2 October 2010

Stories from 2 October 2010

Bulgaria: Internet Discussions About Nazism

  2 October 2010

The actions of the French President Nicolas Sarkozy against the Roma people in France and their deportation to Bulgaria and Romania, were met with two opposing views in the Bulgarian society. Nationalist factions organized an anti-Roma protest on Sept. 25, where they chanted Nazi slogans. This evoked a response from human rights activists, who created a website and Facebook groups against neo-Nazi groups.

Nigeria: Reflections on 50 Years of Independence

  2 October 2010

The Golden Jubilee for Africa's most populous country is being celebrated throughout the nation and the global diaspora with speeches, concerts, parties and all manner of other events. But some say: is there even anything to celebrate? For many, the last fifty years seem an accelerated decent into chaos. Still, for most Nigerians, October 1st is a time for festivities.

Brazil: “48 Hours Democracy”

  2 October 2010

For the first time in history, Brazilian bloggers are gathered for a 48 hours livestream coverage of the electoral voting day in Brazil (starting on October 2 at 9 am until October 4 at 9 am). A website [pt] has been set up aiming to exercise e-democracy and free speech...

Pakistan: Army's Extra-judicial Killing Video

  2 October 2010

While the Pakistani blogosphere has remained mostly silent about the surfaced internet video showing men in Pakistani military uniforms executing six young men in civilian clothes, Asim Aquil at Pakistan Defence Forum says: “could be anybody, no need to speculate on who. Anybody with a camcorder can make such a...

Pakistan: Pervez Musharraf’s New Political Party

  2 October 2010

The Pakistani Spectator reports that former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s unveiling of plans to launch his own political party, the All Pakistani Muslim League, “has created ripples of disbelief in Pakistan, London and cyberspace”.

Brazil: Vintage Posters Featuring Social Media

  2 October 2010

Are you curious about “how would Youtube look like in the times of our grandparents?” Camila Oliveira shares a set of vintage posters featuring Skype, Facebook and Twitter, by Maxi Midia designers Rodolfo Sampaio and Marco Martins.

Sahel Region: On Paying Ransom for Hostages

  2 October 2010

Hostage-taking by a militant Islamist group called Al-Qaeda in The Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is on the rise in the Sahel region which spans across several countries in the north of Africa. In order to free hostages, governments and companies have put political pressure on the African nations involved, or opted to pay ransoms directly. However, the strategy of paying ransom is often decried as ineffective and dangerous in the long run.

Pakistan: Dr. Aafia Siddiqui Case – A Veiled Mystery

  2 October 2010

A recent verdict by a Federal Court in Manhattan, sentencing Pakistani neuro-scientist Dr. Aafia Siddiqui an imprisonment of 86 years, has sparked reactions all over the world. Dr. Siddiqui was detained with her three children in an Afghanistan prison without trial for many years and was finally charged with attempted murder of US officers while in detention.

Puerto Rico: Art, Music, and Words

  2 October 2010

Sociologist, singer-songwriter, and blogger Raquel Z. Rivera and painter Tanya Torres, both Puerto Ricans who live in New York, announce their most recent collaboration: “Song of the Magdalene”, which includes a CD, a handmade book and an exhibition of images.

Ecuador: Accusations and Evaluation After Police Uprising

  2 October 2010

Evaluation and mixed views have emerged after the police uprising in Ecuador, transmitted instantly through social networks. Was there a coup in the country? The blogosphere analyzes the censorship, the imposed national broadcast, the mutual accusations and the answer to the question, "What happens now?" in a shocked and moved Ecuador.