Stories from 15 May 2011
Puerto Rico: “Fast track” Designations
Law scholar and blogger Hiram Meléndez Juarbe analyzes the worrisome velocity [es] with which the Legislature, dominated by the pro-statehood party, has confirmed two additional judges to the Supreme Court.
Puerto Rico: Honoring Ismael Rivera
In 80 Grados [es] César Colón Montijo honors the memory [es] of one of the greatest salsa singers of all times, Ismael Rivera, “El Sonero Mayor.”
Puerto Rico: New Documentary
@sire_damiano interviews musician and filmmaker Guillermo Gómez Alvarez [es] about his most recent documentary “Una identidad en absurdo” for the music blog Puerto Rico Indie [es].
Japan: Daniel Kahl “Stop the Hysteria”
TV personality and activist Daniel Kahl has taken to YouTube to appeal that the international media Stop the Hysteria, saying “They purposefully select to broadcast ONLY negative items coming out of Japan, even though the situation is improving in many ways”.
Azerbaijan: Eurovision Victory
Surprising many, Azerbaijan won last night's Eurovision Song Contest in Dusseldorf, Germany. Bloggers and social media users covered the event extensively.
Spain: Real Democracy Now!
The Spanish online movement Democracia Real Ya [es] demands the human right to live with dignity and the end of political and economic corporatism. They have convened a national protest for today, May 15th in many cities in Spain. You can follow the demonstrations on Twitter under the account @democraciareal.
Africa: Reactions to The Beatification of Pope John Paul II
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from all around the world landed on Rome to participate in religious ceremonies for the beautification of Pope John Paul II, known as “JP2”, declared “Blessed” on May 1st by his successor, Benedict XVI, in the presence of official delegations from 87 countries and 2300 journalists. In Africa, where an estimated 150 million Catholics live, what stirred a controversy is the attendance of some African presidents and bloggers were particularly shocked by the presence of President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.
“Namazu-e” from Japan: Earthquake catfish prints
Pink Tentacle posted numerous images of namazu-e (“catfish pictures”), a type of color woodblock print that became popular after the Great Ansei Earthquake, which struck current day Tokyo in 1855. The mythology namazu and earthquakes is still prevalent in contemporary Japanese culture; one such example being the icon for the...
Philippines: New bar examination format
A Filipino lawyer revealed that the bar examination format would be modified next year. Aside from the traditional essay questions, examinees will also answer multiple choice examinations.
Philippines: Political Prisoner Writes Online Prison Diary
A Filipino artist, journalist and activist who is detained by the Philippine authorities has created a blog to document his prison experience and reflections. His family, friends, fellow artists and writers, and supporters from civil society have also been using the net to campaign for his freedom.
Azerbaijan: Eurovision win, but…
Unzipped: Gay Armenia reflects on last night's win in this year's Eurovision Song Contest by Azerbaijan. In particular, the blog rounds up reaction from Azerbaijanis critical of their government's human rights record and also ponders the likelihood of Armenia participating if the contest is held in Baku given the still...
Lebanon: Two Marches, Sunday 15 May
Lebanon is witnessing two different marches today, May 15, 2011. The first is the Seculars’ March Towards Secularism taking place in Beirut, and the second is for the right to Return to Palestine taking place in the border village of Maroun el Ras (South Lebanon).
Japan: No Nuke Art
A group of anti-nuclear activists started No Nuke Posters [en], a project “for a post-nuclear future and for those working to rebuild amid Japan's nuclear crisis”. They accept submissions of original artworks [en] that will be published on the website under Creative Commons license (by-nc-sa).
Singapore: Dog meat
A Singapore blogger urges authorities to rethink the ban on the selling of dog meat in the city state.
Singapore: Cancer treatment subsidy
Deborah Choo, writing for The Online Citizen, features the story of a cancer patient who found out that cancer treatments are not being subsidized by the Singapore government.
Singapore: Changed political landscape
Catherine Lim explains why Singapore's political landscape has changed despite the victory of the ruling party in the recent general elections.
