Stories from 26 June 2013
Bottling Happiness in Lahore and California
California-based Pakistani blogger Noorulain Noor writes a hauntingly beautiful blogpost about her desire to bottle her happy moments from California and her childhood in Lahore, Pakistan.
Peru Celebrates the Festival of the Sun
As every June 24, the Festival of the Sun -the Inti Raymi- was held at Saksaywaman archaeological park, about 15 minutes from the city of Cusco.
Amnesty Report Accuses Spanish Government of Obstructing Justice
Time passes, impunity remains, the new Amnesty International report published on June 17, 2013, analyses the investigation of crimes committed during Spain's Civil War and the dictatorship of Francisco Franco. The organization accuses the Spanish government of protecting the impunity of the crimes committed during this period.
The Bahamas: Intellectual Property & Reparations
The amount of traditional knowledge that is stolen from our region on a daily basis is staggering. Blogworld suggests that there is a link between that knowledge and required compensation for “the slaves and their ancestors [who] have never been paid for the generations of their labour.”
Trinidad & Tobago: E-mails & Integrity
In more fallout over what has come to be known as “e-mailgate”, Trinidad and Tobago bloggers are tracking how the political fracas has affected public perception of the country's Integrity Commission.
The Internet: A Critical Tool in the Fight Against the Death Penalty
The Internet has become a critical tool for many social movements worldwide. Activists battling capital punishment have also found a platform in digital social media for exchanging ideas and circulating information.
Caribbean: Snowden Raising Spectre of “Monster Under Bed”?
Caribbean bloggers continue to follow developments in the Edward Snowden case. Is he a whistleblower or has he overstepped security boundaries? And has the Internet "become a scary place"?
US Got Snowden's Name Wrong on Extradition Papers, Hong Kong Says
Hong Kong's secretary of justice explained othat officials permitted American whistleblower Edward Snowden to fly out of the city because the US failed to respond to their questions in time regarding their case against Snowden as well as address Snowden's allegations that the US hacked Hong Kong.
Jamaica: Working for Women?
Jamaica Woman Tongue takes a closer look at an antiquated law that restricts women working at night. “It looks like progress,” she says, “but there’s definitely a downside to freeing up women for night work. It’s not all about emancipation.
Japanese Official Suspended Over Twitter Comment
A Japanese reconstruction official in charge of helping victims of the 2011 post-tsunami meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant has been taken off duty after sharp-eyed journalists unearthed tweets he wrote insulting area activists.
The Brazil Effect: Thousands Protest ‘For a Better Paraguay’
Following the trend that marked protests in Brazil in the last few weeks, some 3000 people took to the streets of Paraguay's capital to make their voices heard in protest against recent parliamentary decisions.
Afghan Presidential Palace Targeted by the Taliban
An attack on the presidential palace in downtown Kabul on the morning of June 25 has terrified Afghans and cast a huge cloud over the future of negotiations between the government, the Taliban, and the United States. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Mexican Reporter to US Colleagues: Investigate Corruption
“The battle we have at hand is not only for freedom of expression. It is for peoples’ right to be informed.”
What Do Brazil and Turkey Have in Common?
Brazil and Turkey are thousands of kilometers away from each other, but they have something in common: both countries went out to the streets to protest for their rights as citizens and are now struggling against the excessive violence and oppression from the police. V for Vinegar is a website...
Russian NGOs Learn to Invest in Paper Shredders
At 3AM, last Saturday, Russian riot police and private security raided the offices of one of the country's oldest human rights organizations. Those inside, including the group's leader, Lev Ponomarev, were forcibly evicted from the premises. Later, allegations arose that the group was involved in certain "unpatriotic" activities.
Are Chinese Netizens a Bunch of Losers?
According to the 2013 China New Media Development Report released by China's News and Communications Research Center under China’s Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), the majority of Weibo users are a group of “low age, low education level and low income” urban dwellers. According to the translation from Offbeat China, the report concluded that:...
Podcast: Chinese Dissident's NYU Departure
Sinica Podcast hosts New Yorker correspondent Evan Osnos who talks about Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng's departure from NYU, how the Snowden affair may or may not affect Sino-American diplomacy, and his forthcoming book about his experience in China.
Southeast Asia: The Great Haze of 2013
Since last week, a thick haze has enveloped Singapore and some parts of Malaysia caused by forest fires mainly in Indonesia. The haze brought air pollution levels to a record high in the region. Malaysia placed two districts under state of emergency while Singaporeans were advised to remain indoors.
Ugandan Army Whistleblower Vows to Oppose President ‘By Any Means Necessary’
A renegade Ugandan general, who fled to the UK last month, accused the long-time President Yoweri Museveni during an interview on BBC Focus on Africa of creating a "political monarchy" to hang on to power.
