Stories from 11 January 2009
Guatemala: Powerful Images of War Victims Leave Some Uncomfortable
Capturing images on film is one way to ensure that the collective memory does not forget about a country's history. When that country's history includes grusome events, those images can become powerful, yet uncomfortable reminders of the past. In Guatemala, a couple of photographers have become involved in documenting and representing images from the armed conflict that took place for 36 years.
Ghana: Is ‘largely’ free and fair enough?
Belle of Catalyzing Change wonders why irregularities during the recent Presidential elections in Ghana have been overlooked: “Of all the media I have seen and heard though; both African and broader international, there has been little mention of any irregularities. This bothers me because it is not as if there...
Zimbabwe: Running out of money and zeroes
World Bank economist and blogger Shanta Devarajan of the Africa Can blog, posted a letter sent by a friend in Zimbabwe describing the long lines at the ATM's and banks to withdraw money. On the other hand, This is Zimbabwe describes the confusion people experience with zeroes, since everything costs...
Cambodian leader's collection of doctorate degrees
The Son of the Empire comments that the numerous Honorary PhDs given to Cambodian leader Hun Sen are unnecessary: “Hun Sen doesn’t need such many fake Honorary Doctorate Degrees to be recognized as an educated and competent leader to Cambodian people if he can prove himself as a REAL Leader...
Singapore: Chambermaid vs foreign maid
Kaffein-nated from Singapore criticizes the inconsistency of a government minister who argues that it is honorable to be a chambermaid but working as a maid in other countries is a demeaning job.
Living in Hanoi 20 years ago
Caroline Finlay uploads a translated article by a Vietnamese blogger who reminisces his childhood years in Hanoi.
Indonesia: Facebook users on the rise
Budiputra reports that Facebook in Indonesia registered a growth rate of 645 percent in 2008. Indonesia has been the fastest growing country on Facebook in Southeast Asia. However, Friendster is still the most popular networking site in the country.
Indonesia: Ferry capsizes with 250 people
A passenger ferry with 250 people onboard sank in bad weather in Indonesia. Rescuers are still looking for survivors.
South Africa: Why condemning Israel is wrong
Justin Hartman is upset about the ANC, the ruling South African party, condemning the attacks on Gaza by Israel: “…this upsets me is because our leaders are quick to jump on this political band-wagon while they’ve done absolutely nothing about the bigger problem just outside our borders – Zimbabwe. Why...
Palestine: A guide to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza
Za3tar, a Palestinian blogger from Ramallah, wrote a simple guide to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza, including clarification for few used terms, as well as elaborating on the Palestinian perspective regarding the on going war.
Brazil: Reflecting On Our Very Own Gaza Strips
As the rest of the world, Brazilian bloggers are closely following the latest developments of the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Opinions are divided, but the conflict has, nevertheless, led bloggers to reflect upon one thing: some feel that what is happening in Gaza has a parallel with the daily wars in the violence plagued shantytowns around the country – dubbed Brazil's very own Gaza Strips – where many innocent lives are claimed every day.
Palestine: “I see hatred in every blast pounding Gaza”
In this roundup of Gaza's blogs we hear about living without electricity, ways of getting the latest news, and white phosphorus shells. And an 11-year-old girl jokes: "It's like we are a scary movie. I'm sure people eat popcorn as they watch."
Russia-Ukraine: The middleman of gas crisis
Robert Amsterdam discusses the role of RosUkrEnergo – the intermediary company that allegedly milks the profits out of the gas transit through Ukraine between Russian Gazprom and Ukrainian Naftogaz.
Egypt: Reporting Live from Rafah
Egyptian blogger and human rights activist Nora Younis has been watching the situation in Gaza closely and reporting live from Rafah, a Palestinian border town, where she spent her New Year's eve. Nermeen Edrees takes a closer look at Nora's blog to bring us this story.
Wildlife Tragedies and Happenings at WildlifeDirect Blogs
Attempts to flush out Uganda's Lords Resistance Army (LRA) rebel group's leader, Joseph Kony, have not been very successful. Instead, the civilian casualties continue to pile up. One devastating tragedy for wildlife conservation, as reported on the conservation blog Baraza, was the attack on Garamba National Park rangers by the...
Armenia: New Year Celebrations
With the New Year holiday unofficially continuing until 13 January, whatever you are be a good one posts an extended entry accompanied by photographs on how the occasion is celebrated in Armenia.
Poland: Does Tusk deliver on his promises?
Polandian discusses whether Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his governing party, Civic Platform, actually have delivered on any of their promises after more than a year in power.
Lithuania: Rumours of IMF-support exaggerated
Lituanica comments on the Lithuanian government's ambivalence to turning to the International Monetary Fund for loans due to effects on the country of the international financial crisis.
Lessons on libel: South African blogger sued for defamation
After South African Donn Edwards wrote in his blog about the dubious marketing tactics of a holiday rental company called Quality Vacation Club, he was sued for defamation. This was interpreted as an attack on all bloggers in South Africa so a campaign to support him was launched, a Facebook group and dozens of bloggers wrote about it. Here are a few lessons on libel for bloggers.
DR Congo: Containing the Ebola Outbreak
In late December an outbreak of the highly contagious Ebola virus was confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). The outbreak is believed to have infected more than 36 people, including at least 12 deaths. DR Congo is trying to contain the outbreak, while some neighboring countries are...
Morocco: “Israel's Road Map for Peace”
A Moroccan About the World Around Him discusses Israel's “road map for peace.”
