Stories from 28 April 2008
Egypt: When Religion Sleeps With Politics
Egyptian blogger Zeinobia attacks Pope Shenouda III in this post for his recent Easter speech in which she claims he said people using Facebook will "roast in hell," reports Gr33nData from Cairo.
Ukraine: Chernobyl
Belatedly, a link to Ukrainiana‘s extensive post on the 22nd anniversary of Chernobyl.
Ukraine: Velykden
Ukrainiana writes about the celebration of Easter in Ukraine.
Ukraine: BBC Pulls Story on Hitler Doll From the Web
Kyiv Scoop reports that BBC's website has removed a story about the Hitler doll controversy.
Slovakia: Hotel Kyjev
The Foreigner's Guide to Living in Slovakia writes about plans to demolish Hotel Kyjev in Bratislava: “Though I agree that buildings like the Hotel Kyjev are part of Slovakia’s history, I disagree that they are part of true Slovak culture. Are the communist principles, good or bad, embodied in socialist-realism...
Russia: Moscow and NYC
Two-Zero explains why Moscow is not “the new New York.”
Poland: Tolerance March
The beatroot writes about this year's Tolerance March in Krakow.
Poland: Gorbachev vs John Paul II?
The beatroot writes about the publication of “a politburo document, signed by Mikhail Gorbachev, which appears to warrant a KGB contract killing on John Paul II.”
Lithuania: Bicycles in Vilnius
Babel in Vilnius writes on how to turn Vilnius into a bicycle-friendly city.
Hungary: “Goy Bikers”
Hungarian Spectrum writes about “Goy Bikers” and the “resurgence of neo-nazi activism.”
Hungary: End of Coalition
Hungarian Spectrum writes about the SZDSZ's vote in favor of leaving the coalition: “With this decision something entirely new came into being in Hungary: a minority government. And since it is new, most Hungarians don't quite know what to do with it.”
Serbia, EU: SAA and the Election
Kosmopolit reviews perspectives on whether the EU should offer Serbia a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) before the May 11 general election.
Nicaragua: The Return of Silvio Rodríguez
On the blog of Radio La Primerísima [es], Luis Enrique Godoy reviews the two concerts of Silvo Rodríguez, who returned to Nicaragua after 25 years. and he compares the contrast between the countries at both of those times.
Argentina: Bloggers at Buenos Aires Book Fair
Fabio provides a list of bloggers scheduled to appear [es] and speak at the Buenos Aires book fair through May 10.
Nicaragua: Ranking on UNDP Human Development Index
Nicaragua currently is listed 110 out of 154 countries in the United Nations Development Programme's Human Development Index. Isabel Valdez González of McDonald [es] wonders why the government does not take concrete steps to change this and compares its situation to its neighbor Costa Rica.
Peru: MRTA No Longer on US Terrorist List
Silvio Rendon of Gran Combo Club [es] notices that the guerrilla group MRTA (Revolutionary Movement Tupac Amaru) is no longer listed on the U.S. list of terrorist groups, and that its declassification was made with little fanfare.
Nigeria: The Next Fela
Ladybrille interviews the Nigerian musician, 9nice: “A self proclaimed “artist, poet and custodian of tradition and the Nigerian culture,” 9ice, like the great African musical icon-Fela Anikulapo Kuti, is dynamic, authentic and uncompromising, especially when it comes to his decision to sing in his native language.”
Ecuador: Food Prices and Demand Might Help Farmers
ABA of Cambiemos Ecuador [es] wonders whether the rise in food prices and higher demand might be beneficial for some Ecuadoran farmers, who might be able to begin cultivate unused land.
Africa: Measuring Internet Connectivity
Measuring Internet connectivity in Africa: “ICTP Science Dissemination Unit has been monitoring and testing internet connectivity to 45 universities in Africa for the past 12 months. Using at tool called PingER Africa, they track real-time network performances in terms of response time (for a succession of pings) and packet loss...
Zimbabwe: Government of National Unity?
Zimbabweans speaking about Government of National Unity: “We’ve received a flood of replies, particularly via SMS, with voices against a government of national unity out numbering those in favour of it by about 10:1.”
Zimbabwe: Truth and Justice Coalition
There is Truth and Justice Coalition in Zimbabwe: “The Institute for a Democratic Alternative for Zimbabwe (IDAZIM) has initiated, with full support from civil society, labour and legal organizations, the Truth and Justice Coalition on Zimbabwe. Its objectives are to identify perpetrators and seek legal redress for the victims of...
