Latest posts by Greg Ahlswede
Colombia: Conflicting Reactions Following Release of French Journalist Roméo Langlois
The French journalist Roméo Langlois was released on May 30, after having been held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for a month. The journalist's statements after his release caused conflicting reactions among Colombian netizens.
Spain: 12M, a Ray of Sun in the Midst of the Crisis
On the 12th of May (12M), the Indignado movement demonstrated not only that it is alive and well, but that it continues to have strong social support. The square "Puerta del Sol" (Gate of the Sun) in Madrid is one of the symbolic centers of the movement.
Spain: #NoMoreEuros for Bankia
The web in Spain has been seething since it was reported that the government is preparing a plan to inject public money into Bankia, the fourth largest bank in the country and the most exposed to the real estate market. Since the crisis started in 2008, the government has supported Bankia with more than 33 billion euros. The current bail-out plan could be as much as 10 billion.
Africa: White-Collar Crime, a Danger also for African Countries
Honoré Kouassi wrote [fr] on the webpage of L'intelligent d'Abidjan: “African countries, particularly those of Sub-Saharan African, are not shielded from the financial crime that has developed over the past...
Mali: Ansar Dine Islamists Wish to Salvage School Year in Gao
Aissata Ahmadou wrote [fr] on Maliweb.net: “The students remaining at Gao will not lose their school year. The Ansar Dine Islamists, in collaboration with a few important figures and teachers...
Peru: The Festival of the Peruvian Cajon
The Peruvian Cajon is a very commonly used instrument in Afro-Peruvian music and Peruvian music in general. The fifth anniversary of the Cajon Festival took place this year and it was a complete success, particularly for the activity known as "La Cajoneada" that was able to gather more than 1,400 cajon players, which beat its own previous Guiness Record.
Colombia: “Lend Your Leg” Campaign Raises Awareness about Antipersonnel Mines
On April 4 the "International Day for Mine Awareness" took place as part of Lend Your Leg. During the day netizens shared opinions on Twitter on what this harsh truth means for the world, and especially Colombia, using the hashtags #Remángate and #Lendyourleg.
Argentina: The Price of the Popular Yerba Mate Goes Up
Mate is a deep-rooted tradition in Argentina that begins in adolescence and continues on through adulthood. A price increase in the yerba mate (the leaf used to make the beverage) has directly affected Argentinians' wallets, provoking numerous reactions on social networks.
Puerto Rico: “National Day of Salsa” in the Conservatory
The Puerto Rican Conservatory of Music joins the National Day of Salsa celebration in the island. This year, the singer Cheo Feliciano and the singer and trumpet player Jerry Medina participated along with students from the Department of Caribbean Jazz and Music. Wilma Colón shares photos of the event.
Puerto Rico: The New Greece?
The financial analyst Cate Long, in her blog on Reuters.com, highlights the similarities between Greece's and Puerto Rico's economies. Her column became a target of attacks by the governor of Puerto Rico's, Luis Fortuño, administration. Social networks and blogs amplified the debate about the Caribbean island's fragile economy.
Italy Condemned for Violations of African Refugee Rights
On February 23, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg came to a historic judgment that Italy had violated the European Convention on Human Rights by intercepting and sending back Eritrean and Somali migrants to Libya. Abdoulaye Bah reports.
