10 August 2010

Stories from 10 August 2010

Russian-Fires.ru, First Ushahidi Experience

RuNet Echo  10 August 2010

Wildfires in central Russia have shown that the Russian blogosphere is capable of fast mobilization, cooperation and solidarity when it comes to natural disasters. The RuNet Echo team not only observed the blogosphere's reaction to the wildfires, but has become one of the few centers of coordination of volunteers and victims of the disaster.

Europe: Stranger Festival Film Submissions

  10 August 2010

The Stranger Film Festival is looking for creative short documentaries by youth (younger than 30) from European and neighboring countries in a variety of topics regarding European narratives. Submission deadline is on September 1st. via

U.S.V.I.: Lionfish Threat

  10 August 2010

As lionfish continue to pose a danger to coral reefs in the U.S. Virgin Islands, News of St. John reports that the government's strategy to eliminating the threat is: “If you can't beat ‘em, eat ‘em.”

Barbados: Tourism Stats

  10 August 2010

Tourist arrivals are up by a small percentage; Barbados Free Press says: “Without complete information it is impossible to judge if the increase in visitors was worth the outlay or if the BTA [Barbados Tourism Authority] is performing well.”

Cuba: Prisoner of Words

  10 August 2010

“I am a man who writes. Being a journalist in a closed society is the task of either an adventurer or a lunatic”: Iván García learns that he is “of interest” to Cuban State Security, buts says, “I don’t keep any secrets. I have not committed any crimes. In the...

Trinidad & Tobago: Fan Mail

  10 August 2010

Nicholas Laughlin discovers a fan letter written to his grandfather, who reportedly “did what is supposed to have been the first live radio commentary on a cricket match in the West Indies, during an inter-colonial tournament at the Queen's Park Oval.”

Mexico: Citizen video and Drug Trafficking

  10 August 2010

Mexican bloggers debate whether citizen videos and pictures showing graphic violent crimes are an answer to what some say is the mass media's resistance to cover drug trafficking related violence or if it is just another way to spread fear and terror.

Pakistan: Sense Of Sacrifice

  10 August 2010

Considering the recent troubles Pakistan is in, Hasan at Chowrangi proposes that Pakistanis should celebrate the upcoming national day on the 14th August with a great sense of sacrifice, by helping the countrymen victimized by flood and war.

Bangladesh: Even No Water To Wash My Teeth

  10 August 2010

“On the fifth day, today, 10 August, I discover I don't have any water to brush my teeth, not to talk about other purposes;” thus Ekram Kabir at Kotha Chhilo (I have something to tell) blog tells the story about one of the agonies of living in Dhaka city –...

Rwanda: Bloggers Discuss Presidential Election 2010

  10 August 2010

Preliminary results released by the National Electoral Commission show that Paul Kagame has won Rwandan election by a landslide. What does Kagame's victory mean to Rwanda? Was the election free and fair? What are the real challenges facing Rwanda now that the election is over? These are some of the issues that bloggers are discussing following the release of preliminary results.

D.R. of Congo: Collection of Taxi slogans

  10 August 2010

A collection of Congolese taxi slogans in Lingala, French and English:”Tais-toi jaloux – Shut up, jealous one,Code PIN, Jalousie mal placée – Misplaced jealousy, Hitler, Dieu n’a jamais été corrompu – God has never been corrupted, Dinosor…”

Russia: Internet Trolls for the Good?

RuNet Echo  10 August 2010

Blogger fritzmorgen argues [RUS] in favor of Internet trolls [EN] in Russia. The bloggers claims that rolls help Russian bloggers improve their rhetorical skills, general knowledge and the ability to provide proper argumentation fast in the real life. In Russia, however, online arguments may lead to physical violence, he adds.

Russia: Do Authorities Conceal Rate of Death Caused by Smog?

RuNet Echo  10 August 2010

Blogger molitva-i-post writes [RUS] that Moscow medical services failed to evacuate the body of  her grandfather who died of heat and smog. Hospitals and morgues are filled with the dead, blogger reported. Despite numerous similar cases, the Ministry of Health denied [RUS] the increase in death rate caused by high temperatures.