Stories from April, 2011
Cuba: Right to the Internet
“Any ‘supposition’ about what a farmer should do on Google, or in the furrow, is called control over the free actions of another, personal choice and individual freedom”: Octavo Cerco...
Suriname: Video Art
Srananart's Blog is excited about the launch of “a new art form for Suriname” – video art!
Cuba: The “Queen of Incredulity”
1Click2Cuba profiles Claudia Cadelo, “one of the best-known members of the Cuban blogging community.”
Madagascar: Here We Go Again with Land Grabbing, minus the Outrage
Tananews reports that the government of Madagascar leases out land for 50 or more years at prices as low as $15 per acre a year (fr) to Indian farmers (via...
D.R. of Congo: Donors wary of involvement in elections
Donors are wary of involvement in elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo: “With only seven months to go before elections in the Congo, donors are trying to calibrate their...
Russia: Communist Party Leads Social Networks Activity Rating
Nikolay Podosokorskiy analyzes [ru] activity of Russian political parties in the social networks. According to his brief research, ruling party “United Russia” is one of the closest and inactive parties...
Kuwait: Sit-in to Rename “Journalism Street” After Al-Saleh Planned
Kuwaiti journalists are planning to stage a sit-in tonight (April 27) to demand renaming "Journalism Street" after the late Mohammed Mousaed Al-Saleh, who was one of the very well known Kuwaiti sarcastic columnists, who wrote for Al-Qabas newspaper for years, criticizing different political and social aspects found in everyday life.
Russia: Bloggers Discuss Best Practices of Crowd Funding
Anton Nossik publishes [ru] 5 rules of successful crowd funding: 1.it should have an aim, 2. it should be transparent, 3. it should be tested before launch, 4. it should also...
Nigeria: Women Protest in Abuja
Nigerian women say no to violence: “Nigerian women in Abuja protesting against the post election violence in the north of the country. Nigerian women have always at the forefront of...
Kenya: Poets and Writers Meet in Nairobi
Poets and writers meet in Nairobi, Njeri Wangari reports: “Last Saturday, 23rd April was the inaugural POWO event – a forum for Poets and Writers that seeks to encourage Kenyan...
Japan: Netizens react to the arrest of an Englishman
Japan Probe translated the comments [en] of some netizens who reacted to the arrest of an English man who grabbed “a mike from a politician at a train station and...
Peru: Hydroelectric Projects in the Amazon Under Discussion Again
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) requested the suspension of Brazil's Belo Monte hydroelectric dam, reopening the debate in Peru on similar projects and their impact on the Peruvian Amazon communities. In Peru, the most publicized hydroelectric megaprojects are the Inambari and Pakitzapango centrals, included in the Peru-Brazil Energy Agreement signed last year.
Mexico: 51 Kidnapped Migrants Rescued in Tamaulipas
Gancho reports that “Federal Police rescued 51 kidnapped migrants in Tamaulipas today [April 26], days after they saved another 68 in the same state. Such rescues were not common before...
Guatemala: Remembering the Death of Bishop Juan Gerardi Conedera
In Central American Politics, Mike writes: “On this date [April 26] in 1998, Roman Catholic Bishop Juan Gerardi Conedera was found bludgeoned to death in his residence in Guatemala City....
UK: The Royal Wedding's “Russian Connection”
Siberian Light writes about “a Russian connection” in the UK Royal Wedding story: “the George III Tiara, or the Russian Fringe Tiara” that Kate Middleton may wear for the April...
Macedonia: New Laws to Have an Adverse Impact on Cultural Heritage
An archaeologist blogger reacts to the new legislation that legalizes illegal construction in Macedonia, including buildings that destroy historical heritage sites.
India: Deabating The Draft Internet Control Rules
Nikhil Pahwa at Medianama debates the changes in the cyber law in India which is waiting to be passed soon. In his opinion “these rules give the Indian government the...
India: Challenges Of A Single Working Woman
Neha Saxena at YouthKiAwaaz, a citizen journalism platform for the Indian youth, describes the challenges of a single working Indian woman nearing 30, who have a lot of pressure from...
Yemen: One Killed, Several Injured in Taiz Protests
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Taiz, Yemen, today, calling for the overthrow of the Ali Abdullah Saleh regime. According to Yemen Post, one protester was killed and four were injured by live bullets when republican guard forces attacked the protesters.
Zimbabwe: Does Violence Deter Women From Entering Politics?
Simon Moyo wonders whether violence in Zimbabwe deters women from participating in politics: “Since the emergence of the MDC as a credible challenger to Zanu PF domination in 2000, violence...
Nigeria: Elections commenced in peaceful atmosphere
The governorship and state assembly elections commenced in a peaceful atmosphere, 234Next reports: “At about 10am, some polling booths began to witness large crowds as more people came out for...
