Stories from Quick Reads from December, 2011
Bermuda: rethinking ties with Britain?
The British government is reviewing its relationship with its overseas territories, writes Catch a Fire, and inviting Bermudans to share their perspectives. “I think we need a new Constitutional Convention to modernise and reform our relationship with the UK … and I would like each Overseas Territory to have a...
Cuba: on writer Achy Obejas
Montague Kobbe profiles Achy Obejas, a Cuban-American writer who “constantly challenging her readers to (re)think their positions in relation to the most basic principles that govern our attitudes towards each other.”
Puerto Rico: The Latest from El Macabeo
Orlando Vélez from the blog El Punto [es] interviews the lead singer of the salsa band Orquesta El Macabeo [es] about their most recent album “El Entierro” (The Burial).
Jamaica: missing children
Where are the more than 500 children reported missing in Jamaica this year, asks Petchary — and why are more people not paying attention to “a serious issue which, at the best of times, is brushed aside as if it is nothing of great importance”? “How many are alone, hopeless,...
Puerto Rico: Investigating Monsanto
The Center of Investigative Journalism published a three-part series on the little known operation in Puerto Rico of the multinational biotechnology corporation Monsanto, the principle producer of genetically engineered seeds.
Cuba: Waiting for Change
Yasmín Portales writes that she is still waiting for radical changes [es] and different governance strategies and practices in Raúl Castro's Cuba.
Cuba: LGBT Rights on the Way
Blogger and LGBT activist Paquito el de Cuba writes about the lastest news on the status of the bill [es] that will amend the Family Act in Cuba to include more rights for the LGBT community.
Cuba: #Twittsaneo
The blog El Microwave writes about the initiative #Twitsaneo [es], convened originally by El Taburete [es] and organized by a group of avid Cuban twitter users. #Twitsaneo was the name given to the event last December 26 when a group of people got together to clean sections of the coast...
Pakistan: Some Observations On the Recent Political Rally in Karachi
On 25th December, Imran Khan's political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), held a rally in Karachi. Kalsoom at Chup! – Changing Up Pakistan makes some observations about the event.
Puerto Rico: The Local Music Scene Live
The music blog Puerto Rico Indie has launched “Archipiélago,” a series of videos of live sessions of some of the “best artists in the local music scene” in Puerto Rico. “Archipiélago 101″ features the band Campo-Formio.
Sri Lanka: Learning Lessons By Counting Costs
Mahesan Niranjan at Groundviews writes a satire, with hard-hitting underpinnings, on the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) set up by the Sri Lankan government – to look into the events of the Sri Lankan Civil War during the period between February 2002 and May 2009.
Puerto Rico: Redefining Gender
Jorge “Yoryie” Irizarry embarks on a personal reflection on gender [es] and homosexuality.
Russia: Moscow Election Committee Calls to Prosecute Popular Blogger
Moscow Election Committee had issued an official letter to the Prosecutor's office and the police to start an investigation of probable defamation against Oleg Kozyrev, one of the top Russian bloggers, blogger reports [ru]. The letter is the reply to Kozyrev's complaint letter he had sent to the Committee earlier.
India: A Blogger's Travel Tales – via Images
Charukesi looks back on 2011 and shares stories of her travels – through some vibrant photographs.
India:The Need to Look Beyond the Middle Class
Supriyo Chaudhury argues that in order to re-define it's future and grow to the next level, India must look beyond it's Middle Class and create a more inclusive, broad-based society.
India:Wannabe Trends of 2011
Greatbong takes a tongue-in-cheek dig at some of the ‘most infuriating’, wannabe trends of 2011.
Lebanon: Electric Xmas Decorations
From Lebanon, Habib Battah draws our attention to Christmas decorations in Lebanon, where the decorations are lit and and the electricity in the street lamps is switched off during the night, and on during the day. Check out the photographs accompanying the post.
Libya: Celebrating Xmas now that Gaddafi is Gone
Libyan blogger Highlander, at From the Rock, shares some observations on Christmas in Libya, now that Gaddafi is gone.
Egypt: FAQ about the political situation in Egypt
Blogger KarShaf, from Egypt, shares this quick FAQ about the political situation in Egypt.
Mauritania: Earth's Bulls Eye
Algerian-American Kal, or The Moor Next Door, shares this interesting geographical tidbit about Mauritania: “f readers ever get into space, they may find themselves looking for Mauritania, or its enormous Richat Structure, sometimes called ‘Earth’s Bulls-Eye.’”
Algeria: What Independence means
Algerian algerianna, at Patriots on Fire, asks readers to share their views on the true meaning of their country's independence.
