Stories from 17 July 2012
Vietnam: Bad Politics and the Economy
Geoffrey Cain thinks that the economic woes faced by Vietnam can be partly attributed to the “rotten politics and in-fighting within the Communist Party.” The author also looks into the dynamics of decentralization and ‘recentralization’ of state power in the country
Brunei: ‘Heart of Borneo’ Project
The ‘Heart of Borneo’ Project “aims to protect the ecological and cultural richness of the rainforests of Borneo.” The island, shared by Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, is the third largest in the world
Indonesia: Social Media Impact on Jakarta Polls
Tobias Basuki observes that social media played a less effective role in the recent local elections in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Thailand: University Launches E-Bookstore
Chulalongkorn University, Thailand's oldest university, has recently launched an e-bookstore as part of its program to become a digital university within four years
Nigeria: Fury as Lagos State Government Demolishes #Makoko Slum
What is the reason behind the ruckus that has vibrated over the Nigerian social media platforms following the demolition of Makoko slum in Lagos? After all the hallmark of ‘development’ lies in substituting such 'ugly' urban spaces with more dignified habitable conditions. Our Nigerian author, Nwachukwu Egbunike, explains.
Maldives: Activist's Arrest During Protest Caught on Video
Two videos showing the July 13 arrest of activist Shauna Aminath in the Maldives during a peaceful protest calling for early elections have generated reactions all the way to Chile. While Shauna was released the following day after a court hearing, the Maldives Democracy Movement believes it is part of targeted arrests and intimidation of female protesters.
Spain: Controversy After Supreme Court Nullifies Catalan Immersion
The debate over language in Catalonia has heavily occupied the blogosphere, ever since Spain's Supreme Court nullified linguistic immersion for children between three and six-years-old. Linguistic immersion used to guarantee proficiency in Catalan for native speakers of other languages.
Japan: Photos of Mass Anti-Nuclear Protest
Tens of thousands Japanese citizens held a protest on July 16, 2012 urging their government to abandon nuclear power. People reportedly expressed rage over Japan's culture of obedience and the government's shirking responsibility towards worsening natural disasters. Totgazet, which is published by JVJA, a group of freelance photojournalists posted amazing photos...
Israelis React to Self-Immolation at Social Justice Protest
Oמ Saturday evening (July 14), 56-year-old Moshe Silman attended the Aviv social justice protest, which marked a year since the beginning of the #J14 protest movement. Since the self-immolation, the discussions about it dominated the Israeli cyberspace. The initial reaction was shock, especially of the hundreds of people who witnessed the self-immolation. Many expressed the feeling that Silman's story could have happened to most Israelis due to the near total absence of a government safety net.
Mauritania: Remembering the Country's First Military Coup
July 10, 2012 marked the 34th anniversary of the first military coup in Mauritania, when the military overthrew President Moktar Ould Daddah. Mauritanian activists remembered the anniversary of the 1978 coup by blogging and tweeting about it, and criticising military rule in Mauritania.
Lebanon: A Petition to Issue a Law about the Missing and Kidnapped
Following the missing people in Lebanon case that Global Voices Online posted about earlier, netizens are circulating a petition to issue a law about missing and kidnapped people on Daleel Madani website.
Egypt: Conflicting News on Casualties in Cairo Train Crash
Information remains sketchy about the number of casualties from a train crash in a Cairo suburb earlier today. Reports on mainstream media ranged from deaths and injuries - to no deaths and just injuries, in the accident where a passenger train derailed and caught fire.
South Asia: First Pakistan-India Social Media Summit Wraps
The first ever Pakistan-India social media summit took place in Karachi during 13-14 June, 2012. This social media summit managed to include not just people from India but also a sizable contingent from Lahore, as well as Karachi. Faisal Kapadia reports.
Argentina: Starbuck's Public Apology Trending
Starbucks Argentina caught the attention of social networks after publishing an apology for using locally manufactured white cups instead of iconic cups with the Starbucks logo. Some attributed the lack of cups to the current restrictions on imports in Argentina and some took a satirical approach to the situation.
Jamaica: Half a Century of Independence
Come August 6th 2012, Jamaica will celebrate 50 years of independence from Great Britain. In this post, two bloggers - one from the diaspora and the other living on island - talk about how Jamaicans are preparing for the celebrations, how social media has had an impact and what the country has accomplished in the last half a century.
Panama: Minister of the Presidency Resigns
Demetrio Papadimitriu, Minister of the Presidency and right hand man of the president Ricardo Martinelli, resigned his office. The news was not assimilated easily and for many it was impossible. The government stirred up the controversy on Sunday 15 July during the celebration of El Día del Niño (Children's Day) when the president refused to make a statement.
DR of Congo: Does Rebel Group M23 Seek Kivu Secession with Rwanda's Approval?
Giles Muhane reports that the March 23 Movement M23 rebel military group is believed to be seeking secession of the the province of Kivu from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Muhane adds that Kinshasa authorities have publicly accused Kigali of supporting a mutiny in Congo. Rwandan President Paul Kagame denied any involvement in the Congo...
Ukraine: Politicians and Parties on Facebook
Watcher.com.ua reports [uk] that the ruling Party of Regions now has a Facebook page [ru]. For more on Ukrainian politicians’ and parties’ Facebook presence, see this Watcher.com.ua's ranking (uk; updated daily).
Brazil: Middle East Economic Policy Under the Radar
The current search for new trading partners in unexpected geographic areas demonstrates the extent to which Brazil has changed its foreign policy the last few years. With an agenda that has focused primarily on global business performance, the Middle East has emerged as a key area for Brazilians.
Ukraine: Ukrainian Wikipedia's Traffic Hiked as Russian Wikipedia Striked
Watcher.com.ua reports [uk] that on July 10, when Wikipedia's Russian-language section suspended its service [en] for one day to protest the Russian draft law “On the Protection of Children From Information Harmful to Their Health and Development,” the Ukrainian-language Wikipedia saw a five-time traffic increase. On that day, according to...
Montenegro: “Foursquare For Development” Project
UNDP's Voices From Eurasia blog announces and explains the “Foursquare for Development” project, whose goal is to create Foursquare tourist routes in northern Montenegro.
