Stories from 6 May 2008
Angola: On the reform of the Portuguese language
Gociante Patissa [pt] invites readers to debate the proposed reform of the Portuguese language. Talking about language, the blogger is also responsible for the first ever blog in Umbundu language, language spoken by the Ovimbundu people in the central highlands of Angola.
Russia: “Russia – A Sovereign Democracy?”
Vilhelm Konnander posts an abstract of his report “on the state of democracy in Russia.”
Soviet History: “Agitation Trials”
Sean's Russia Blog comments on the article about Soviet “agitation trials,” which appeared in the Russian-language weekly Kommersant-Vlast – and was translated into English at Robert Amsterdam's blog.
Russia: Victory Day in 2005 (And Now)
Scraps of Moscow posts pictures from the 2005 Victory Day parade preparations and writes: “Hard to believe it has been three years since Moscow marked the 60th anniversary of the victory in WWII with a parade of military equipment from wartime days. Somehow that seemed like a much more endearing...
Russia: Gazprom's Stasi Connection
Robert Amsterdam writes about “the Stasi connection to Gazprom.”
Ukraine, Russia: Gas Market News
Kremlin, Inc writes, among other things, about “the entry of Gazprom’s fully-owned subsidiary into Ukraine’s gas market.”
Russia: “The March, Sort Of”
The Russian opposition was to hold a protest rally on May 6 in Moscow, on the eve of Dmitry Medvedev's inauguration as president Vladimir Putin's replacement, but city officials refused to allow it - and leaders of the oppositional coalition ended up canceling the Dissenters' March at the last minute. Dozens of protesters were detained by police anyway.
Guatemala: Remembering Bishop Gerardi and His Report “Never Again!”
Ten years ago, Bishop Juan Gerardi released a report called “Guatemala, Never Again!,” which contained powerful testimonies of those forever affected by the armed conflict in Guatemala. The report provided graphic details and specific names of those who committed these crimes, and as a result, ultimately cost Bishop Gerardi his life. He was killed approximately 50 hours after the release of the report. A decade later, Guatemalan bloggers remember the man who brought much of what was happening in the war into the public consciousness.
Zimbabwe: Using New Technologies to Fight for Democracy
In countries such as Zimbabwe where media freedom is extremely restricted, new technologies have become powerful tools for political campaigning, communication, advocacy and mobilisation. Since Robert Mugabe turned the country into a dictatorship, bloggers and civic organisations have resorted to using new tools and applications such as blogs, Flickr, Facebook, SMS, YouTube and mashups to fight for democracy, media freedom and good governance.
Sri Lanka: Banning independent media?
Free Media Sri Lanka reports – “Defence Secretary calls journalists ‘traitors’ and calls for ban on independent media”.
Hong Kong: Minimum Allowable Wage for foreign maids
Filipino blogger Kapet's Yosi clarifies the myth that the foreign maid's salary in Hong Kong is one of the highest in the world. Many Filipinos are domestic helpers in Hong Kong.
Myanmar: Unprecedented cyclone disaster
Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar last weekend which devastated five regions. State-run media reported that more than 22,000 people are found dead with another 41,000 missing. The death toll could still rise. Residents and bloggers are condemning the slow relief work of the ruling Junta.
Zimbabwe: Hey there! Mugabe is using Twitter
Online political jokes: So, Mugabe is twittering!: “meetings, meetings, meetings. very boring. 12:03 PM April 04, 2008 from web Ooooo, nervous morning. Sending the wife shopping. She is getting on my nerves. Thinking of shutting the electricity down for laughs. 09:21 AM April 01, 2008 from web”
Pakistan: Alternatives to the Madrassa
CHUP! on a newspaper report on the trend of Turkish schools in Pakistan offering an alternative to Madrassa education.
Japan: Common Web TV Standard
Serkan at Tokyotronic reports on news that a common Web TV standard will be rolled out in Japan as early as next year. Companies involved in the move, such as Sony and Matsushita on the hardware side and acTVila on the Internet service provider side, are attempting to come to...
Pakistan: The food crisis and worse
All Things Pakistan voices concern – “the food crisis comes hand in hand with an energy crisis and in an environment already rife with political uncertainty and extremist threats.” and calls it a dangerous mix.
Bangladesh: No appeals for Burma?
imperfect world 2008 wonders why no charity appeals are being made for the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Burma.
South Africa: Standard Bank talks to bloggers
The Standard Bank in South Africa responds to online comments: “So, I was really happy to see that not only did Standard Bank fix the problem quickly, but their Head of Online Banking and Communication Channels, Itai Maunga, is engaging with social media channels like Muti, and with bloggers, like...
Palestine: Moroccan Neighbourhood in Jerusalem
From Palestine, Roba (Ar) writes about the Moroccan neighbourhood in Jerusalem.
Kuwait: Election's Poll
From Kuwait, Hilaliya posts a poll for his readers on their expectations for the incoming parliamentary elections on May 17.
Kuwait: Gearing Up for Elections
From Kuwait, Hilaliya describes the local scene ahead of the May 17 Parliamentary elections in his country. “Is the Kuwaiti electorate mad enough to make a real difference on May 17th?” he asks.
