Stories from 12 July 2011
Macedonia, Tunisia, Egypt: Comparing Experiences
SlavicaI compares the features of Macedonian protests with those in Egypt and Tunisia, based on shared experiences by participants of the Summer University at Universitat Rovira i Virgili (Tarragona, Spain).
Venezuela: 200 Years of Independence
During the week of July 5, Venezuela celebrated 200 years of independence from Spain. Diverse participation was seen online; congratulations, cheerful comments and videos of dances, parades and concerts were shown. Nevertheless, the division of political opinions continued, and many bloggers took to the occasion to share reflections about history and identity.
Sao Tome and Principe: Saving a Cultural Crossroads
The celebration of Sao Tome and Principe's 36th anniversary of independence, on July 12, involves cultural and traditional events being held throughout the country. The country has been a cultural crossroads for centuries, absorbing various traditions into a unique blend. Bloggers help document dance traditions, and express regret that not enough is being done to preserve them for future generations.
El Salvador: The Challenges of Urbanization
Voices from El Salvador says that urbanization is becoming “increasingly problematic, specifically in terms of poverty, violence and health. […] El Salvador does not have the necessary mechanisms in place to offer everyone in the cities the resources and services they need to pursue a better life.”
Bolivia: Images of Everyday Life in El Alto
Pablo Andrés Rivero shares [es] a slideshow by photographer Patricio Cooker with music by rapper Ukamau y Ke: “The pictures reflect everyday life in El Alto, one of the most sui generis cities in Latin America, because of its rapid growth and its peculiar social, economic, and political dynamics.”
Bahamas: Facebook Discussion Etiquette
Rick Lowe at Weblog Bahamas thinks that “genuine discussion” on Facebook “has gone the way of the Dodo bird”, adding: “Invective might be fun, but it serves no purpose other than to attempt to cut a conversation/discussion off.”
Cuba: Roldán the Composer
AfriClassical profiles Amadeo Roldán (1900-1939), an Afro-Cuban composer, violinist, conductor and professor.
Trinidad & Tobago: Smooth Operator
B.C. Pires thinks that “the People’s Partnership appears to be living in interesting times.”
Cuba: The Challenges of Agriculture
Iván García blogs about the experience of a farmer who is convinced that “the main responsibility for the scarcity of agricultural and cattle products is the Cuban government.”
Bermuda: Urgent Need for Governance Legislation
Five years have passed since Bermuda “agreed to extend the UN Convention Against Corruption ‘at the earliest opportunity'”; Vexed Bermoothes thinks action is long overdue.
Russia-USA: Looming lobbying scandal
John Helmer of Dancing With Bears reports about a looming lobbying scandal in Washington, DC, where senior US officials allegedly have been intensely courted by PR-people, employed by Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska, trying to influence US policy towards Russia.
Zimbabwe: Socialists Facing Treason Charge
Zimbabwe socialists are facing treason charge: “The International Socialist Organisation [ISO] Zimbabwe wishes to update all progressive cadres, socialists, revolutionaries and democrats who have been in solidarity with us since the unjust February 19th 2011 arrest, detention and torture of ISO comrades, student leaders and human rights activists that the...
Russia: Cruiser Catastrophe Causes Questions
As casualty numbers rise from Sundays' ferry catastrophe on the river Volga, Russians have come to the bitter realization of yet another tragedy, with a death-toll of well over a hundred people. As usual, news of deplorable conditions are brought to public attention, causing popular anger and indignation, but this time these feelings almost seem to outdo those of sympathy with the victims and their relatives, as the Russian blogosphere reacts to the tragedy.
Zambia: Brenda Zulu Discusses the State of Zambian Blogosphere
The spotlight is on Brenda Zulu, a Zambian journalist and blogger. Based in Lusaka, Zambia, Brenda has been blogging since 2004 and is one of Zambia’s seasoned blogger’s. I talked with Brenda about her life, her blogging origins and the state of Zambian blogosphere.
Tunisia: Registration for Elections Start, Technical Snags Reported
Tunisians started registering on electoral lists yesterday (July 11, 2011) to cast their votes on October 23 to elect a constituent assembly, which will write their country's new constitution. However, technical snags are already being reported.
China: Dealing with heat wave
Ministry of Tofu has collected a series of photos showing how ordinary Chinese people deal with heat wave.
Ukraine: Timoshenko trial worries
LevKo of Foreign Notes discusses his impressions that Ukrainians are becoming increasingly worried about the alleged show-trial against former Premier and opposition leader Yulia Timoshenko; worries that now arguably extend to an increasing number of President Yanukovich's supporters.
China: Detained Tibetan Writer Severely Beaten
High Peaks Pure Earth translates Woser's blogpost on July 7 2011 about the detention and mistreatment of young Tibetan writer Pema Rinchen by the Chinese authority.
China: Political Terms
Qian Gang analyses Chinese President Hu Jintao’s report delivered on July 1, 2011, to the conference commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) by looking into the frequency of CCP leaders’ trademark political terms in his speech.
Russia: Arctic environment and exploitation
Mia Bennet at Foreign Policy Blog writes about plans for a dual exploitation and environmental cleanup of the Russian Arctic.
South Korea: Skin Problems Occurred by Tear Gas Solution
More than seven thousand protesters clashed with the police on July 10 in a rally against unfair layoffs at Hanjin Heavy Industries. The Wiki Tree site consolidated photos of protesters who reported skin problems after exposure to tear gas solution the police fired at them.
