Stories from 13 February 2007
Haiti, France: Benefit for Haitian Schools
Collectif Haiti de Provence posts (Fr) pictures of a benefit for Haitian Schools held in France.
China: Li Yinhe fires back
Peijin Chen from Shanghaiist translates a post from Southern Metropolis entitled “A China This Big Cannot Tolerate Even One Li Yinhe?” The article is not only about Li, but also about freedom of speech.
Jamaica: Reggae and the Grammys
Barbadian blogger Titilayo adds her two cents to the debate over whether the reggae category at the Grammy awards should be split in two.
Jamaica, USA: On privacy
“The irony is that the American achievement of new community and the Jamaican devolution into isolation is fueled by the same source: the Internet,” writes Jamaican novelist Marlon James. “Through the internet Americans have found a new way to interact while Jamaicans have found a new way to cut off...
Cuba: The untamable Internet
Marc Masferrer has news for Cuban Communications Minister Ramiro Valdés, who said recently that “The wild colt of new technologies can and must be controlled”: “What Valdes either doesn't know, or chooses to ignore, is that the Internet is not built to be controlled, with easy access points for censors.“
Cuba: Arriving in Miami
Marta Darby remembers arriving in the US from Cuba with her family in 1961, on the day before Valentine's Day: “Back then, in early 1961, Cubans would still go to the airport to greet other arriving exiles. I remember being oh-so-tired and happy. I remember seeing my dad on the...
Puerto Rico: Congress on Educational Blogs
The First Congress of Puerto Rican Educational Blogs took place on February 8-9, 2007. Here's the Congress blog (ES).
Cuba: Soyinka in Havana
Jesús Risquet reports on Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka's attendance at the 16th International Book Fair in Havana, Cuba.
Moldova: Questions on the Law
Law in Moldova poses law-related questions to Moldova's president Voronin: “Does the President care about the country's image that exist among its own citizens? It seems from the words of Mr. Voronin that he is concerned only about the image of Moldova beyond its borders…”
Slovenia: Euro-Tracking
Via EuroBillTracker, The Glory of Carniola tracks his 20-euro bill from Slovenia to Italy, where it was printed. A reader is disappointed his bill's origin isn't as exotic.
Slovenia: Preseren Day
The Glory of Carniola writes about Preseren Day and the Slovenes of Alexandria.
Russia: Pancake Week
The Turkish Invasion writes about the celebration of the Pancake Week in Russia: “For the Russians Maslenitsa is like a carnival for the Italians, especially because the initial sense of festivals is the same: the Italian word “carnival” (carne-vale) means “farewell the beef!”, and Maslenitsa that precedes the Great Lent,...
Ukraine: Protesting Hate Speech
A Step At A Time reports on the protest against hate speech initiated by the Ukrainian Gay and Lesbian Center “Our World” following the homophobic remarks made by Leonid Grach, a Communist MP.
Local government supports anti-bullfighting movement in Medellín, Colombia
This year has marked a sea change in the city of Medellín, Colombia regarding animal rights. The local government has been supporting the annual bullfighting festivities for years, but this year, for the first time, the mayor has dedicated a portion of the bullfighting budget (roughly $6,700 USD) to support...
UAE: Oil Spy and Sex Expert?
UAE-based blogger Cowboy Media links to news reports on an oil spy in Qatar and a sex expert in Saudi Arabia.
Iran:Demonstration against Nestle in Tehran
Kamangir reports that Basij members protested in front of Nestle branch in Tehran.He adds one of the slogans was “to save Al-Aqsa Mosque, we do not eat Nestle.” We can see a few photos of this demonstration here.One of the slogans in photo is “Nestle Chocolate, Zionists’ Bullets”.
Poland's Pulse: Healthcare Bingo, Alcohol Curfews, Red Pig
Photo by Embe at warsawdaily A week of intermittent snowfall broke a dry spell, drawing kids outdoors for some winter games. It will be a short-lived affair as the winter has been a let-down for some with warmer temperatures and, as Our Man in Gdansk suggests, indoor games are sure...
Mexico: History of Spanish Via Podcast
Spanish-speakers and lovers of language should check out Incendio en el Jardín de la casa, a podcast series by Octavio Isaac Rojas Orduña about the history of the Spanish language.
Venezuela: Chávez starts talking green
Both Leftside and The Latin Americanist give some analysis to Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez's recent enthusiasm for environmentalism.
Uruguay: Pizza & Faina
“In Uruguay pizza is not round, and slices are not triangular, well now [it] is getting more common, but when I was a kid, round pizzas could only be seen in movies.” Gabo of From Uruguay explains why.
Mexico: “Latin Americans Will Earn Less”
Citing a recent study by ECA International, Alfredo Sánchez of the business blog Olganza writes that real salaries in Latin America are forecasted to increase less in 2007 [ES] compared to the rest of the world. Writes Sanchez, “the five countries where real salaries will increase the most are all...
