Stories from 18 June 2012
Latvia: Jackie Chan Blogs About Filming in Jelgava
Facebook page “If you like Latvia, Latvia likes you” highlights movie star Jackie Chan's April 2012 blog post, in which he shared his “impressions about 15 day long filming of movie stunts in Jelgava, Latvia, plus lots of photos. He tells about flying experience in Aerodium vertical wind tunnel, which...
Poland, Ukraine: A Euro 2012 Roundup
Notes and musings on issues related to the Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine: at Polandian – here, here, and here; at Memory at War – here; at Raf Uzar – here; at Politics, Economy, Society – here; at The Pipeline – here.
Ukraine: President Yanukovych's European Assets
On OpenDemocracy.com, Ukrainian journalist Serhij Leschenko writes about President Viktor Yanukovych's “luxury residence and the money trail that leads to London”: “Having completely rejected such European values as human rights and democracy, the Ukrainian president uses Europe as a place to hide his dirty money with impunity. European leaders who...
Nicaragua: The Continued Struggle to End Child Labor
It hasn't been easy to try and stop child labor in Nicaragua. While some families are seeing value in getting their children educated and are responding to awareness campaigns, for others child labor is the way they keep their families afloat.
Ukraine: Obstacles to Having a Visa-Free Regime With the EU
On Causes.com, “Make Europe visa-free for Ukrainians” now has 970 members. Odessablogger explains what some of the obstacles to a visa-free regime are: “The 2015 goal for visa-free with the EU, set by the Ukrainian government, looks likely to be 2017 due to its own inability to legislate for biometrics...
Mozambique: Need a Ride? Take the Chapa
Lucas, a Brazilian journalist in Mozambique, on his blog A voz de África (Voice of Africa), wrote a story [pt] that describes peculiar and funny situations one may come across while travelling with the local transport called chapa. A photo report on Demotix illustrates these over-busy minibus taxis in the...
Mauritania: Security Forces Break Up March, Arrest Activists
Coordinators of the youth opposition organised a demonstration held after Friday prayers on May 18, which saw opposition protestors leave the Saudi Mosque in the capital Nouakchott in a march headed towards the Ministry of Interior. The demonstration was forcefully suppressed by security forces using tear gas.
Syria: Regime Assailants Kill Blogger's Mother
Syrian blogger and activist Marcell Shehwaro, from Aleppo, lost her mother Marina, when government assailants shot at the car she was in early this morning. Netizens from around the world mourn their friend for her loss.
Puerto Rico: Concerns About Wind Energy Proposal
“Don Quijote felt he needed to defend himself from giants. I need to protect my family from these giants that are being installed in a densely populated area. Not only are they feet away from [our] homes but they are in fertile grounds used for agriculture,” wrote Puerto Rican blogger...
United States: “Shooting Blind” – Seeing With Different Eyes
Every Tuesday, a group of visually impaired photographers come together in Manhattan, New York City, grouped under the name Seeing with Photography Collective. We share some stunning images by the members of the collective.
Colombia: 72-year-old Man Demands A Decent Life
Via Facebook, Arlovich Correa [es] shares the story of a 72-year-old Colombian man who decided to climb to the top of an antenna, putting his life in danger, to demand a pension and better quality of life. Correa expresses his indignation at the people who walked by and told the...
Iran: ‘Zuckerberg should take action against insulting Islam’
The state-funded group, “The Islamic Revolution Council of IT and Digital Media Activists” have asked Mark Zuckerberg in an open letter to take action against those who ‘insult Islam’ in Facebook and prosecute them. They compared those who ‘insult Islam’ in Facebook to terrorist attacks in Iraq against Shia people...
Egypt: The Inevitable Clash between State and Muslim Brotherhood
“No matter what the outcome is, I am neither depressed nor demotivated. I have resolved, many months ago, that this revolution is continuing with or without me, and that the clash with the state and the MB [Muslim Brotherhood] is inevitable and coming,” writes Mahmoud Salem, aka The Sandmonkey.
Egypt: Muslim Brotherhood Presidential Candidate Announces Victory
Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi and Hosni Mubarak's former premier Ahmed Shafiq declared they will be the next president of Egypt. The two men went neck and neck, and the official results will be announced on Thursday. Netizens, unhappy with both candidates, turn to Twitter to express their views.
Russia: Twitter Hashtag Targeting Putin Trends Worldwide
Last month, a Russian hashtag was briefly among the top worldwide trends on Twitter. This remarkable hashtag, written in Russian Cyrillic and 30 letters long, has been used to criticize President Putin and mock popular national events. Augis Barkov reports.
Angola: Rhythms of Resistance, Past and Present
While international human rights organizations and bloggers are calling attention to the escalation of violence and repression against Angolan activists and musicians in the run up to this year's elections, in Lisbon, recently a tribute was paid to the Angolan music of resistance from the 1950s and 60s - N'Gola Ritmos. We invite you to time travel to the past of Anglola's rhythms of resistance and reflect on the country's political present.
Egypt: Final Round of the Presidential Elections in Photographs
Egyptian were called to vote on the second round of the presidential elections amidst attempts by the Supreme Council for the Armed Forces (SCAF) to keep a tight rein on the political stage. Ammoun shares photographs taken by netizens during the historic event.
Togo: Protests for Human Rights Repressed with Violence
The Association “Collectif Sauvons le Togo (Save Togo) ” published images and videos of violence following marching protests [fr] for Human Rights and Democracy in Lome, Capital City of Togo on June 12 and 13. Hundred of protesters were injured [fr] and dozens were arrested [fr].
Tunisia: Final Draft of New Constitution Preamble Causes Controversy
Tunisians are fuming over the final draft of the preamble (prelude) of the new constitution, drafted by their first elected parliament after the fall of the Ben Ali regime. Many netizens did not agree with the assembly members' vision of post-revolution Tunisia. Ahmed Medien summarises reactions.
Tunisia: Cyber-Activist Commits Suicide
Tunisian cyber-activist Karim Alimi, aged 29, committed suicide on June 16 in his Ariana home, reports Tunisia Live. Tunisie Secret sheds more light on the tragedy here [fr].
Egypt: Ikhwan Twitter Account Hacked
Zeinobia, at Egyptian Chronicles, discusses last month's hacking of the Muslim Brotherhood English website's Twitter account here.
