to be announced. But preliminary election results aired on radio stations indicated that Kamanya was faring badly in the...
Intrigue and Drama as Malawians Await Election Results
After it became clear that she was losing, incumbent President Dr. Joyce Banda accused the opposition of tampering with the election. Meanwhile, a local politician who lost was found dead.
Guatemala: Ex President Portillo Sentenced to Five Years in Jail
With a historic rule by a federal court in New York on May 22, 2014, former Guatemalan president Alfonso Portillo was sentenced to five years and 10 months in jail for money laundering and taking bribes from Taiwan. RT @Luisvela_pl: VIDEO: Alfonso Portillo recibe pena de cinco años y diez...
Trinidad & Tobago's World Cup Players Still Owed Money
You know it is business as usual when you see a dodgy salesman holding the purse strings. Wired868 holds no brief for the political party that will possibly form Trinidad and Tobago's next government, expressing displeasure with its choice of treasurer – the same man who currently heads the Trinidad...
Russian Special Forces Blogger Throws in the Towel
The anonymous LiveJournal blog hardingush, run by a member of Russia's Ministry of the Interior special forces operating in Ingushetia, is now closed.
Australia's Deal to Resettle Refugees in Cambodia Faces Opposition
The likely deal between Australia and Cambodia to resettle asylum seekers has met with lots of criticism.
Russian Digital Sovereignty Is Here and, Yes, It Includes Schoolgirls
No sooner than Basov announced the search engine's moral superiority did Russian bloggers begin posting screen captures of curious search queries conducted using Sputnik.ru.
Will Another Minister Be Sacked in Trinidad & Tobago?
A video has surfaced allegedly showing Trinidad and Tobago's Minister of Sport rolling what many perceive to be a joint; Wired868 has a field day with the news.