Stories from 12 May 2011
Italy: How technology can help manage emergencies
In a crisis, how can Web 2.0 be of use to social movements and what practical help can it offer to facilitate collective action? In reality, there is no shortage of platforms which,...
Cuba: More on Soto's Death
Cuban bloggers continue to follow developments surrounding the death of Wilfredo Soto Juan Garcia, here, here and here.
Cuba: The Beauty of Flamenco
Havana Times interviews Flamenco dancer Ana Rosa Meneses.
Bahamas, Cuba: “The Flamingo Affair”
“Thirty years ago this month, four Defence Force marines were killed when a Bahamian patrol boat was sunk by the Cuban air force”: Bahama Pundit‘s Larry Smith revisits what has...
Dominican Republic: “Son” Singer Passes Away
Repeating Islands reports that “Santiago Cerón, the Dominican Republic’s first internationally known salsa singer, died Tuesday in New York City at the age of 70 from a heart attack.”
Jamaica: Hyde – Art Pioneer
“He was possibly the first of Jamaica’s artists to develop the idea of working ‘serially’- creating a series of works based on a single theme”: National Gallery of Jamaica Blog...
Iran:Football fans insulted Basij forces
Football fans did not let Basij (islamist militia) forces chanted slogans and insulted them in Azadi Stadium in Tehran on Wendesday. One of the slogans was ‘there is no place...
Spain: Earthquake Shakes Murcia
Lorca, in the region of Murcia, Spain, was shaken by two earthquakes that have caused nine casualties to date and approximately 300 injured. Information, opinions, and support has spread through blogs and digital networks.
China: Red Culture Fever
2011 is turning out to be a year for 'red culture' revival, mocked fiercely online but taken seriously by courts, prisons, universities, television stations and police departments in a growing number of areas throughout the country. Is it all for political show, or does it signal a pending culture war in China?
India: Privacy for the Deceased?
The accidental death of a NIT (Calicut, Kerala) research scholar has once again sparked controversies about the privacy of women, privacy of a dead person and in general about the lingering male chauvinism in Keralan society.
Spain: Videos of the Earthquake in Lorca
Citizen videos show the aftermath of the 5.1 and 4.5 earthquake which struck the city of Lorca in the region of Murcia, Spain on May 11th. According to the City Council, between 20 000 and 30 000 people slept on the streets, while brigades check buildings for safety.
Brazil: “Different People” Mobilize Massive Street Barbecue in Higienopolis
The São Paulo State government decided not to build a subway station in #Higienopolis [pt], after 3500 residents of the upscale neighborhood signed a petition against the construction since they...
Honduras: Pushing for Change
Jose Falck Zepeda asks: “Why are we asking, rather than pushing for change?” in a post where he argues that the root of Honduras’ problems come from “waiting and longing...
Bolivia: Recycling Water for Irrigation
Roberto Laserna describes [es] how he recycles water that he later uses for irrigation. He lists some of his errors in constructing the recycling system and suggests ways to avoid...
China: Rebuilding Beichuan
Chengdu Living posts an article written by Elias Witman, who spent an extended period aiding reconstruction efforts in a village devastated by the 2008 earthquake.
Nigeria: SaharaReporters: Africa's Wikileaks
Speaking the truth to those power has never been palatable anywhere. Daring to do so in Africa may be the same as signing one's death penalty. If you have any doubts, ask Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of SaharaReporters.
Argentina: Official Launch and Repercussions of the ‘Meat For All’ Program
In Argentina, two topics exist that, one way or another, all Argentinians will always discuss: football (soccer) and the price of beef. Both generate reactions and new proposals for price reduction amongst Argentinians by way of implementing government plans.
Hong Kong: Brainwashing Education
The Hong Kong Education Bureau is planning to make patriotic education compulsory for primary and secondary school children. The objective of the Moral and National Education Curriculum is to help the students to "develop a sense of belonging to the motherland", "support national sports teams" and "appreciate Chinese culture". The plan, however, has sparked fears in the society of political brainwashing.
Armenia-Azerbaijan: Thomas de Waal — narrative of peace necessary
On the 17th anniversary of the 1994 ceasefire, Thomas de Waal, senior associate in the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment, argues that a new narrative is necessary...
India: Abuse Of Elders In Old Age Homes
Pratik Goyal at Youth Ki Awaaz reports that the elderly population residing in some old age homes in India face physical abuse or mental abuse.
Pakistan: Military Using Free Email Accounts
Osama Bin Javaid criticizes Pakistan Army's use of free email servers like Hotmail and Gmail for their official purpose and reminds that these communications can be intercepted by third parties...
