Stories from 23 June 2011
Europe: “Greek Drama Doesn't Transcend Hellenic Borders”
Luboš Motl of The Reference Frame writes about the current economic situation in Greece and how it affects (or doesn't affect) other countries: “All the hysteria is man-made and unjustifiable...
Russia: Rodric Braithwaite's “Afgantsy”
In Moscow's Shadows writes about Rodric Braithwaite's Afgantsy: The Russians in Afghanistan, 1979-89, a “new study of the Soviet war on Afghanistan.” OpenDemocracy.net published exclusive excerpts from the book in...
Balkans: Ratko Mladic and Justice
Posts on the capture of Ratko Mladic and justice being done (or not) – by Katharine Engelhart and Ozren Jungic at OpenDemocracy.net, by Blogging Balkanistan/The Daily Seyahatname, and by Marko...
India: Feed A Kid Every Saturday
Debolina Raja Gupta shares her experience of creating a Facebook group called Feed A Kid Every Saturday which encourages citizens of Mumbai to feed poor and hungry children.
Croatia: EU Membership Approval
On June 10, 2011, Croatia was cleared to become the newest member state of the European Union. There is still a long road before Croatians are officially a part of the EU, and the timing at the moment is, at best, precarious, creating many skeptics. Miquel Hudin reports.
Syria: “It Feels as if Syria is Two Countries – With Two Different Realities”
CNN has officially been granted access to Syria and Arwa Damon is tweeting from Damascus, three months after protests calling for the overthrow of the Assad regime started. Syria has shut its borders to international and Arab media since the unrest. Here are some of Damon's first impressions.
Peru: Beyond Politics: ‘Chelita’, Chicharrón and Chess
There is a lot more going on in Peru besides elections. The death of a beloved actress, and the country's gastronomy and achievements in sports have also been noted in the Peruvian blogosphere.
Ukraine: Hanna Sinkova's Case; Yanukovych's Prejudicial Comments
Foreign Notes posts an update on Hanna Sinkova's case and concludes: “In matters of law Ukraine frequently seems closer to Tehran than Europe.” He also highlights some “jarring prejudicial comments”...
Slut Walk is Besharmi Morcha in India
Slut Walk, a fresh feminist movement that originated from Toronto Canada, and had been taking rounds of various western cities, is now coming to New Delhi, the Indian capital. Amidst criticism of the use of the word slut, which is uncommon in India, the event organizers attempted to contextualize the movement by renaming it 'Slut Walk Delhi Besharmi Morcha'.
Russia: Yelena Bonner, Andrei Sakharov's Widow, Dies
Vladimir Kara-Murza of World Affairs‘ Spotlight on Russia and Vadim Nikitin of Foreign Policy Association‘s Russia blog write about Andrei Sakharov's widow Yelena Bonner, who died in the United States...
Syria: “We Support Bashar and Want the World to Leave us Alone”
Do all Syrians hate Bashar Al Assad and his regime? An accusation that our coverage of the Syrian "revolution" at Global Voices Online has been one-sided, has sent us on a fascinating journey on the look out for supporters and their sentiments to developments in their country. Here are some of their reactions.
Russia: Fire at Toxic Waste Disposal Site Near St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg-based LJ user timoha-spb and Twitter users @Zak_r2 and @theproof are among those who are posting photos [ru] of smoke from the fire at the Krasnyi Bor toxic waste...
Zambia: Chiluba Funeral Donation Call Raises Eyebrows
Zambian netizens have received an appeal by their government to donate money towards an estimated US$1 million of funeral costs for the late former president Frederick Chiluba with incredulity, considering that barely two and half years ago there was massive abusive of resources for the funeral of the then incumbent president Levy Mwanawasa.
Peru: Women in Iquitos Protest High Levels of Aluminum in Water
A recent report shows that the levels of aluminum in the water consumed by the people of Iquitos is above what is permitted. Global Voices writer and Spanish Translation Manager,...
Macedonia: How the Protests Started
Tamara Atanasoska posts a personal account of the beginning of the protests against police brutality in Skopje, Macedonia: “We were walking, a handful of people, […] not knowing each other,...
El Salvador: Price of Corn Triples in a Little Over a Year
El Salvador From the Inside reports on the rising cost of corn, an important and basic staple for Salvadorans: “June 2011 newspapers report a quintal [100 lb bag of corn]...
Nicaragua: A Social Debt with the Countryside
Ronald Hill says [es] that “Nicaragua carries a social debt with the countryside, with thousands of peasants who live precariously.” He summarizes the hardships Nicaraguans in the countryside face every...
Macedonia: Spreading the Word About the Protests, in Spanish
Sina (meaning “Blue female”) started a blog to spread the word about the protests against police brutality to a wider global audience. Her first post is in Spanish.
Egypt: A Decade of Street Activism Discussed at Tweet Nadwa
In what is set to become a weekly event, Egyptian Twitter users gathered once again for a second round of their twitter-simulating discussions known as Tweet Nadwa [ar] (forum) to discuss a decade of street activism leading up to the Egyptian revolution.
Myanmar: Labour registration form
Democracy for Burma uploads a labour registration brochure in Burmese and Thai languages provided by the International Organization for Migration. There are thousands of Myanmar migrants living and working in...
Armenia: Rapping controversy
Ianyan says that a photoshoot for an Armenian singer is drawing controversy in Armenia. Featuring photographs of Sako Balasanyan (Super Sako) in a “series of photographs featuring violent, misogynistic imagery...
