Stories from 8 February 2011
Thailand, Cambodia: Border conflict intensifies
The border row between Thailand and Cambodia has intensified in the past week as both countries exchanged fires killing several soldiers on both fronts and forcing the evacuation of nearby villages near the border. Here are social media reactions from Bangkok and Phnom Penh.
Iran: Protesting in the name of Egypt and Tunisia
Iranian opposition leaders, Mir Hussein Mousavi and Mehdi Karubi, have applied for permission to stage a rally in support of revolts in Egypt and Tunisia, on 14 February (25 Bahman) their websites said. The news motivated several cyber activists to add their 'green touch' to the internet.
Latest Developments in Bolivia's Demands for Access to Sea
“For the first time since 1950, Chile’s Foreign Minster met with his Bolivian counterpart in La Paz,” Erwin reports at The Latinamericanist. “Bolivia’s David Choquehuanca is expected to bring up the contentious issue of Bolivian access to the Pacific Ocean during his meeting with the visiting Chilean diplomatic chief, Alfredo...
Egypt: A Star Shines on Tahrir Square
Tahrir Square, the epicentre of massive protests in downtown Cairo calling for an end to the Mubarak regime, saw the largest number of protesters today since the beginning of pro-democracy demonstrations 15 days ago.
Pakistan: Karachi Literature Festival 2011
“The second Karachi literature festival 2011 took place on 5th and 6th February at Carlton hotel in Karachi”, reports Rabia Sheikh at Chowrangi.
India: What Is Wrong In Being A Homemaker?
Jaya brings on a debate in her blog, which was aired in an Indian TV show recently: “What is wrong in being a homemaker?”
Egypt: Massive Protests Continue on Day 15
Nationwide protests continue to rock Egypt for the 15th day in a row, demanding an end to the Mubarak regime. As the crowds at Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo swell, a sit in continues outside the Parliament building. Also today, workers have started their strike; academics joined the ranks of protesters, and Egyptian journalists found their voice.
Bangladesh: 100 Lashes For A Rape Victim And The Judiciary
RealTimeBangladesh writes about Hena, the latest victim of village (un) justice in Bangladesh, who died while sustaining a 100 lashes punishment for being raped. Although such fatwa are illegal by law, “what we see here is a case of abject poverty, ignorance and ensuing inability of poor people to claim...
Bangladesh: Dhaka During The Hartal Hours
Photoblogger Monirul Alam shares photos of the Hartal (general strike) called by the opposition which took place today in Dhaka and elsewhere in Bangladesh.
Colombia: Coffee Farmers Face Challenges After Heavy Rains
Locavore del Mundo reports on the challenges coffee farmers are facing in Colombia and what they are doing to overcome them.
Argentina: Expat and Argentine Team up in Entertaining and Informative Podcast
The Argentine Post interviews the hosts of the B.A. Cast podcast: “Expat Daniel Karlin (Portland, Oregon) and Buenos Aires native Fernando Farías (Monserrat) have teamed up to provide you with a weekly podcast looking at everything from lunfardo to tax evasion and the ‘laws of mate.’ The shows, available online...
Cuba: “Operation Cyber-Mambí”
There has been much speculation of late as to whether the spirit of protest will find its way from Egypt and Tunisia to the Caribbean. If the lock on the marketplace of information maintained by Castro's government is what's standing between discontented Cuban citizens and protest, then recent attempts to use “counterrevolutionary” bloggers' tactics against them have come as no surprise to netizens.
Cuba: Entertainer Dies At 96
“She was an absolute delight, a class act, and she will be missed by many”: Along the Malecon is saddened by the passing of “a legendary Cuban singer and actress.”
Trinidad & Tobago: R.I.P., Mighty Striker
Trinidad & Tobago bloggers acknowledge the passing of calypsonian The Mighty Striker.
Russia: Citizen Bloggers of 2010
After a decade in the wilderness, Russian civil society is finding a powerful voice online. Alexey Sidorenko and Oliver Carroll profile seven citizen bloggers who are leading this charge. A co-publication with openDemocracy Russia
Jamaica: Bob, Our Hero
As Jamaica considers making Bob Marley a national hero, Repeating Islands comments: “And I had always (wrongly) assumed that Bob Marley was already a national hero. I do hope that he will soon receive this honor.”
Azerbaijan: Support site for arrested youth activist
Following news of the arrest last week of a political youth activist in Azerbaijan, a blog, Freedom Jabbar Savalan!, has been set up in English, Azerbaijani and Russian.
Cuba: The Reality of Revolution
1Click2Cuba wonders whether Cuba will be the next Egypt, but Iván's File Cabinet reminds us that the Cuban reality is different.
Syria: Facebook and YouTube Unblocked, Among Others
Internet in Syria has been heavily censored for years. Seemingly harmless sites like Facebook, YouTube, and Wikipedia Arabic have only been accessible through proxies and various circumvention software. Today, that seems to have changed. Anas Qtiesh explains.
Angola: Zaire Province Forgotten
Diário da África [pt] reproduces an article by the journalist Makuta Nkondo about the political, economic and social context of the “forgotten” Zaire province in Angola. The author claims that though Zaire – together with Cabinda – is considered one of “Angola's economic lungs” it “does not benefit from the...
Puerto Rico: In Defense of the Hispanic Studies Department
The department of Hispanic Studies is one of 10 academic programs that have been put "on pause" by the administration of the University of Puerto Rico starting August 2011. The administration cites low enrollment numbers as the justification for this action. Students and faculty members have criticized the decision and explain the importance of the department.
