14 July 2011

Stories from 14 July 2011

Cuba: On Queue

  14 July 2011

“The queue in Cuba…is our music, our magic, our politics. It is the place where we philosophise…the campfire around which we perform our daily routines: conversing, falling for and out with people and, quipping”: A Cuban in London says you haven't seen a real line until you line up in...

Jamaica: Coming Out

  14 July 2011

“Jamaican attitudes towards homosexuality are shifting,” explains Active Voice, adding: “Those who militate on behalf of gay rights here and elsewhere need to respond to this, rather than to non-existent straw men.”

Russia: Putin-Stolypin Liberalism

Sean's Russia Blog writes about Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin inaugurating a monument to his early 20th century predecessor Pjotr Stolypin, and discusses how this link serves the interests of advancing a specific type of Russian liberalism.

South Sudan: Messages of #LoveFromSudan

  14 July 2011

On the eve of the independence of South Sudan, a group of young Sudanese started a movement that is trying to start a conversation between North and South to create mutual friendship between both sides and link young citizens of the two countries. The movement uses the hashtag #lovefromsudan.

Japan: Indie Music Rocks the Nukes

  14 July 2011

With a spreading nuclear crisis and related issues such as radiation fears, new energy policies on the horizon and an uncertain future for the operating reactors, Japanese netizens have started a revival of music videos with a clear anti-nuclear message.

South Korea Aims to Regulate Bloggers Getting Paid by Companies

  14 July 2011

South Korea's Fair Trade Commission has decided to regulate incentives given to influential bloggers who write favorable reviews for companies. Francis Tan of the Next Web site commented on the purpose of the regulation and its possible side effects. 

Uzbekistan: World-known brands to denounce child labor

Wal-Mart, Macy’s, Eileen Fisher, Nautica, Gear for Sports, The Jones Group, Liz Claiborne and Nike are among the first companies to sign a pledge boycotting the use of Uzbekistan-sourced cotton until the International Labor Organization determines that forced child labor is no longer an issue in the country, reports Abulfazal.

Kazkahstan: The Sting of Criticism

KZBlog reports that famous singer Sting, who was scheduled to play for the Kazakh president's birthday and the Day of Astana (capital of Kazakhstan) festivities, cancelled his engagement after Amnesty International apprised him of the situation with human rights situation in Kazakhstan.

Russia: Autocrats and Balancers

Streetwise Professor argues that power in Russia is about projecting an image of the leader as an autocrat, whereas “he” in real terms is a balancer between conflicting interests with little influence over bureaucracy.