Stories from 30 March 2009
South Africa: Queen Rania of Jordan Blogging from South Africa
Queen Rania of Jordan is visiting South Africa and blogging about about her experience. After meeting Nelson Mandela, she wrote, “In Madiba's presence, even before he speaks, something magical happens. Goodness and goodwill flow from this great man. Grace, humility, and courage light up the room. He makes you feel...
Zimbabwe: My Blog is Blocked!
On Friday March 20, 2009 the Zimbabwean blog, Peace, love & happiness unto the whole world, was blocked. The author of the blog, Eusebia, wrote a short post about it saying, "I have not idea why my blog is being blocked...I refuse to be censored or cowered into silence by anyone because I know my human right of freedom of expression..."
Israel: A Letter to Bernard Kouchner
Dr Hatim Kanaaneh has written an open letter to Bernard Kouchner, French foreign minister: “The news that you have preemptively spoken against any official objection to the expected appointment of Avigdor Lieberman to the post of Foreign Minister of Israel distresses me. … (As) a Palestinian citizen of Israel…Mr. Lieberman...
Indonesia: “Mini-Tsunami” hits village as dam collapses
Last Friday the Situ Gintung dike collapsed in Indonesia which killed almost a hundred people and injured 190 others. At least 300 houses were destroyed and 1,600 residents were displaced. The extent of the tragedy reminded many Indonesians about the deadly tsunami which hit the region five years ago.
Georgia: Holy Baby Boom!
The birth rate has increased by 20 percent in ex-Soviet Georgia and the country's Orthodox Church is taking much of the credit. The miracle responsible for the much-needed baby boom in this old Christian country has been a single promise from the head of the Georgian church to personally baptize newborns. Bloggers seem impressed.
Iran: A new dynamic Green news site
Sepehr Salimi informs[fa] us that Zista, the first Iranian site covering environmental news, in its seven months activity has published around 670 news and articles.
China: Earth Hour
Fauna from ChinaSMACK translated netizens’ comments on Earth Hour campaign.
Japan: Tourism videos
Edo from Pink Tentacle introduces a series of official tourism videos produced by the city of Hakodate. The videos are about aliens invasion of the city.
Japan: Two-man union on strike at Kyoto University
Adamu from Mutantfrog blogs about a two-man strike at Kyoto University against the exploitation of irregular work contract.
Honduras: Can Family Gardens Improve Health?
Can family gardens help reduce hunger and improve health in Honduras? La Gringa's Blogicito hopes that families consider the option.
Bolivia: US Cooperation on Control of Narcotics
Miguel Buitrago of MABB takes a look at the 2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, and which the Bolivian government is complaining about the stance taken by the United States against the country. He writes which country has more to lose with any stop in international cooperation.
