Stories from 16 January 2012
Iran: Jailed Islamic Cleric and Blogger on Hunger Strike
Islamic cleric and blogger, Mohammad Sadegh (Arash) Honarvar Shojayi, is on hunger strike in prison in Iran to protest the four year prison sentence he received in October 2011 for defaming the regime and clergy.
Peru: Citizens Welcome Last Phase of the 2012 Dakar Rally
On Sunday January 15, 2012, Lima welcomed the Dakar Rally on its final stage. Here are some impressions on the event.
Cuba: Citizen Media Workshop
Crossing the Barbed Wire blogs about a recent workshop “about the basics of citizen journalism and what could be done with the new information technologies”, adding: “The importance of what we now refer to as ‘citizen journalism’ gives human rights activists, social promoters, and dissidents in general a push…”
Cuba: Tackling Racism
Iván's File Cabinet profiles “two of the most lucid and coherent voices on the map of Cuban opposition”, who are fighting for democracy and “racial integration for the those of African origin in all social strata in Cuba.”
Caribbean: Thank You, Dr. King
Today, the United States marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day - a floating holiday which celebrates the birthday of the late civil right leader. The occasion resonates with Caribbean bloggers, both at home and throughout the diaspora and a few of them share their thoughts…
Colombia: Protesters Say ‘No More’ to Bullfighting
Mike's Bogota Blog shares pictures of a protest against bullfighting which took place in Colombia's capital. He explains: “The animal rights protesters, who call themselves anti-taurinos, were bolstered by new Mayor Gustavo Petro's comments that Bogotá should consider banning bullfighting, and that the city would no longer provide financial support...
Guatemala: President Calls on Military to ‘Neutralize Illegal Armed Groups’
Bloggings by boz comments and reports on “a new top priority,” issued by the newly sworn in President Otto Perez Molina, for the Guatemalan military: “‘Achieve an interdiction of external threats and neutralize illegal armed groups, through the use of military power, by regaining and maintaining control of the air,...
El Salvador: Top Stories of 2011
Tim's El Salvador Blog summarizes the top stories from El Salvador in 2011.
Panama City Mayor Resigns
The resignation of the Mayor of the capital city of Panama marked the start of the 2012 political intrigues, prompting all kinds of reactions on social networks, from those who agree with the Mayor's decision, to those who see the action as an abuse of power by President Martinelli.
Lebanon: Her Veil
“And when I made up my mind and ran to my mom screaming ”baddi it7ajab” [I want to wear the veil] she looked at me and said if you wear it now will you ever take it off ? I paused and asked her ”Are you ever going to take...
Lebanon: Snow Haiku
As snow falls on Lebanon's mountains, Haiku from Lebanon posts its latest: “The tender snow Has wiped away The weeping willow's tears”
Lebanon: Building Collapses in Ashrafieh
Najib is reporting about the collapse of a building in the Ashrafieh neighborhood of Beirut. Rescue workers are removing rubble while trying to save about 30 inhabitants who were in the building when it fell.
Peru: Cápac Raymi, The Andean Christmas
Before the introduction of Christmas festivities to Peru, the Incas celebrated Cápac Inti Raymi Killa, a religious festival that took place in honour of the Sun. Cápac Raymi is no longer celebrated as it once was, but today Inca an Christian elements mix during the end of the year festivities in various towns of the Peruvian Andes.
Iran: A group of Iranians celebrate win at Golden Globes
Here is a film shows a group of Iranians celebrating “A Seperation” win at Golden Globes.
Iran: Celebrating The 1st Golden Globe For Iran
Iranian users in Twitter, Facebook, Friendfeed and other social media are celebrating that Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi's drama ‘A Separation‘ won the award for best foreign language film at the 69th Golden Globes. Aysan posted in her Facebook: This is about 3 years that our Facebook profiles have been full...
Bahamas: Need for a Voters’ Manifesto
“It’s 2012 and the silly season is officially upon us”: Blogworld notes that “it’s a rare situation this election. For the first time in 35 years, it’s a proper three-way race…[yet] predictably, and unfortunately so, the discussion is progressing the way football hooligans support their favourite teams.”
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Don't Blame the Women
“Every now and again politicians make comments that are mind numbingly stupid”: Abeni calls out St. Vincent's deputy Prime Minister for her plea to “Vincentian females not to dress in a manner that tempts men.”
Jamaica: Blog Awards
“This award didn’t depend on electoral machinery…and for that I’m proud to accept it”: Active Voice wins a Jamaica Blog Award and thanks the organizers for “doing what’s necessary to popularize and publicize what we all do online…”
Trinidad & Tobago: Joy in the Ordinary
West Indian Mother is combating indifference with a sense of wonder.
Jamaica: Tribute to Nembhard
National Gallery of Jamaica Blog pays tribute to the artist Hylton Nembhard, who recently passed away, calling him “a significant figure in the context of Jamaican art.”
Russia: Twitter Clone Launched
Mail.ru group (owner of Blogs.mail.ru and a significant share of Vkontakte social network) had launched today futubra.com, a social network ‘inspired’ by Twitter.
