Stories from 28 November 2011
Iran:“Battlefield 3″ in Tehran
Ali Nazifpour, believes Battlefield 3, a video game which includes a search for nuclear bombs in a future Iran, portraits a very inaccurate, ridiculous picture of Iran.An online petition launched against this game.
East Timor: Building One Country Out of Many Languages
When East Timor became an independent country in 2002, both the Tetum and Portuguese languages were chosen as official for the newborn country. Nevertheless, the number of national languages is up to 16 and dozens of other dialects are used on a daily basis by Timorese citizens.
Guatemala: Survivors’ Testimonies Help Define Genocide in Online Documentary
Mike shares Spanish-language documentary “Our Voice, Our Memory: The genocide in Guatemala,” which is available in full on YouTube. He adds: “The documentary […] uses survivor and expert testimony to explain the concept of genocide, demonstrating how the atrocities committed by the Guatemalan military against indigenous Maya communities satisfy the...
Venezuela's Slow Internet
Luis Carlos Díaz blogs [es] about Venezuela's slow internet broadband, reporting that Venezuela ranks 163 out of 174 countries in download speed. Luis Carlos argues that Venezuelan netizens are settling for too little, and that anyone who aspires to the presidency for the 2012 elections should add this issue to...
Panama: Women Marched on International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women
Panamanian women marched on Friday, November 25, the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women. “So far this year, 53 women have been murdered in Panama, 35 at the hands of their partners, La Critica reports. The most recent case of femicide occurred Wednesday morning in Villa Lucre. The...
Egypt: The Country Votes
Egyptians are voting in parliamentary elections on November 28 and 29, and despite calls for a boycott, it seems that most people have chosen to participate.
Iran: Tehran Before the Revolution
Estekhdam has published several photos showing Tehran before Islamic Revolution in 1979.
Bangladesh: Climate Change to Increase Hunger and Malnutrition
As governments gear up for COP17, which starts today, experts are warning that among climate change's greatest consequences in developing countries are the risks to the agriculture sector, including an increased risk of food insecurity. Bangladesh is among the top five most vulnerable countries.
Iran: TinTin in Tehran
Here is a satirical look at “Tin Tin in Tehran” published in several Iranian blogs.
Venezuela: World Meeting of Body Art Takes Over Caracas
This year, Caracas hosted The World Meeting of Body Art and some of its most striking expressions were shared through citizen media. Among these creations, indigenous peoples of Venezuela were given a special space to showcase their artistic expressions on the human skin.
Trinidad & Tobago: Assassination Claim Red Herring?
Trinidadian bloggers weigh in on news of the alleged assassination plot against the Prime Minister, here, here and here.
Cuba: Entrepreneurship & Home Ownership
Generation Y wonders whether the country's new wave of entrepreneurs will survive, while Laritza's Laws is concerned that “the housing regulations, recently enacted by the government of Cuba…leave intact regulations that impede the full exercise of the right of ownership.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Blogging Tips
TECHTT has some advice for blogging, here.
Jamaica: Bad Medicine?
The Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica and the government are at loggerheads following an interview in which the President of the association expressed concern about “the acute shortage of qualified pharmacists in the system”. She was sent on half-pay leave soon after. Active Voice says: “We await further developments with bated...
Guyana: Election Day
Guyana: Freedom Under The Law asks his compatriots to “VOTE intelligently on issues and right reason NOT RACE” in today's elections, while Guyana-Gyal explains why, despite the “thin thread o’ fear been tightening ‘round town since election date announce”, she isn't scared.
Togo: Another Tragedy Strikes the Togolese Football World
Nadege Mambe mourns the third tragic loss [fr] for the Togolese football world in 5 years. After the plane crash in Sierra Leone that took the live of the Minister of Sports 5 years ago and the attack of the team bus in Cabinda by Angolese separatist guerillas in 2010,...
Morocco: Islamist PJD Victory in Post-Reform Parliamentary Election
Moroccans took to the polls on Friday 25 November, to elect a new parliament. It is the first election since a constitutional referendum in July approved a series of amendments introduced by King Mohammed VI.
Madagascar: Exiled President Returns as a Government of National Unity Forms
Andrianjorar reflects on the recent return of exiled former president Ratsiraka in Madagascar [fr]. In the meantime, a government of national unity headed by PM Beriziky has been formed [fr] but its final composition is still disputed regarding the attribution of several key ministries.
Understanding the Implications of the Kidnappings of 6 Westerners in Mali
The Wal-Asat blog attempts to figure out the implications of the recent slew of kidnappings in Mali. Didier François highlights the mysterious background and activities [fr] of the two kidnapped Frenchmen while AllAfrica points out the poor regional coordination between the nations combating this issue.
Greece: 1973 Uprising Newspaper Headlines
‘Third Day for Polytechnic School Occupation by Protesters’, ‘Athens Surrounded’, ‘Tanks Emerge’, ‘Dozens of Injuries From Both Sides’, ‘Tanks Descend to Town’, ‘Thousands Remain Inside Polytechnic School’, ‘1,500 Inside Polytechnic School’. On the 17 November, 2011 – the anniversary of the 1973 Polytechnic school uprising in Greece – youth portal neolaia.gr [gr] uploaded...
Russia: Mount Athos Monastery Photo Exhibition
The State Historical Museum of Moscow is hosting an exhibition of 240 photographs from the Mount Athos Monastery of St Simon's collection, dated between 1848-1963. The inauguration of the photo exhibit took place on 8 November, 2011, and was attended by political and religious representatives, as well as artists from...