Stories from 4 October 2011
Tunisia: Palestinian Bloggers Denied Entry to Arab Bloggers Meeting
The buzz surrounding the third Arab Bloggers Meeting, which opened yesterday in Tunis, is being marred by the absence of Palestinian bloggers, who were refused entry visas. Bloggers have joined forces to demand an explanation.
China: The Cost of Space Ambition
China's launch of an unmanned space station last week, says the editor of a Tokyo-based newspaper for Chinese expats, has given Japan reason to step up its contribution to the universal endeavor of space exploration - if it can afford it.
Iran: “17 Million Iranians on Facebook”
A Basij official says [fa] that 17 million Iranians are on Facebook and filtering has been useless.
Iran: VPN access blocked
Iranian authorities [fa] confirmedVPN access has been blocked in Iran.
Colombia: El Puente_lab Making a Difference in Moravia, Medellin
In Medellín, Colombia, the project Hiperbarrio (Rising Voices project) is being developed along with other interesting projects that attempt to improve social inclusion and citizen media training. One project we highlight in this article is the El Puente_lab, a production platform for art and culture.
UAE: Five Activists on Trial for “Insulting” President
Five activists from the UAE, including bloggers, are on trial for publicly "insulting" the country's president and top officials. The activists, who are in jail where they have allegedly been abused, refused to attend the hearing.
Azerbaijan: Down for the count?
Tamada Tales comments on remarks made by a senior member of the ruling government party in Azerbaijan in response to allegations made by the BBC that a senior official tried...
Africa: Maker Faire Africa 2011 is Here
Get ready for Maker Faire Africa 2011: “From October 6 – 8, 2011; Inventors, Developer, Makers, Idealist, Entrepreneurs and Bloggers will meet-up on the campus of American University in Cairo...
Africa: The African Photographer and the Camera
Learn about the African photographer and the camera from Nana Acquah: “Traditionally, the African photographer has been an artisan. He’s not been considered any different from a carpenter or mason...
Nigeria: Role of the Internet in Spreading Humanism
Critical Point explains the role of the Internet in spreading humanism: “The internet provides a forum, missing in Nigeria and similar countries, to have on-going debate and develop ideas. With...
Trinidad & Tobago: Wish List for Apple Announcement
TECHTT turned his “social media streams to gain some insight into what people were expecting or wanting” from Apple's big announcement today and gives out some awards based on the...
Bolivia: TIPNIS Marchers Determined to Reach La Paz
Dario Kenner updates his blog on the ongoing TIPNIS conflict. Despite last week's police repression, marchers are determined to reach La Paz. Dario says there are two main unanswered questions:...
Arab Bloggers Meet in Tunis
On Monday in Tunis, the 3rd Arab Bloggers Meeting kicked off with a day-long public conference. The meeting is co-hosted by Global Voices, Nawaat and Heinrich Böll Foundation and is attended by around 100 bloggers from nearly all Arab countries.
Cuba: 486 Reported Political Arrests
“The month of September 2011 has proven to be the blackest month this year in Cuba”: Babalu explains why and Uncommon Sense adds: “The numbers just don't lie.”
Peru: Project Captures Stories of Victims of Enforced Disappearances
Catherine Binet, in her blog for The Advocacy Project, introduces the series Not One, but Fifteen Thousand Voices by the Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team (EPAF): “Yes, there are 15,000 missing...
Curacao: Remembering Our Heroes
TRIUNFO DI SABLIKA remembers the day in 1795 when “Tula and the rest of our liberation warriors [were] executed after they revolted against the Dutch slavery system”, saying: “One of...
Cameroon: Anglophone Nationalism Pops-up Ahead of Elections
As presidential candidates campaigned ahead of the 9 October polls in Cameroon, supporters of English-speaking separatist movements attempted a protest on 1 October in Buea the former capital of British-controlled Southern Cameroons.
Cuba: Simplistic Media Coverage
Without Evasion has harsh criticism for the international media's coverage of Cuba, calling it “bland, irresponsible and without ethical commitments.”
Jamaica: On Golding's Resignation
Jamaica Woman Tongue weighs in on the possible reason's behind the Prime Minister's resignation, while Girl With a Purpose is concerned that while Golding “has set the stage for Jamaica...
North Korea: Kim Jong-il's Grandson and His Footprint in Social Media
Kim Han-sol, a teenager believed to be the grandson of Kim Jong-il has blocked access to his social media accounts after media made numerous reports on his admission into a...
Bermuda: Back & Forth Over Retail Measures
“The 40% hike in airport duty (combined with a steep reduction in allowances) has people freaked”, says Vexed Bermoothes, adding: “Is the Government so broke that it needs to restrict...