Stories from 26 May 2008
Dominica: Banana Spat
Steve's Dominica reports on “the ongoing spat between various banana organisations.”
Bermuda: Debate Shut-Down
As the Bermudian Premier shuts down a Parliamentary debate because of accusations of dishonesty by the Opposition, Vexed Bermoothes says: “By shouting down every question or request for accountability as an accusation of racism or unfairness, the PLP is proving just how immature Bermuda’s democracy is.”
Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago: Calypso Music
Jamaica's Abeng News Magazine gives a lesson in the roots of calypso music.
Jamaica: Literary Feud
Blogging from Jamaica's Calabash Literary Festival, Annie Paul talks about Derek Walcott's poem The Mongoose, “written specifically with V.S. Naipaul in mind”: “Down here at Treasure Beach we give thanks for sunny skies and prickly poets. Willing conscripts in the enactment of a first-class literary feud we await the unfolding...
Japan: The Secret of Mizuki Shigeru
At age 86, Mizuki Shigeru is one of the most well-known manga artists in Japan thanks to work that stretches over more than four decades, including among them some of the most popular Japanese manga and anime TV series. GeGeGe no Kitarō, a manga series he created in 1959, is Mizuki's most famous, featuring an orphaned yōkai (monster) named Kitaro who fights for peace between humans and monsters. In a post entitled “Why has GeGeGe no Kitaro remained popular for this long?”, blogger ta26 proposes an explanation for the popularity of this manga.
China: Foreign Rescue Teams
There are criticisms that the Chinese Government should have allowed foreign rescue teams to help the relief works earlier, black and white cat pointed out that foreign rescue teams might not be very useful in earthquake relief work.
China: Shenzhen Garbalogy
Maryannodonnell points out that the history of garbage can tell a lot about a city.
Colombia: Paramilitary Leaders Extradited to the United States
In Colombia, 14 demobilized paramilitary bosses were recently extradited to the United States to face charges of drug trafficking. Bloggers in Colombia discuss how this might affect the current political situation in the country and how much the jailed individuals might reveal now that they have very little incentive to keep silent.
China: Three Minutes Silence Reflected in Search Stats
Jacky Peng blogs the search traffic stats of Google China on May 19 which showed the three minutes silence (mourning for earthquake victims) effect.
Myanmar: Beyond Rangoon Project on Flickr
Latest pictures of relief operations in cyclone ravaged Myanmar can be accessed at Beyond Rangoon Project.
Myanmar: Open and close borders
The Siam Sentinel sums up the inconsistency of Myanmar's attitude in accepting aid: “Burma opens its borders. Burma closes its borders. Burma agrees to allow foreign aid workers to enter its borders. Burma closes those borders again.”
Indonesia: Peaceful fuel hike protest
Rangga Praduwiratna suggests some peaceful actions to express disagreement over the decision of the Indonesian government to raise fuel prices.
Malaysia: Fuel prices remain stable
Rocky's bru is grateful that Malaysia will not increase fuel prices. In neighboring Indonesia, fuel prices have gone up already.
Indonesia: Coping with rising cost of living
dua mata saya gives creative and funny tips on how to survive the rising cost of living in Indonesia
Vietnam: Miss Universe 2008
Vietnam Extremes is happy to report that Vietnam will host this year's Miss Universe beauty pageant
Laos: Eco Tourism
Not a book describes Laos as “a Country of Eco Tourism, and Organic Laos!” The tourist notes that “Everywhere we go all trips are promoted as eco friendly and that the money are going to local people for their support.”
China: International Anthopology Congress Called-off
Angry Chinese Blogger reports on the calling off of the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences Congress at Yunnan University, Kunming City, from 15 July to 23 July.
Mexico: Responsible Disposal of Batteries and Cell Phones
Chilanga Banda [es] posts information about the campaign launched by the government of Mexico City regarding the reponsible disposal of batteries and mobile phones.
China: Earthquake Video
Michael Zhao made a 9 mins video on the 512 Wenchuan Earthquake with English subtitles.
China: Environmental Fallout After Sichuan Earthquake
A week after China's deadly earthquake killed nearly 56,000 people, environmental and other costs of the 8.0 magnitude earthquake are becoming clearer. On this post we examine posts related to the environmental fallout of the earthquake, and also the plight of animals in the earthquake area. Plans for a proposed...
Chile: Spanish Photographer Injured While Covering Protests
A Spanish photographer was injured after being hit by a Chilean policeman, while covering protests in the city of Valparaíso. Fernando Meza of Periodismo Globa [es] has the full story.