Stories from 17 March 2012
Belarus: The 2011 Minsk Metro Explosion – A ‘Hall of Mirrors’
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Vladislav Kovalev and Dmitry Konovalov - the men convicted and sentenced to death for their actions surrounding the April 2011 explosion in a Minsk subway station - have been executed despite international appeals to Belarusian President for clemency.
Bangladesh: A Journey in Photos with Featured Blogger GMB Akash
In this feature we introduce to you photographer GMB Akash whose photoblog contains stories of pain, sufferings, joy and hope of the ordinary people of Bangladesh. He has made quite an impression in the international arena in portraying different sides of Bangladesh.
Mexico: Candidate Vázquez Mota Angers University Students
Presidential candidate and Ibero-American University alumni Josefina Vázquez Mota caused anger and confusion amongst Mexican youth after telling students at the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico (ITAM), "I am not perfect, I studied at Ibero.”
Cuba: Bloggers Respond to Archbishop's Action
Bloggers are reaching boiling point over the political/religious acts of repression that have been taking place in Cuba - and the Pope hasn't even arrived yet. The latest controversy involves the request to remove protesters from a church, which reportedly came from the Archbishop of Havana.
Iran: I repent that I voted for Ahmadinejad
Omid Hosseini, An Iranian blogger who has been actively supporting Mahmoud Ahmadienajd in 2009 presidential election and rejecting the post-election protests, writes [fa] in his blog: ‘I'm sorry that I voted for Ahmadinejad in last election. I repent for that. I'm sorry that I voted for him to justify his...
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: R.I.P. “Rasum”
Abeni pays tribute to the late Gerard “Rasum” Shallow, “a colossus on the Vincentian cultural landscape.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Protests & Parliament
The Eternal Pantomime suggests that the number of protests taking place is the country is indicative of “the population giving…their response to that Pappy Show of a Parliamentary sitting that happened on March 2nd”, adding: “You don’t insult the intelligence of tax payers and feel that because you have a...
Trinidad & Tobago: “Bocas” Shortlist
The Bocas Lit Fest blog announces its shortlist for the 2012 OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature.
Cuba: Aggression Against Women
Pedazos de la Isla blogs about the wives of two dissidents who maintain that they suffered miscarriages as a result of “violent operations carried out against them by the Cuban political police.”
Barbados: Could Bus Accident have been Prevented?
“Why are we so cynical and critical when it comes to mass-casualty bus accidents? We’ve learned to be because there are never any satisfactory answers as to cause or remedial actions taken afterwards”: Barbados Free Press blogs about the country's latest road accident.
Jamaica: “Dudus” Sentencing
Jamaica Salt blogs about the sentencing of accused drug don Christopher “Dudus” Coke, saying: “There seems to be little change when it comes to seeking out political corruption in Jamaica and the alleged links between drugs, crime, police and politicians…it seems a shame…that there has been little good to come...
Iran: Authorities ‘worried’ about social networks
Hamid Shahriari, a member of newly-formed Iranian National Council of Cyberspace says [fa]: “Social networks have presented so many threats to the country and we are worried about some parts of these networks”. In recent weeks Iranian authorities have asked some users to ‘stop or reduce’ their online activities. In...
Iran: ‘The button’ in Ahmadinejad remarks
Iran's parliament questioned President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over a list of accusations, including that he mismanaged the nation's economy and disobeyed the parliament's legislation. Ahmadienejad humiliated those members of the parliament who have signed this questions, saying that they ‘may have received their post-graduate degree just by pressing a button’. Iranian...
Ecuador: ‘March for Life’ Says ‘No’ to Large-Scale Mining
The Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa has decided to promote large-scale mining in his country, but in spite of the economic benefits, indigenous communities and other civil organizations do not support these projects. Hence, The 'March for Life' is a protest against large-scale mining in Ecuador.
Ethiopia/Lebanon: Online Outrage Over Death of Domestic Worker Turns into Activism
Alem Dechasa, the woman seen in a mobile phone video footage circulating online being beaten and dragged by force into a car outside the Ethiopian consulate in Beirut, has committed suicide. The video sparked anger amongst Ethiopians netizens. Following her death, netizens are organizing online to call for justice and draw attention to abuse of Ethiopian domestic workers in the Middle East.
Macedonia: Peace March – Enthusiasm, Controversy
The upcoming March for Peace in Skopje has overwhelming support, evident through the positive uproar in social media. Lone voices, however, warn the initiative is used as a PR opportunity by celebrities, and even as a hypocritical alibi for known hatemongers.
South Korea: Twitter Photos of One-Person Relay Protest against Jeju Naval Base Construction
South Korean Tweeters have joined rallies against the Jeju naval base construction that has been blamed for disrupting residents’ livelihood and destroying a rare ecosystem. Each Twitter user has volunteered to take turns to one-person protest against the construction and to tweet the photos, such as user @okeeffe00, @sirdy10 and @yds5921 did in...
South Korea: Cartoonists Protest against Censorship of Online Cartoon Contents
Cartoonists rallied against the Korea Communications Standards Commission's recent decision to more tightly censor the online cartoon contents and label innocuous cartoons as x-rated. NoCut_Toon.com blog [ko] posted related photos such as well-known cartoonist Gang Pull one-person protesting in front of the Commission building.
