Stories from 18 July 2012
Africa: Nelson Mandela, an Icon Transcending Differences
On his 94th birthday, the entire world is celebrating Nelson Mandela, and the internet users of Francophone Africa are no exception. Nelson Mandela remains an absolute icon of the African renaissance, throughout the continent. Francophone bloggers have praised the life of the man whom they affectionately call "Madiba", and the lessons learned from his struggle.
South Africa: Happy Birthday Tata Nelson Mandela
One of the world's greatest icons of the modern age, Nelson Mandela, known fondly in South Africa as Tata [father] Madiba, celebrated his 94th birthday today. His birthday has not only been celebrated offline but also online as Muhammad Karim shows.
Lebanon: Mixed Feelings Following Syria's Bombing
Today's Damascus blast cost the life of Syria's deputy Defense Minister Assef Shawkat and other top officials of president Bashar Al Assad's inner circle. As usual, the blast had its direct repercussions on Lebanon. Lebanese netizens take to their keyboards to share their thoughts.
El Salvador: President Funes Airs First Weekly Radio Program
“Conversando con el Presidente” (Talking with the President”) is a “weekly radio call in program to let citizens call and talk to their president,” as Tim's El Salvador Blog explains. Blogger Hunnapuh [es] gathers citizen reactions to the first show (aired Saturday, July 14, 2012), and shares his own opinion...
Israeli Tourist Bus Attacked in Bulgaria
At least seven people were killed in an attack against Israeli youth on a tour bus in Burgus Airport in Bulgaria. Reports claim the attack was most likely carried out by a suicide bomber, who was either next to the bus or who got on the bus.
Egypt: Egyptians Give Advice to Syrians
Egyptians are dishing out advice to Syrians - on Twitter. Under a dedicated hash tag, the advice ranges from "do not take photographs with tanks" to "take advice from someone else." The move follows news from Damascus this afternoon that three of Syrian president's inner circle have been killed in a bomb blast in Damascus. They include the Defense Minister, whose successor has since been named.
Trinidad & Tobago: Irresponsible Advertising
“The new tagline for the rum’s advertisements was ‘When it pours, you reign.’ My brain exploded. Really? Show images of soaking wet, drunk-looking women, in a campaign that explicitly gives complete domination to the “you” to whom the ads appeal?” Lisa Allen-Agostini wonders “what on earth [the advertising agency was]...
Jamaica: Is Bolt still as fast as lightning?
Annie Paul republishes a piece she wrote for Newsweek on Usain Bolt's chances at the London Olympics.
Syria: Live Blogging from Midan
Syrian blogger Razan Ghazzawi was live blogging from the Midan neighbourhood in Damascus. Here's her take.
Syria: Netizens Say Countdown for Bashar Begins
Twitter is abuzz with news of the beginning of the end of the Assad regime, following a bomb explosion in Damascus in which three senior members of president Bashar Al Assad's inner circle were killed.
Colombia: “We are going to end with darkness in Congress”
On Facebook the Primary Constituent movement [es] is calling [es] for a gathering at Plaza de Bolívar (Bogotá's main public square) to protest corruption of politicians and demand that Emilio Otero is not reelected as secretary of the Colombian Congress. The gathering, called “We are going to end with darkness...
Mozambique: Scholarship Students Kicked Out of Sudanese University
An open complaint letter published on social media by a group of scholarship holders from Mozambique at the International University of Africa, in Khartoum, Sudan, regarding their precarious social and financial situation, led to five of them being expelled and sent back to their home country.
Africa: African Women on Fire
Rumbidzai Dube explains why 2012 is the year for African women: “2012 has been a progressive year for African women in global politics. In April Joyce Banda of Malawi became the first ever female president of Malawi and the Second Female president in Africa […]Just yesterday, Dr Nkosana Dhlamini-Zuma became...
Ukraine: “Opposition Talk” Vs. Reality
Taras of Ukrainiana posts a video of the roundtable discussion by the Ukrainian “united opposition” (which took place on July 17 and lasted 3 hours and 37 minutes) – as well as videos featuring “Dnipropetrovsk subway construction workers who have gone without pay for six months” and a Dnipropetrovsk woman...
Croatia: Anja Mutić's “Local Voices Croatia”
Back in April, Anja Mutić of Ever the Nomad (blog; Facebook page) launched the Local Voices Croatia series, which now has eleven interviews with “people who are making a difference, the masterminds behind interesting places, projects and events” – “local “artists, visionaries, foodies, adventurers, nature enthusiasts… The creative cream of...
Zambia: More Officials Than Athletes Travel to London Olympics?
Sports and Youth Minister Chishimba Kambwili recently said Zambia does not expect any medals from the London Olympics. Well, how can Zambian win medals if there will be more officials than athletes in London?
Russia: “Spasibo!” the Russian Charity Thrift Shop
For Europeans, charity thrift shops are well-loved retailers. While this model is still relatively unknown in Russia, the appearance of the “Spasibo!” (Thank You!) community has sparked the development of a new movement in this direction.
Russia: Yaroslavl Court Blocks Access to LiveJournal
Subscribers to Netis Telecom in Yaroslavl (an estimated 6,000 people) can no longer access LiveJournal, Russia's most popular blogging platform, after a local court today agreed to a request from the Kirovskii raion Prosecutor's office and banned the online resource [ru] because of extremist content on a specific LJ webpage. Internet-providers have...
China: Blogger Shorts SINA to 8% Shares Plunge With a Tweet
On July 16, famous Chinese blogger Isaac Mao wrote on Twitter that he would be shorting $SINA everyday, in reaction to SINA Weibo's (a Chinese microblogging platform) deletion of his user account. His message was delivered to investors from all around the world and next day SINA's NASDAQ listed price dropped by 8%.
China: Draft Rule to Prohibit Citizens from Monitoring Air?
A draft rule on the management of environmental monitor [zh] may result in the prohibition of citizens and NGOs from monitoring the air quality in China. Charles Zhu from Tea Leaf Nation explains the background of the rule and politics at play.
China: State-run Media's English Forum
Beijing Cream looks into the “harmonious” interaction of a newly launched English Forum under State run media, Xinhua's website.
