Stories from 2 October 2010
Bulgaria: Internet Discussions About Nazism
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
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”
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
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
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”.
Sri Lanka: Injunction Against Sri Lanka Relay Team
Thepapare.com tells the untold story of the injunction against Sri Lanka relay team preventing them from leaving the country to join the Commonwealth games.
Brazil: Vintage Posters Featuring Social Media
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
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.
Sri Lanka: E For Eelam
Michael Meyler at Groundviews explains the different meanings of the word ‘Eelam” in Sri Lanka.
India: Searching For The Perfect Solution Of The Ayodhya Babri Masjid Problem
Priyank Chandra at Desicritics is not satisfied with the court verdict of the Ayodhya Babri Masjid case and suggests three alternative solutions.
Pakistan: Dr. Aafia Siddiqui Case – A Veiled Mystery
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
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.
Puerto Rico: Young Poet Talks About New Book
Poet and blogger Xavier Valcárcel talks about his new collection of poems [ES] “Palo de lluvia”, a “book that works with metaphors and the language of wood.”
Puerto Rico: Police officers under scrutiny
In the collective blog La Acera [ES], Cor comments on recent acts of police brutality in Puerto Rico and the deaths of two innocent people, a young athlete and an old man.
Ecuador: Accusations and Evaluation After Police Uprising
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.
