Stories from 9 March 2009
Anguilla, Jamaica: Student Safety
“Will draconian measures actually increase security and comfort, or will they destroy our sense of community and undermine security?”: Corruption-free Anguilla wonders if increased security at one particular school will help students learn better, while Long Bench is appalled at the negligence involved in the schoolyard death of a child...
Haiti: Party Confusion
Wadner Pierre reports that as the election draws closer for twelve seats in the Haitian Senate, “the Fanmi Lavalas (FL) party (the electoral vehicle of the Lavalas movement) has divided into two factions” and he believes that the Provisional Electoral Council “must decide which faction has the better claim to...
Ukraine: Political conflict turning into battle?
foreign notes turns attention to a TV-interview where a high-ranking Ukrainian security service (SBU) official threatens to use force to obtain documents pertaining to the current conflict over gas in a fight over political and economic influence.
Barbados: Blogging as Journalism?
“Blogging has become very popular around the world, Barbados no exception”: Barbados Underground says that “the fact that the traditional media in Barbados continues to regard bloggers as nincompoops maybe more a reflection on them than the blogs.”
Jamaica: Violence Against Women
Abeng News Magazine reports that “the Jamaica Government has taken a step towards combating violence against women through the passage of a new Bill to create a Sexual Offences Act.”
Uganda: The Devil's Bonfire: The Season Finale
“The girl rolled her eyes provocatively at Simon and beckoned him with one finger,” begins the season finale of Ugandan blog series, The Devil's Bonfire, by Ugandan blogger Carsozy.
Poland: Protests against Jewish WWII partisan movie
Polandian reports on the negative reactions in Poland to a film portraying a group of Jewish partisans during World War II.
Jamaica, U.S.A.: Artist vs. Art
“What should a black reader do if he finds out that one of his favourite authors was racist?”: Jamaican Marlon James considers the options.
Russia: Ukrainian singer in Eurovision song contest
Moskau Blog turns attention to [GER] the fact that Russia will be represented a singer of Ukrainian origin in this year's Eurovision song contest.
Uganda: How Long Will Ugandans Live On Hope…And Silence?
“It seems Ugandans have resorted to complaining privately,” writes Ugandan blogger Rosebell. She asks, “How long will Ugandan live on hope?”
Estonia: A call for devaluation
A Fistful of Euros presents economic statistics on Estonia, all pointing in one direction – towards a devaluation of the Estonian currency, the Kroon.
Palestine: Giving Direct Help to Gaza
Canadian activist Eva Bartlett, who is in Gaza, has posted a list of people who need help to whom she will pass on donations.
DRC: “We have to stop believing in Santa Claus”
Musengeshi Katata at Forum Realisance [Fr] calls Africa Must Reclaim Her Destiny, published by Harmattan in Paris, a “must read”. Katata writes, “We have to stop believing in Santa Claus and take destiny in our own hands.”
China: Banning Shanzhai Culture?
Ni ping (倪萍), a famous CCTV host actress and a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) put forward a suggestion for banning “Shanzhai phenomena” （山寨現象） in the recent CPPCC meeting. The term Shanzhai becomes popular last year when a netizen, Lao Meng, decided...
China: Seven Possible Fates Of An Internet Post
ESWN translated an article from Southern Metropolis Weekly on “Seven Possible Fates of an Internet post“.
China: Most wanted fugitive now blogging?
Road to the most wanted fugitive As the mastermind of the largest smuggling ring ever, whose enterprise amounts to 10 billion dollars, Lai Changxing is a legendary criminal, also a controversial public figure in China. Before he fled to Canada when the central government was determined to root out his...
Russia: “Unsent Letter” on Health Care
Below is a partial translation of a post on health care in Russia - a caustic "unsent letter" to the Russian president, written by LJ user sobe-panek on Feb. 22. The post has made it into the Top 30 at Yandex Blogs portal and was picked up by some Russian media.
USA: Native American Consultation Policy
UOB says Native Americans will now advise U.S. Department of Homeland Security on issues concerning American Indians. The policy has been created by new Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
