Stories from 4 February 2011
Egypt: When Pictures Speak Louder than Words
Up to a million people are already chanting in Tahrir (Liberation) Square, Cairo, calling on Mubarak to leave. Anti-Mubarak protests have been held across Egypt for the 11th day in a row and today's is being dubbed as the Departure or Final Friday. Here are some pictures tweeted by people on the ground, showing the masses marching to the square, as they get vetted at checkpoints set up to protect the peaceful demonstrators from government-paid thugs.
Angola: National languages in some schools
The Government of Angola announced [pt] the introduction of seven national languages in the curricula of basic education in 2011, “to bridge the learning gap of children whose mother tongue is not Portuguese”. Meanwhile, more and more schools “which dispense references to Angola” are openning, according to BWE Angolano's blog...
Africa: The fate of political vultures
Zimbabwean blogger Chris Kabwato discusses the fate of political vultures: “Dictators are pseudo-intellectuals who have to invent some type of nationalism. They disguise their acts under the guise of sense of preserving tradition or returning to some African roots.”
Kenya: Meet Sisterpreneur Wawi Amasha
Meet Sisterpreneur Wawi Amasha is the woman behind ‘Mami Afrika’ designs. Mami Afrika is a brand of products, (clothes, jewelry and wearable art), that reflect my love for African cultures.
Cote d'Ivoire: Ivorian Charity Hope
Nicole Ndamiba blogs about Ivorian Hope Charity, which focuses its efforts in the rural villages in the western region of Cote d'Ivoire because it was the most devasted region during the initial civil war.
Portugal: A journey blog to Antarctica
On the blog Permantar-2 [pt] you can follow Gonçalo Vieira's scientific journey to the Antarctic Peninsula. The Portuguese researcher – who is part of an international study about the permafrost and the consequences of climate change on it – invites all readers [pt] to send questions related to the campaign.
Russia: Bloggers React To Threatened University Stipends
After an aid to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said [RUS] on January 19 that Russia should do away with stipends for university students, bloggers, parents, and university rectors began furiously posting appeals for the government not to cut back on university funding. The aid, Arkady Dvorkovich, who is often described...
Kenya: To protest or not to protest?’
To protest or not to protest? That is the question. Following role the social media site Twitter played in the Tunisian and Egyptian protests, Kenyans are discussing on Twitter whether to emulate these protests or not. Trending on Twitter are the hashtags #KenyaFeb28 and #ChoosePeace.
Egypt: Chants getting Louder in Tahrir Square
Egyptians from all walks of life have been chanting for an end of the Mubarak regime, as Egypt braces itself for the 11th day of massive protests. Today is being dubbed as Departure Friday or Final Friday, and millions are being roused to march to the streets to bring down Mubarak's regime after the noon Friday prayers. People are already in Tahrir Square, Cairo, and the chants have never been louder.
Mexico: Reactions to “Racist” Remarks on BBC's Top Gear
Comments on the BBC's popular car show Top Gear calling Mexicans, "lazy, feckless, flatulent," and "overweight" have caused mixed reactions among Mexican bloggers.
Egypt: “The West Faces Another Bosnia Moment”
Greater Surbiton writes that “in the Egyptian crisis today, Western leaders face another Bosnia moment.”
Russia: The Law on the Police
A detailed analysis of Russia's Law on the Police – at A Good Treaty: “The law’s opponents sometimes downplay it as nothing more than a change of two letters (from militsiia to politsiia) […].” LJ user tapirr‘s take on the renaming (RUS): “A man named Vasya lived in a small...
Belarus, Ukraine: Photographer Blogs About Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
Documentary photographer Michael Forster Rothbart is guest-blogging about the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone at Chernobyl Children International.
Ukraine: 3 Million New Internet Users in 2010
A study cited [UKR] by Korrespondent.net shows that the number of Internet users in Ukraine has increased by 29%, or by 3 million people, in 2010. Ukraine's current Internet audience is 11.3 million people, with 88% of users accessing the net daily, 10% – several times a week, 1% –...
Egypt: Rapping the Revolution
Mideast Tunes brings us a group of Egyptian rappers which under the name Arabian Knightz wish to spread their perspective on the recent events shaking their country.
