Stories about Weblog from March, 2012
Slovakia: Paying More Due to Corruption in the Area of State Tenders
Tibor Blazko highlights the ongoing public debate on corruption in the area of state tenders in Slovakia.
Bolivia: The Wandering Hands of the Santa Cruz Mayor
Santa Cruz Mayor Percy Fernández is in hot water because of his apparent inappropriate touching of city council member Desirée Bravo, which was caught on tape by the media during a public event. The behavior may be a repeated pattern of bizarre actions by the controversial mayor.
Brazil: “Kilombos”, Stories of Slaves Bridging Three Continents
In this article, we make a secular journey across three continents with 'Kilombos', a documentary released in March in Portugal, which "transports us through the oral history of the African roots of the Quilombo communities, showing the intersection of these roots with contemporary cultural practices".
Zambia: Can Barotseland ‘Seccession’ Hold?
South Sudan may hold the record as the newest nation in the world but this may no longer hold if the developing situation in Zambia in which advocates of an independent Barotseland, better known as Western Province, force matters and secede from the rest of the country. Zambian netizens weigh in on latest developments.
South Asia: Every Day Is Earth Hour for Us
Today many countries of the world are observing Earth Hour, an event to make people aware of the climate change by turning off their non-essential lights for one hour. Millions of people in South Asia have no access to electricity and the demand of electricity is much bigger than supply.
Mexico: One Year After Birth of “Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity”
Mexicans speak out about the first anniversary of the beginning of the “Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity,” which is related to the death of activist and former poet Javier Sicilia's son during the "war" the current administration has declared against organized crime.
Human Rights Mapping in Cambodia
Human rights advocates in Cambodia have been using online maps to document, monitor, and expose human rights violations across the country. Some of the maps track land conflicts, media killings, freedom of expression violations, and prison overcrowding
Taiwan: Failed ‘Made in Taiwan’ Clothing Promise Disappoints
Upon its success in establishing its market, former 'Made-in-Taiwan' fashion brand, Lativ, has decided to relocate its production line overseas. Many of its supporters feel betrayed.
India, Bangladesh: Caught In The Cyber War
A cyber war between Bangladesh and India broke out last month as Bangladeshi hackers defaced Indian border security Force's website in protest of the recent border killings by BSF. Indian hacker groups retaliated by defacing Bangladesh government ministry websites and a cyber war followed.
Bahrain: Tweeting Against Formula 1
As Bahrain gears up to host the Grand Prix, from April 20 to 22, netizens are rallying for the cancellation of the car race claiming that human rights violations are still continuing against protesters seeking more democratic rights in the Arab country. Mona Kareem sheds light on one Twitter campaign to draw attention to this.
Bulgaria: Construction of the Nuclear Power Plant “Belene” Cancelled
The Bulgarian government announced the cancellation of the construction of the nuclear power plant "Belene" on March 28. This controversial project and the consequences of its halt drew quite some attention. Rayna Stamboliyska reports.
Spain: General Strike Across Cities and Neighborhoods
Hundreds of people took the streets around cities and neighborhoods in Spain yesterday to participate in a general strike (29M) to protest against proposed government cuts to indispensable social services. March 29 became a new important date in the movements' agenda.
Kuwait: Call to Kill the “Infidel” Twitter User
A Kuwaiti Twitter user has been detained, pending investigation, over a tweet in which he allegedly insulted Prophet Mohammed. The issue is taking a sectarian twist in Kuwait as the Twitter user Hamad Al-Naqi denies the charges, claiming that his account was hacked, while others charge that it is a Shiite attack on Sunni Islam. Meanwhile, a protest was held calling for the Twitter user to be killed for his alleged blasphemy.
Brazil: Irregularities Denounced in the Council of Representatives of Emigrants
Founded at the end of 2012, the Conselho de Representantes de Brasileiros no Exterior [Council of Representatives of Brazilians Abroad], or the CRBE, linked to the Ministry of External Affairs, has provoked the indignation of expatriate Brazilians owing to allegations of irregularities in the election process for its representatives.
Guinea-Bissau: Constitutional Limits on the Presidential Elections
Claims of widespread fraud during the presidential elections in Guinea Bissau, on 18 March, allows for the possibility that the April ballot will take place with a single candidate – Carlos Gomes Jr. His concurrent Kumba Ialá, refuses to participate in the second round, and the Constitution doesn't allow the replacement of candidates.
Ghana: Social Media Use in 2012 General Eelections
As Ghanaians are getting ready for presidential and parliamentary elections that will be held on 7 December 2012, BloggingGhana community has lauched a social media initiative that seeks to train activists, political groups and students to use social media tools for election monitoring and reporting.
Nicaragua: Blogs Tell What the Press Ignore About Sexual Diversity
In Nicaragua, the mainstream media sensationalize news about homosexuality among men and women. That is just one of the findings of a recent study. However, blogs help to tackle the issues from a another perspective.
Moldova: 917-Day Marathon to Elect the President is Over
After two and a half years of repeated failures to elect the head of state, the Moldovan politicians finally managed on March 16 to give the country its new president, Nicolae Timofti. But will this former judge become a true leader of the nation?
This Week in the Caribbean Blogosphere
Again this week, the regional blogosphere was dominated by talk of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Cuba. With reports of repression at an all-time high, Cuban bloggers were dismayed by the outcome of the trip.
Ethiopia: Child Abuse Caught on Mobile Phone Camera
Ethiopian Facebook users have launched an online campaign for justice after watching a mobile phone recorded YouTube video which shows a little girl being abused by her mother.
Spain: General Strike After Only 100 Days of Government
Spain's main trade unions have called a general strike for today, March 29, with the aim of paralyzing the country, and forcing the government to back down on implementing measures that will weaken workers' rights and cut social services.
