Stories from 15 April 2012
Colombia: Painter and Sculptor Fernando Botero Celebrates 80
On April 19, 2012 the Colombian sculptor and painter Fernando Botero will turn 80 years old. The celebrations for his birthday have already started in Colombia and other parts of the world. On the internet citizens share their opinions and analysis of Botero and his works.
French Presidential Candidate's Video to Attract Minorities
François Hollande, the left wing candidate in the French presidential elections recently posted a video on youTube showing him walking in the French suburbs surrounded by minorities to the music of “Niggas in Paris” by Jay-Z and Kanye West. Commenting the video, AfroEurope writes: “After appearing on YouTube on Tuesday,...
Colombia: Explosions near the US embassy in Bogotá
On the night of April 13, against the backdrop of the Summit of the Americas [es] (a meeting of the continent's heads of State), explosions were heard [es] near the location of the United States Embasy in Bogotá. No one was injured as a result of the incident [es], and...
Armenia: The mob rules
Unzipped again comments on last week's cancelled festival of Azerbaijani films in Armenia's second largest city of Gyumri. The blog concludes that the campaign and demonstration against local peace activist Georgi Vanyan illustrated that the ‘mob rules’ and “state structures in Armenia failed to protect constitutional rights and freedom of...
Business Prospects in Myanmar
Aim Sinpeng writes about the booming business prospects in Myanmar. Foreign investments have risen especially after the government has pledged to implement some key political and economic reforms
Thailand: Free Apps for Tourists
Thailand's tourism authority has launched a website where visitors can download apps for a wide range of smartphones to help them plan their stay in the country
Tracking the Location of Singaporeans in the World
Where Are We SG is a website which maps the location of Singaporeans around the world.
Guinea-Bissau: Military Attack Citizens in Demonstration
According to Simão Mendes National Hospital [pt], the military attacked citizens in a demonstration this morning, April 15, in front of the National Parliament of Guinea-Bissau. On Facebook they have posted a picture of a stabbed patient who arrived at the hospital, “before they [the military] come and take our...
Cuba: Uproar Over Ozzie Guillen's “Love” for Fidel Castro
Across digital and mainstream media, in the United States and Cuba, Miami Marlins baseball team manager Ozzie Guillén's comments on Fidel Castro unleashed a searing debate between baseball fans, political junkies, Cuban-American Miamians, and Cubans themselves.
Egypt: The Fall, Rise and Fall of Omar Suleiman
On April 6 Omar Suleiman, Egypt's former vice president and intelligence chief, announced his candidacy for president. On April 13, tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Tahrir Square to protest. Then, in a surprising turn of events, on April 14 it was announced that Suleiman was one of ten candidates barred from standing in the elections.
Spain: King Juan Carlos and the Elephant in Botswana
Days after Felipe Juan Froilan accidentally shot himself in the foot during shooting practice, his grandfather, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, fell while he was hunting and broke his pelvis. This would have been minor news, had it not been for the fact that he was hunting elephants in Botswana on...
Azerbaijan: Emin Milli speaks at Amnesty International conference
Emin Milli, one of the two ‘donkey bloggers’ detained in July 2009 and later conditionally released in November 2010, posts the transcript of his speech delivered yesterday at Amnesty International UK's National Conference.
Azerbaijan: Free Bakhtiyar Hajiyev
NetProphet comments on the case of Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, a young activist in Azerbaijan who was sentenced to two years in prison on what international human rights groups consider politically motivated charges, and a new campaign to have him freed.
Sweden: Visiting Rinkeby, Stockholm's Immigrant Ghetto
The Rinkeby district of Stockholm, Sweden is famous for its high concentration of immigrants. Curious outsiders have documented their visits.
China: The Uyghur Question
China Matter has an article discussing the best strategy for political groups to save the Uyghur identity, culture and spirit. The blogger believes that violence is not the way.
Egypt: The Drama of the Presidential Race
It's hard to predict the results of the presidential elections in Egypt, due to the dramatic events taking place every day. This post tries to shed light on the political situation, and the status of the major candidates so far.
Syria: Safana Baqleh, the “Freedom Harp”, Arrested in Damascus
When Rima Dali was arrested on April 9 for holding a banner reading “Stop the killing. We want to build a country for all Syrians”, musician Safana Baqleh was the first person who rushed to defend her and try to stop the security forces from taking her with them. For this attempt she too was arrested.
Colombia: Approval of “Lleras Law 2.0″ Ignites Netizens’ Indignation
The approval by the Colombian Congress of a law popularly known as 'Lleras Law 2.0,' which reforms the framework to legislate and regulate copyright and intellectual property, sparked indignation among Colombian netizens.
Panama: Traffic Congestion Sparks Online Reports and Complaints
Transport is one of Panama's biggest problems and traffic jams are an everyday occurrence in the Panamanian capital. Social networking sites, especially Twitter, are seen as a good way of avoiding them or grumbling about them.
