Stories from 13 May 2008
Armenia: Sirusho Soundcheck
All Kinds of Everything comments on the soundcheck by Armenia's entry to the Eurovision Song Contest, Sirusho. Although reporting that her initial soundcheck was “absolutely dreadful,” the blogger says that it improved although the young singer still had problems with the high notes.
Malawi: Several arrested over allegations to remove president
It has been reported that several senior security and opposition political officials have been arrested in Malawi on allegations of coup plot. Malawian journalist and blogger Kondwani Munthali says that the politics in Malawi is undergoing interesting developments and political temperatures have reached a boiling point. Writing from Lilongwe where...
Zimbabwe: Government newspaper website hacked?
Did someone hack the website of Zimbabwe's Herald newspaper?: “The Herald newspaper's website has been down since it was hacked over the weekend. Currently the website will re-direct you to the Sunday Mail website another arm of the government's propaganda machine. The state run Herald's website had all it's links...
Africa: African Fashion News
Ladybrille African Fashion News: “A weekly collection of fashion news relating to or about Africa. Some quick highlights from this week's news: a) Ghana prepares for its first ever fashion week with Coca-Cola Accra Fashion Week; b) South Africa forges fashion relationships with Asia, South Africa based Nigerian Designer Fred...
Zimbabwe: Destruction of property and food
Post-election violence continues in Zimbabwe: “It is well known now that the homes and possessions of many people in the rural areas have been destroyed. These images were uploaded to our flickr account yesterday and show some of the destruction (for more, visit this set here).”
India: Bomb blasts in Jaipur
SAJA Forum links to news about the bomb blasts in Jaipur, India.
India: In conversation with Pico Iyer
Kamla Bhatt podcasts an interview with the author, Pico Iyer.
Ethiopia: Ethiopians for Obama
Teddy writes about Ethiopians supporting Barack Obama: “What started off with Maeza Siraj over a year ago when she created Ethiopians for Obama on barackobama.com has blossomed into thousands of Ethiopian-Americans working in multiple states to be a part of a historical moment.”
Sri Lanka: Piracy and Alternatives
Nazly's Blog emphasizes the alternatives to piracy, reflecting on the news of raids against ‘software pirates’.
Bangladesh: Democracy and Disasters
Unheard Voices on the idea of democracy in managing disasters.
Kenya: AfriGadget Innovator Series
Ntwiga interviews Simon Mwacharo, a Kenyan entrepreneur: “Simon owns and runs CraftSkills, a small business based in Nairobi, Kenya that focuses on designing and building self-sustaining renewable energy projects in places not accessible to the electric grid. Craftskills had to date undertaken challenging projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon and...
Uganda: Gagging the press
Moses Sserwanga writes discusses the link between media freedom and democracy in Uganda: “At Daily Monitor, no less than 10 journalists including senior editors are at various stages of prosecution for alleged publication of false news, criminal libel and sedition. This is irrespective of the fact that all the highlighted...
Armenia: Royal Visit to Turkey
Unzipped covers the Queen and Prince Philip's first visit to Turkey since 1971. As the official state visit has been taken as signifying the importance of Anglo-Turkish relations, the blog makes reference to concerns that it could also impact on the international campaign to have the 1915 massacre and deportation...
China: “Strolling” for the Environment
Earlier this month, before an earthquake killed thousands, about 400 to 500 people in Chengdu, China took to the streets to protest the construction of a proposed petrochemical plant, calling their outing a “stroll” to get around applying for a permit to protest. The event was organized through cell phones,...
Japan: Menu items on DoCoMo mobile phones up for bidding
Blogger smashmedia comments [ja] on a CNET article [ja] explaining that mobile carrier DoCoMo is planning to change the ordering of certain “i-menu” items on mobile phones to reflect the size of monetary bids from companies, rather than reflect preferences of users.
Haiti, Trinidad & Tobago: Calypsoes for Obama
Haitian blogger kiskeácity notices that “there appears to be yet another calypso anthem to Barack.”
Bahamas, Cuba: RSVP
As an email exchange with the Cuban Ambassador gets heated, Rick Lowe at WeblogBahamas.com says: “I guess my hopes of returning to Cuba are now done.”
Puerto Rico: E-Waste
Blogging from Puerto Rico, Dondequiera reports that the results from an e-waste recycling drive have been encouraging: “105,629 pounds (52.8 tons) of electronic waste was collected, or as we say in the industry a lot of reasons to go out and buy new computers.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Principles of Business
As Trinidadian blogger Gillian Goddard faces “a frontal attack from an entrepreneur” intending to start a similar business, she stands firm in the belief that “environmental healing and social justice are two of the largest markers of a truly successful business.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Maxi-ing Out
“Like politics, maxi travel has a morality of its own”: Ramblings and Reason provides a few tips on surviving travel by “maxi-taxi” in Trinidad and Tobago.
Bermuda: Media Spend
As the electronic media pool in Bermuda gets smaller, Politics.bm says: “I think it's safe to say that the most visited electronic medium for locals is The Royal Gazette‘s website. I'm yet to see any Government ads there, which…reinforces what everyone knows but Government can't admit: it's about shutting down...
