Stories from 13 April 2007
Argentina: Scholar networks, the Web according to professors
One of the most pressing issues of Latin America's education system is the teacher's poor training in the use of new technology, particularly those related to computers and the Internet. It's not uncommon to find cases in which the students know more about PCs than their teachers. So, the creation of Redes Escolares (scholar networks) is quite good news. The site gathers blogs maintained by teachers from Buenos Aires schools, and they're managed with Feevy.
Nicaragua: National Wiki
Rodrigo Peñalba and Mario Delgado introduce [ES] the wiki [ES] of MarcaAcme, “the first open wiki dedicated specifically to Nicaragua.” Among the pages is a directory of Nicaraguan weblogs, which so far lists just seven.
El Salvador: Biofuels Vs. Basic Foods
Tim Muth on the double-edged sword of El Salvador's investment into ethanol.
Chile: Creative Commons Precedent
Described as a triumphant achievement by Claudio Ruiz of Creative Commons Chile, Armando Torrealaba, represented by the non-governmental organization Derechos Digitales issued a cease-and-desist to the design agency Porta4 for using Torrealaba's image without following the non-commercial guidelines of his Creative Commons license. Porta4 ended up taking down the image...
Mexico: Tijuana: “Between a Window and a Door”
Nathan Gibbs on Oscar Ortega's sculpture “Entre Ventana y Puerta” or “Between a Window and a Door” in Tijuana: “He explained the title as a description of Tijuana’s physical (and perhaps psychological) situation. It’s an incredibly transited city, but has no seaport, making its coastline only a “window.” The “door”...
Russia: Why April 14?
Four rallies are scheduled to take place in Moscow on Saturday, April 14. Despite the unprecedented security measures, the opposition, the opposition's opponents, law enforcement officials, and even the U.S. embassy, do not exclude the possibility of violence taking place, in one form or another. But while there are still a few hours left before the action begins, bloggers discuss why no other date but April 14 seemed to work for the protesters.
Ukraine: Kyiv Photos
Michael Forster Rothbart photographs one of the Kyiv neighborhoods to which evacuees from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant were relocated two decades ago – and gets his camera bag with 41 items in it stolen. (There are many more photos and stories on the blog, including a few from the...
Russia: Moscow
“But what makes Moscow that special?” asks The Turkish Invasion. (Definitely not its housing options.)
Czech Rebublic: Tribute to Egon Bondy (and Kurt Vonnegut)
Deleted by Tomorrow posts tributes to Kurt Vonnegut – and to the “Czech philosopher, writer, poet and professional dissident Egon Bondy” who died two days before Vonnegut.
Yemen: Sa'ada War Continues
Away from the prying eyes of international media, the war in the Yemeni province of Sa'ada continues, reports blogger Jane Novak. “Civilians trapped in Dhahyan as it is bombed and attacked by tanks. Diseases spreading, unburied bodies one cause. Hospitals overcrowded with military and volunteers. Locals plead for food and...
Bangladesh: The idea of South Asia
Unheard Voices on the dream for a more cooperative South Asia. “I’ve always been in love with the idea of a South Asian version of the EU – where Bangladesh played a key role of course – marching into 21st century as an Asian bloc with superpower ambitions. In my...
Yemen: New Role for Women
Blogger Jane Novak links to a news article which says that the Executive Office of Islah Party in Aden affirmed its intent to grant women wide chances of assuming posts in the party. “Good. Yemeni women are very talented, intelligent and have a lot to contribute politically,” she notes.
Romania: Old Cars
Romerican‘s dream of a Trabant has been replaced with something else: “There may not be a lot of nostalgia for old cars in Romania right now, but as more time passes the wounds get healed, average incomes rise, and the number of wealthy people grow.”
India: Grand-Aunt and Feminism
Blogpourri responds to a tag on feminism by remembering her grand-aunt. “She was married at seven to a 42 year-old man. Following the marriage he disappeared, never to be heard from again. A few years later, he was legally presumed dead and my grand-aunt had her whole life ahead of...
Bulgaria: A D-Type Visa Question
Petya is collecting answers to this “seemingly simple and straightforward question”: “Does one need a D-type visa when applying for a long-term Bulgarian residence permit?” Here's why: “Every person or institution we've asked has provided us with a different answer. So, I am thinking, we might as well come up...
Nepal: Constituent Assembly Elections and India
Nepali Netbook on the Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal, and the meaning of the Indian Ambassador's words. “In suggesting that Nepalis should establish their own electoral paradigm, the Indian ambassador has much more than overruled UNMIN chief Ian Martin. Mukherjee has assured our SPAMers not worry about trifles like international...
Pakistan: Want to “make friendship”?
A strong step taken to publish numbers of people who harass others by calling them up at Behind the Chairman's Door. “First off, it takes a small man to call someone up and harass them, but then most of Pakistan’s male society is frustrated because of the Mullah code. Now,...
Romania: More Bucharest Pics
More pictures of Bucharest at Novala, Europa.
Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia: Concert Controversy
Illyrian Gazette writes about the controversy surrounding a Croatian patriotic singer's intention to perform in Sarajevo to mark the 10th anniversary of the papal visit.
Bangladesh: A little less critical please!
Close Your Eyes and Try To See attempts to reason with bloggers to be a little less critical about the government. “A unique type of government is running the country which came into power in a very critical situation. During their 3 months in power, they have been enjoying vast...
Latvia: Corruption Scandal
All About Latvia reports on the newest corruption scandal and writes about how poverty forces many Latvians to violate the laws: “For a trolleybus conductor I met on my recent trip to Latvia, this was a matter of survival. Instead of a normal fee, she charged me less without giving...
