Stories from 24 July 2012
Indonesia: EngageMedia's Video4Change Retreat on Video for Social Change
Indonesia was the host-country for Video4Change, a week long retreat where different organizations came together to discuss how video can be used for social change and also come up with solutions for the resource gaps.
Bangladesh: Despite Obstacles, Girls Outshine Boys in National Exams
According to the recently published results of the Higher Secondary examinations in Bangladesh girls have done better than the boys. In the past few years there has been a rise in the success rate of female students in public examinations due to several steps taken by the government.
Kenya: Javelin Throwing Olympian Trains Using YouTube
There is something special about Kenyan javelin thrower Julius Yego who will represent Kenya during the London Olympics. Yego turned to social media for guidance. After using YouTube to hone his skills and techniques, Yego's record improved to 81.12 metres.
United States: Anaheim Rises After Police Kills Unarmed Man
After the police shot Manuel Díaz, a 25-year-old unarmed Latino man on Saturday, July 21st during a chase in Anaheim, California, the community reacted with protests claiming an increased level of violence against them. We share videos and reactions from the net.
Africa: Digital Citizen Indaba 7
Digital Citizen Indaba 7 is coming: “In recent years we discussed the role of bloggers during disasters, we showed the latest digital tools in activism and continued the conversation about the digital gap.This year we propose to tackle two hot items: African digital outcasts and Internet privacy.”
Peru: President Humala ‘Reshuffles’ Cabinet
Bloggings by Boz comments on President Ollanta Humala's “cabinet shuffle”: “Oscar Valdes is out; Juan Jimenez is in as Peru's new prime minister. Humala also named new ministers for Interior, Defense, Health, Agriculture and Justice.” He adds that this cabinet shuffle comes in response to anti-mining protests.
Cuba: Pro-Democracy Leader Oswaldo Payá Dies in Car Crash
"Money from the United States is not going to drive change in Cuba. […] The problem is in Cuba, and the solution is in Cuba, between Cubans" - Oswaldo Payá in an interview before his death.
The Bahamas: Comments on the Colorado Shooting
There has not been a significant reaction in the Caribbean blogosphere about the Colorado movie theatre shooting - which is being cited as one of the deadliest in recent U.S. history - save for two Bahamian bloggers, for whom the news hit close to home.
Bermuda: Social Politicking
Respice Finem examines the pros and cons of social media when it comes to its role in political campaigning.
Colombia: Locals Concerned Over Media's Slant on Cauca Conflict
The indigenous people of the Cauca department, in southwestern Colombia, are concerned that the media is misrepresenting their struggle to expel legal and illegal armed groups from their territory. Netizens weigh in on the media's coverage of this current conflict.
St. Lucia: New Direction for Carnival?
The Choiseul Powerhouse reviews Saint Lucia's 2012 Power Soca Monarch competition: “Suppose I told you before that St. Lucians were fed up with the Trinidadian-invented ‘Rag and Flag’ syndrome which has over the years supersaturated our Soca shows, would I have been vindicated by the outcomes of our just concluded...
Gender Verification Policy Introduced at London 2012 Olympics
"There is no tidy definition of gender. We tend to think of it in binary terms – male or female – but gender exists on a spectrum." - A blogger critiques the new policy which relies on testing testosterone levels of female athletes.
Mexico: Tijuana's Unexpected Cinema Movement
Mexican border city Tijuana has an international reputation as both a dangerous town and a temptingly thrilling spring break destination. However, it is now in the international spotlight for a whole different reason: its local cinema movement.
Syria: Refuge in Armenia
With the situation in Syria deteriorating rapidly, Cilicia comments on the plight of the country's 100,000 strong ethnic Armenian population. The blog says that many are already applying for Armenian citizenship, but more could be done to offer them refuge in Armenia.
China: Chinese Alcohol
Derek from 300 shots at Greatness explains to his readers the ingredients behind different types of Chinese Baiju (Chinese Vodka).
Colombia: “Are We Truly Independent?”
On Colombia's Independence Day, bloggers and Twitter users expressed all sorts of opinions on the Internet. While some commemorated the day by showing their pride for being Colombian, others commented on the situation regarding the indigenous people of Cauca, the presence of multinational corporations, and other current topics.
