Stories from 26 December 2011
Costa Rica: Numerous Sectors Oppose Government Tax Plan
At the moment, the biggest priority for the Costa Rican government is to approve the "Tax Solidarity" (Solidaridad Tributaria) tax plan. However, various sectors of society, political parties and businessmen have declared their strong opposition to it.
Colombia: Christmas for Children at ‘The House of the Hummingbird’
Mike, in his blog about Bogotá, posts pictures of Christmas at La Casa del Colobrí (“The House of the Hummingbird”), which “supports many poor families who live in central Bogotá – in particular families who were displaced when the old Cartucho neighborhood was bulldozed to create the Tercer Milenio Park.”
Peru: Blogger Discusses Discrimination in Interview with Indigenous Peruvians
Blogger Carlos Quiroz from Peruanista interviewed three indigenous Peruvians living in Lima, including Julián Apaza, whose brother, Ricardo Apaza, recently suffered from discrimination at a Lima movie theater. In the video interview [es] they discuss racism, Andean indigenous cultures, what it is like to be of native descent, and whether...
Colombia: Vigil for the Release of Hostages
On December 23, Las Voces del Secuestro [es] (“Voices of Kidnappings”) called for a ‘great vigil for the release of hostages’ [es], which “has as its main point of concentration the Plaza de Bolivar in Bogota, which for 17 years has received people accompanying relatives of hostages.” Vigils were also...
Chile: If You Are a Maid, Identify Yourself
Class discrimination or simple rules of a private club? A golf club's regulation forbidding maids or nannies to enter the pool zone and forcing them to dress so they can be clearly identified has sparked numerous reactions in the Chilean cyberspace.
Liberia: Who Was at Fault for Monrovia Riots?
The Christmas vacation job scheme designed by Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to benefit 3,000 students turned Liberia's capital, Monrovia, into a scene of violence and destruction. Who was at fault?, netizens ask.
Brazil: Murder or Suicide of Controversial Blogger?
Blogger Alexander Hamilton, 'the Mosquito', was found dead in his apartment in Brazil. According to the police, it was a case of "suicide by hanging." This quick conclusion, however, has not convinced his friends and family, who are demanding a rigorous investigation of the case.
Bangladesh: The Cost of Being Fooled
Kotha-Chhilo rues the fact that we are often made fools of, something that is likely to end up costing all of us dearly.
Bhutan: In Search of the Ngultrum Identity
PaSsu wonders about the the Identity of the Ngultrum, the currency of Bhutan
Pakistan: An Uneasy Alliance
Saad Hafiz at the Pak Tea House discusses the uneasy alliance between Pakistan and the United States
China: Only Talking About a Revolution
Han Han, supposedly the world's most-read blogger, has succeeded in getting netizens to debate the possibilities (or lack thereof) for greater political freedoms and democracy in China through three new controversial blog posts. Public figures and intellectuals have joined in, many challenging Han's somewhat pro-government stance.
Sri Lanka: When Santa Looks Scary
indi.ca feels that Sri Lanka's Santas are invariably scary – offers a few pictures to illustrate the same.
India: Old Indian Photos
Old Indian Photos – an amazing archive of photos from India, right from the 1800's. Go, take a peek.
India: The Appeal of Christmas
Raja Basu at Potpourri tells us why he feels that Christmas is a pan-religious festival, meant for the entire world.
China: Rich Chinese Couple Uses 2 Surrogate Mothers To Have 8 Babies
Fauna from ChinaSMACK translated a local news story and netizens’ comment about a rich Chinese couple in Guangdong using 2 surrogate mothers to have 8 babies.
