30 May 2008

Stories from 30 May 2008

  30 May 2008

Cédric Kalonji blogs the arrest of Jean-Pierre Bemba [Fr], Congolese president Joseph Kabila's main rival, in Belgium last weekend. The Central African Republic brought charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity against Bemba, who will be tried by the International Criminal Court.

Japan: Grumpy Jiisan on Nico Nico Douga

  30 May 2008

The latest hit at Nico Nico Douga, Japan's popular video sharing service, is a retired man from Arizona calling himself “Grumpy Jiisan” [Grumpy Old Man], who shoots videos in which he comments on his favorite Japanese anime. Subtitled versions of Grumpy Jiisan's videos at Nico Nico Douga are so popular that they have drawn thousands of comments.

Bahamas: Education Consequences

  30 May 2008

Christopher Lowe at WeblogBahamas.com blogs about the consequences of an ineffective education system, saying: “We are reaping that which we have sown.”

Puerto Rico, U.S.A.: Imagine That Conversation

  30 May 2008

Puerto Rican blogger Liza asks: “Can you imagine having to talk to your kids about the potential assassination of their father?”, adding: “What people don't get is how deep the wounds of political and social violence run in this country. To have people like Hillary Clinton dismiss political assassination as...

Trinidad & Tobago: Indian Arrival Day

  30 May 2008

Today is Indian Arrival Day in Trinidad and Tobago and Coffeewallah reminisces on her former mother-in-law's legacy and the first time she taught her to wrap a sari: “It is an elegant garment…every woman looks beautiful in a sari.”

Bangladesh: Compromised Media

  30 May 2008

Ever since Bangladesh was put under a state of emergency by an interim government supported by the military it was a testing time for Bangladesh media. The credibility of Bangladesh’s Bangla and English-language press is in question as their recent role seems biased and appeasing. This post discusses the degrading situation of the Bangladeshi media.

Jamaica, U.S.A.: Everglades Litany

  30 May 2008

“In anticipation of Caribbean American Heritage Month“, Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp is running video series, which begins with one of his own, entitled Everglades Litany.

Haiti: In memory of a murdered teenager

  30 May 2008

La Dous Ki Vyen Pwezi posts in memory of Kareem Gaspard [Fr], a 16 year-old boy who was murdered in Port-au-Prince last Friday. “I've spoken to, smiled at, or shook the hand of so many people who have disappeared this way. Killed. Like dogs.”

China: After the quake, hoping for aid

  30 May 2008

From inside and outside China, concerned citizens are helping, and putting their hands out to help the victims of the devastating 7.9 in the Richter scale earthquake that leveled out industrial cities, transforming them into refugee camps where people are living under plastic bags, trying to find out their relatives and remake their lives. Four different videos bring us perspectives on how people are dealing with their losses all around the world, and how reaching out to help others could help help ease the pain.

Bolivia: Bloguivianos 2008 Website

  30 May 2008

The organizers of the 2008 version of the Bloguivianos bloggers conference recently launched their website [es]. The 2nd annual Bolivian bloggers conference will take place over two days in El Alto and La Paz on August 29-30.

Guatemala: Animal Del Monte Festival in Xela

  30 May 2008

Quetzaltenango or "Xela" was the site of an international poetry festival called Animal del Monte, which brought 40 poets from around Latin America. A big part of the festival was reaching out to surrounding communities by holding readings to local residents. The festival also highlighted the work of Guatemalan poets, who demonstrated that many fine works come from that country.