Stories from 16 November 2010
Serbia: Time of the Gypsies, a “Punk Opera”
Emir Kusturica’s “Time of the Gypsies” – now, a “punk opera” playing in Belgrade (more about it – at Bill's Blog).
Japan: In memory of a courageous prosecutor
Journalist and yakuza expert Jake Adelstein pays his last respects [en] to Toshiro Igari [ja], a prosecutor who was found dead in Manila (Philippines) in August. Igari-san was the author of many books [ja] on the organized crime and in the last months he was investigating the collusion of the...
Russia: Pro-Kremlin Youth Movement's Programm Resembles Nazi
Bloggers compare the programme of pro-Kremlin youth movement “Stal” (Steel) with Goebbels‘ “Ten National-Socialist Commandments.” The programme of the local branch of the movement includes such slogans as “Russia's enemies are your enemies” and “Have faith in the future” and looks like a carbon copy of the Nazi document. More...
Russia: Vkontakte Social Network Recognized by RIAA as a Pirate Website
Torrentfreak writes about the recent inclusion of Vkontakte, Russia's most popular social network, to RIAA's “Notorious Markets Review.” Site's “functionality is specifically designed to enable members to upload music and video files,” the review says. Recently, Vkontakte won a court case [RUS] against VGTRK, Russian TV-company. The court ruled out the...
Zambia: Politician jailed for assaulting journalists
A Zambia ruling Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) politician has been jailed for assaulting journalists who had gone to cover President Rupiah Banda at the Lusaka International Airport last July. Zambian netizens react to the court's ruling.
Russia: Pictures of Eid al-Adha Holiday in Moscow
Bloggers Drugoi [RUS] and Ottenki_serogo [RUS] share photos from the Qurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha) religious holiday. After Moscow accepted tens of thousands of guest workers from Central Asia, Muslim holidays are gathering more and more people. Aleshru contributes an interesting example [RUS] of “mixture of religions.”
Bolivia: When ancestors return, celebrating the ñatitas
Each year on November 8, Bolivians celebrate the festivity of the ñatitas. The ñatitas are little skulls that are taken from homes to the main cemetery of the Bolivian capital, La Paz, where an ancient ritual takes place.
Uganda: Being Gay and HIV Positive
Being gay and HIV positive in Uganda: “Double closeted, that is what my gay friends who are positive have to be. They cannot tell members of our community that they are HIV positive. And, they cannot disclose outside the community that they are gay.”
Somalia: The Ethiopian Factor
Mogadishu Man's analysis of the Ethiopian factor in Somalis politics: “The Ethiopian regime presents itself as though it had been tirelessly working to restore peace and stability to the troubled Horn. Since the fall of the Siyad Barre regime in the early 90s, Ethiopian involvement in Somali politics had become...
Haiti: Cholera & Protests
Mediahacker reports on the cholera outbreak in Haiti and anti-UN protests that have ensued as a result.
Jamaica: Call to End Discrimination
Globewriter takes interest in a Jamaican mainstream media article, which calls for an end to discrimination against blacks and gays: “Even having the column published is astounding. I am not sure if it…is a sign that Jamaican society is becoming less bigoted or…simply…that the writer and the paper are fearlessly...
Cuba: Before & After
Translating Cuba blogs about the two most over-used words in the country, adding: “There is a third reality that belies the stubborn reality: both Before and After contain everything.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Interview with Cozier
Artzpub interviews artist Christopher Cozier about his involvement in The Global Africa Project at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York.
Cuba: Prisoners Still in Jail
Sin Evasion says of the missed deadline to release the remaining prisoners of conscience: “Once again, the government has proven that it doesn’t know how to honor its commitments.”
Russia: Anti-Corruption Blogger Claims Officials Stole 4 Billion Dollars
Alexey Navalny‘s website navalny.ru is down after publishing materials on Transneft, Russian oil pipeline operator. The compromising materials claiming that top officials were involved in stealing over 4 billion dollars from the government budget, however, are available at his LiveJournal account [RUS] and several mirror websites (here and here).
Japan: Inspired by Tokyo's Yamanote Line
An introduction to personal photography projects that were inspired by Tokyo's Yamanote train line.
China: Shanghai fire claims 53, local coverage criticised
53 lives were claimed and 43 others remain missing as a result of the tragic fire that ripped through a high-rise apartment block in Shanghai yesterday afternoon. The 28-storey building was undergoing renovations when welding sparks caused the scaffolding to catch fire, eventually spreading to the building itself. City blog Shanghaiist...
Slovakia: Netizens Discuss Chinese Highway Construction Offer
The Slovak minister of transport is reluctant to let the Chinese companies, which offer extremely low prices, enter Slovakia's highway construction market. Tibor Blazko reviews the Slovak netizens' reactions.
Australia: Same-Sex Marriage a Step Closer?
Australia’s parliament is currently debating a private members bill about gay marriage. This one is not to change the law, merely to consult with the public about the issue. Many in the Oz blogosphere have strong views.
Brazil: Eradicating the Indigenous Guarani Kaiowa
Guarani still represent one of the most numerous indigenous people in Brazil, though they are profoundly affected by the loss of almost all their land in the last century. In the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Guarani Kaiowa, one of three groups descended from the original, are the target of constant attacks and victims of an alarming rash of suicides.
East Timor: A Foreigner's Impressions on the celebration of Massacre anniversary
Rory Hoipkemier, from blog At His behest in Timor Leste, writes about the “First Introductions” that most impressed and inspired her in the first days as a volunteer in Dili. She describes the “solemn and collective” 19th anniversary celebration of the Santa Cruz Massacre that took place on November 12.
