Stories from 17 April 2013
Book Reveals Documents from Pinochet Era
In the website Chileno, a place for discussion, debate and opinion, Ramona Wadi reviews a book by Chilean authors Carlos Dorat Guerra and Mauricio Weibel Barahona: Asociación Ilícita: los archivos secretos de la dictadura (Ceibo Ediciones, 2012) examines documents which for some reason, failed to be destroyed by the CNI in 1988...
Venezuela's Election Results Show Weakened Chavismo
The results of the presidential election held on April 14 made it clear that Chavismo is starting to wear down. The small difference of just two percentage units and the huge number of diverse complaints about irregularities have led Henrique Capriles to not recognize the results until an audit as well as a manual vote recount are carried out.
Before Trial, Navalny Nominated as Russia's “Political Enlightener”
As Alexey Navalny is gearing up for his embezzlement show-trial in Kirov, there is at least one silver lining: he made it on the short-list of the Russian award Politprosvet (literally "Political Enlightenment").
Psy's YouTube Phenomenon Continues
South Korean rapper Psy's new single, Gentleman, has already surpassed 120 million views on YouTube within four days of release, despite unfavorable reviews and worries that Psy could wind up one-hit wonder after his ridiculously successful Gangnam Style. Read more about the new music video from K-pop blog.
Private Guards for Pakistani Candidates
Chowrangi blog reports that considering the deteriorating law and order situation and pre-election violence the Election Commission of Pakistan has allowed candidates to keep five civilian bodyguards with licensed arms during the ongoing Election 2013 campaign.
Chatting with Marianna Breytman, Global Voices Translator
We introduce you to Marianna Breytman, a translator for Global Voices, who tells us about what it's like to be a collaborator with GV and other things related to translation and herself.
Blood on the Road to Pakistan's Elections
A suicide bombing, a grenade attack and a remote-controlled explosion - all in one day. Nineteen people were killed in three separate incidents targeting candidates of three different parties. April 16, 2013 was a bloody day for Pakistan's election campaigners.
Thousands March Reviving Chile's Student Movement
With a massive protest at the national level, the student movement demanding free, quality education returned to the streets of Chile in full force. Students from throughout the country gathered April 11, 2013 in civic centers of the country's various cities to return to the request that the government provide a real solution to the inequality and profit in education.
Latin American Activists Gather in La Paz
On April 17-19, 2013, activists from collectives and organizations across thirteen Latin American countries and Spain will gather in La Paz, Bolivia to share experiences, strategies, and ideas with one another. To follow the proceedings, the hashtag #REactivxs will be used throughout the event. A map of participating organizations will...
Displaced Residents Accuse Brazilian Power Plant of False Promises
Among 4,325 people that have been either removed or indirectly affected by the construction of the Jirau and Santo Antonio dams in the Madeira river region, in the Brazilian Amazon, former river dwellers who now reside in New Mutum Paraná complain about promises that haven't been met concerning their displacement.
Portugal: One Arrested in “Screw the Troika” Protest
An anti-austerity flashmob called by “Screw the Troika” [pt] in front of the the Ritz Hotel in Lisbon, on April 16, 2013, ended with the detention of a 49 year old woman. The protest against the visit of the IMF, ECB and European Comission representatives in Portugal, was recorded in video...
Mozambique: Coal mine blocked in protest
Mozambique's @Verdade newspaper is reporting on Facebook that about 500 residents of neighborhoods resettled by Brazilian mining company Vale are blocking road access to its coal mine in Moatize, Tete province. The peaceful protest is for greater compensation. The paper is reporting the rail line is also disrupted.
Madagascar's Economy Falling Behind Africa's
While sub-Saharan Africa's economic growth is projected to “outpace the global average“, a study by M. Razafindrakoto et al. from IRD (The Institute of Research on Development) published earlier this month unpacks the causes of Madagascar's economy lagging behind its African counterparts [fr] (Via Madagoravox).
Terrorism Won't Work in China
Offbeat China translated an interesting online conversation on why a terrorist attack won't work in China after the Boston Marathon Explosions. The answer lies in the difference between the U.S and China in their media environments.
