Stories from 27 June 2011
Honduras: Dam Project on UNESCO World Heritage in Danger Site Gets Little English Media Attention
RAJ, in Honduras Culture and Politics, says English language media have given little attention to the construction of a dam in the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve, “a project of the current Honduran administration, acting against the protests of the indigenous peoples of eastern Honduras, who have not been consulted as...
Zimbabwe: Choosing the Lesser Devil
Thandi argues that an assessment of the range of political parties in Zimbabwe shows that Zimbabweans just have to choose the lesser devil: “It’s mediocre politicians all around, positing ludicrous policies whilst they happily take part in scandalous shenanigans…Question is, whose political thrust will be easiest to endure?”
Spain: Manuel Castells at #AcampadaBCN
Ivan Chaar-López posts the videos of sociologist and communications scholar Manuel Castells [es] speech on “Communications, Power and Democracy” which he offered during his visit to activists in Barcelona, Spain.
Russia: Deciphering Covert “Bath Salt” Drug Advertisements
LJ-user re3 writes [ru] about covert drug graffiti (e.g. “Aromatic salt – call center 24 hours”). Graffiti look like regular guerrilla ads air sprayed on the building walls. They, however, advertise fast delivery of the so called “Bath Salt” drug. The blogger claims whole Urals region is filled with such ads, some of which, might be...
Puerto Rico: A Picture a Day
Blogger Maite Ramos has been posting a picture a day on her blog Elucubraciones de Amaranta [es] as part her participation in two different photo contests.
South Africa: On Being White and Feeling Ashamed
On being white and feeling ashamed in South Africa: “Should white people in South Africa feel ashamed about being white and about the fact that we benefited in the past because of our white skins and continue to benefit from our whiteness – even if we were born after the...
Russia: Actors Accuse Yuri Lyubimov, Taganka's Lead Director, of Greed and Lack of Respect
LJ-user tanjakaverzina brings up [ru] the dialogue of Yuri Lyubimov, Russian theater director who had recently declared he quits Taganka theater, with the actors. The actors claim [ru] the reason of the conflict is Lyubimov's greed and authoritarianism. Stas Sadalskiy, famous blogger and actor, comments [ru]: “the actors took this step after a...
Tanzania: North Mara Mine Victims Not Forgotten
Activists in Canada remember North Mara mine victims: “Approximately 70 people gathered today [June 4, 2011] at a commemoration held for the seven individuals killed in Tanzania at African Barrick Gold’s North Mara Mine.”
Nigeria: MTN Nigeria, Stop!
Christoper Akor asks MTN Nigeria to stop extortion: “For some time now, I have been receiving various unsolicited text messages (SMS) from MTN Nigeria urging me to play some games in which I may win fantastic prizes or subscribe to some products or services it or its clients offer.”
Puerto Rico: Angelamaría Dávila Reads Her Poetry
Youtube user atavarez honors the memory of Puerto Rican poet Angelamaría Dávila [es] with a video in which the poet reads some of her very intense writings.
Thailand: #hiogat election hashtag
What does #hiogat means in the current Thailand election campaign? It refers to the protest placard raised during a speech of the Prime Minister which reads “He is only good at talking.” The message quickly became a key election message by the opposition.
Thailand: Social media games and tourism
Thailand's tourism authorities have developed two social media game applications to promote Thai culture. The games can be played on Facebook too.
Malaysia: Burmese women groups speak out
Various Burmese women groups working in Malaysia issued a joint statement calling for stronger protection for Burmese women refugees in the region.
Thailand: Election predictions
The Bangkok Pundit reviews Thailand election predictions and maintains that the opposition party still has an edge over the administration coalition
Indonesia's 24 world records
Truly Indonesia lists 24 world records held by Indonesia. For example, it has 3 of the 6 largest island in the world and it is currently the largest Muslim country in the world
East Timor: UN agencies directed to use Tetum language
To enhance its national identity, East Timor's Council of Ministers has directed all international agencies working in the country, including UN institutions, to use the Tetum language in their transactions with the government.
East Timor: Timorese on Twitter
Edward Rees creates a list of twitter users in East Timor
Afghanistan: Instability on the Borders
Joshua Foust analyzes the continuous tensions on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and direct fighting between the two country's militaries, and says the situation is aggravating.
South Korea: Labor Workers Fight Against Police and Corporation
Hanjin Heavy Industries have violently clamped down its union protest. Twitterer @pmtsjc posted photos of how company-hired gang cut rope to drag down workers protesting on crane top. The clash, which ignited over unfair mass lay-offs, has continued for over a month now.
Syria: Black Comedy of the Revolution
Black comedy is one of the ways one deals with traumatic events. The recent events in Syria, while bloody and depressing to many people, have also brought about an explosion of blogs, Facebook pages and articles that try to satirize the events, and point out the absurdities in the official narrative - sometimes in very unorthodox ways.
Azerbaijan: A military show of strength or rhetoric for domestic consumption?
Etiraz comments on this weekend's annual Army day in Azerbaijan, questioning its country's massive expenditure on military hardware. With a defense budget at least equal to, or reportedly greater than, Armenia's entire state expenditure, the Azerbaijani blog says that the conflict with its neighbor over the disputed territory is more about retaining...
