14 January 2009

Stories from 14 January 2009

Azerbaijan: Tea

  14 January 2009

Sheki, Azerbaijan introduces its readers to the tea ceremony in Azerbaijan. The blog says that the country might be one of the world's highest per capita consumers of tea and examines the tradition of how the drink is served. It also looks at the cultural role of tea-houses in Azerbaijan.

Brunei: A New Education System

  14 January 2009

Brunei bloggers are debating about a new education system which is now being implemented in stages. Described as the 21st Century National Education System, the new program aims to prepare students to meet the new global challenges.

Cambodia: Liberation Day or Invasion Day?

  14 January 2009

The Cambodian government commemorated the 30th year of the downfall of the Khmer Rouge regime. But opinion is divided whether this day should be celebrated as Liberation Day or Invasion Day since Vietnam, which helped in removing the Khmer Rouge, occupied Cambodia until 1988

The Killing Continues in DR Congo's Wildlife Parks

  14 January 2009

Reportedly, the fighting in North Kivu province of DR Congo has quieted down a little. Sporadic fighting however continues to claim lives. On WildlifeDirect blogs, there are reports of two incidents inside DR Congo's wildlife Parks in which people have been killed. Paula Kahumbu gives an analysis of various (mainstream)...

Costa Rica: Taking Advantage of Disasters to Make Money

  14 January 2009

During the recent earthquake in Costa Rica, a helicopter company charged 1700 dollars to rescue trapped tourists. Juan Carlos Hidalgo writes that at first he was disgusted by high fee, but then he said if it wasn't for the company then the tourists would still be trapped [es].

Colombia: No Smoking in Closed Public Spaces in Bogotá

  14 January 2009

It's been more than a month since a law went into effect that prohibited smoking in closed public spaces in Bogotá, Colombia and Diana of La Urbi y El Orbe [es] is pleased. However, she laments an incident when a smoker killed a bar manager who asked him to extinguish...

Colombia: President Uribe to Receive US Medal of Freedom

  14 January 2009

Outgoing U.S. president George W. Bush plans to award Colombian president Álvaro Uribe with the Medal of Freedom. Adam Isacson of Plan Colombia and Beyond criticizes the selection and wishes that, “a U.S. government would someday offer similar recogntion to Colombia’s thousands of other heroes. The country has no shortage...

Spain: Global Voices Lingua Partner Nominated for Web Award

  14 January 2009

Many of the Global Voices Lingua sites have been partnering with other media websites to exchange RSS headlines as a way to reach more readers in more languages. Recently, Global Voices in Spanish has collaborated with Periodismo Ciudadano, which was nominated as "Best Internet Project" in the Las Mejores Miradas competition sponsored by Spanish television.

Global: Online Petitions Launched in Action for Gaza

  14 January 2009

Once relegated to the realm of paper and signatures, the petition has gained new meaning, with sites like Petition Online allowing anyone to create one. As Israel's attacks on Gaza rage on, bloggers opposed to Israel's actions are using blogs and social media to circulate petitions for a number of specific causes. Others have thought up other innovative ways to make a difference online.

Jordan: Help needed in sending aid to Gaza

  14 January 2009

Jordanian Ali Dahmash says more volunteers are needed to help with organising parcels of aid to Gaza. “Donations are still coming from Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Syria. Yesterday we unloaded 3 trucks that arrived from Dubai and there are still 25 on the way. The whole process is complicated...