Ecuador: Interest in Literature Continues

The ExpoLibro 2008 (Guayaquil Book Fair) recently came to a close, which according to organizers, drew hundreds of thousands of visitors with more than 210 stands. This proves that the reading is not dead, as had been predicted with the arrival of the internet. Interest in literary works is alive in well in Ecuador and during this past week, four authors contributed to the culture and literature of the country.

Colombia: Freedom March Around the World

After the rescue of 15 high profile hostages held in the FARC's power on July 2nd 2008, the same group that organized the last global march on February 4th against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) decided that there should be a another one on July 20th, the day when Colombia's Independence from Spain is celebrated. The following videos and photographs show the way this Independence celebration and liberation march was celebrated around the world, and also some of the contrasting thoughts regarding the meaning of nation and freedom.

El Salvador: A Visit to El Mozote

Tim Muth recently visite the site of El Mozote in El Salvador, which had been the site of a massacre during that country's civil war. He writes, “intellectually I knew what had occurred almost 27 years ago, but the impact of actually being at the site of such horror was...

Colombia: Google in Support of Colombia

Google displayed a Colombian flag on its main search page in support of peace in the country notes Café GuaGuau [es].

Costa Rica: Towards a Lay State

Sergio from La Foto Salio Movida [es] believes that Costa Rica should become a lay state, which “would help us improve the political and social maturity….and that this would not attack Catholicism at all, or the free exercise of religion, and on the contrary, it would help treat others equally...

Brazil: On authoriterrorism and online surveillance

Over 60 bloggers attended the blog carnival against censorship [pt] this Saturday, most of them posting especially about the new cyber crimes proposal for Brazil. The bill has now proceeded to the House of Representatives, where a request for it to be handled urgently was put forward last week, leaving bloggers on red alert. Over 70,000 signed an online petition against it.

Brazil: Comedian Dercy Gonçalves dies at the age 101

Brazilian comedian and actress Dercy Gonçalves, famous for irreverent interviews and notorious bad language, died today at the age of 101 years [June 23 1907 – July 19 2008). 365 Dias [365 Days, pt] uploads a collection of films to remember her career.

Brazil: Cybercrime bill is now translated

Nardol translated the new Brazilian Cyber Crime Bill: “So the World can be made aware of what’s going on in Brazil. I also just sent an email with it to EFF, asking for their help. Not that I think they can do much, but they surely will know one or...

Brazil: Tears and Cheers for Middle East Prisoner Swap

Brazilian of Arab descent or bloggers interested in all things Middle Eastern talk about the Israel-Lebanon Prisoner Exchange. Considering that Brazil is the country that arguably holds the largest Arab population outside the Middle East, there are very passionate points of views both for and against the deal, and as much tears as cheers.

Brazil: Blogging Against Web-Censorship

Censura Não! (No Censorship!, PT) issued on last July 5th a call for a collective blogging on July 19th (today) against web-censorship and the Azeredo Bill . Many Brazilian blogs, like Luz de Luma [Pt] and Ladybug [Pt] answered to the call.

Mexico: Withdrawn Claim of Mexican Cartels Receiving Training in Iran

A recent article in the newspaper El Universal indicated that members of somd Mexican drug cartels had been traveling to Iran to receive training in the use of arms and explosives. México Para Los Mexicanos [es] writes that the same newspaper later published another story saying that the story was...

Bolivia: Blogging from El Alto

Mario Durán of Palabras Libres [es], who has been blogging for the past three years from El Alto, Bolivia, writes about how he started his personal blog and other projects.

Argentina: Senate Rejects Tax Hike on Agricultural Exports

The Argentinean Senate recently rejected the proposal to increase taxes on agricultural exports. The poll ended with a tie of 36 votes, and the country's Vicepresident broke the tie with his vote against the retentions. Such decision is a victory for the sectors linked to the so-called “countryside." This continues the internal political crisis of unpredictable consequences for the Kirchner's Government, which still has three more years to govern.

Brazil: Urgency requested for Cyber-Crime Bill

Sérgio Amadeu [pt] raises an alert related to the 13 new cyber-crimes bill: it has been requested that the bill was treated as urgent. “Approving this request means that the project will be voted by the House of Representatives soon”, while bloggers call for a debate. More info in Portuguese...

Nicaragua: Open Source Software in Public Institutions

A local Nicaraguan blogger has been working with public institutions in the city of Jalapa to take full advantage of open source software. Some of the projects involve the digitalization of public records and cashier counters that use Linux-based computers.

Colombia: 60th Anniversary of Professional Football

Rafa XII of equinoXio provides some historical details regarding the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Colombian Professional Football league.

Mexico: Apology for Tragedy at Disco

The Mayor of Mexico City Marcelo Ebrard publicly apologized for the tragedy in a local disco that left 12 people dead. Daniel Hernandez of Intersections provides some more background information regarding the incident.

Brazil: Bloggers question the 13 new cyber-crimes

In the small hours of last Thursday, July 10, the Brazilian Senate passed the 'Digital Crimes Bill', which typifies the cyber-crimes punishable by law and stipulates the corresponding penalties. The proposal will now be proceeding to the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, bloggers campaign for more debate and an online petition has been signed by over 60,000 citizens in just one week.

Brazil: Learn how to cook Brazilian food through a videocast

After a long wait, gastronomic videocast and blog Cuca Brazuca returns with videos shot in Rio in April 2008, the first featuring a truly Brazilian dessert recipe, delicious and simple at the same time: Guava Soufflé.

Europe tightens border control, Brazil returns in kind

Father LaCour, a missionary in Burkina Faso, writes about French tourists who were arbitrarily denied entry by Brazilian immigration authorities [Fr], apparently in retaliation for Europe's increasingly strict immigration policies.

Gil the Jenius quotes Bill Moyers to support his argument that Puerto Rico's media has failed the people.