Stories from 24 January 2011
Guatemala: Challenges for First Female Public Prosecutor
Recent appointments of women to public administration and key political positions could shake the political scene in Guatemala. Furthermore, the appointment of the first female Public Prosecutor could help end impunity for crimes committed against women.
Jamaica: following Junot Diaz in Jaipur
Jamaica-based blogger Annie Paul, following the Jaipur Literature Festival online, reports on an appearance there by the Dominican-American writer Junot Díaz.
Guyana: “real” men
The Signifyin’ Woman contemplates Caribbean homophobia and notions of what it means to be a “real” man vs an “anti” man.
Bahamas: economic “Bahamianisation”?
Rick Lowe of Weblog Bahamas responds to those who argue that “all economic activity” in the Bahamas should be “reserved exclusively for Bahamians” by pointing to a 2003 paper on foreign investment.
Pakistan: Wake Up Before Its Too Late
“Pakistan’s quasi-democracy might be the nation’s last chance, before a tide of part real, and part manufactured extremism engulfs the country,” opines Raza Rumi.
Mexico: The Passing of Indigenous Rights Supporter Bishop Samuel Ruiz
Bishop Samuel Ruiz passed away this morning. Tim Johnson explains: “Ruiz […] started the Fray Bartolome de las Casas Human Rights Center out of his diocese, and played an instrumental role in keeping the Zapatista uprising that erupted in 1994 from flaring into broader violence. Ruiz’s work on behalf of...
El Salvador: Transparency Law Stalled
A law that, “would have required government institutions, and private entities tied to the state, to make information available to the public without, necessarily, a formal request, by establishing an accessible database of information,” is stalled, as reported by Voices from El Salvador's Weblog.
Pakistan: The Veenagate Controversy
Veena Malik, an aspiring Pakistani celebrity, was accused by religious hardliners of immoral behavior as she took part in the Indian reality show Big Boss. Reactions on this controversy show that Pakistan now stands divided amongst its conservative and liberal forces.
Guatemala: Former President on Trial on Embezzlement Charges
Central American Politics writes about the trial of former Guatemalan President Alfonso Portillo, “currently on trial in Guatemala on embezzlement charges.”
Chile: Citizens respond to natural gas crisis in Magallanes
The announcement to raise natural gas prices in the southern region of Magallanes in Chile generated an immediate reaction from citizens that forced the government to modify the measure. Protests, barricades, and mobilized citizenry were followed minute by minute on social networks in Chile.
Russia: First Twitter Reports of Domodedovo Suicide Bombing
A deadly explosion killed at least 35, and wounded as many as 70 people in the Moscow airport Domodedovo. Early reports assert (ru) that the attack was a suicide bomb. Information has been coming in from many sources. Twitter is experiencing an explosion of tweets with the hashtag #Domodedovo.
Cuba: Obama Eases Several Embargo Restrictions
US President Barack Obama signed into law a series of small legislative reforms to the US embargo on Cuba. Many in the US-Cuba blogging community hailed this as a small but significant step in improving relations between the two countries, while others have criticized the reform.
Russia: Domodedovo Airport Blast
A bomb exploded at Moscow's Domodedovo airport, at least ten casualties reported. An avalanche of Twitter items here (RUS) and here (RUS, ENG). @ann_mint, who works at Domodedovo, was one of the first Twitter users to report on the blast; “There're victums in #domodedovo Pray for us,” she wrote (ENG)...
Malaysia: Hindu Festival Celebrated Amid Protest
The Hindu festival of Thaipusam, a public holiday in Malaysia, was celebrated as devotees thronged the famous Batu Caves to fulfil their vows. This year's event became controversial after activists were arrested for protesting the inclusion of a "racist" novel in schools. The book depicts the Indians as the "pariah caste"
Taiwan: Greenpeace member arrested
Tipsuda Atichakaro, a Thai member of Greenpeace's flagship Rainbow Warrior, was arrested in the first protest in Taiwan during the ship's East Asia tour to protect the ocean. Taiwan environmental activist wobblies67 tweets that “…a member was arrested by the police and is now under investigation at District Prosecutors Office. Our lawyer friend says...
Africa: The 2011 Diageo Africa Business Reporting Awards
Bankelele announces the launch of The 2011 Diageo Africa Business Reporting Awards – DABRA in Nairobi, Kenya. Entries are invited from all African countries for the winners to be announced in London later this year.
Russia: Bloggers Choose RuNet Events of 2010
LiveJournal administration published [RUS] list of the most memorable events and personalities of 2010 chosen by bloggers. The winners: Wikileaks, Moscow mayor's resignation, wildfires, riots on Manezhnaya square, investigation of corruption in Russian pipeline company “Transneft”. Ilya Varlamov (Zyalt) has been chosen as the best blogger, and the photo of the year...
Egypt: What to Pack for the January 25 Demonstrations
Egyptian Alyaa Gad suggests what demonstrators should carry in their backpacks for demonstrations planned across Egypt tomorrow (Ar): “Your backpack: food and candy/clothes/a blanket/a phone and card/water/tissue/bandage/disinfectant/Aspirin/cotton/plastic gloves/paper and pencil/swimming goggles (against tear gas).”
Egypt: Live from Tunisia
Egypt-based Issandr El Amrani, writing at The Arabist, is in Tunisia, and blogging from the ground. “I'll be reporting from here for various publications, but most of it won't be news — it will be long pieces to try and dig deeper into the Tunisian revolution and where it's headed,...
Brazil: Chief of Police assaults man on a wheelchair
A physically disabled lawyer was assaulted and threatened with a gun by a chief of police in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, after having complained that the officer had left his car in a reserved parking lot for the disabled, reports [pt] Renato Rovai.
A Korean Vessel Rescued from Somali Pirates, Worries of Retaliation Grow
Last Friday, South Korean special forces successfully rescued its 21 crew members who had been held as hostages by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea. Prudent net users have raised worries over possible retaliation and complaints against mainstream media for neglecting important domestic issues and the efforts of the individuals who have actually saved the crews.
