Stories from 21 January 2009
Video: Slumdog Millionaire and the Indian Slums
Our new volunteer author for video, Ruchika Muchhala, writes in the Channel 19 blog about Slumdog Millionaire, a film set and filmed in Mumbai, India, which recently won 5 out of 6 Critics Choice Awards and also won all four of the awards it was nominated for at the Golden Globe Awards. This film has sparked debates about how it shows life in India's slums, and the attraction it holds for foreigners.
Palestine: “In Gaza, only the dead have seen the end of this war”
The people of Gaza are discovering the extent of the destruction inflicted during three weeks of Israeli attacks, and are slowly starting to rebuild their lives. Some bloggers are wondering about the less visible psychological and emotional damage. One asks, "What will be the reward for getting up and going on, one more time?"
Azerbaijan: Day of Tragedy
Commenting on a Global Voices Online post, 27 Months in Azerbaijan offers its own opinion on the 19th anniversary of the Soviet repression of unrest in its former satellite on 20 January 1990. The blog concludes that although the day was a tragedy, it also represented the opportunity for a...
Global: Morocco Closes Caracas Embassy
Morocco announced this week that it would close its embassy in Venezuela due to Venezuela's recognition of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), the territory also known as the "Western Sahara," over which Morocco asserts its sovereignty.
Bahrain: Scores of Websites Blocked
Scores of websites have been blocked in Bahrain, following a new crackdown by the Ministry of Information. The latest sweep makes sites ranging from Google Translate to those of social, religious, human rights and political groups inaccessible to people in Bahrain.
Indonesia: Questions for President Obama
Between January 20-21, there were 27,968 blog entries that mention the word ‘Obama' in Indonesia. Furthermore, almost all national TV stations broadcasted live the inauguration last night.
Brunei: Rainy days and flooding
It is the middle of the annual North-East Monsoon season and Brunei has been experiencing strong winds and rainfall. It was just ten days ago that part of the country was submerged by waters. Blogs, no doubt play an important role in informing the public on the state of the rain and the aftermath.
French Caribbean, Palestine, Israel: Economic Boycott?
French West Indians and Caribbeans have expressed their solidarity with the population in Gaza in many ways since the bombings began. Is an economic boycott one of them? Bloggers discuss the possibilities.
India: The Surname Debate
Indian celebrity Sanjay Dutt sparked a debate in the country when he said: “Women should not stick to their fathers’ surname after marriage just for the sake of fashion. It will be a disrespect for their husbands if they do so.” I love life… so I explore reacts to his...
Turkey: Obama Trepidation
Istanbul Calling says that the Turkish media has greeted the inauguration of Barack Obama as U.S. President with some trepidation. In particular, the blog says there are concerns that Obama will do what his predecessors have failed to follow through with in the past — fulfill campaign promises to recognize...
Caribbean: Obama's Day
Like the rest of the world, the eyes of the Caribbean were on Washington, DC yesterday, as Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. Regional and diaspora bloggers - for the most part - could not contain their enthusiasm over this history-making moment.
Iran:Women activists honored with an Award
The One Million Signatures Campaign that demands the end of discriminatory laws against women in Iran, has been awarded the Simone de Beauvoir Award which was established in memory of this Feminist writer.
Iran: AIDS Doctors face prison
Physicians for human rights site reports that Kamiar and Arash Alaie are sentenced to terms of three and six years respectively. This site calls this imprisonment as first test of Obama Administration. Read more here.
Russia: Images of Life
English Russia posts numerous photographs of life in Russia by ethnic Armenian photographer, Aleksey Petrosian. The images represent a side of the country that few tourists get to see.
Japan: Coming of age in 2009
Every year, on the second Monday of January, in the neighbourhood of every city hall of Japan, one can see young men wearing the hakama (typical Japanese trousers) and women dressed up in furisode (long sleeved kimono, traditionally worn by unmarried girls). On that particular day, in fact, since 1946,...
Korea: Worse and Worse – North Korea and South Korea
North Korea announced that South Korea’s attitude might cause confrontation between them and suggested a possible conflict [EN]. It leads to anxieties and concern in South Korea. Since the Sunshine Policy started, relations have seemed better and the two Koreas even started economic cooperation. The other direction of the new...
Guadeloupe: Hard Times?
Guadeloupean bloggers Critiqart Guadeloupe [Fr], Gwakafika [Creole] and CaribCreoleOne [Fr] are all anticipating massive social turmoil.
Azerbaijan: Black January
As much of the world celebrated the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States, Azerbaijan mourned the 19th anniversary of an event which ultimately led to its independence from the former Soviet Union. At least 130 people were killed and 700 wounded in what is now known as "Black January," a day which marks a defining moment in the rebirth of the former Soviet republic.
African Blogosphere On Obama's Inauguration
“It is done. I knew it would come, but, oh, what a feeling! Yes, Mr. President, it is done, indeed!” These words from Kenyan blogger Whispering Inn sum up the emotional responses of most bloggers in the African blogosphere to the historic inauguration ceremony of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America.
Bangladesh: The Local Elections Without Interference
An Ordinary Citizen lauds the new government of Bangladesh for not interfering with the processes of the upcoming local elections.
Bangladesh: Drug Users And HIV
HIV infections are on the rise in Dhaka city, the capital of Bangladesh. Photo Journalist Monirul Alam posts a photo in his Photoblog showing street drug users injecting with used syringes.
