18 May 2009

Stories from 18 May 2009

Sri Lanka: Bloggers react to the death of the LTTE leader

The government of Sril Lanka announced via state media and SMS today (Monday, May 18, 2009) afternoon that the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Vellupillai Prabhakaran, is dead. Obituaries of Prabhakaran note that he was a hero to some and a ruthless killer to others. Sri Lankan Bloggers lament on the legacy of this war lord and what his demise means for the future of the Tamil people and Sri Lanka.

18 May 2009

Caribbean: Bloggers React to Walcott's Withdrawal

St. Lucian-born Derek Walcott is truly a West Indian man. He has been embraced by literature lovers of countless other regional territories who identify with his writing and see the nuances of the Caribbean come alive in his work. Which was why his Nobel Prize win for Literature in 1992 seemed like a regional victory - and why his withdrawal from the tight race for the coveted position of Oxford Professor of Poetry has left a bad taste in many bloggers' mouths.

18 May 2009

Sri Lanka: Is It Really Over?

The LTTE rebel leader Velupillai Prabakaran is dead and many Sri Lankans are rejoicing. Portrait describes how does it feel when the war is won. However Scourge! asks whether the...

18 May 2009

Myanmar: 150th Anniversary of the Founding of Mandalay City

Mandalay, the last royal capital of Myanmar, celebrated its 150th anniversary with a three-day festival event from May 14 to May 16. GV Author TAN translates a few posts written by bloggers from Myanmar who had witnessed the event.

18 May 2009

Uruguay: The Passing of Writer Mario Benedetti

Uruguayan writer and poet Mario Benedetti passed away on May 17 at the age of 88. Benedetti is extremely important to Uruguayan society, especially because of his history as an exile and as an outspoken critic during the military dictatorship in the 1970s and 1980s. However, his works transcend borders and he was beloved all across the region. Bloggers remember the man and what his writings meant to them personally and to the region.

18 May 2009

Barbados: Budget Speech

Barbados Underground says that expectations are high for the Prime Minister's 2009 Budget Speech, adding: “There are times when political partisanship should give way to bi-partisanship in the interest of...

18 May 2009

Guyana: Prayer Calling

“It is an injustice being blatantly perpetrated upon thousands and thousands of Guyanese on a daily basis and one against which many feel helpless”: Imran Khan takes issue with the...

18 May 2009

Haiti: Flag Day

Today is Flag Day in Haiti. Real Hope for Haiti offers some insight into the history of the celebration, while The Livesay Weblog ruminates on the country's recently concluded elections.

18 May 2009

Hong Kong: Donald Tsang, please die!

Last week, the public was outraged by the Chief Executive Donald Tsang‘s remark on June 4 Incident in the Legislative Council's policy address in May 13. When asked about his...

18 May 2009

China: Good Citizenry

ESWN translated government banner propaganda advocating “good citizenry” in Jiangsu province. The purpose is to encourage the residents to accept the relocation plan.

18 May 2009