8 October 2012

Stories from 8 October 2012

Barbados: Is Austerity The Way To Go?

  8 October 2012

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...

Chile: Mapuche Prisoners on Hunger Strike for Over 40 Days

  8 October 2012

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

  8 October 2012

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.

Brazil: Electoral Propaganda Waste

  8 October 2012

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’

  8 October 2012

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

  8 October 2012

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

  8 October 2012

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...

Ethnic Tensions in Hong Kong

  8 October 2012

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

  8 October 2012

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

  8 October 2012

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’

  8 October 2012

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!