Stories from 24 February 2011
Peru: Controversy Over Removal of Anonymity in Electoral Polls
A new policy preventing opinion polls from being conducted anonymously caused a storm in the press and on social networking sites. Finally, faced with a barrage of questions from the public and the press over its conduct, the National Jury of Elections was forced to retract the regulation.
Chile: Electronic Textbooks for Schoolchildren?
The school year is starting in Chile, and Enzo Abbagliati in Cadaunadas wonders, “why aren't textbooks in Chile digital?” after he spent almost $300 USD in textbooks for his son. He presents possible advantages to giving schoolchildren electronic textbooks they could read on a tablet or e-reader.
Mexico: Reports of Growing Violence Against Human Rights Activists in Chihuahua
Hemispheric Brief reports that, “A recent uptick in violence against human rights defenders in the state of Chihuahua continues to be met with impunity and silence by the Mexican government.”
Turks & Caicos: The Courage to Protest
The tcipost wonders if protests in the Bahamas might serve to “wake the people of Turks and Caicos up”.
Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica: The Facts About Banton
Globewriter comments on the shocked reactions to the Banton verdict: “The fact is there is video of Buju Banton chatting with federal agents and tasting the cocaine…and he is now convicted. What is the problem?”
Trinidad & Tobago: What's After Carnival?
As controversy ensues over the behaviour of a “sore loser” at a Carnival music competition, Coffeewallah observes that the priorities of Trinbagonians may be skewed: “In two weeks this will all be over, the remnants of costumes swept up, the glitter packed away, the soca stars will go on to...
Cuba: Zapata Vive
“The fact that Zapata’s death came about through starvation is one more piece of the hunger we have endured for over half a century”: Crossing the Barbed Wire explains why Orlando Zapata Tamayo's death “was not in vain”.
Guyana: Mashramani “Huge Success”
Check out photos of this year's Mashramani celebrations, here.
India: A TV Channel As A Valentine's Day Gift
Sans Serif reports that the former Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has bought the struggling 24×7 Kannada news channel, Samaya, as a “gift” for his girlfriend, the former movie actress Radhika.
Pakistan: TEDx Events Proliferating
Sonya Rehman, who spoke at a TEDxKinnaird event in Lahore, comments: “In Pakistan these days, TEDx has become a big deal what with numerous colleges/universities putting together their very own independent TED Talks.
India: The Closure Of BBC Hindi Service Is A Shock To Many
Indian blogger Aarkay grew up listening regularly to BBC Hindi service. The blogger comments: “the news that the BBC is going to discontinue its radio Hindi service has come as a rude shock to me”.
Bhutan: Tax Or No Tax For Development
The idea of citizens contributing towards this in the form of taxes is still a new/alien concept in Bhutan. The Bhutanese twitter-sphere broke the news of the verdict in favor of the Opposition who protested against the legality of imposing vehicle tax in the country.
Georgia: Sex & the EU
Social Science in the Caucasus examines the results of a 2008 survey aimed at comparing Georgian social attitudes to those in the EU. The survey, for example, found that 80 percent of Georgians with no family members in EU member states were against the idea of a woman having sex...
Libya: “The Point of No Return”
The last gasps of Muammar Al Gaddafi could be counted in hours. But after the Libyan leader recently threatened to kill protesters and members of the military defying his regime, the hours will be spent nervously. In areas of the country no longer under Gaddafi control, people are beginning to document human rights abuses.
Yemen: At the Boiling Point? (Video)
President Saleh of Yemen has begun offering concessions to opposition protesters, ordering security forces to protect demonstrators. But most people don't appear ready to take the ruler at his word. Meanwhile, large anti-government protests continue to take place. The government's goodwill could be tested in a planned pro-government march on the nation's capital on Friday.
Cuba: What do the Cables from Havana Say? (Part III)
In the last part of a series on WikiLeaks and Cuba, author Elaine Díaz analyzes the content of cables regarding the Cuban opposition and the role of bloggers.
Caucasus: Peace Village
Tamada Tales, a EurasiaNet blog, comments on plans by an Armenian peace activist to establish a peace building center in a village situated close to the intersection of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Noting that Armenians and Azerbaijanis are “implacable foes,” the blog notes that Georgia has often proven itself to...
Kenya: Top Earning Sports Personalities in Kenya in 2010
Top earning sports personalities in Kenya in 2010: “Sport in Kenya has slowly become bread and butter for people fully engaged in it professionally. Fondly referred to by its peers as a ‘sporting nation’, the fact of the matter though is that much of the earnings are lop-sided with the...
Tanzania/Tunisia: Common thread between Tanzania and Tunisia
Kate discusses similarities between Tanzania and Tunisia: “These two countries, relatively unknown for large scale unrest, are plagued by a hideous manifestation of totalitarianism, the use of state security organs, notably the police and the so called anti-riot units, to suppress what would be considered perfectly understandable responses to unemployment...
Cameroon: Video: Police Brutality
A video showing police brutality in Cameroon following nation-wide anti-government protests calling for President Paul Biya to step down.
South Korea: Taxi Drivers Protesting Against High Gasoline Price
Twitter @ekctu posted a dramatic photo of hundreds of taxis occupying the road. The taxi drivers parked their cars on the road today in Seoul as a sign of protest against the government's decision to raise LPG gas price.
