Stories from October, 2010
Brazil: citizen coverage of election runoff
As Brazil gears up for the second round of presidential elections, 48 Horas Democracia [pt] will again provide citizen-produced videos, news reports and bulletins of the event to offer non-mainstream coverage.
Trinidad & Tobago: Approaching Storm
aka_lol says that an approaching tropical storm “doesn’t look good for a population that had to put up with extremely bad weather for the rainy season and continues to weather the Clico financial crisis with desperate threats from formerly-rich policyholders.”
Puerto Rico: “Guadalupe Should Not be the Provost”
Ángel Carrión comments on the designation of Ana Guadalupe [ES] as the Provost of the Río Piedras campus (the main campus) of the University of Puerto Rico. Guadalupe was severely criticized for the decisions she made as the interim Provost during the student strike last Spring.
China: Debate on Rare Earths Export
With the rise of nationalistic sentiment in China, a majority of mainland Chinese support the government's policy in restricting the export of rare earths to Japan and other western countries.
Iran:First talking clip of Reza Shah found after 76 years
The first video in which Reza Shah talked with Kamal Ataturk , filmed in 1934 found accidentally in a fruit shop in Istanbul after 76 years.
Greece: Iranian refugees on hunger strike
Twenty-five Iranian refugees in Athens, Greece have gone on hunger strike since October 14 demanding that Greek authorities process their political asylum applications. Some have had their mouths sewn shut.
China and the U.S: Fuss about rare earth
Adam Minter from Shanghai Scrap looks into the data of China agricultural trade and points out that the recent intimations of a ban on the rare earth elements has been overstated. On the other hand, the Chinese experts have underestimated the importance of low-cost soy beans and wheat to social...
China’s image in posters
Annie Lee from China Hush translates a feature article [cn] which looks into China's image in political posters in the past 61 years.
China: Why I Support Liu Xiaobo’s Nobel Peace Prize
Wang Chaohua, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Modern History at Academica Sinica in Taiwan, explains in China Beat why she supports Liu Xiaobo's Nobel Peace Prize.
Japan: Speaking Beatles to communicate
An American blogger at InsideHalton.com said [en] she used Beatles’ lyrics to communicate with Japanese people and teach English. [via japundit.com]
Indonesia: Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcanic Eruption in 48 hours
Indonesia was caught unprepared this week when an earthquake, tsunami and volcanic eruption battered the islands in less than 48 hours. Casualties are expected to exceed 500 and thousands of families need immediate relief.
Bangladesh: The Importance Of Tea And Singara
Shehzaad Shams at Bangladesh Corporate Blog describes the importance of tea and Singara (snacks) in doing business in Bangladesh.
Puerto Rico: #EnProfundo and the “Cassava of Love”
The team behind #EnProfundo produce another podcast [ES] that includes their characteristically biting media critique.
Pakistan: Another Video Of Abuse By Pakistan Army Appears
“Yet another video can be seen on you tube where apparently Pakistani Army severely beating up the suspected militant,” informs Teeth Maestro.
South Africa: Dear Government
Controversial South Africa radio personality Gareth Cliff writes a letter to the South African government: “OK, I get it, the President isn't the only one in charge. The ANC believes in “collective responsibility” (So that nobody has to get blamed when things get screwed up), so I address this to...
Kenya: Will New Constitution Improve Governance?
Will Kenya's new constitution improve governance in the country?: “There are many people who seem to believe that it will not. A prominent journalist was recently quoted in Nairobi's Daily Nation as saying that the constitution is just a piece of paper, and “a piece of paper can't transform society”....
Tanzania: Government threatens press before election
Tanzanian government threatens press before election: “As the October 31 national elections draw near, Tanzania's media is in a frenzy trying to cover the close race between the two leading presidential candidates. But government threats and draconian media laws may be getting in the way of objective coverage.”
Zimbabwe: Big Brother Africa, Mugabe and US$300,000
Big Brother Africa is a television show produced by Endemol in South Africa. The show, which has become the most popular TV reality show in Africa, entered its fifth season with Big Brother Africa All-Stars. After 91 days of stiff and exciting competition, Nigerian musician and actor Uti Nwachukwu was announced the winner of US$200,000. The final two housemates were Nigeria's Uti and Zimbabwe's Munya Chidzonga. Although Munya lost, he ended up "winning" US$300,000. Follow Zimbabwean bloggers to know what happened.
Madagascar: Village Burned Down by Highwaymen during Cattle Robbery
The villages of Ampasimbe and Ankaenihenibe in Madagascar were attacked by gangs of highwaymen [Fr] (Dahalo in Malagasy) that made away with 18 and 15 zebus respectively. As the Ampasimbe villagers retaliated against the robbers, their village was burned down entirely, partly because of the powerful wind guts at the time.
Gabon, France: Gabon-raised Frenchman to Run for Elections
Will Mael Nyamat explains [Fr] what a black candidate who was raised in Gabon like himself can bring in terms of perspective to the political discourse during the French primary elections. Nyamat also argues in his book that the historically close tie between Gabon and France [Fr] makes him as sensible...
Global: Rarefying of Rare Earth Metals?
The economy-focused blog Le regard à Lupus explains [fr] that there are increasing concerns over the shrinking access to rare earth metals. These strategical mining resources are indispensable to the high-tech industry and green energy solutions.
