17 August 2012

Stories from 17 August 2012

Trinidad & Tobago: 50, but not really Independent

  17 August 2012

Trinidad and Tobago's upcoming 50th anniversary of independence prompts aka_lol to suggest that “we have become a nation so taken up with running our own affairs our National Watch Words have unofficially become ‘Run Something Nah’.”

Guyana: Linden Protests Intensify

  17 August 2012

The protests in Linden, Guyana have intensified with the recent burning of buildings. Netizen commentary suggests that what began last month as a peaceful demonstration about increased electricity rates has broadened into political wrangling, while bringing to the fore serious questions about the power of the police and the military.

Colombia: Online Campaign Seeks to Reform Health System

  17 August 2012

In their YouTube [es] channel, the group Todo lo que hay [es] posts the story [es] of a Colombian cancer patient whose treatment has not been continuous due to various administrative procedures that are part of the health system in the country: “Jorge Mario's call is similar to that of...

Russia: Pussy Riot's Guilty Verdict

RuNet Echo  17 August 2012

'The judge said one of the reasons for a “real sentence” was to “caution others”. ' - Russian and anglophone Twitter users respond to the guilty verdict and two-year prison sentence handed down to Pussy Riot members.

Ecuador Reacts to Assange Asylum

  17 August 2012

"they talk so much about freedom of expression when in our own country IT DOESN'T EXIST!" - An Ecuadorian netizen criticizes the government's decision to grant asylum to the founder of Wikileaks. Some are celebrating the bold move as well.

Thailand: Olympic Boxing Defeat Disappoints Fans

  17 August 2012

Thailand won two silvers and a bronze in the recently concluded London Olympic Games but the controversial defeat of a Thai boxer disappointed many fans who believe that the gold medal should be given to Thailand

Paraguay: Struggles and Threats Over Aché Indigenous Lands

Rising Voices  17 August 2012

August was supposed to be a month of prolonged celebration after the Paraguayan government transferred some 4600 hectares of ancestral lands back to the Aché indigenous community of Kuetuvy. However, an ongoing conflict with peasant groups that claim that this land should be ruled in excess has put a damper on this joyous occasion.

Brazil: Belo Monte, the Film

  17 August 2012

The film Belo Monte, Announcement of a War was recently launched in the Internet. It is the result of a collective effort that involved the independent producer, Cinedelia, and a crowdfunding campaign mobilized by Catarse. The film shows the reactions of indigenous people, inhabitants of Altamira, Pará, Brazil, and  activists against...

Bulgaria: The Red Army Supports Pussy Riot

  17 August 2012

On the day of the verdict in the Pussy Riot trial, Russian embassies worldwide are seeing demonstrations in support of the incriminated punk band members. The Red Army Monument in the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, has joined in: a picture of it with some of the soldiers wearing Pussy Riot-styled...

Nepal: KFC and Pizza Hut closed in Nepal

  17 August 2012

Chandan Sapkota informs that the closure of KFC and Pizza Hut in Nepal due to militancy shown by ad-hoc committee of All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union-Revolutionary (ANHRWU-R) will have impact in the foreign investment in the country.

Malaysia: History of Islamic Education

  17 August 2012

Azmil Tayeb gives a brief overview of the history of Islamic schools in Malaysia. The author also discussed the role of the state in providing Islamic education in the country.

Indonesian Street Art Database

  17 August 2012

The Indonesian Street Art Database is a project that documents street art and urban art culture in Indonesia. One of the themes in the past was to promote tolerance in response to religious violence in the country

Iran, Israel: ‘Not Ready to Die in Your War’

From mainstream news headlines it seems Iran and Israel are on the edge of war. Israeli politicians continue to threaten attacking Iranian nuclear facilities and Iranian authorities recite their old slogans that Israel will 'disappear from the map.' But as the noise of war rises from both sides, so does activism for peace.