Stories about Portuguese from February, 2008
Brazil: Following up the Democratic Primaries
‘Biscoito Fino e a Massa‘ is closely following the Texas Democratic Primary polls [PT], and reports about Obama's surge toward nomination. He also tries hard to explain the primary's rules in the state, and mention past local cases of electoral mess and misconduct like the ‘gerrymandering’ in 2003. The blog...
A book about political murders in Brazil
The Brazilian IndyMedia site is reporting about a new book by the Brazilian journalist Natália Viana about the political murders of human-rights activists in Brazil in the last decades. The report says the entire book is available to be downloaded here. All the links in this roundup are in portuguese.
Brazil: Sexual tourism, dreams-come-true, sour goodbyes and illegality
Sandra Paulsen writes[PT] from Stockholm at Blog do Noblat[PT] about Swedish sexual tourism in Brazil and Tailand and sad stories about Brazilian women that travel back with their “boyfriends” to their home Sweden, just to face a hard and bitter break-up and illegality in a foreign and lawful land. Blog...
Sharing music for free is not a crime, in Spain
Miguel Caetano, who faithfully writes at his blog Remixtures, blogs about[PT] the relative freedom to share music non-commercialy through P2P enjoyed in Spain, and compliments Spanish judges for their fine understanding of the net and it's social dynamics.
What does make them come to Campus Party?
Donizete Soares from Sentimentos e Pensamentos [Feelings and Toughts, PT] asked some campuseros at Campus Party Brasil 2008 [PT] about their motivations to leave behind their diary lives and flock to meetings like the one held in São Paulo two weeks ago — and released the full audio of these...
Lusospheric Literature: Sabedoria de Improviso
Czarina writes in short, razor-sharp, words in her Sabedoria de Improviso [Makeshift Wisdom, PT] about what she may or may not have learned, and maybe about what she lived. She renders no explanations [PT] for those who need it.
East Timor: Would it be possible to hold elections earlier?
FORUM HAKSESUK [pt] posted an analysis by António Ramos Naikoli on the chances of achieving an early election in East Timor, a possibility considered by the country's largest opposition party, FRETILIN, in the face of the assassination attempts on the two Timor leaders.
Brazil: Human rights groups united against extermination groups
Vera Mattos [pt] publishes a statement by various human right groups denouncing the work of extermination groups, protesting against the ineffective public security and demanding that the authorities investigate the execution of young, poor black people resident of the outskirts of Salvador, capital of Bahia, Brazil.
Mozambique: Demanding un update on the children trafficking case
Luis David [pt] demands an update on the situation of the 40 children found in a truck intercepted by police in Inchope, reported back in January. The children were supposedly being taken to schools to study the Koran, with their parents consent. “And that casts doubt on whether it was...
Angola: Condolences message
“Angola lost today two of its most distinguished defenders of Angolanness: Gentil Ferreira Viana and Joaquim Pinto de Andrade. Two men from different backgrounds but alike in the highest defense of our homeland and Angolanness”, reports Eugénio Costa Almeida [pt], who has condolences messages for both nationalists who contributed to...
East Timor: Salsinha admits attacking Xanana Gusmão
According to Timor Online [pt], Gastão Salsinha, who replaced Alfredo Reinado as the rebels’ leader after he was killed during the attacks on the East Timor's top leaders, has admitted having opened fire against Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão but said they did not intend to kill him. “So the theory...
Brazil: Protesting against public corruption
Blog do Tchôla [pt] has a video and pictures from a massive popular protest on the streets of Maceió, capital of one of Brazil's poorest states. The protest was against the public corruption that has led to R$ 200 million (around US$ 114 million) losses caused by unauthorized, irregular, and...
Angola: Racism is unavoidable
(R)evolução em Angola [pt] publishes the first of a series of posts by Mukuolua Kinamatos about racism in Angola. “White or mixed races? Asked me the lady who was filling my identity card form. White, black and mixed races are the 3 races that can be provided on the Angolan...
Africa: The dust horror
“Between Conakry and Bamako there are 1000 km of motorways. First forests, then mountain, savannas after. It is a gift to the eyes and a way to ease the 15 hours’ drive. The trip ends in a bath of dust, by the entrance to Mali's capital”. On publishing an incredible...
Cape Verde: Journalist is jailed
A journalist has been jailed this week for taking photographs in Cape Verde, Nós Media [pt] reports. The blogger has learned the piece of news trough a newspaper's website. “Despite the ambiguity of the piece of news, that don't let us really understand the circumstances in which the journalist was...
Angola: A new web forum
Angola Haria [pt] has created a new discussion forum for Angolans, a place where the blog's readers may write a simple message, share memories or promote healthy discussions.
Brazil: While traditional media deals with lawsuits, blogs report
Two of the biggest media companies in Brazil are currently involved is court cases that similarly raise the issue of freedom of speech and press even though the media finds itself on opposite sides of the issue in the two cases. Blogs are uniquely pointing out the similarity and contradictions revealed by the connectedness of both situations.
Brazil: Posting together against paedophilia
At least 200 Brazilian bloggers so far have promised to make a post against paedophilia today and many blogs are already wearing a badge. Tânia [pt], a state prosecutor, has posted a real history whose end is not a happy one. The campaign has been organized by Luz de Luma...
Mozambique: People out of the bottle
Carlos Serra [pt] has discovered a new popular expression circulating among Mozambicans: ‘people are out of the bottle’. He provides interpretations in the face of protests against the cost of living that have taken place in the country: “It seems that the term refers to the won sense of freedom,...
East Timor: Investigate Xanana first
A text by Leidar, a human rights activist based and Bidau, Dili, published on Timor Online casts suspition at Xanana's involvement at Monday's incidents. “Xanana’s Convoy was attacked almost one hour later after the attack at President Residence. How was the security information circulated at that time? Xanana’s Security guards...
East Timor: Please come forward and bring the truth
Malai Azul [pt] launches an appeal to those who may be involved in Monday's assassination attempts in East Timor to carefully give themselves up: “A piece of advice from us: come forward, at least the truth will be revealed.”
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