Stories from 10 June 2014
El Salvador Pays No Attention to Its Laws for Disabled People
Jaime Vásquez Villalta writes in his Spanish-language blog Desde mi Silla (From my chair) denouncing El Salvador's failure to observe the United Nations’ 1971 Declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons. He mentions the six basic rights [es] of disabled people, according to international human rights legislation. Vásquez describes what happens in...
‘Women Work 2 to 3 Hours More Than Men’
From Venezuela, Marita Seara Fernández, a member of the collective Mujeres Construyendo [es] (Women Building), an online community that aims to end the digital gap among women, took part in the “First International Women Bloggers Conference” [es] in Mexico on October 2013. She notes that women barely represent 25 percent of...
This Unique Anti-Rape Protest by Women in India Has Shocked Kerala
A small group of women in Kerala decided to conduct a unique protest to draw attention to the recent case of the teenage lower caste girls in Uttar Pradesh, India
Heartbreak for Ibrahim and Djouma in the Central African Republic
Djouma and Amadou Moussa are Ibrahim's parents. Djouma and Ibahim are the two lone survivors of an incredibly violent attack by militiamen that took the lives of 5 of Ibrahim's siblings in the Central African Republic, near the border with Cameroon. The militiamen came while Amadou Moussa was away. Djouma, 30, recalls...
Islamic Militants Seize Control of Mosul, Second Largest Iraqi City
Iraq's second largest city Mosul fell into the hands of Islamist militants today (June 10). Reports say the militants are from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
For Literary Stars, Life's A Beachside Festival In Jamaica
A relaxed Salman Rushdie, a warm and expansive Jamaica Kincaid, and other delights of the 2014 edition of Jamaica's Calabash Literary Festival. Annie Paul reports.
Brazil or Argentina? Football Rivalries Play Out Thousands of Miles Away From the World Cup in Bangladesh
Bangladesh may not be playing, but is gripped by the world cup fever. Citizens have split into Brazil and Argentina camps. Flags, jerseys, heated debates-the world cup war is on.
Trinidadian Writer Makes Frank O'Connor Award Longlist
Repeating Islands notes that Trinidadian writer Barbara Jenkins has been longlisted for the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award for her book Sic Transit Wagon, adding: “The shortlist of six will be announced at the end of the week.”
The Cult of Political Personality in Trinidad & Tobago
One political blogger is tired of the mud slinging that passes for political debate in Trinidad and Tobago, suggesting instead that the electorate must demand that politicians address issues.
China's Dog Meat Festival – Cruelty or Culture?
Animal rights activists in China are campaigning hard to ban the consumption of dog meat, but traditionalists and dog meat lovers say that it infringes on their culture and rights.
Some Young Soldiers in Tajikistan's Army Are Being Hazed to Death
The Tajik army experience is one of abductions, humiliations and occasionally lethal violence. But many continue to justify these practices in the name of character building.
A Doctor Remembers His Days in Prison With Iran's Unjustly Persecuted Baha’is
The Baha'i Yaran - five men and two women - are serving 20 years in prison, the longest sentence of any prisoner of conscience in Iran.
Mass Protest in Guangzhou, China
Hundreds of Guangzhou residents gathered at Sanyuanli yesterday afternoon against the police action in confiscating some private property in a warehouse for fire prevention purpose. The protest turned into a confrontation between police and protestors, the latter turned over police cars in the process. Charles Liu from nanfang.com has the...
Vinegret, Anyone? These 5 Videos Will Help You Become a Russian Master Chef
Most often, Russian cuisine is associated with pelmeni, pancakes, and vodka. Over the generations, however, Russians have loved and cooked a much wider array of national dishes.