4 February 2009

Stories from 4 February 2009

Barbados, U.S.A.: Holder Sworn In

  4 February 2009

Cheese-on-bread! and Living in Barbados blog about the swearing in of Eric Holder – the first African-American to hold the post of Attorney General – who happens to have Barbadian roots.

Bermuda: Economic Answers

  4 February 2009

Bermudian Vexed Bermoothes asks: “Do we really have to wait another month for the budget before we get concrete information about Government’s plans to weather this economic storm?”

Jamaica: View from Mount Diablo

  4 February 2009

“Two facts to bear in mind: I am white and I am 80 years old. the first precludes me from using Emancipation or any other black triumph as a poetic epiphany; the second allows me to focus, more or less, on an 80 year span of Jamaican history to which...

Guyana: Domestic Violence

  4 February 2009

Guyanese diaspora blogger Charmaine Valere writes a piece for Baiganchoka about “the case of the disappearing domestic violence complainant.”

Italy Seethes over Brazil's Extradition Refusal

  4 February 2009

Italians are still debating a controversial decision of the Brazilian government to guarantee political asylum to convicted felon Cesare Battisti, in spite of an extradition request by the Italian foreign ministry. The decision to grant asylum is currently being considered by the Brazilian supreme court.

Japan: Bloggers respond to new filtering measures

  4 February 2009

Over the past week, Japan's major mobile phone operators have commenced filtering web access on mobile phones contracted to minors (users under 18 years of age), following on legislation introduced in late 2007 and on developments over the last year toward the regulation of “harmful” content. Bloggers respond.

Cuba: A Look at Sports Blogs

  4 February 2009

Sports form a large part of the Cuban identity and many blogs have been emerging on the island to discuss the topic. Even though there is a lack of comments and reader participation, they still serve a purpose especially to provide sporting information about the Cuban provinces. This article by Yudivián Almeida Cruz of Bloggers Cuba takes a look at some of these blogs.

Israel: Hamas Raids UN Aid in Gaza

  4 February 2009

Justin wonders why this story, on the United Nations accusing Hamas police in Gaza Strip of seizing thousands of blankets and food parcels meant for needy residents, is not displayed in any of the mainstream media outlets.

Azerbaijan: Breaking Taboos

  4 February 2009

Nigar [RU] announces the publication of a controversial new book in Azerbaijan. Artush and Zaur: A Legend of Love tells the story of an Armenian and Azerbaijani against the backdrop of the emerging conflict over Nagorno Karabakh. Ромовый дневник [RU] links to a comment made on an Azerbaijani forum, now...

China: More reactions to shoeing incident

  4 February 2009

ESWN translates a post from a nationalistic BBS reacting to the shoeing against Wen Jiabo in Cambridge University. Fauna from ChinaSMACK also picks up and translates a number of local reactions.

Mexico: Protesting the Proposal to Illuminate Teotihuacán Pyramids

  4 February 2009

Nearly 200 protestors assembled near the Teotihuacán pyramids near Mexico City. They do not agree with the governor's proposal to illuminate the pyramids at night in order to attract more tourism saying that it will only further deteriorate the archaeological ruins writes Perla Cristal Gómez of Vivir México [es].

Croatia: Changing Eminent Domain for a Golfing Gain

  4 February 2009

On the 15th of December, 2008, the Croatian Parliament passed a law that allows private golf course development to acquire land through the use of eminent domain. The full extent of this law is just starting to be realized by the public as those who speak out against it are being taken to court.

Brazil: “The police only advance when Globo [TV] is live”

  4 February 2009

A confrontation between police and the inhabitants of Paraisópolis, the second biggest slum in São Paulo, left four policemen and at least two people injured on the night of February 2nd, and has led to over 300 riot police occupying the slum. Bloggers compare the coverage by the media getting angry at the way the conflict has been reported.