Stories about Breaking News from May, 2011
Côte d'Ivoire: Is Charles Blé Goudé alive ?
After weeks of uncertainty about his whereabouts, an alleged audio recording of Charles Blé Goudé [fr], the former Ivorian Minister of Youth under ousted president Laurent Gbagbo, has appeared in the Facebook group, “RESEAU MONDIAL FACEBOOKERS POUR GBAGBO” (Worldwide Network of Facebookers for Gbagbo). In the recording, posted by Cyrius...
Russia: Famous Sci-Fi Writer's Blog Removed for ‘Anti-Semitism’
Following President Medvedev's speech on extremism in the Russian Internet, security services began a campaign against online neo-Nazis and vocal nationalists. On May 28, 2011, the campaign against racial and religious extremism found an unusual enemy – Leonid Kaganov, one of Russia's oldest bloggers, a poet, and a science fiction writer.
Costa Rica: Sex Abuse Prison Sentence Raises Concerns About Justice System
The sentencing of a 39 year old cabinet-maker to four and a half years of prison for sexually assaulting a woman during the daytime by touching her genitals in public has divided Costa Rica: while some applaud this decision, others believe this points to a failed justice system and a third group considers it excessive.
Peru: Growing Debate Regarding Genetically Modified Farming
The official signing of Decree 003, which permits the import of genetically modified seeds into the country, continues to generate debate between those in favor of the widespread use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and those who fear it would be harmful to the country's biodiversity and the health of its people.
Egypt: Mubarak Fined for Internet Blackout during Revolution
An Egyptian court has fined ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and other officials 540 million Egyptian pounds ($90m) for disconnecting the Internet and mobile phone services during the revolution. Mubarak's regime first shut down access to Twitter when protests started, then Facebook, before turning off the Internet on January 28.
Egypt: Opening of Rafah Crossing with Gaza
Egypt opened its Rafah order crossing with the Gaza Strip today, allowing people to cross freely into Egypt for the first time in four years. The border, which is Gaza's main gateway to the outside world, was opened sporadically during the reign of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. Following are some reactions from Twitter on this latest development.
Spain: From Spanish Revolution to World Revolution
Mobilizations in Spain have ignited what has been called a “World Revolution”, with more than 600 demonstrations and camp outs taking place in solidarity with Spanish protesters. Websites, Twitter hashtags, and Facebook accounts are being used to spread and share information, thoughts, and opinions.
Peruvians Say No to Fujimori in ‘March for dignity, Fujimori never again! #26m’
Global Voices author and Spanish Translation Manager Juan Arellano is updating a Storify post [es] on the developments of “March for dignity, Fujimori never again! #26m” taking place in Lima right now, on May 26. Protesters have mobilized to show their rejection of ‘fujimorismo’ and their discontent with the possible...
Azerbaijan: Eynulla Fatullayev Pardoned Following Twitter Action
Just two days after the UK branch of Amnesty International launched its Twitter campaign to call for the release of Eynulla Fatullayev comes news that the imprisoned journalist and prisoner of conscience has been included in a list of prisoners to be pardoned ahead of the 93rd anniversary of the founding of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
Serbia: Arrest of Ratko Mladic
Ratko Mladic, former Bosnian Serb military leader was arrested today by police in Serbia, the country's president, Boris Tadic, confirmed on national television. General Mladic has been on the run since 1995 facing charges of genocide for his role as Bosnian Serb military commander during the 1992-95 civil war in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Angola: Organizer Arrested on the Eve of Protest Against Poverty
Luis Bernardo, the president of MRIS (Revolutionary Movement for Social Action) who organized a protest against poverty [pt] in Luanda today, was arrested on the eve of the event [pt]. A few days before, Bernardo had denounced threats against him by the Angolan regime, as reported [pt] on the blog...
Mexico: First Woman Drug Cartel Leader
A Mexican woman is believed to have become the head of the “Arellano Felix” Cartel, which operates in Tijuana, northern Mexico. Her name is Enedina Arellano Felix, and according to the blog Mundo Narco [es], Enedina is an “intelligent, mechanical and discrete woman in charge”.
Brazil: Forest Defender Shot Dead
As the Brazilian Congress debates a new Forest Code, and as the Environment Ministry launches new raids on illegal deforestation in Brazil, forest defender José Cláudio Ribeiro da Silva was shot dead [pt]. He had announced his life was under threat in the TEDxAmazonia conference, last November.
Pakistan: Huge Blasts at a Naval Air Base in Karachi
A heavily guarded facility of Pakistan Navy located in Karachi has been attacked by terrorists a few hours ago and blasts and gun-fires ensued. Pakistani Twitter users were quick to spread the news and voice their reactions.
Malaysia: Tweets on the Orphanage Landslide
While the world was busy discussing the ‘end of the world,’ Malaysians mourned the death of innocent children who were buried in a landslide in an orphanage motivational camp near Kuala Lumpur
Bhutan: Another Royal Wedding
Bhutanese Member of Parliament Sangay Khandu informs in a blog post about the royal address of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (31), in which he declared his wedding with Jetsun Pema.
Spain: “Yes We Camp,” Mobilizing on the Streets and the Internet
Since May 15, people in Spain have taken the streets to demand democracy in advance to the upcoming elections, with thousands camping out in cities across the country. Protesters and supporters are organizing in decentralized and horizontal networks, and employing social media tools to share and spread information, tell their stories, and collaborate on ideas, proposals and initiatives.
Russia: Billionaire Gives Up Business After Publishing a Video On Bank Fraud
Alexander Lebedev, Russian tycoon, said that he will give up his banking business and join pro-Kremlin People's Front, after he published a video clip [ru] on corruption in Federal Security Service and Central Bank in his blog, Gazeta.ru reported [ru]. The video has been removed shortly after its publication, although...
Russia: Sakhalin Island Experiencing Serious Connection Problems Due to Cable Wreck
Broadband cable that connects Sakhalin island with the mainland has been damaged, Rian.ru reported [ru]. The websites are opening with serious delay (or don't open at all). Unstable Internet connection is still a problem for nearly half a million inhabitants.
Russia: Police Requests Data of Users Who Commented on Secret E-surveillance Unit Rumors
On April 17th, 2011 Yevgeniy Roizman, Yekaterinburg-based politician, wrote [ru] that police creates secret “I-departments,” new police units that will collect data on Internet users. After local news site URA.ru republished [ru] his post and some users started to mock the idea, the website administrators received an official police request...
Brazil: Alert as 473% jump in deforestation is confirmed
“Events are moving quickly in Brazil's epic battle over a new national Forest Code. The struggle has has reached a critical stage full of both danger and opportunity. Please take action“, asks Lou Gold, as Brazil's national monitoring agency confirms 473 percent jump in deforestation.
