Stories from 8 October 2012
Barbados: Is Austerity The Way To Go?
So, we must ask again: Who is Fooling Whom? If government cuts back on health and education services there will be massive job losses. Sounds as if the BLP are suddenly embracing the astringencies of the IMF. Look how times have changed! At Barbados Underground, Stephen Williams is skeptical of the economic...
Russia: Winners & Losers in Round 1 of the Opposition's Debates
The first stage of the Russian opposition's Coordinating Council debates has ended. So who has advanced to the next round of debates? Who among the candidates is best winning the hearts and minds of the opposition's voters?
Chile: Mapuche Prisoners on Hunger Strike for Over 40 Days
The hunger strike has now surpassed 40 days and, according to a spokesperson for the prisoners, the men have deteriorated physically and are experiencing symptoms of insomnia, cramps and muscle aches. The purpose of the hunger strike is, among other things, to draw attention to the Chilean government’s use of...
Peru: Pollution in Lake Titicaca
Pollution in Lake Titicaca has reached alarming levels. In February of this year, the lake was declared as "Threatened Lake of the Year 2012" by the organizations Global Nature Fund (Germany) and Living Lake (USA). In this post we collect videos and information about the serious environmental damage affecting the Titicaca.
Swaziland: The Princess show-stopper ‘virginity dance’
Welcome DLAMINI writes about ‘virginity dance’ in a post published on swazilive.com: Her Royal Highness Princess Sikhanyiso performed her show-stopper ‘virginity dance’ under floodlights yesterday as the 2012 Reed Dance Ceremony progressed into the twilight
Brazil: Electoral Propaganda Waste
On the aftermath of Brazilian municipal elections that took place on October 7, 2012, the Facebook page Quem suja agora vai sujar depois (Who messes now will mess afterwards) [pt] shares photos and videos showing electoral propaganda waste in streets across the country.
Arab World: Romney's Middle East Agenda Rapped
Mitt Romney's foreign policy speech was rapped by netizens across the Arab World today. If elected, Romney pledged to take a more “engaged” foreign policy, as opposed to Obama's wait-and-see approach as “profound upheaval” shook the region. He also said he would arm Syrian rebels.
Colombia: The Conflicting Relationship With ‘The Public’
After riots at the campus of the National University of Colombia in Bogotá last week, some students proposed [es] to paint the buildings white to express their rejection of vandalism, prompting a debate [es] about the issue. Andrés Villaveces writes [es] about this and the “conflicting relationship” of most Bogotanos...
First Doctor Account of the HIV epidemic in China
Yaxue Cao from Seeing Red in China translated Dr. Wang Shuping's account of the discovery the HIV epidemic in Henan province and how she was stopped by the profit-making blood stations and local official from disclosing the situation. Wang is the first doctor who discovered the HIV epidemic in China.
Tunisia: General Strike in Thala
On Twitter, Tounsia Hourra (Free Tunisian) says [ar] there is a general strike in Thala, in the province of Kasserine, today [October 8, 2012]. The protest is against rising unemployment and neglecting the maintenance of the city.
Trinidad & Tobago: The Responsibilities of Photographers
If you are unable to distinguish yourself from dozens of rapacious competitors… If you are unable to successfully negotiate the right to deliver finished files that demonstrate value to a client… If you are unable to negotiate terms that retain your legal right to the work you create… …stop pissing...
Kenya: Money Can Buy Us Declare ‘Campus Divas for Rich Men’
‘Campus Divas For Rich Men’ is a Facebook page dedicated to hooking up female Kenyan university students under the age of 26 with rich men of any age. This bold move in a predominantly conservative society has prompted significant online public debate.
South Korea: Belated Response to Toxic Gas Leak Affecting Thousands
In the small South Korean city of Gumi, the authorities' slow response to a toxic gas leakage disaster has prompted angry reactions from citizens. Click through to see photos of the damage done to the local environment.
China: Student Throws Shoe to Defend Free Speech
A student from Hainan University threw his shoe recently at Maoist commentator, Sima Nan, to protest against the absence of free speech in China. Watch the video of the incident and read the reactions.
On National Holiday Portugal's President Hoists Flag – Upside Down
The official celebrations of October 5 in Portugal, a national holiday that celebrates the establishment of the republic in 1910, was marked this year by a symbolic and rather unfortunate act by President Cavaco Silva, who unintentionally hoisted the country's flag upside-down.
Ethnic Tensions in Hong Kong
Jody-Lan Castle has produced a documentary addressing the problem of ethnic tensions in Hong Kong. The government has failed to cater the need of ethnic minorities in policy areas such as education and community support.
Grenada: Ruling Party Expels Seven Members at Convention
The theme song tonight at the end of convention rally of Grenada's ruling National Democratic Congress was “Better Days Are Coming.” Interestingly the response chorus to the song was: “They lying, they lying and they lying.” Hamlet Mark reports on the NDC convention in Grenada, where seven prominent members of...
Venezuela: Chávez Era to Extend for Six More Years
After the most contested and intense elections of the last decade, Venezuela will see six more years under the administration of Hugo Chávez Frías. Traffic on social networks, particularly on Twitter, was extremely intense, especially moments before the official announcement of the results.
Blog Action Day 2012 Celebrates ‘The Power of We’
So far, bloggers from 95 countries are ready to type with fast and fit fingers. For one day they will blog about one common theme creating a colorful collection of stories and reflections that will reach a collective audience of millions. On October 15, 2012 - it's Blog Action Day!
China: Netizens Believe Chinese Writer Mo Yan Doesn't Deserve Nobel Prize
This year, two hot candidates for the Nobel Literature Prize is Chinese writer Mo Yan and Japanese writer Haruki Murakami. Alia from Off-beat China tracked the discussion online and found out that Chinese netizens have voted against Mo Yan.
Camels Die from Overwork During China's Weeklong Holiday
Several camels at a tourist hot spot in Northwest China have died from receiving a record-high number of visitors during China’s eight-day holiday. Ministry of Tofu translated netizens’ discussion on the incident.
