Stories from 11 July 2011
Malaysia: Bersih 2.0 Rally Rattles the Government
It was organized to push merely for electoral reforms but Malaysia's huge Bersih rally last weekend which was violently dispersed by the police has grown into a political movement that threatens the image and stability of the government. Bersih is now called by many people as the name of Malaysia's revolution
India: A Facebook Campaign To Remove Unwanted Posters
The Poster Hatao (remove posters) Facebook campaign initiated by Shivraj Kumar, a 78-year-old retired army colonel, is gaining momentum. The aim of the campaign is to keep the Indian capital Delhi free from poster nuisance.
Pakistan: Embracing the Google+ Circles
The past couple of weeks might be forever remembered as a game changer in the realm of social media in Pakistan. It was when Google rolled out its all encompassing and challenging social behemoth of a network called Google Plus. Pakistan is crazy about social networking, so it is of little wonder that the launch of Google+ garnered so much reaction.
Russia: Potential of e-Government
Adriel Hampton of Adriel Nation posts impressions of great potential for Russian e-Government after discussions with a Gov 2.0 advocate, pointing to various projects within the sector in Russia.
Senegal-Chad: Is Habré Extradition a Political Diversion by Wade?
Commenting former Chad president Hissene Habré's extradition to his homeland, makaila.over-blog observes [fr]: “Many Senegalese analysts are already questionning whether this is just a diversion by the Senegalese embattled president. The opposition and civil society organizations were planning for a massive gathering on July 9th”. The rally was ultimately banned by...
South Sudan: Celebration of Independence
Slate.fr blog reports [fr] that South Sudan celebrated the birth of their state with a friendly international football match: “South Sudanese authorities held a friendly football game between their national team and the Kenyan team on July 10th. The game took place in Juba, the new capital city, in a country...
Videos: Tortillas, Chapatis, Bread and More Around the World
Most cultures accompany their meals with a grain based product; bread, flatbreads and steamed buns are part of people's meals in many places of the world. Today we visit artisans and cooks to see how they prepare and make the food that feeds them and their families.
Senegal-Chad: Hissène Habré won't be expelled anymore
In a post published on July 11th, leboytownshow.com blog states the following [fr] :”Senegalese authorities finally announced that they suspend the deportation order against Hissène Habré (editor's note: Chad former president) “.
Haiti: Iconic Actress Passes On
Repeating Islands notes the passing of the Haitian-born actress, Jacqueline Scott-Lemoine.
Dominica: “Price is King”
“One of the biggest ironies of Dominica is that whilst the economy contracts, more and more people are importing food and inferior products and dumping it on our markets”: Caribbean Man doesn't understand why his compatriots seem to prefer the cheap option.
Jamaica: Road Rage Results in Death of Teen
Jamaica Woman Tongue comments on the road rage incident that took the life of an innocent teen, saying: “Life is cheap; BMW’s are expensive. On top of that, the gun itself has become a status symbol.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Tackling Transformation
“No one transforms for the greater good. No one transforms to save this place. All we have is Decepticons for leaders. And people who do not, cannot fly”: Attillah Springer notices unsettling parallels between the new Transformers movie and real life in Trinidad and Tobago.
Peru: A Case Against Taxing Cellphones
Antonio Rodriguez Lobatón, from the blog Blawyer, argues [es] that taxing telecommunication services like cellphones or cable television is a bad idea. He says it makes no sense for the government to encourage policies to develop mobile telephony and then cause a reduction in demand as a consequence of implementing...
Mexico: Photos of Street Food in Mexico City
Lesley Téllez posts pictures of street food in Mexico City in her blog The Mija Chronicles.
Panama: What Does ‘Middle Class’ Mean?
In Contrapunto [es], Hannah asks what it means to be part of the ‘middle class’ in Panama. Sociologists and economists place the mark at a minimum monthly salary of $500 USD, she explains. But Hannah wonders if a ‘middle class’ family can really cover all its needs with $500 a...
Portugal: Research on Literacy, Media and Citizenship
The Research Center on Communication and Society from the University of Minho, in Portugal, has made available for download the proceedings of the First National Congress on Literacy, Media and Society. Among more than sixty papers on several topics, there is one dedicated to “Perspectives on info-exclusion in the lusophone...
Jamaica: Reporting Standards
Active Voice blogs about double standards in media reporting here and here.
Zambia: Tourism Body Ignores Local Musicians For Rebranding Event
The Zambia Tourist Board has just rebranded with a new logo. However, to the chagrin of local musicians, the board invited a Paris-based Congolese musician Fally Ipupa to perform at the rebranding function in the capital, Lusaka. Exasperated Zambian tweeps were quick to pick on the ZTB faux pas and quickly took to their gadgets to express their disapproval of the move.
Spain: More Information on tomalaplaza.net
The website tomalaplaza.net [es] now offers sections (labeled with the names of cities) with information on all the local civic movements that have developed in Spain since last May 15 (15M).
Cuba: Silvio Rodríguez Remembers Facundo Cabral
Iroel Sánchez comments that Cuban singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez [es] honored in his blog Segunda Cita [es] the memory of the recently murdered Argentinian artist Facundo Cabral.
Estonia: Celebration of Nazi occupation
Kloty of Gedanken über Estland draws attention to [GER] a celebration of the 70th anniversary of Nazi occupation of Estonian town of Viljandi, and discusses how locals considered it preferrable to Soviet occupation, turning a blind eye to atrocities committed against the town's Jewish population during World War II.
