Stories from 2 May 2011
Macedonia: The Roma – Inside or Outside the Circle?
A local Roma blogger writes about the contrast between the legal framework providing full protection of human and ethnic rights and the everyday experiences of the Roma in Macedonia.
Iran: Bloggers React to the Death of Bin Laden
Several Iranian bloggers have reacted to the death of Osama Bin Laden. Some with serious remarks, a few with questions and some with irony.
Arab World: Where Some Are Mourning Osama Bin Laden
The end of Al Qaeda's Saudi leader Osama bin Laden was met with tributes and remembrance by many users on Twitter from across the Arab world. Here is a sample of tweets from users in Bahrain and Kuwait, who say that Bin Laden may have died but his ideology will live on.
Nepal: A Debate On Piracy And Copyright
On Saturday, April 30th, a group of Nepali Twitter users discussed piracy, digital rights and copyright. Bhumika Ghimire summarized the debate using Storify.
Sri Lanka: Its All About Accountability
Electra is unhappy that the Sri Lankan government has rejected the UN panel report on War Crimes and comments: “the issue that the Report focuses on, the very heart of it, is the question of accountability.”
Caribbean: Reactions to News of Bin Laden's Death
Diaspora bloggers comment on the news of Osama Bin Laden's death.
Barbados: Illogical Headlines
Barbados Underground says that “the logic as to why why Donald got the airplay he did [and] the logic as to why the British government would outlay such a significant sum at a time when people are being sent home…explain the illogic of many things…wrong with the world.”
Haiti: The Church's Role
Wadner Pierre would like to see the Catholic Church be “the first to stand for peaceful resolution where there is war and violence.”
Trinidad & Tobago: “Bocas” a Success
“Bocas left me replete, yet hungry for more”: Lisa Allen-Agostini shares some of the highlights of the recently-concluded Bocas Lit Fest.
Cuba: Indoctrination of Children
Without Evasion says that by teaching ideological doctrine to children, “we thus prolong…the saga of slavery of thought, of pretense, and of corruption of spirit of which we were victims, and which we so condemn.”
Afghanistan: The massive cost of the war
Nick Fielding is reviewing a report from the Congressional Research Service concerning the US government spending on Afghanistan and other war on terror operations, and says it makes daunting reading.
Africa: African Atheists and Freethinkers
Graham writes a post highlighting Africa atheists and freethinkers:”There are many individuals in Africa who break the mould and challenge our traditional stereotypes. These people challenge our view that every African holds religious beliefs.”
Angola: Lack of Coverage on the Exclave of Cabinda
“Nowadays speaking of Cabinda is something that displeases the political powers of Angola and Portugal”, says [pt] journalist Orlando Castro on his blog Alto Hama. Cabinda, with some of the largest offshore oil fields in the world, was integrated into Angola as its exclave and province in 1975, despite the...
Morocco: “I Love Kech!”
Marrakech, the main tourist attraction in Morocco, was hit on Thursday by a bomb attack. Bloggers are asking people to send their pictures to show solidarity with the victims of the attack.
Morocco: Bloggers React to Marrakech Attack
Morocco's tourist hub cof Marrakech was hit on Thursday by a bomb blast that ripped through a popular restaurant killing 16 people, most of whom were foreigners. Netizens have been quick to react, sending instant eyewitness accounts and statements of support for the victims. Here's a roundup.
Argentina: Reactions to Mario Vargas Llosa's Keynote Address at the Book Fair
Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature Mario Vargas Llosa was invited to give the inaugural speech at the 2011 Book Fair in Buenos Aires. The invitation to be the keynote speaker brought both favorable reactions as well as opposition. The speculations surrounding of Vargas Llosa's keynote address were ultimately quelled when he took the podium on April 21.
South Korea: Surprising Election, as Twitter Draws Youth to Polls
South Korea's ruling Grand National Party suffered a crushing defeat in by-elections on April 27, demonstrating a widespread yearning for change, and to many also heralding the power of Twitter in the political landscape. Many young voters uploaded photos from the polls to prove they have cast a ballot and encourage others to vote.
Pakistan: Reactions on the Death of Osama Bin Laden
Long before US president Obama's speech, the news leaked onto Twitter that Osama Bin Laden had been killed and the news media jumped on the story. Soon the Twittersphere started to explode with tweets from all over the world. In fact, the initial reactions from Pakistanis on Twitter started pouring in during the raid on Bin Laden's hideout.
Philippines: ‘Goodbye Friendster’
Social network site Friendster will become a 'social entertainment' site soon and it will delete the profile content of its users at the end of the month. Many Filipinos react with a hint of sadness considering that the Philippines was Friendster's biggest market for many years
The Balkans: Most Influential ex-Yu Twitter Users
Dragan Varagić published his analysis of the most influential Twitter users [sr] from Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Montenegro, done through manual selection and consulting ratings services.
Australia: Asylum Seekers Inflame Detention Debate
Debate about Australia's policies on asylum seekers was ignited yet again after a rooftop protest was staged at the Villawood detention centre in Sydney. Mandatory detention, offshore processing, temporary protection visas, and character tests are just some of the contentious aspects of this issue. Here are some online reactions
