Stories from 25 May 2010
Slovenia, Croatia: More on the Border Dispute
Sleeping With Pengovsky posts The Definitive Guide to the Arbitrage Agreement Between Slovenia and Croatia – Part 1 and Part 2. Borut Peterlin posts this comment: “The border dispute with Croatia is the most important tool for manipulation with voters emotions, so no doubt [Janša, Podobnik and Jelinčič] would do...
Ukraine: Medvedev in Kyiv; Yanukovych & the Wreath
Reactions to the Russian president's visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, last week (which included the Ukrainian president being hit by a wreath during a commemoration ceremony at the Unknown Soldier Monument) – at Kyiv Scoop, Ukrainiana (here and here), and Leopolis.
Cape Verde: Using an Online Tool to Fight Dengue
The Government of Cape Verde is using the internet as a powerful tool to fight dengue [pt]. By creating an epidemiological watch online through which it is possible to insert every new case on a database as soon as it is discovered, they are able to assist and help areas...
Egypt: On Street Activists and Citizen Journalists
Between online activists, citizen journalists, and street demonstrators, it seems that the cause lost it's purpose and the Internet turned into a soundproof room for cursing and cussing. Marwa Rakha takes a closer look at online activism and its relationship to events on the ground.
Egypt: 30 Days of Blogging
Egyptian bloggers are taking part in an initiative called 30 Days of Blogging, where they should write a new blog post every day for one whole month. The drive started on May 1 and here are reactions from the bloggers.
Azerbaijan: Live tweeting Eurovision from Oslo, Norway
Complimenting the already relatively impressive of social media by Safura Alizadeh, Azerbaijan's entry into this year's Eurovision Song Contest, jazz singer Ulviyya Rahimova will be live-tweeting updates as part of the national delegation. Also blogging at the girl in jazz, she can be followed on Twitter at @UlviyyaRahimova.
Russian DST Group Will Increase Investment in Foreign Internet Companies
Yuri Milner [EN], chief executive of the Moscow-based Digital Sky Technologies [EN] (DST) investment group, revealed [ENG] The Guardian his plans to continue investing in major foreign Internet companies. One of them might be Twitter. DST had already invested in Facebook, Zynga and ICQ.
Jamaica: Women of Tivoli Gardens
“If these women pass on this attitude of craven gratitude and dependence on a don to their children, how will the cycle ever be broken?”: Islandista looks at the role of women in the Jamaica crisis.
Trinidad & Tobago: Indian Arrival Day
“Indian Arrival Day, celebrated on 30th May, commemorates the arrival of the first Indian Indentured labourers from India to Trinidad, in May 1845, on the ship Fatel Razack”: TriniGourmet.com will be commemorating the occasion with a few tasty Indian dishes.
Jamaica: Citizen Media Follows the Standoff
A study in extremes is perhaps how the last 24 hours in the Caribbean region could be adequately described: As Trinidad and Tobago peacefully went to the polls and elected its first female Prime Minister, Jamaica was facing more violent unrest.
Zimbabwe: Employees of Gay and Lesbian of Zimbabwe detained
Sokari writes about the arrest of two employees of Gay and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) by officers from the Central Intelligent Department.
Africa: Africa “Retrogressive” Report 2010
Phillip comments on the launch of Africa Progress Report 2010: “If only the Africa Progress Report 2010 could be called a retrogressive report on Africa…that way, African leaders will not be lulled into thinking they are making any significant progress. They’d rather wake up from their centuries of slumber.”
Africa: Celebrating Africa Day
South African blogger Zamo Nkatshu writes a post in celebration of Africa Day: “This year’s theme focuses on building and maintaining peace in Africa through sport. So let us then celebrate and rally behind the six African teams (The Six Pack) which will represent the continent during the World Cup.”
South Africa: Julius Malema Wants to Kiss and Make Up!
Julius Malema, the president of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) is no stranger to controversy. In fact, many would argue that it is what he thrives on. He is regarded by some as the voice of impoverished youth in South Africa. By others, he is the personification of the failings of black economic empowerment.
Africa: The ultimate challenge for African magicians at World Cup
“More than 6.175 grams of gold: that’s what it weighs, the prize that the African jujus are aiming to claim this summer in South Africa. Africa has a reputation for being the continent where black magic is an inseparable part of sport, certainly where the sport of sports is concerned,”...
Russia: Hosting Providers Sign Charter Against Illegal Content
Five hosting providers that allegedly control more than 25 percent of the Russian hosting market plan to sign a charter against ‘illegal content’, Vedomosti newspaper reported [RUS]. The charter implies more active involvement of hosting providers in filtering and blocking child porn, materials that break copyright or ignite hatred as...
Africa: Salesforce Foundation funds Maneno blogging platform
Miquel announces funding for African-focused blogging platform, Maneno: “We are very pleased to announced that the Salesforce.com Foundation has agreed to help fund a portion of the general operating costs of Maneno for the next year.”
Fiji backs down on suspending Parliamentary pensions
Fiji's government has overturned the practice of suspending pensions to former Parliamentary leaders who have been critical of the present regime. This announcement “is the sort of forward-looking conciliatory acts we need to see more of,” says blogger Crosbie Walsh. Coup Four And A Half says the government has “done...
Southeast Asia: Reactions to Thailand protests
The violent confrontations between the heavily armed soldiers and Red Shirt protesters in Thailand in the past week have stunned the world. What are the reactions of bloggers from neighbouring Southeast Asian nations?
Egypt: Parliament Votes to Extend Emergency Law
The Egyptian Parliament decision to extend state-sanctioned emergency rule for another two years garnered international criticism and domestic backlash, as the law gives exclusive right to the Ministry of the Interior to detain suspects without charge, monitor communications and wiretap contact networks, restrict newspaper content and impede political assembly and demonstration. Bloggers react to the development.
Armenia: LGBT rights abroad, homophobia at home
Posting news of a Armenian LGBT conference in the U.S., Unzipped: Gay Armenia also posts a photograph and comments on homophobic leaflets and posters from an ultra-nationalist group appearing in Yerevan, the Armenian capital.
