Stories from 17 August 2006
Poland, Russia: Mutual Blockades and Other Issues
Copydude writes about the blockade of the Polish Port of Elblag by Russia, the visa blockade of Kaliningrad Russians by Poland, and other aspects of Poland's complex relationship with Russia on one side and Germany on the other.
Russia: Chechen Lawyer Beaten by Chechen Policeman
David McDuff of A Step At A Time translates a Prague Watchdog article about “force without justice”: “'Thereupon [the police station’s acting head], insulting both the lawyer and his client in language that can’t be quoted, leapt up from his seat and punched [the lawyer] in the face, after which...
Russia, Estonia: Forest Fires
David McDuff of A Step At A Time writes about forest fires in Russia's Leningrad region and in Estonia.
Mexico: Elections: Still Waiting …
The partial vote recount has concluded in Mexico, but what can one do except wait, says Ceci Connolly in a thorough (and well-linked) post of what's to come. The post has inspired an active comment conversation. Meanwhile, Ana Maria Salazar points out that “Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador´s honeymoon with the...
Colombia: Notes from Putumayo
Adam Isacson has a typically indispensable post on his latest visit to Putumayo. Randy Paul applauds Alvaro Uribe's decision to issue arrest orders for the AUC paramilitary leadership.
Argentina: Music: Los Alamos
Fernando Casale has a video of Argentine band Los Alamos performing the cover song “Walking with Jesus” by Spacemen 3.
Argentina: Courses in Digital Journalism
Wanting to gain some experience as a digital journalist? Spanish speakers might be interested in Clarín reporter Julio Orione's upcoming course in digital journalism, accredited by the Argentine University of Belgrano (UB). The course will be taught online with several guest professors/reporters covering specialized themes. On a related note, Dialógica...
Iran: Holocaust & Cartoon Exhibition
Faham criticized an exhibition of cartoons about the Holocaust in Tehran. The blogger asks what will be Iranians’ reaction to a similar exhibition about Iranian victims in Iran-Iraq war. Won't their feelings be hurt? The blogger adds Iranian authorities say in the West, media is in the hands of Zionists...
Colombia: Launch of Creative Commons
Ariel Vercelli (ES) and project lead, Carolina Botero (ES) both announce the official launch of Creative Commons licenses in Colombia on August 22. Entrance is free and a live webcast will be available on RadioFantasmas (ES). Botero and Jaime Rojas have also posted a complete introduction and announcement in English...
China: SARFT and farts, castrations feigned and intended: let the spoofing begin!
In a recent edition of MindMeters columnist Fang Jun's Marriagement column entitled Love in the Internet Age [zh] is a spoiler of the recently-released Hollywood movie Hard Candy: 危险的水果硬糖 Dangerous Fruit Hard Candy 《Hard Candy》是我看的第一部与网络密切相关的电影。中文翻译为《水果硬糖》，其实“Hard candy”是网络俚语，指未成年少女。 Hard Candy is the first movie I've seen that deals with internet intimacy. It's...
Jamaica: Renaming
Geoffrey Philp calls the Rastafarian practise of renaming “a bold creative act and a model for freedom”.
Trinidad & Tobago: CSME politics
Jamaican Francis Wade is disturbed at the Trinidad and Tobago opposition leader's efforts to politicise the Caricom Single Market and Economy and tries to discern the thinking behind it.
Guyana: At the airport
MediaCritic describes the experience of arriving at Guyana's international airport, wondering why the place is so empty and desolate: “Is it the election effect? This is after all the height of summer when loads of people usually return to visit family and friends to sip a bit of El Dorado...
Malaysia: No Malaysian University in top 100
Malaysian politician Lim Kit Siang laments the state of Malaysian universities as they fail to appear in the top 100 list prepared by the Newsweek magazine.
Indonesia: Optimist President
The blogger at Sarapan Ekonomi blog likes the optimism of his country's President.
India: What are they writing about?
What is India? How do you define it? Tigers, bollywood, masala chai, technology, food, old India and new India, English etc. etc.?
China: the prisoners
Nick wong introduces three persons who are now on trial in China: Za Ai-zong, a reporter who was arrested because of a report on local government repression on Christian church. Ching Cheong, a reporter accused of being a Taiwan spy. Chen Guan-cheng, a blind civic rights activist (zh).
China: community DV shoot
Joel Martinsen in DANWEI reports on a community DV shoot project in Beijing's Tiantongyuan neigbourhood. The 30 minutes film is titled How can I rescue you, my daughter?
China: unemployment
One Man Bandwidth gives us some data on how Chinese university students evaluate their college experience and future.
