Stories from 13 November 2010
Nigeria: Remembering an Activist, Fifteen Years After his Execution
In 1995 Ken Saro-Wiwa, a prominent activist and outspoken critic of the oil industry in Nigeria, was executed along with eight of his associates. Saro-Wiwa was a hero for many Nigerians, and his execution inflamed the international community against the notoriously authoritarian regime of Sani Abacha and the practices of Royal Dutch Shell. Fifteen years after his death, bloggers reflect on his legacy.
Panama: “Previous Controls” on Public Finance Eliminated for Six Institutions
The control that is responsible for monitoring how public funds are invested has been eliminated for six institutions, including the ministries of Health, Public Works and Education. The decision has caused anger among Panamanians, who have expressed their disagreement through Twitter.
Puerto Rico: Feminist Activist and Lawyer Awarded in US
Verónica RT celebrates the award [es] that Puerto Rican feminist activist and lawyer Josefina Pantoja just received from the National Legal Aid and Defender Association in the US for a life dedicated to defending the poor.
Puerto Rico: Artist Retires Paintings from Supreme Court
In Fractal [es], Karla Marie Ostoloza offers a poignant critique of Puerto Rican artist Antonio Martorell's decision to retire his paintings from the Supreme Count as an act of protest against the government's increase of the number of judges.
Pakistan: The Real Culprit is the Way We Approach Religion
Raza Habib Raja at Pak Tea House comments that the general religious bigotry is rampant in the Pakistani society, “which in turn emanates from the mindset and the overall cultural set up of Pakistan”.
India: Branding Through Social Media
Dina Mehta shares 10 tips on branding through social media for startups and small businesses.
India: Typical Indian Character
Ram Bansal at India In Peril criticizes the ‘know-all’ syndrome of the average Indians and the practice of advising others without concentrating on his/her own works.
Côte d'Ivoire: New song for presidential election
Museke posts a video of a new song “Voter” written specially for Côte d'Ivoire Presidential Election. The song is performed by Le Griot-Guére, Jackivoire, Soro Solo, and lead guitar by renowned Congolese guitarist Huit-kilos.
Ethiopia: Legendary Ethiopian Athlete Abebe Bikila’s Biopic
Legendary Ethiopian athlete Abebe Bikila’s Biopic: “Running the streets of Rome in 1960, an unknown, barefoot Ethiopian man stunned the world by winning Olympic gold in the marathon.”
South Africa: Afropolis: City, Media, Art
Africa is a Country posts a photo by the young Johannesburg photographer Sabelo Mlangeni, which is included in the exhibit: “Afropolis. City, Media, Art: Urbanization Africa, now showing through March 11 at the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum in Cologne, Germany.
South Korea: An Indie Band's Death and the ‘Acorn’ Controversy
Following the death of indie band member Lee Jin-won, Korean bloggers and Twitterers are boiling mad over the music industry's unfair distribution system. Lee is reported to have lived near poverty line, even after his album made minor successes. What shocked most Koreans is a rumor that Lee had been paid in 'Acorns', one internet site's virtual money, which has no value in the offline world.
