June, 2011

Stories from June, 2011

Bolivia: Using Cellphone Cameras to Document Incidents

  30 June 2011

On June 28 Oscar Trujillo was hit by the driver of police colonel Guido Espinoza in La Paz. After Trujillo complained, the colonel got out of his car and assaulted him, even taking out his weapon. The incident was recorded with cellphone cameras. Blogger Mario R. Duran [es] of Palabras...

Palestine: Two Boats Sabotaged as Flotilla Floats Onwards

The Freedom Flotilla 2 to Gaza will be missing an Irish ship, it emerged today. The MV Saoirse has been reportedly sabotaged while at berth in the Turkish coastal town of Göcek and will now not be able to take part in the flotilla, aimed at breaking the Israeli blockade on Gaza and presenting humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.

South Sudan: An Argument Against Arming the South

  30 June 2011

Here is an argument against arming South Sudan: In recent commentary, some in the advocacy community have suggested that the United States actively move to provide the new Republic of South Sudan with anti-aircraft weapons system technology, including “medium-range surface-to-air missile systems.”

Africa: On Being in a Mixed Race Relationship

  30 June 2011

Fiona discusses the challenges of being in a mixed race relationship: There are so many reasons why your family and others might take issue with your prospective partner. People will sum up your partner and make whatever assumptions they want based on their own personal biases. I confess that I...

Nigeria: President Fooled the People Again

  30 June 2011

Japheth J Omojuwa says that Nigeria's president is fooling the people again: “Those of you getting fooled by phony rankings placing Nigeria as the fourth fastest growing economy in the world (or ninth as some other agencies reported), should not be fooled. There is a paradigmatic difference between growth and...

D.R. of Congo: Reflections on Congolese Independence

  30 June 2011

Jason remembers the sword thief while reflecting on Congolese independence: “Instead of remembering Patrice Lumumba, Pierre Mulele or Simon Kimbangu, I'll choose Ambroise Boimbo this time. His claim to fame? Stealing King Baudouin’ sword when the Belgian monarch arrived for independence celebrations in 1960. What was he thinking? Was he...

Nigeria: The Morgue called Lagos/Ibadan Expressway

  30 June 2011

Nwachukwu wants to know when Lagos/Ibadan Expressway will be fixed: “Late last year, in November, a friend was strangled by the noose called Lagos/Ibadan Expressway. Last month I skipped a premature embrace with my ancestors. With the trailer gone amok, I would have ended up under it’s belly. The month...

Guatemala: Electoral Authorities Reject Sandra Torres Presidential Bid

  30 June 2011

Sandra Torres divorced her husband, President Alvaro Colom, to be eligible to run for president. But things didn't turn out as planned. Mike in Central American Politics reports: “On Wednesday, Guatemalan electoral authorities rejected Sandra Torres's presidential candidacy on the grounds of “supposed legal fraud.” The TSE's resolution said that...

Trinidad & Tobago: Art & Politics

  30 June 2011

“Once more, art confronts us with the intersection of ideas”: Pleasure reviews Richard Rawlins’ recent art exhibition, saying that the icons of “white elephants, dangling flies that become pianos, non-performing arts academies and lego politicians all suggest what we all know: the realm of politics is one big megee.”

Peru: Peace Restored in Puno Following Agreements

  30 June 2011

Through the enforcement of recent statutes put in place by the executive, little by little peace is being restored in the Puno region after recent conflict and social unrest (both related to mining) that resulted in the death of 6 and more than 30 wounded and millions in material losses. Social networks are buzzing with commentary.

Trinidad & Tobago: Disorganised Tourism

  30 June 2011

Lisa Allen-Agostini says that Trinidad tourism “is so poorly developed it’s a shame. I was horrified and embarrassed half the time at the paltry quality of our tourism product.”

Bermuda: The Attitude/Economics Equation

  30 June 2011

Politics.bm says that 30 years after tourism's heyday, “Bermudians are wondering where all the tourists went” and fears that the same thing will happen to the country's stake in international business; Vexed Bermoothes echoes his concern about Bermuda's economic outlook, saying: “At the rate we are going, we may soon...

Jamaica: Cabinet Reshuffle

  30 June 2011

Girl With a Purpose has the details about the Prime Minister's Cabinet reshuffle, one of the highlights being that “the post of Attorney General and Minister of Justice has been separated, as recommended by the Manatt/Coke Commissioners.”

Egypt: Khaled Saeed Murder Trial Postponed

Khaled Saeed, a young man from Alexandria allegedly killed at the hands of policemen in June, has been an icon of the Egyptian revolution. His murder fueled discontent among young Egyptians in the weeks leading to the revolution after images of his battered body went viral. The policemen accused of killing him stood trial today. Following are some reactions following the postponement of the case until September 24.

AP to Open News Bureau In North Korea

  30 June 2011

The Associated Press(AP) announced on June 29 that AP signed agreements with North Korea’s state news agency, KCNA, to open a news bureau in Pyongyang, North Korea. Read net users’ reactions to the news in the BoingBoing blog.

Vatican: A ”Historic” Tweet From Pope Benedict XVI

  30 June 2011

“Dear Friends, I just launched  NEWS.VA.Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ! With my prayers and blessings, Benedictus XVI“: this is how Pope Benedict XVI engaged Twitter users on June 28, 2011, with his first tweet, descrived as “historic” by Vatican News website.

Belarus: Report from Another Non-Violent Protest Event

Belarus Partizan publishes [ru] a detailed report (with photos and videos) on another non-violent protest action (#2906v1900 [ru/by]) in Belarus that took place on June 29, 2011. Police assisted by 3 buses of civilian police helpers (‘druzhinnik‘) and 2 BTRs detained nearly 100 participants. The next action organized by the net-based “Future...