Stories from 21 February 2011
Russia: Photos of “Putin's Palace” Published by Bloggers
Krasnodar environmentalist group “Open Shore” published a photo report that illustrates how a number of huge villas have been built on a place of a relict forest on the shore...
Djibouti: Will it become another Egypt?
Protests are taking place in Djibouti against President Ismail Omar Guelleh who succeeded his uncle Hassan_Gouled_Aptidon in 1999. Somaliland Press reports that 300 protesters demonstrated near the governmental palace on Friday. Will Djibouti become another Egypt?
Bahrain: One Country, Two Rallies
Seven days have passed since Bahrain's Day of Wrath protests which started on February 14, causing the death of eight protesters in the capital Manama. While protesters continue to camp in Pearl (Lulu) Roundabout, two rallies, one in support of the protests and another in support of the royal family are taking place as I type.
Brazil: Learning culture and portuguese language
In the International Mother Language Day, take some time out to check the Portuguese Blog by Transparent Language and read about the Brazilian culture and its Portuguese language variant. Have...
Kuwait: Stateless ‘Bedoun’ Demand Rights
Kuwait's stateless population, also known as ‘bedoun' (without nationality), has been holding protests for the third day in a row, calling for equal rights and a citizenship in the country many have been born in and know as their only home. The government says they are illegal residents - and that their demonstrations are illegal too.
Libya-Italy: online reactions to the “Berlusconi connection”
Given the recently close relationship between Gheddafi and the Italian government, materials and many varying opinions on this unusual bond are emerging. Here is an overview of what is being posted on the Internet in Italian (and other languages) in recent hours - including significant satirical comic strips.
Arab World: The Great Social Media Debate
For months it seems, a debate has been raging over the role of social media in demonstrations. More recently, that debate has focused on Tunisia and Egypt, where sites like Facebook and Twitter were prominent in the organizing of protests. Here's one element of that debate, from Twitter.
Morocco: Portraits of a Protest
Few captured the February 20, 2011 protests in Morocco as beautifully as Omar El Hyani, whose photos from Rabat were linked to by The Nation and posted on the blog Mamfakinch. Here we pick a selection of the best images.
Venezuela: Brazilian Music in Venezuela's Web 2.0
The cultural relationship between Brazil and Venezuela is commonly seen in the way carnival is celebrated and in the high ratings Brazilian soap operas have enjoyed in Venezuela for many years. But today, through blogs, MySpace and YouTube, Venezuelan groups are sharing their arrangements and interpretations of Brazilian music.
Morocco: Explaining the Protests
Yesterday marked what many called Morocco's “Day of Dignity," with protests across the country. Bloggers explain why some Moroccans have taken to the streets.
Cuba: Generación Y and Voces Cubanas Unblocked in Cuba
For nearly three years, Yoani Sánchez has called herself a “blind blogger.” Her blog, Generación Y, has been blocked in Cuba since March of 2008. But on February 8, the site was unblocked in Cuba.
Japan: The Pre-History of Japanese Hip Hop
David Z. Morris reported [en] that Japanese hip-hop was born in the 19th century. The blogger also suggested links to some academic articles that explain its origins and development.
Libya: Amidst Spotty Internet, Some Send Missives
Just twelve hours after a disappointing speech from Muammar Gaddafi's son, Libyans are still going strong, and continue to protest. With both phone service and the Internet in flux, many are sending out missives when they can.
North Korea: Kim Jung-un Holding a Pair of Binoculars Upside down
North Korea's heir apparent, Kim Jong-un's photo of him holding a pair of binoculars upside down has been widely tweeted in South Korean Tweetosphere. This photo of Kim was aired...
Youtube Video Mocking Kim Jong-il's Commemorative Stamp
A South Korean user uploaded a Youtube video[ko] mocking North Korea's latest commemorative stamp which was made to celebrate Kim Jong-il's birthday. The video claims that the three monkeys from...
Somalia: Welcome to Poet Nation
Poet Nation is a multimedia brand dedicated to Somali art and culture that combines a mix of original and user generated content. The Poet Nation features poets, musicians, writers, storytellers...
Kenya: Public Lecture: Obama's Revolution: What lessons for Africa
Njeri announces a public lecture in Nairobi, Kenya: Obama's Revolution: What lessons for Africa by Prof. Horace Campbell, author of recently published “Barack Obama and 21st century politics”
China: A staged revolution
C Custer from China Geek blogs about the spread of “Jasmine revolution” through messages from outside China and the police's over reaction from inside China. He also records the “revolutionary...
China: Debating with Shaun Rein
Dan from China Law Blog opens a debate with CNBC's Columnist Shaun Rein, who enjoys representing Chinese point of view and recently wrote an article on “Why A Fast Appreciating...
Cambodia: Letter to UN to intervene in border row
Sambath Meas writes an open letter to the United Nations asking it to intervene in the ongoing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.
Indonesia: Accountability and religious violence
Blogger Unspun blames the lack of accountability for the rise of religious violence in Indonesia.
