Stories from 7 November 2012
Massive Rally in Bulgaria's Capital Ends in Arrests (Updated)
On Nov. 5, some 1,500 people took part in an anti-government rally in Sofia, organized by the Bulgarian section [bg] of the Anonymous. There were other, smaller, protests in other Bulgarian cities and towns. The rallies were part of the worldwide Global Day of Protest declared by the Anonymous. The...
Barack Obama Reelected and Favored Among Latino Voters
After an intense presidential race, the United States of America's destiny will be governed by Barack Obama for four more years. Once again, Twitter became a barometer for reactions during the electoral journey.
Reading Suggestions on Brazil in English
Deep Brazil blog, from the journalist Regina Scharf, provides valuable resources about Brazil in the English language. She recently published one more list of books in English related to Brazil, its culture and people, and earlier this year she published a Brazil Blog List featuring 60 websites about the country...
Save The World's Best Bank
Sabine Kurjo McNeill highlights an Avaaz campaign to save Grameen Bank, a Nobel Peace Prize winning microfinance organization and community development bank.
Save Stray Dogs in Kazakhstan
At the dawn of the humanity, dogs protected people from wild animals. Now it is time for us to protect dogs from people who have gone wild.
Every Day Is A Holiday For Some Nepali Government Officials
In November, 2012, the home ministry of Nepal has proposed a two-days holiday per week plan for all government offices to address the problem of energy crisis and black-outs. Guffadi claims that everyday is a holiday for some Nepali govt officials who come late in the office and loiter around.
A New Start for Barack Obama in Africa?
Following the November 6, 2012, re-election of Barack Obama as President of the United States, Africa questions his legacy after four years in charge of an America more concerned with the economic crisis than by its international relations, especially those within the African continent. The expectations of Africans were high, however many believe that a second term for Obama will allow him greater manouevrability on African issues.
Red Alert in Guatemala After 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake
Reports on the damages caused by the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that hit off Champerico on the Pacific coast of Guatemala are coming in quickly on Twitter. Netizens are sharing photos and reports with the hashtags #TemblorGT, #TiemblaenGuate, #TerremotoGT, #FuerteSismoGT, #TiemblaenGuate and more.
Sri Lankan Ruling Coalition To Impeach The Chief Justice
N Sathiya Moorthy reports that the the ruling UPFA coalition is set to impeach Sri Lanka’s first woman Chief Justice Sirani Bandaranaike.
Hay Festival Dhaka Is Back Again!
The 2nd edition of Hay Festival will be held on 15-17 November 2012 in the historic grounds of the Bangla Academy, Dhaka. It is hoped that through this event the new generation of Bangladeshi writers in English will be promoted to the global literary community.
Egypt to Ban Porn Sites
Egypt has announced [ar] today that access to all porn sites will be banned. Netizens discuss the move on Twitter, saying any kind of censorship will have dire consequences on free speech - as it opens the door to abuse by the authorities and the muzzling of voices online.
Language Divide in Malaysia
Jerrenn Lam ponders upon the issue of language differences in Malaysia and how the schooling process can reinforce cultural divisions in the country.
Bride Kidnappers in Kyrgyzstan to Face Harsher Penalties
Although bride kidnapping is a crime in Kyrgyzstan, many men continue abducting the girls they want to marry. Under pressure from women's groups, the Kyrgyz Parliament has recently introduced harsher penalties for this practice. Now kidnapping a girl and forcing her into marriage is almost as serious a crime as stealing sheep.
Yet Another Political Status Referendum in Puerto Rico
In the fourth political status referendum in its history, Puerto Rico is prepared to choose whether to be annexed to the United States, independent, or a sovereign US commonwealth. Given that the vote, regardless of the results, does not bind Congress to act in any way, —and the failure of three previous referendums—, there is little hope that any change in political relations will be achieved between Puerto Rico and the United States.
Iran: Blogger's Family Asked To ‘Prepare A Grave’ For Him
Sources close to Iranian opposition say Sattar Beheshti, blogger and netizen, possibly died ‘due to tortures’ while he was in detention. Beheshti got arrested last week in his home. His sister says “authorities asked us to prepare a grave for him and take his body tomorrow”.
Iran: Imprisoned Women Journalists And Netizens Risking Death
Reporters Without Borders is ‘very worried about the state of health of eight women prisoners of conscience who began a hunger strike five days ago in protest against inhuman and degrading jail conditions’. These prisoners include three journalists and netizens; Mahsa Amrabadi, Jila Bani Yaghoob and Shiva Nazar Ahari.
Ukrainians Rally in Protest Over Vote-Rigging
Online reports that have been coming in from disputed districts over the past week offer a good insight into the Ukrainian election routine and also help explain the frustration of ordinary voters.
