Stories from 10 September 2012
Croatia: Promoting Solar Energy at Terraneo Music Festival
UNDP's Voices from Eurasia blog reports on the ecological education program of this year's Terraneo music festival in Šibenik, where guests, among other things, could “test-drive Croatia’s only solar-powered car and bicycle.” In charge of the festival's “solar booth” were Marko Capek and Robert Pašičko, who “also sang songs about...
Malaysia: Furor Over Alleged National Flag Redesign
Is it time to change the flag of Malaysia? The opposition is accused of proposing a flag redesign while the country is celebrating its Independence Day.
Colombia Answers with New Promotional Campaign and Slogan
"Where are foreigners welcomed with courtesy, friendship and love? #TheAnswerIsColombia." A new promotional campaign and video was launched by the Colombian government with the slogan "The Answer is Colombia." Countless responses, positive and negative, have been appearing under the hashtag #LaRespuestaEsColombia.
Mali: Civil Society Rises to Solve the Ongoing Conflict
Malians are still watching, incredulous, as the partition of their country continues. Adding to this disarray is the frantic rhythm of the new nominations for government. Nevertheless, Malian civil society is trying to regroup and launch an appeal for national unity.
Egypt: Hero's Welcome for Paralympics Squad
On Twitter, Ahmed Morgan shares a photograph taken minutes ago from Cairo International Airport, where hundreds of people gathered to welcome home Egypt's squad from the London paralympics.
Egypt: Welcoming Paralympics Heroes
@MonaMcloof: Im taking these n going to greet our #egyptian delegation coming bk frm london #Paralympics
Spain: Investment Scheme of the Rich and Famous Makes Headlines
Discussion of the SICAV investment scheme reignited this summer in Spain, with the debate focusing on some of the well-known people and companies that take advantage of this fiscal tool in order to avoid paying taxes, such as the sister of King Juan Carlos, Infanta Pilar, and filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar.
Uruguayan Netizens in Numbers
Gabriel Budiño from the blog DTodo1Poco [es] summarizes some of the key findings in the ninth edition of an investigation [es] entitled ‘Profile of the Uruguayan Netizen.’ Facebook users [in Uruguay] now number more than 1.2 million, 140,000 Uruguayans have a Twitter account and 150,000 publish in blogs.
India: Arrest of Cartoonist on Sedition Charges Sparks Debate
On 8 September, award-winning political cartoonist, Aseem Trivedi was arrested in Mumbai, India, on charges of sedition and is now in judicial custody. Netizens expressed outrage over his arrest, a move they see as politically motivated and an attempt by the government to curb freedom of expression.
Cuba: Blackout Leaves Millions in the Dark
The digital magazine Café Fuerte informs of the major blackout on September 9, 2012 that left almost half of the Island–from central to western Cuba– and 5 million people without electricity.
New Digital Safe Haven from Censors
Press freedom group Reporters Without Borders is launching a new website in October for banned and censored content called Wefightcensorship.org. The site is intended to be a “virtual shelter,” for all those hounded by censors, and users will be able to submit content anonymously.
USA: Video the Vote Seeks Election Monitors
Video the Vote is recruiting volunteer videographers to help document voting irregularities on election day across the United States. On November 6, 2012 they will be monitoring voter protection telephone hotlines and dispatching cameras to record any complaints of long lines, list purges, voter intimidation, or malfunctioning equipment.
Egypt: Women on Hunger Strike for Syria
Egyptian blogger Zeinobia visits Syrian women activists on hunger strike in Cairo to draw attention to the plight of their people back home. She blogs her observations and interviews in two parts – here and here.
Egypt: Going Hungry to Draw Attention to the Plight of Syrians
Syrian activists and artists abroad have been on hunger strike for almost two weeks, to draw attention to the atrocities being committed by the Syrian regime against their people.
Egypt: NGO Trial Adjourned
On Storify, MaliciaRogue shares tweets on the trial of 43 foreign and Egyptian non-governmental organisation workers, accused of receiving funding from foreign sources and operating in Egypt without permission. The trial was adjourned until October 2, 2012.
Japan: House of Representatives Passes ACTA
ACTA and three other motions were all adopted together in a plenary session [ja] of the Japanese House of Representatives on September 6, 2012.
