Stories from 25 May 2011
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...
Thailand’s First Female Prime Minister?
Yingluck Shinawatra, who is the sister of deposed leader Thaksin Shinawatra, has emerged in the past week as a popular candidate in the coming July election in Thailand. She could be Thailand’s first female Prime Minister.
Russia: Reporters’ Open Letter Highlights TV Censorship Concerns
Censorship on the majority of Russian television channels has been around forever, but a recent open letter by REN TV reporters showed how even remaining small islands of media freedom could get washed away.
Mexico: Teacher Protests in Oaxaca Continue
“Fourteen thousand schools shut down in Oaxaca. 1.3 million students left without school, as their teachers are continuing their actions against the state government of Oaxaca, protests that appear increasingly radical,” Aguachile reports.
South Korea: Social Media Controversy Surrounds Sports Broadcaster's Death
The suicide on May 23, 2011, of national television channel MBC sports announcer, Song Ji-seon in South Korea has sparked considerable controversy regarding social media in the country. South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, but this latest case has opened a new debate on the public health issue.
El Salvador: Poll Results Show 65% Approval for President Funes
In Central American Politics, Mike points out that although May poll numbers show “65% of San Salvador's residents approve of the job that [President Mauricio Funes] is doing” his party, the FMLN, is not doing as well.
Africa: Africa Day Celebrated on Twitter
Happy Africa Day! Africa Day is the annual commemoration on May 25 of the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). In 2002 the OAU established its own successor, the African Union. The name and date of Africa Day has been retained as a celebration of African unity.
Colombia: The Reasons Behind the Floods
Lorenzo Morales blogs for Americas Quarterly about ‘the reasons behind’ massive floods during Colombia's rainy season: “Unpredictable forces of nature are in play in Colombia’s current disaster. No one can be blamed for that. But as national and local authorities wash their hands of responsibility, they persist in sponsoring policies...
Jamaica: Minister Resigns
Girl With A Purpose has the details about recent political resignations and Cabinet reshuffles, here.
Cuba: Prisoner & Dissident Deaths
Uncommon Sense links to a report which alleges that the death of a prisoner was at the hands of prison guards, while Babalu links to new medical reports of the late Juan Wilfredo Soto Garcia, noting that “the report from the most recent beating…mentions the bruises found on his body;...
Bahamas: Mid-Term Budget
“I die in despair as the debt, deficits and taxes all continue to rise with no respite in sight”: Rick Lowe at Weblog Bahamas doesn't hold out much hope for the fiscal measures in today's mid term budget.
Trinidad & Tobago: Advantegous Politics
Plain Talk says that when it comes to politics, “the name of the game is advantage.”
Barbados: New FIFA Corruption Allegation
Barbados Free Press links to a FIFA press release that details new corruption allegations against the organisation's vice-president, Jack Warner.
Saudi Arabia: Will women take the wheels on June 17?
Women2Drive group launched a campaign in Saudi Arabia, via a Facebook page and a hasthag on Twitter [en and ar], to encourage and prod women to follow the example of Najla Hariri and [en] and Manal Al Charif [en] and defy the laws by driving on June 17th. Manal, one...
World Economy: Women Weigh in on Poverty, Work and Debt
The International Museum of Women's online exhibit on women and the economy, features slideshows, podcasts, videos and essays on women from countries such as Sudan, Denmark, Philippines, USA, Costa Rica, Mexico, Argentina and how they view issues such as poverty, business, family, rights, money and much more.
Bolivia: New Ministry of Comunications Raises Doubts
Rodrigo Reque Mejía, owner of the blog Puro Papo [es], compares the Bolivian government's newly created Ministry of Communications with the fictitious Ministry of Truth in Geroge Orwell's 1984 novel. His concerns have to do with potential Internet censorshio, among others.
Chile: Should State TV Play Hidroaysen Ads?
Luis Cuello in El Quinto Poder, describes how [es] Television Nacional de Chile, the State's television channel, played the latest of ads by Hidroaisen campaign during the night news (prime time in Chile). He asks readers whether this is the right approach, considering that thousands have repeatedly protested in past weeks...
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”.
