Stories from 29 June 2010
Spain: The Prospect of Catalonia Competing On Its Own
The participation of the Spanish National Team in the 2010 World Cup renews the debate whether the autonomous community of Catalonia should send its own team to the international competition.
Africa: Africa's old men
Africa's old men: “I haven’t checked the maths but here’s something interesting sent in to us from a subscriber: Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe) age 86, Hosni Mubarak (Egypt) age 82, Hifikepunye Pohamba (Namibia) age 74, Rupiah Banda (Zambia) age 73, Mwai Kibaki (Kenya) age 71…”
Africa: The vuvuzelization of world football
“The vuvuzela, much like Ghana’s Black Stars, has beaten odds to become more than a cheering instrument. It has now attained the status of an African metaphor for the unacknowledged ways in which Africa determines particular discourses at the global level,” writes Steven Sharra.
Africa: The Great Green Wall of Africa
Gold discussing the Great Green Wall of Africa: “The Great Green Wall of Africa was first suggested by the ex-Nigerian Prez Olusegun Obasanjo, in 2005…”
Ghana: It was David vs Goliath
USA 2-1 loss to Ghana shows that economic might is not might everywhere, argues Ghanaian blogger Emmanuel Bensah.
Lebanon: Letter to the President
Lebanese blogger finkployd writes a letter to the Lebanese President Michel Suleiman after three people were arrested for insulting him on Facebook.
China: Gamers need not worry over new real name rules
This summer will see the introduction of real name regulations for e-commerce entrepreneurs and online gamers. With a series of past failed attempts in China at implementing similar rules, one blogger looks at the logistics of real name requirements and doesn't expect these new regulations to stick.
Japan: Voice tweets override election rule
Akky Akimoto from Asiajin points out that incumbent upper house member Kenzo Fujisue tried to avoid the violation of upper house election rule in Japan by posting url of voice tweets instead of text tweets.
Philippines: Dancing Prisoners’ Tribute to Michael Jackson
And they've done it again. Convicted criminals from Cebu Province in the Philippines danced to the tunes of the late Michael Jackson in a tribute performance marking the first death anniversary of the famous music icon.
Singapore: No to caning
Spotlight on Singapore is against the punishment of caning. Recently, a foreigner who was found guilty of vandalizing a train in Singapore was sentenced to 5 months in jail and three strokes of the cane.
Thailand: Bangkok back to normal?
Don Gilliland observes that “the comforting rhythm of daily life in Bangkok has returned to normal this month.” Protesters were able to paralyze many parts of the city for two months this year
Lao44 website
Lao44 or Coalition for Lao Information, Communication and Knowledge is the largest repository of documents in Lao language. The number 44 in Lao44 refers to Article 44 in the Constitution which says that Lao citizens have the right and freedom of speech, press and assembly.
Thailand: Red Shirt leader to run for parliamentary seat
Korkaew Pikulthong, detained Red Shirt leader in Thailand, is running for a parliamentary seat. The Red Shirts are anti-government protesters who paralyzed several parts of Bangkok for two months this year
Thailand: First country to block 100,000 websites
Twitter user leosia congratulates Thailand for being the first country in history to block more than 100,000 websites.
Bolivia: Facts About Internet and Social Media
Pablo Andrés Rivero analyzes [es] data about the use of social media and the internet in Bolivia.
Argentina: Social Media Day in Buenos Aires
Listao [es] shares that on June 30, the official Social Media day, social media users are invited to get together to celebrate the day in Buenos Aires. Users can sign up on a special site for the event on Mashable Meetups [es].
