Stories from 1 April 2011
Jamaica: Public Frustration
Ruthibelle dubs the Manatt Dudus Commission of Enquiry the “Comedy of Enquiry”, then explains why she continues to watch; Grasshopper Eyes The Potomac, meanwhile, wonders whether the country is “irie” or “irate”.
Trinidad & Tobago: Mohammed's Statements
B.C. Pires and Guanaguanare take note of the fallout over the recent statements of the Police Service Commission Chair, which suggested that there is a racial imbalance in the service.
Cuba: Hope from the Carter Meeting
“I know Jimmy Carter does not hold in his hands the solutions for all of Cuba”: Still, Octavo Cerco reflects on her meeting with the former U.S. President, saying that it “remind[s] [her] that…there is a light at the end of the road.”
Jamaica: Environment Under Siege
“Jamaica’s coasts and vital mangroves have been under assault for decades from shoreline over development”: Labrish blogs about the latest victim.
Guyana: Immigration Wants to Know
Guyana-Gyal has “been fillin’ a’ visa form online” – no surprise, then, that she needs to lie down.
Attahiru Jega: Nigeria's Electoral Captain or Captor?
Nigerian netizens argue that the hazy web of Nigerian politics needs a competent umpire during the 2011 General Elections. Attahiru Jega, the electoral boss, will have to prove in the next weeks that elections can be as easy as A, B, C.
Mali: Innocence Lost
Ayigbe Boys loves the innocence captured in a photo taken by Malian photographer, Malick Sidibe who is noted for his black-and-whites of popular culture in the 1960s in Bamako.
Mexico Appoints its First Female Attorney General after Arturo Chavez Resigns
Erwin in The Latinamericanist reports on the resignation of Attorney General Arturo Chávez, adding that: “Chavez’ resignation opens the doors for Mexico’s first female Attorney General. Calderon named investigative prosecutor Marisela Morales to the post with the aim of deepening ‘the strategic role of the attorney general's office, in particular...
Ghana: “African Woman” by Ghana's Afro Pop Queen
Jemila writes about the latest video from Ghana's Afropop Queen, Becca titled : African Woman: “You know Circumspect couldn't pass this one by. Check out her other vids too; she has such a unique and authentic flavor and def love how she reps her African identity!”
Colombia: University Students Protest in Bogotá
Jim Wyss from Inside South America posts pictures and writes about the student protests he witnessed in the Bogotá neighbordhood La Macarena. He explains: “Colombia's congress is mulling a bill that would allow for private investment in state-run schools. Some are worried the deal would also deprive universities of their...
Guatemala: Antigua Municipal Government Removes Street Carts
Antigua Daily Photo posts pictures by Miguel De León Soto of small street carts that sell fresh fruits in Antigua, Guatemala: “he’s outraged the municipal government has removed these typical street carts without consultation. He believes these carts not only provide much needed services and products, such as fresh fruits,...
Russia: Author of The Three Big Pigs Gains International Fame
Yegor Zhgun [ru], Russian designer, who skillfully combined Disney's tune and “Angry Birds” game in a Libya-related satirical cartoon, has been spotted by AFP. See GV post on another Zhgun's work here.
Côte d'Ivoire: The Final Battle of Abidjan
For the past few days, things have accelerated in Cote d’Ivoire. International media seems to have regained an interest in the Ivorian crisis. A status quo which would have kept the country in a complicated stalemate was feared for a while. But after the inconclusive negotiations with the African Union, Ouattara’s camp has decided to take action
Argentina: Reactions and Analysis of Blockade of Newspapers Clarín and La Nación
On Sunday the 27th of March, Argentina awoke to some big news: The daily Clarín could not distribute their newspapers in Buenos Aires due to a blockade at their printing plant. Various opinions and analyses are the subject of much discussion today in the local blogosphere.
Russia: New Government Initiative Questions the Nature of Online Monitoring
Russian authorities declared that they are interested in developing new system for monitoring of online content. The document of the tender for the new system not only provides information about what Russian government is interested to monitor, but also exposes its attitude towards information technologies.
Côte d'Ivoire: Abidjan in the Waning Hours of Gbagbo's Regime
The last two days have been rich in twists and turns in Côte d'Ivoire.The Forces Loyal to Ouattara started an offensive towards the South and the West of the country. In less than three days, they succeeded in taking the cities of Douékoué and reached Yamoussoukro on March 30th. Ivorians react to the escape of prisonners, the shutting down of national television RTI and the whereabout of Gbagbo:
Bangladesh: Buddhist Tourism Sites
Bangladesh Unlocked highlights some of the archeological sites in Bangladesh which are rich and tangible remains of a great Buddhist culture.
China: Maps Showing Earthquake Zone and Nuclear Plant
Laputa puts up three maps [zh] showing China's earthquake zone and nuclear plants location.
Kyrgyzstan: Interview with the former tycoon, now a criminal
Sabina Reingold interviews Eugene Gurevich, former director of MGN Group, which was managing most part of the state assets in Kyrgyzstan under the previous president Kurmanbek Bakiev. Gurevich fled the country after the popular uprising in April 2010 and has been recently sentenced in absentia to 15 years in jail.
Tajikistan: Russia raises petroleum prices
Christya Riedel reports that Russia has increased tariffs on oil and oil products exported to Tajikistan, putting the country's farmers at risk as they prepare for the spring planting season. Tajikistan receives 92.5% oil products from Russia.
Uzbekistan: Next on the List of Revolutions?
Last month, Alen Mattich at The Wall Street Journal produced and published an index of likely candidate countries ripe for an upheaval. The fact that Uzbekistan is 15th on the list, while Libya holds the 13th place, has provoked numerous articles in the local online media and in the blogosphere.
