Stories from 7 December 2010
Blog Carnival: Peru: Internet and Activism- A Summary
Our fourth Blog Carnival was on the subject "Peru: Internet and Activism." Let's find out what Peruvian bloggers think about activism and also learn more about the history of cyberactivism in Peru.
Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay Recognize Palestinian State
Two Weeks Notice, a blog by Greg Weeks, reports: “Argentina has joined Brazil and Uruguay in recognizing a Palestinian state […] The Israeli response is striking, particularly because it unwittingly shows in part why Latin American countries are doing so in the first place.” The Latin Americanist also blogged about...
Pakistan: The Family First For The Ruling Elites
Fatima Saleem reviews the expensive and lavish lifestyle of the ruling elites of Pakistan and their families especially in the context that there are almost no donors among them for the aid of millions of flood victims in the country.
The Sad Fate of Russia's “YouTube Cops”
Several police officers have followed in the footsteps of Alexey Dymovskiy, uploading YouTube testimonies of wrongdoings within the police force in the past year. Unfortunately, nearly all have suffered arrests, beatings, firings or criminal prosecution, and justice has never been done.
Bangladesh: The Politics Of Hartal
An Ordinary Citizen writes about the politics of Hartal (general strike) in Bangladesh and how it affects the citizens.
Nepal: An Web And Mobile Phone Based Citizen Journalism Platform
Ujjwal Acharya writes about Equal Access Nepal, which aims to launch a citizen journalism platform in Nepal, “where people can have their say – by sending email, directly uploading their content, or sending snail-mail or by recording their stories in a toll-free number or sending SMS”.
Bangladesh: Some Questions On Grameen and Yunus Scandal
Shafiur at imperfect|world|2010 lists a set of unanswered questions regarding the fund shuffling scandal of Grameen Bank and the accusations against its founder Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
Côte d'Ivoire: Ghanaian Bloggers React to Political Unrest
There is a dispute going on over the results of presidential run-off in Côte d'Ivoire amid rising post-election tensions. The Ivorian authorities have closed all natural borders of the country and suspended local transmission of international news stations. Let’s see how Ghanaian bloggers are reacting to the political situation in Côte d'Ivoire.
Puerto Rico: Violence at the University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is in crisis again. Students are opposing a special registration fee to be charged in January that the administration imposed to alleviate a fiscal deficit. There have already been violent incidents. Follow the latest news on today's stoppage under #huelgaUPR [es] and #paroUPR [es].
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: On Voting
Discuss SVG fears that the hard-won right to vote has been reduced to political posturing and pettiness.
Trinidad & Tobago: The Savannah Stage
Trinidad Carnival Diary “think[s] it is time for The Savannah Stage 101, a series of tips and advice to those of you who may not have yet been introduced to the ‘Big Yard’.”
Cuba: 11 Prisoners
Uncommon Sense laments the fact that a month after the agreed deadline to release “52 Cuban political prisoners in jail since the ‘black spring’ of 2003…11 of the prisoners remain in jail, apparently because of their refusal to accept forced exile overseas as a condition of their release.”
Barbados: Drinking & Driving
On the heels of another serious road accident, Barbados Free Press laments the absence of breathalyzer laws, saying: “Our culture embraces drinking and driving and, in the absence of an accident, a drinking driver is more likely to be viewed with humour rather than with concern.”
Bermuda: Media Sensationalisation
“New rule, mass media, how about not displaying all the symbols and graffiti done up by these local gangs?” BeachLime.com thinks it's time the media stops giving them credibility.
Russia: Khimki Local Provider Blocked Environmentalist Website
Telincom, Khimki city Internet provider, applied regional blocking technique by preventing access of its users (all other users could freely access the website) to the environmentalist website ecmo.ru, kasparov.ru reported. The blocking started after the website began to collect signatures for the dismissal of the local mayor, Vladimir Strelchenko.
Russia: Omsk Forum Users Publish Erotic Socio-Political Calendar
Users of forum.omsk.ru decided to continue [RUS] a popular format of erotic calendars dedicated to the hot political topics. This time the calendar is dedicated to local issues: traffic jams, high gas prices, environmental issues (scans of the calendar available here [RUS]).
Russia: Another Photo Report on Critical Situation in Moscow Hospital
LJ-user Yanissimo posts [RUS] shocking pictures of the Filatov hospital (in Moscow). Together with pictures he tells a story of bad conditions, immorality, lack of ethics and competence that rule in the hospital. “What is it if not a genocide?” asks the blogger.
Malaysia's 14-Year Old Bride
Should a 14-year old girl be allowed to marry? Malaysia's Syariah Court has recently allowed a 14-year old girl to marry a 23-year old teacher. Bloggers debate on child marriages
Tunisia: Censorship Continues as Wikileaks Cables Make the Rounds
Tunisian activists pounced on the latest Wikileaks US Embassy Cables, dedicating a new website to republish and discuss the revelations related to their country. Tunileaks, was launched by Nawaat one hour after the whistle-blowing site unleashed the cables - sparking a new round of censorship of the www.
Morocco: Bloggers Survey Flood Damage
Last week, heavy rains throughout Morocco flooded large swaths of the country, disrupting travel and telecommunications and killing at least 30 people, including 24 who perished when their bus was swept away by a flooding river in Bouznika, south of the capital, Rabat. Bloggers share their stories about the rain here.
Philippines: Journalists using Twitter
reporter.ph is a website that gathers the tweets of Filipino journalists.
