Stories from 26 December 2006
Ethiopia/Somalia: Ethiopia at war
“So we are at war. We are no longer “technically” at war, or swapping challenges and insults, or officially providing training support to somebody else's army,” writes Meskel Square from Ethiopia.
Haiti: Teacher's Union Denounces Insecurity
Many school children have recently been the victims of kidnappings in Haiti and the Haitian press reports that teachers’ unions have denounced what they feel is the government's inaction vis-a-vis the phenomenon. Collectif Haiti de Provence reacted (Fr) to the story: “The teachers’ declaration is timely but insufficient in the...
Guadeloupe, India: 152nd Anniversary of Tamul Hindus’ Arrival
Atout Guadeloupe announces (Fr) that Guadeloupeans of Hindu Tamul origin celebrated the 152nd anniversary of their ancestors’ arrival in Guadeloupe on Dec. 24. Says the feed: “Hindus arrived after the second abolition of slavery.” The ceremony which took place in capital Pointe-a-Pitre included offerings of flowers to the ocean and...
Martinique, Guadeloupe: A Star is Born
Atout Guadeloupe is happy (Fr) that 19 year-old Martiniquan Cyril won the Star Academy reality show/music contest, a French equivalent of American Idol. Says the feed: “19, millions of Euros, a budding career. Guadeloupe joins the pride and joy of Martinique for Cyril's victory… [We] predict a wonderful career for...
Jamaica: Development and apathy
Pondering the debate in Jamaica over proposed development for bauxite in Cockpit Country, AliceClaire asks: “Really, which is worse: our myopic vision and planning or a largely, and surprisingly, dormant civil society that let's too many things slide right on by them?“
Jamaica: Entrepreneurship and governance
Jamaican blogger Francis Wade is concerned that “our leaders of government who have never run companies do not understand the nature of business, and when they start to support the individual’s “right to a job” they do not understand what they are saying.”
Bolivia: Politics Falls Apart, Christmas Comes Together
This week's Bolivian blog summary was written by a guest collaborator, Miguel Buitrago, a Bolivian currently pursuing his Ph.D in political science in Hamburg, Germany. His Bolivian blog is called MABB. As the year winds down, and Bolivians prepare to celebrate what is considered one of the most important holydays...
Vietnam: Christmas in Vietnam
Chris Harvey has pictures from a Christmas eve service in a Catholic church in Vietnam. “Many of you will be surprised to learn that Christmas in Vietnam is *huge*. And I don't mean the Vietnamese kinda sorta like it. They freaking LOVE Christmas.”
Laos: New Mekong Bridge and Troubles with Traffic Direction
The New Mandala comments on the regulatory issues that are delaying land transport between Vietnam and Thailand even thought the new bridge over the Mekong river is ready for use.
