Global Voices » Updates

Guadeloupe: “Political Manipulation”

Fabienne Flessel — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:39:18 +0000

In a post entitled “On Kalkil Politik” [Cr], Guadeloupean blogger Gwakafwika explains his complete distrust in the recent appointment of 1 Guianese and 2 Guadeloupean-born Ministers in the new socialist French government. He calls it a political manipulation.

Haiti: Haitian Flag Day

Fabienne Flessel — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:36:55 +0000

Haitians all over the world recently celebrated the 209th Haitian Flag Day along with the country's educational system. Martinican blogger at Bel Balawou publishes a stream of pictures [Fr], taken during the event in Haiti, while Haitian Alterpresse explains and comments [Fr] on the main speeches of the day.

Colombia: Tweeting Marathon to Demand Senator's Resignation

Silvia Viñas — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:40:56 +0000

Twitter users have organized [es] a tweeting marathon to demand the resignation of Senator Eduardo Merlano after the politician refused [es] to undergo a sobriety test. The goal is to reach 50,000 tweets (the amount of votes that got him elected senator) and through these tweets argue that he needs to resign. Netizens also created the account Renuncie Senador (@renunciesenador) [es] (”Resign, Senator”) and the hashtag #FueraMerlano [es] (”Out Merlano”).

Mali: Interim President Injured as Protesters Enter Presidential Palace

Lova Rakotomalala — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:06:59 +0000

Malijet reports that Interim President Dioncounda Traoré was hurt [fr] during protests [fr] that asked for his removal and caused three casualties.

Cuba: Fifth Cuban Congress against Homophobia

Firuzeh Shokooh Valle — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:28:10 +0000

Blogger, journalist and LGBT activist Francisco Rodríguez Cruz (Paquito el de Cuba) discusses Mariela Castro Espín's [es] message on occasion of the 5th Cuban Congress against Homophobia recently celebrated on the Island. Castro Espín is the daughter of President Raúl Castro and head of the state-run agency on sex education.

Puerto Rico: Old San Juan, for Rent and for Sale

Firuzeh Shokooh Valle — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:17:15 +0000

Eloísa Gordon analyzes the decadence and transformation of Old San Juan [es] -the colonial city in the capital, San Juan- within the logics of globalization.

Puerto Rico: Filiberto Ojeda Documentary

Firuzeh Shokooh Valle — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:09:44 +0000

The team behind the documentary on the life and death at the hand of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of Puerto Rican freedom fighter Filiberto Ojeda Ríos [es] have sued the public agency Film Corporation of Puerto Rico for withdrawing funding for the film.

Dominican Republic: Juan Bosch and the Elections

Firuzeh Shokooh Valle — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:02:17 +0000

Journalist Nelson del Castillo analyzes the political significance of Juan Bosch [es] -the Dominican politician, writer, essayist, historian and educator- on occasion of the national presidential elections held yesterday, May 20, 2012.

Germany: “Rundshow”: A New, Social TV Format

Rachel Horst — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:28:49 +0000

The Bavarian broadcasting company Bayerischer Rundfunk recently launched [en] a social TV experiment called “Rundshow” (Roundshow). Viewers are actively incorporated into the show through virtual means such as Google Hangout, videos, an app called “Die Macht” (The Power), and Twitter. The concept of further blurring the lines between TV and the Internet can already been seen with Al Jazeera Stream [en]. But the „Rundshow“ [de] is the first format of its kind to be attempted in Germany.

Brazil: A Comic Book and its Soundtrack

Luis Henrique — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:13:31 +0000

Brazilian blogger Francielle Costa reviews [pt] Achados e Perdidos (Lost and Found), a comic book in which each chapter counts on an original soundtrack produced especially for the story. The project was crowdfunded. Chapter 1, and its soundtrack, is available here [pt].

Mayotte: Capsizing Boat Kills at Least 5 Economic Refugees

Lova Rakotomalala — Mon, 21 May 2012 08:36:19 +0000

Malango Actualité provides the social context [fr] related to the sinking of a boat that killed at least 5, including 3 children and an infant. The fishing boat was carrying 43 people from Comoros to the French territory of Mayotte. It is the third disaster of such kind in 2012 for Comoran economic refugees.

Iran: Protesting against Google

Fred Petrossian — Sun, 20 May 2012 10:44:32 +0000

Iranians have been complaining that Google Maps now has no name on the body of water called the Persian Gulf.IranFarda says [fa] Mr.Google do you like we call you, Yahoo?

Cambodia: Teenager Killed During Eviction

Mong Palatino — Sun, 20 May 2012 10:32:41 +0000

A 14-year old girl was killed when police forces evicted a rural village in Cambodia. The case highlights the growing land disputes in the country and the use of violence by government forces to stifle dissent

Iran: Buying book can become dangerous

Fred Petrossian — Sun, 20 May 2012 10:30:30 +0000

Several bloggers published a photo where a woman pushed to the ground by the security forces in a book fair. Gargagarga writes it happens in book fair and everybody is watching. It seems people get used to seeing such scenes.

Southeast Asia: ASEAN Committee on Consumer Protection Website

Mong Palatino — Sun, 20 May 2012 09:33:49 +0000

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations committee on consumer protection has launched a website to inform consumers in the region regarding banned or recalled products.