Stories from 10 April 2009
Georgia: Citizen media and the Tbilisi protests
Writing on the Frontline Club blog, Global Voices Online's Caucasus editor says that the online coverage of two days of protests in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, by student and professional journalists has set new standards for citizen media in the South Caucasus.
Pakistan: No Respite
Adil Najam at All Things Pakistan reports that troubles are brewing all over Pakistan. Quetta is burning due to riots, violence spreads in Balochistan and Karachi is tensed due to the clashes in the Shanaakht Festival 2009 – no respite for Pakistan.
Brazil: Tips to face the crisis from a popcorn street seller
Many people would think that the popcorn street selling business has little room for innovation. A natural born Brazilian entrepreneur has been proving this line of thought wrong: check out his story to understand that it is possible to make any simple and small business attractive and rewarding, both moneywise and on a personal level too.
Iraq: Remembering April 9, 2003 – When Sitting on the Fence is Difficult
While the 9th of April 2003 was a defining day in the history of modern Iraq most of us Iraqis can’t really agree on what to call it. Is it the Fall of Baghdad or the Liberation of Baghdad? Using one or the other pins you to one side or the other. Sitting on the fence is difficult.
Sri Lanka: New Year Celebrations
Cerno describes about the upcoming new year celebrations in Sri Lanka: “It is a tricky holiday to explain to non Sri Lankan friends abroad. The short version is it to cut through all the astrology induced rituals such as chicken kicking and describe it as a family network revitalization event.”
Japan: Chalk Drawing of Ichiro Suzuki
WBC afterglow? A video of a portrait of Ichiro Suzuki drawn with sidewalk chalk by artist Phil Hansen has recently been making the rounds in the Japanese blogosphere.
Bangladesh: This Road Is Also Ours
Unheard Voice blog of the human rights group Drishtipat informs about an unique campaign launched in the streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh for ensuring dignity for women in the streets. The Drishtipat campaign is titled “Ei Poth Amadero (this road is also ours)”.
India: The Election Extravaganza
Snigdha Sen at Blogher terms the upcoming Indian election 2009 as the biggest, the fanciest and the craziest celebration of democracy in the world.
Zimbabwe: The truth from the Deputy Prime Minister
Eusebia discusses the recent speech by the Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, “The speech was so full of truth that it made me realise that at least we have one man in the coalition government who has the intelligence to objectively evaluate perfomance of the coalition government and point out...
Georgia: Opposition ultimatum passes
An hour after an opposition ultimatum for the Georgian president to resign went unheeded, thousands of people continue to protest in the country's capital, Tbilisi. Bloggers report from the scene.
Vietnam: Informal economy
Vietnam's informal economy may be helping it survive the economic recession, writes blogger Antidote to Burnout
Indonesia: The next Vice president
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democrat Party is poised to dominate the polls. akhyari mentions the possible nominees for the Vice President position.
Indonesia election: Funny stories
Plis Deh Jakarta! gathers funny stories during the April 9 Indonesia Election Day. For example: an election booth head was not registered to vote, proliferation of ghost voters, and the lowest turnout of voters was in the housing complex of the Parliament.
Indonesia: Free Starbucks coffee for voters
April 9 is Indonesia's Election Day. Starbucks announces it will give a free cup of coffee to voters. This leads blogger Multibrand to ask if Starbucks is sponsoring the Indonesian elections.
Thailand: Taxi drivers join Red Shirts
Last December protesters shut down Bangkok airports. Today the Red Shirt protesters are supported by taxi drivers who used their cars to block traffic in the city. See also the reactions of Twitter users to the ongoing protest.
