Stories from 1 May 2012
Afghanistan: Citizens March to Protest against Karzai’s Neglect
Basir Ahang from the Afghan PenLog blog tells about a a demonstration of hundreds of the Bamiyan region residents, who rallied against injustice and discrimination in their province.
Uzbekistan: Independent modern art theatre awarded for culture
Tomyris reports that Uzbekistan’s Ilkhom Theatre (“Inspiration” in Uzbek) was given the 2011 Prince Claus Award, from the Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development, for its cultural achievements. The Theatre is Uzbekistan’s only independent theatre, and today it also functions as a school of dramatic art.
Cuba: Interview with Ferrer Garcia
Pedazos de la Isla posts an interview with recently-released political prisoner Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia.
Turkmenistan: Facebook Group Satirizes Politics
The Turkmen-language Facebook page “JaPBaKLaR”, originally intended as a forum to share popular Turkmen cartoons, has emerged as the biggest Turkmen Facebook community. More importantly, it’s exhibiting some behaviors that seem surprisingly civic. NewEurasia’s Annasoltan reports.
Mongolia: Ex-president arrested for corruption
Bilguun reports that the Mongolia's former president N.Enkhbayar was arrested on charges of “misappropriation or embezzlement of property” after a long stand-off between the police and his guard. Many pointed to the use of excessive force by the police during the arrest, so Bilguun also lists some questions about the...
Cuba: Nothing Changes on May Day
Today, Cuba marks May Day, an occasion that is strongly linked to the concept of labour empowerment, as workers from various towns march with their colleagues to Plaza de la Revolución. National public service announcements about this year's parade state that it “will serve to demonstrate the people’s commitment to complying with the Communist Party’s economic and social reform guidelines.” But some bloggers are wondering whether anything has really changed in Cuba, despite the fact that self-employed workers will be taking part in the march for the first time.
Mongolia: German beavers to restore ecosystem
14 Eurasian beavers – known as as ecosystem engineers – arrived in Ulaanbaatar from Bavaria, Germany, to build dams that shall bring about positive effects on the ecology of Tuul river in Mongolia, Bilguun reports.
Afghanistan: ICG skeptical about peace talks
According to a report from the International Crisis Group, current talks with the Taliban are unlikely to result in a sustainable peace, but could even lead to further destabilisation of the country, Nick Fielding says.
Afghanistan: Pay up or go to Hell, says Taliban financial offer
Nick Fielding writes that funds appear to be getting tight for the Taliban, whose Financial Commission has issued a plea for funds on the organisation's website – backed by the threat of Hellfire.
Jamaica: Housing Agency on Weak Foundation
Jamaica Woman Tongue says that if policy makers at the Housing Agency of Jamaica went to Sunday school, “they weren’t there the week the other children were learning…about wise and foolish builders”, adding that the organisation's “reckless policy of converting protected lands into house spots is a classic example of...
May Day Marked Around the Arab World
May Day, or Labour Day, is commemorated in many Arab countries. In this post we look at some of the day's events this year: in Libya it became a national public holiday, in Bahrain demonstrations were attacked by riot police, and in Lebanon the website of the Ministry of Labour was hacked.
Italy: Future of News at Perugia International Journalism Festival
From April 25-29, Perugia, a charming city in the Italian region of Umbria became a vibrant meeting point for media enthousiasts and journalists from all over the world, with the 2012 International Journalism Festival. Global Voices was present of course, with members discussing participation and citizen journalism - the future of the news.
Malawi: Bloggers’ Reactions to New President Joyce Banda
A roundup of bloggers' comments and opinions about Joyce Banda, the newly elected president of Malawi following the death of President Bingu Wa Mutharika, on 5 April, 2012.
Singapore: Netizens Reject Proposed Code of Conduct
The Singapore government is urging the online community to support the drafting of a Code of Conduct to regulate the usage of internet. But many netizens are not supportive of the proposal.
Indonesia: The Curious Case of the Governor's Middle Finger
The Jakarta Governor sparked controversy when he gave a middle finger salute in a youth event. He later claimed that he doesn't know the meaning of the gesture. Netizens share their reactions.
Mexico: Bike Ride Protest Clashes With Local Government
On April 28, a group of cyclists organised a bike ride in protest of the Mexico City government's project to construct the so-called "Supervía Poniente" (Poniente Super-road). According to witnesses posting on Twitter, several cyclists who were participating in the bike ride were assaulted by the police.
Colombia: French Journalist Roméo Langlois Kidnapped
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Sunday April 29 [es] that French journalist Roméo Langlois was kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) during clashes [es] on April 28 with the counter-narcotics battalion. The journalist was accompanying the military to make a documentary. Neither the government nor the...
