Stories from May, 2018
A Beijing-Vatican deal could bolster China's persecution of religion, warns Hong Kong cardinal
"Any agreement on the side of the Vatican may be seen as collaboration with the government to persecute our own people; that’s terrible," says Cardinal Joseph Zen.
Trinidadian photographer Maria Nunes pays tribute to ‘Carnival dreamers and makers’ in new book
"For me it’s about immersion. It’s about going all out, no half way business. Also, as a photographer I see myself as a participant too, not a spectator."
Will Dominica's new environment minister address post-Hurricane Maria challenges?
"At present, too many people on the island lack information about what they can expect from the recovery programme and [...] begin to make a difference in their lives."
Family-run movie theater in northeast Thailand survives decades of changes
"We have always been adapting to people’s changing tastes. That’s why we redesigned the theater three times. Our business is family-run and our employees are mostly relatives."
Interview with Rosaly Lopes, a Brazilian NASA astronomer and the first woman to edit the journal founded by Carl Sagan
Her great inspiration? Francis Northcutt, the astronomer who, in 1970, helped to calculate the return route of Apollo 13.
Georgia's protests pit nightlife against nationalists
"We were on the cusp of civil confrontation!"
Indonesia on maximum security alert following a string of explosions in East Java
"We came into the world like brother and sister, and now let's go hand in hand, not one before another."
Serbia remains silent on cultural heritage devastation by its populist regimes
Serbian art historian Živko Brković has been targeted by threats and suffered burglaries after he demanded accountability from the current Serbian regime in regards to mishandling state-owned artworks.
Over 100,000 Melburnians march to #ChangetheRules for job security and better wages
"I've been to rallies that felt like a funeral march. But this was powerful. Every one of the 120,000 ppl on Melbourne's streets today is fired up... to #ChangeTheRules!"
Riddled with violations, Lebanon's first election in nine years yields underwhelming results for independents
Thousands of election violations recorded and a Ministry late at publishing the results. These were the first Lebanese elections in nine years.
Cuban activists launch detailed agenda for LGBTIQ rights in Cuba
"What could be considered the first document of its kind in Cuba [...] includes 63 specific demands and is divided into two sections: legislative measures and policies, plans and strategies."
Bangladesh blasts off with their first ever satellite launch into space
"Successful deployment of SpaceX's Falcon 9 Block 5 launch of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 to geostationary transfer orbit confirmed. Maybe this is how a country changes. So proud."
Despite support for the #MeToo movement in Pakistan, a culture of silence still prevails
"There must be consequences for those who choose to abuse and not to comply... We say to the women who are speaking up: we hear you, we are with you."
A new era for Malaysia after voters end six-decade reign of ruling party
"Barisan Nasional is no longer our ruler. A few hours from now, the sun will begin to rise over the horizon. How poignant.. we'll see a new Malaysia greeting us."
Netizen Report: Gambia Supreme Court ruling leaves the future of free speech uncertain
The Advox Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Burundi's contentious constitutional referendum reflects deeper political problems
Whether a sign of independence or authoritarianism, Burundi's constitutional referendum appears to have further cemented divisions.
Social media platforms are ablaze as Turks say “enough” to President Erdogan
In Turkish, "tamam" means "that's enough". And that is exactly what Turks are saying to the president.
Montenegrins protest the latest armed attack on journalist, demand end to impunity
After an attack in which journalist Olivera Lakić was shot in the leg, several hundred Montenegrins protested in Podgorica, demanding end to impunity and life without fear.
UPDATED: Armed detainees engage in hostile takeover of Indonesian high security prison
A prison riot involving forty convicted terrorists is currently unfolding in Depok, a West Javan city adjacent to the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.
As Russia's government effort to ban Telegram falters, digital activists are pranking the censorship agency
Tech-savvy Russians are having fun at the censorship agency's expense while it's attempting to ban their favorite messenger.
Cambodia's last independent news site sold to PR firm that worked for the ruling party
"Our editor-in-chief was fired because he stood up for independent journalism and refused to take down an article shedding light on our new publisher."