Stories from 1 August 2012
UK: Empty Seats at London 2012?
As the games enter their 5th day, Olympic fans are struggling to find tickets to the various venues in London. Many were shocked to see empty seats during the early days; forcing the London Organising Committee of the Olympics & Paralympics (LOCOG) to defend themselves.
Argentina: China-Born Olympic Athlete in the Spotlight
"One name sums it up, Liu Song. Why take him as an Olympic icon? Simply because he is one of those athletes that nobody in the media pays attention to." - an Argentinian blogger.
Costa Rica: ‘We Are All Karina’ Campaign for Dismissed Vice-Minister
Men and women are getting their picture taken with hand-written signs saying, "We are all Karina" to show support for Vice-Minister Karina Bolaños, who was dismissed after a video surfaced where she appeared in underwear speaking to a lover. Karina was black-mailed for years regarding the video, and once she stopped paying, the video was distributed to media and social networks, leading to her dismissal by President Laura Chinchilla.
Armenia: Activism or Slacktivism?
Contributing a guest post to The Armenian Observer, local blogger Uzogh criticizes Facebook activism in Armenia, considering it more akin to slacktivism engaged in by a minority and not backed...
Indonesia: Young Athlete Late for Olympic Debut
Indonesia's debut in the 2012 London Olympics became controversial after the youngest member of the contingent arrived late for the shooting competition. The 16 year-old athlete explained the ordeal on her twitter account. Netizens react with frustration and bewilderment.
Zimbabwe: Bulawayo Residents Air Grievances Online
The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association has set up a Facebook page for residents to comment on the city's problems, which range from marginalization by central government to issues with refuse collection and an erratic water supply.
Sao Tome and Principe: Deforestation of an Area of Unique Biodiversity
“In the distance a bulldozer was relentlessly doing its work while the whole landscape seemed to be mourning the destruction.” denounced [pt] João Pedro Pio, a biologist living in Sao Tome...
Trinidad & Tobago: Central Bank Governors
Afra Raymond responds to Dr. Terrence Farrell's critique of Jwala Rambarran's appointment as Governor of Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago [Farrell is a former Deputy Governor] and they engage in an...
Myanmar: Claims of Media Bias Towards Rohingya
Opinion is divided in Myanmar about the status of the Rohingya living in the western part of the country. Human rights groups have condemned the violence against the Rohingya and ethnic Rakhine. But some Myanmar netizens feel that international news networks have been distorting information about the situation in their country.
Caribbean: Marking Emancipation
Today, many Caribbean territories celebrate Emancipation Day, which commemorates the abolition of slavery. Each year, bloggers mark the occasion, but this year, online attention to the holiday is rather low-key, with only a handful of netizens mentioning it in their posts or tweets.
Bolivia: Anti-US Rhetoric Harming its Diplomatic Relations?
Bolivia took a radical turn in its foreign policy six years based on an anti-US agenda giving it more leverage in the region. But since then, changes in relations with key player Brazil and lingering strategic issues have raised the question of how well the country is actually surviving in the regional system.
Spain: How Many Advisors Are Really Necessary?
In the full throws of an economic crisis, while families tighten their budgets to face the cuts recently announced by President Mariano Rajoy, Spaniards are beginning to worry about the proliferation of advisors in the country's political sphere.
Mexico: Embroidering for Peace
Men and women of all ages have come together in cities like Guadalajara, Monterrey and Mexico City, to embroider the names of the victims of Mexico's Drug War onto white handkerchiefs.
Trinidad & Tobago: Who's Policing Us Now?
The Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago recently announced the resignations of the Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs, and Deputy Commissioner Jack Ewatski, whose tenure was marked by several controversies. Bloggers react to the news.
Mozambique: Meanings Behind Women's Traditional Mussiro Masks
In the northern coast and islands of Mozambique, it is very common to come across women with their faces covered of a natural white mask, called mussiro. The purposes of its use seem to have varied over time, but the tradition still survives.
Tanzania: Teachers’ Strike De-stabilizes the Nation
Teachers in Tannzania have been on a strike to urge the government to pay their unpaid dues and to improve their benefit and salaries. The strike followed, after the Teacher's union (Chama Cha Walimu-CWT),through their president Mr.Gratian Mukoba, gave the g0vernment a 48 hours notice on 28thJuly,2012
Haiti: “Dear Ayiti”
The Fanm Kanson Network posts the first video from its “Dear Ayiti” project, which asks a simple question: If Haiti were a person, what would you say to her? Two...
Mexico: Photo Essay Documents March Against Election Results
Upside Down World posts a photo essay by Clayton Conn titled “National March Against the Imposition of Nieto as President in Mexico.” The photo essay covers the march held on...
Guatemala: Peoples’ Health Tribunal Declares Goldcorp Guilty
For years, the community of San Miguel Ixtahuacán in Guatemala has been denouncing the negative consequences of Goldcorp's Marlin gold mine. On July 14 and 15, 2012, members of the San Miguel Ixtahuacán community joined other international organizations in a 'Peoples' International Health Tribunal.' This second post in a two-part series coverst event and some of the cases presented there.
Jordan: Internet freedom – the beginning of the end?
Advocating for personal freedoms and a continued open Internet in Jordan, Ahmad Humeid, designer, brand architect and web entrepreneur, blogged at 360east: “Over the past decade, Jordan has been steadily...
Georgia: Philanthropic Blogging
Net Prophet interviews Givi Avaliani, a Georgian blogger [GE] focusing on online campaigning and charitable activities, and who says that human rights protection and highlighting the poverty around him are...
