Stories from 12 August 2008
Georgia War: The Pipeline That Was Not Bombed
Eternal Remont comments on one of the apparently erroneous stories picked up by the media, namely the alleged Russian bombing of the crucial BTC-pipeline, which BP & co – running the pipeline – has no knowledge of.
Georgia War: Assessing the Democratic Peace
The 8th Circle continues the discussion on the democratic peace and liberalism from the perspective of the Russo-Georgian conflict.
Brazil: Olympics Made in China
Márcio Laurini [pt] explains why he is not following the Olympics: “There was lip-syncing in the Olympics opening ceremony, the fireworks were made by a computer, and sports are a dispute over the best doping. I'd rather read a book.”
Brazil: Blogging the importance of voting
A new collective aims to educate Brazilian electors through blogging: “We ask your help to bring about the beginning of this change. Let's get together and scream so loudly that our voices can not be ignored and they will hear everywhere”. Everyone is invited to blog about the importance of...
Mozambique: Support for Georgia
Jest nas Wielu [pt] is helping to spread the news about a petition demanding an immediate ceasefire and the removal of Russian troops off Georgian territories.
Cape Verde: Newspaper closing down – for holidays!
João Branco [pt] comments on a local newspaper's decision to close down for a month holidays. “In the past there were excuses such as the Electra power outages, lack of paper, etc. Now they bring it out into the open and with no reservations: everyone will rest. The readers can...
Uganda: Government must rethink the Land Bill
Moses discusses the controversial Land Bill in Uganda noting that “the Bill in its present form is dangerously pitting landlords against tenants in a political confrontation that will register no winners.”
Nigeria: Critiquing branding and advertising
Jeremy critiques advertising, design and branding in Nigeria arguing that they are “extremely low in quality, with no demonstrable creativity at work.”
Zimbabwe: Where are the women?
Natasha writes about the role of women in conflict situations. Looking at Zimbabwe crisis, she asks, “Where are the women?”
Angola: Elections, building sites and road works
“Some dare to say, “these buildings, all this they have built, It's good. It's evolution.” Evolution? Who for? Who are all these luxury residential developments, with guards and high fences, for? Only for those who are already in good position of “evolution”, the rich.” A few days before the elections...
Uganda: Firefox in Luganda
ITNewsAfrica reports that Firefox browser has been translated into Luganda, a major language in Uganda.
Pakistan: Go away Musharraf!
CHUP! on the increasingly intense call for the impeachment of President Musharraf in Pakistan.
India: On Sports
Abhinav Bindra, who is bringing home the first ever individual Olympic gold medal for India blogs about the need to encourage talent in India.
India: Monkey Trouble
pr3rna on trouble with monkeys in Delhi in India.
India: At the Olympics
Sepia Mutiny on India's first ever individual gold at the Olympics.
South Africa: Decoding revolutionary rhetoric
Sentletse decodes the revolutionary rhetoric of new ANC in South Africa.
Georgia: Students Protest Outside Russian Embassy
My The Caucasian Knot comments on news that Georgian students protested outside the Russian Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia… and have apparently been asked to leave the country.
Georgia: U.S. Impotent
Blogger Interrupted comments on the latest developments in Georgia and says that the U.S. can now be seen to be impotent in the face of a Russian invasion. The blog also argues the case for an Obama presidency in light of the apparent failure of U.S. foreign policy.
Japan: Ainu recognized as indigenous people
On June 6, a couple of months prior to the International Day of the World's Indigenous People, the Japanese Diet passed a resolution to officially recognize the Ainu as an indigenous people. Immediately following the passage of the resolution, a government panel held its first meeting to start working on...
Trinidad & Tobago, Cuba: First Olympic Medal
Caribbean Beat Blog congratulates Cuba for being the first regional territory to bring home an Olympic medal, and notes that “there are still high hopes, particularly in track and field, for the region's best standing on the winners’ podium over the next two weeks.”
Haiti: Lovinsky Still Missing
Today is the one-year anniversary of the disappearance of Lovinsky Pierre Antoine, one of Haiti's most respected human rights advocates. The Haitian Blogger remembers him fondly: “It's a…sad commentary that Lovinsky has not returned to his family. Lovinsky embodied Haiti. Haiti's spirit of independence, struggle, wisdom and knowledge of self.”
