6 July 2012

Stories from 6 July 2012

Jamaica: Pardon Garvey

  6 July 2012

Geoffrey Philp is a member of the diaspora agitating for the exoneration of Jamaican national hero, Marcus Garvey.

Moldova vs. Moldova: Who is the Winner?

On June 28, 1940, Moldova was overrun by the Soviet troops, after it had been given up by Romania. The Soviet Union quickly added it to its territory. Was it liberation or occupation? Diana Lungu reviews the opinions of Moldovan netizens.

Colombia: Outrage at Celebrity for Mocking Fat Women

  6 July 2012

A column [es] written by TV celebrity Alejandra Azcárate [es] for women's magazine Aló, where she writes tongue-in-cheek about “the 7 advantages of being [a] fat [woman]”, prompted harsh reactions in Colombian social media this week. Blog posts parodying [es] the ‘7 advantages‘ [es] format or replying [es]to her text...

A Weak African Union for 53 Member States

  6 July 2012

2011 was a tumultuous year for the African continent with revolutions, attempted coups and violent political crises. Unfortunately the union of 53 African states that has as its mission to help strengthen regional peace and development has proved its own shortcomings in dealing with these situations.

Israel: Defense Budget Vs. Social Justice

  6 July 2012

One of the major results of the social justice protests in Israel has been a renewed debate about the budgetary priorities of the state. The social justice movement (also known as #j14) demands a more equal distribution of wealth in Israel, including funneling a greater share of the budget to welfare services, instead of current budgetary priorities- namely, the defense budget.

Portugal: Citizens Audit of Public Debt Still Without Answers

  6 July 2012

With the troika's "bailout" operation in full implementation, recession and social woes worsen in Portugal. The Initiative for a Citizens Audit of Public Debt (IAC), launched in late 2011, promised to deepen the debate around the legitimacy, legality and implications of bailout. However, months have passed, and the IAC presents itself as a "great nebula."

Philippines: ‘Save Bondoc Peninsula’ Campaign

  6 July 2012

Human rights advocates and various people’s organizations are using the internet to expose massive rights violation in Bondoc Peninsula, Quezon in northern Philippines. The social media campaign aims to pressure the military to pull out its troops in the province.

Koumintang Army in Thailand

  6 July 2012

Ian Manley interviews a veteran of Kuomintang’s 93rd Division which left China in 1950 to settle in Burma and then finally in Thailand. The interview sheds light to the history of China's ‘forgotten army’ which continued to fight in other countries for several decades.

China: NIMBY Protest Escalated to Bloody in Western China

  6 July 2012

Protesters gathered in the small city of Shifang in Sichuan Province on Monday to voice opposition to a planned molybdenum copper plant. The protest finally evolved into a bloody clash between local residents and police force. Beijing Cream and Tea Leaf Nation have posted photos showing tearful and bloodied civilians...