Stories from 8 December 2008
Zimbabwe: On the cholera crisis
Sokwanele posted several pictures taken in Ruwa of raw sewage overflowing from manholes, causing residents in the area to fear for a cholera outbreak. Sokwanele says: “It’s a ticking time-bomb, and the residents know it, but can do nothing about it”. The Kubatana blog also comments on the current cholera...
Eritrea: Russian literary ties
Semantic Eritrea reports that the government of the Russian Federation has decided to cement the connections between Eritrea and Russia by erecting a monument of bronze to famed poet Alexander Pushkin, as well as a Pushkin Centre in the Eritrean capital of Asmara. Pushkin's Eritrean connection comes from his great...
Myanmar: Prepaid GSM SIM card now available
dawn_1o9 reports that pre-paid GSM SIM cards are now available in Myanmar, but costs and application procedures are still prohibitive. Mobile phones have been used in the protest actions against the ruling Junta.
Myanmar: Jailed bloggers receive awards
Popular Burmese bloggers Zarganar and Nay Phone Latt, who were arrested by the Junta authorities for allegedly criticizing the government, have been recognized by media groups in Paris.
Malaysia: Traffic lights
Kampua Talk feels Sarawak in Malaysia has the most traffic lights in the whole world. She also suggests some activities while waiting for traffic lights to turn green.
Gender imbalance in Malaysian schools
Kian Ming wants to probe deeper the gender imbalance in Malaysia's public universities.
Thailand: Mastermind behind the crisis
Thai Intelligent News Weblog wonders who might be the “mastermind” behind the conspiracy to undermine Thailand's ruling party and former leader Thaksin Shinawatra.
Philippines: Alumni Blogs Against Highschool Closure
The alumni of the University of the Philippines Cebu High School published a blog dedicated to help the efforts to defend the highly esteemed public school from threats of closure.
Philippines: Surprised by Boxer's Easy Victory
Rev. Edicio dela Torre shares his countrymen's surprise at Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao's easy victory over Oscar de la Hoya in last Sunday's match. “We were all heavily influenced by the media hype about de la Hoya,” he said.
Fiji's military coup: Two years on
Fiji’s military coup hits its two-year anniversary, and bloggers around the region have spent the past few days gathering thoughts and opinions on the country’s past, present and future.
Egypt: Defining Terrorism
How does a child define terrorism? Tarek Amr from Egypt brings us this conversation from the Egyptian blogosphere.
Libya: Eid Al – Adha 2008
After a long hiatus, Libyan bloggers are back at work behind their keyboards, wishing each other a happy Eid, discussing the increasing prices and reflecting on Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca which Muslims perform. Fozia Mohamed tunes in to bring us the story.
India: Interest in Mizo Elections.
Kima posting on the illusionaire blog announces the election results in Mizoram and talks about the high turnout and intense interest in the polls.
Iran: Students Protest Dictatorship and Gender Apartheid
A group of students held a protest rally against the Iranian government and president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the University of Tehran on Sunday to commemorate Student Day, the anniversary of the murdering of three students of University of Tehran on December 6, 1953.
Playing for Change: Peace Through Music
MeetJohnSong brings to our attention a global collaborative musical project called Playing for Change: Peace through Music. The concept behind it is that music is a common uniting factor between different cultures, ethnicities and regions.The film and music will be available in 2009, and more information on the project can be found on the Playing for Change website.
Brazil: How to become Santa Claus in four weeks
Anton M. Steeman describes one of the many courses in Brazil that leads to qualified Santa Clauses, a welcome Christmas temporary job. “The most difficult part of being a good Santa Claus is the hours and hours sitting in a chair, showing a slight smile, taking punches and pushes, a...
Haiti: Distorted View of Aristide
HaitiAnalysis.com republishes an article that claims “repeated false stories of corruption against President Aristide are part of a continuing disinformation campaign against him that began when he first took office in 1991.”
Bahamas: Customs Corruption
Sidney Sweeting at Weblog Bahamas blogs about the alleged corruption within the Customs Department.
Trinidad & Tobago: Flower Child
A Caribbean Garden takes a trip down memory lane and shares photos of the flowers of her childhood.
Cuba: Journey of the Bloggers
As Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez begins “the planned journey of the bloggers” deemed “counterrevolutionary” by the government, she explains: “In the blogger phenomenon there are a thousand ways to camouflage oneself” – and Uncommon Sense applauds her cleverness: “Freedom one day will prevail in Cuba, and nothing the dictatorship does...
Barbados: Dealing with HIV
Barbados Free Press questions why the island's HIV infection rate is 50% higher than in other regional territories.
