1 January 2009

Stories from 1 January 2009

Saudi Arabia: The stigma of AIDS

American Bedu discusses the stigma of AIDS in Saudi Arabia: “Saudis who have been diagnosed with AIDS are literally banished. There are several well guarded secure facilities in Saudi Arabia where AIDS patients are taken and admitted.”

Guinea: History repeating?

  1 January 2009

A week after the passing of President Lansana Conté and the military coup that followed, African bloggers have been wondering about the resurgence of military coups in the region and about their prospects for success, and getting the feeling that history is repeating.

Sri Lanka: Citizen Journalism in 2008

  1 January 2009

ICT for Peacebuilding (ICT4Peace) highlights the feats of Groundviews, the award winning citizen journalism platform in Sri Lanka. The blog also posts a review of the best contents published in Groundviews site in 2008.

Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina Up Close

  1 January 2009

Tulip Siddiq was on the campaign trail of (ex-prime Minister) Sheikh Hasina, whose party Awami League achieved a landslide victory in the recently concluded Bangladesh parliamentary election. Read her blog to learn more about the campaign as she posts analysis, video and photos of the election.

Lusosphere: Reform in Portuguese Language Not Welcomed

  1 January 2009

As of today, the reform of Portuguese language spelling begins to be implemented in Brazil. The same rules will eventually be implemented in Portugal, Angola, Cape Verde, East Timor, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe. Bloggers across the Lusosphere are not exactly happy about it.

Brazil: Uri Avnery's open letter to Obama in Portuguese

  1 January 2009

Idelber Avelar [pt] translates into Portuguese an open letter by veteran of Israel's 1948 war and founder of the Gush Shalom peace movement Uri Avnery to Barack Obama. “The request to spread the word goes to everyone who wants a lasting peace in accordance with terms already recognized by the...

Syria: Silent Demonstration for Gaza

Syrian blogger Dania reports on the silent demonstration organized by Syrian bloggers in-front of the European Commission in Damascus to protest the continuing Israeli onslaught on Gaza. She also publishes the petition sent to Brussels by the demonstators.

Angola: Reflections on Ncwala, an African New Year Ceremony

  1 January 2009

In the last post of the year at Koluki blog [pt], we find a description of a national ritual of Swaziland, a country the Angolan blogger considers one of the most beautiful, friendly and warm in southern Africa. “The sacred Ncwala, or “first fruits ceremony” that is now underway in...

Brazil: Best blogs in 2008

  1 January 2009

It is voting time at the second edition of Best Blogs Brazil 2008 prize and anybody can vote for their best blogs – in various categories – up to January 2004. The result will be announced during Campus Party Brasil in Sao Paulo. For a complete list of finalists, click...

Iran: Journal became a victim in Gaza crisis

Iranian authorities shut down, Kargozaran, a leading reformist journal. Several blogs and news sites reported that Kargozaran became a victim in Gaza's crisis. Kargozarn had published a statement of a student movement (Tahkim Vahdat) that “condemned both Israel and terrorist groups that take refuge in hospitals and schools”.

Bangladesh blogger on Gaza

Inspirations and Creative Thoughts, a blog of a Bangladeshi based in United States comments on the situation in Gaza: “Its our human obligation, as part of this human family to know about the suffering caused by injustice, specially when its done by those who we elect to represent us. The...

Kenyan choir to perform at Obama's inauguration

  1 January 2009

Kenyanpoet reports that a Kenyan choir will perform during the inauguration of the US president elect Barack Obama on January 20, and that “they have prepared a special repertoire of African choral music to remind Mr Obama of his African roots”.

Cuba: Bloggers Gather In Spite of the Challenges

  1 January 2009

In spite of the challenges to connect to the internet, many Cuban bloggers are determined to post to their sites. Some receive a hand from abroad by sending their posts by email because many of the sites are blocked, which means that often they cannot see their own blogs after publication. In her first article for Global Voices, Cuban blogger Claudia Cadelo writes how a group of bloggers decided to meet at alternating locations to get to know one another and share their experiences, even though authorities warned them not to hold the meetings.