Stories from 16 January 2007
Chile: Isabel Allende: What's in a Cover
Don't judge a book by its cover. That is, unless you want insight into how major publishing houses try to market the translations of foreign writers. Noting the difference between Isabel Allende's original book covers in Spanish and their subsequent English releases, Posthegemony postulates: “Perhaps this is a tension for...
Haiti: 10 essential writers
Baturrico posts a photo of a street side bookseller in Haiti and a list (ES) and a hyperlinked list of the “10 essential figures of Haitian literature”.
Myanmar: Chin Activist Wins Martin Luther King Prize
Burma Underground introduces Dr. Lian Hmung Sakhong, the winner of the Martin Luther King Prize for 2006. Dr. Sakhong is the General Secretary of a grouping made up ethnic minorities in Myanmar.
Suriname: Bird photos
Flickr user Dirk-Jan has a lovely photo set featuring birds of Suriname.
Jamaica: Thoughts on MLK Day
Jamaican Leon Robinson presents his thoughts on Martin Luther King Day (observed on January 15th in the US): “Though Martin Luther King Day is an American celebration, I think blacks everywhere should celebrate it, as we are one race, and a victory for one is a victory for all.“
Trinidad & Tobago: New smelter location, same story
Taran Rampersad drops by Otaheite Village in Trinidad, the site designated for the construction of an aluminium smelter after protests the community at the previously designated site brought a halt to the project: “It is apparent how the residents near Bay Road in Otaheite Village feel about ALCOA's Smelter ....
Brunei: A Blog for Visit Brunei Year
Brunei's Bloggers are setting up a blog to help tourists get more information about their country. Writes AnakBrueni “This site is created in the run-up to Visit Brunei Year 2008 to provide as much “informal” information to those who will be interested to visit Brunei Darussalam, the Land of Hidden...
Kyrgyzstan: Abortion as Birth-Control
Yulia translates a Russian-language post reporting on the use of abortion as birth-control in Kyrgyzstan.
Kazakhstan: The Nazarbayev Way
Leila reports that Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev has a new book out, and she takes a look at his prolific publishing career.
Kazakhstan: NurOtan Rises
KZBlog notices that the head of the NurOtan party was present at the first meeting of Kazakhstan's new government and says that this is a sign of the party's growing importance in Kazakh politics.
Armenia: Bribe-Free Roads
At Blogrel, Harmick reports on the first step of a project designed to eliminate bribery by traffic police.
Turkmenistan: The Campaign Trail
At neweurasia, Peter reports on developments in Turkmenistan's presidential campaign.
Tajikistan: Mercenary Marriages
Vadim explains how the imbalance in Tajikistan between males and females has an impact on how people choose spouses.
Afghanistan: Troop Surge
Safrang notices some calls for a troop surge in Afghanistan that, though it may not come to pass, draws attention to the situation in the country and keeps it from being ignored.
Cuba: Fidel's medical prospects
Cuba-centric blogs and bloggers, including Marc Masferrer, Luis M. García, Babalú and Ziva, are abuzz with speculation in the aftermath of an article in Spanish news daily El Pais about Fidel Castro's medical prospects, and the subsequent denial of the article's accuracy by Castro's chief surgeon.
Caught On Camera: Human Rights Videos on GV
You'd be forgiven for thinking it's been Saddam, Saddam, Saddam, in recent weeks, but GV has covered other human rights videos that deserve a bit of limelight – so, in this regular new feature, I'm going to round up the best of those recent stories. Something for WITNESS's Amazon Wishlist...
Botswana: positive impact of a village blog
A medical student from Nata village in Botswana writes about the impact of the Nata village blog on him, “Before the establishment of this website I must confess that I was a bit naive in as far as the exact impact of HIV/AIDS in Nata. I read thru the website...
Ethiopian bloggers fear for future in Somalia
The Ethiopian invasion of Somalia is ending freedom of speech in Somalia. That was the blunt conclusion of undercover Ethiopian blogger Seminawork in his post Somali media under attack, as news came through that Somalia's Ethiopia-backed Transitional Government had shut down independent radio stations and even closed the offices of...
Nigeria: clash of values
Black Looks writes a post, which illustrates the clash between the older and younger generation in Nigeria when it comes to sensitive issues such as homosexuality.
Kenya: blogging the World Social Forum
Kenya Democracy Project reports from the 2007 World Social Forum secretariat in Nairobi, Kenya, “That is exactly how many days remain between now, when I am keyboarding these lines, and next Saturday when a Peace March segues into the opening ceremony of the 2007 world Social Forum at Nairobi’s historic...
Nigeria: Calabar Carnival and Parade
Bella Naija writes about Calabar Carnival and Parade and The Nigerian Fashion Show, “The Calabar Carnival and Parade was one of the most colourful and exciting events ever witnessed in Nigeria. Of course, Nollywood stars were not left out.”