Stories from 20 August 2009
Palestine: Gaza's Culture Of Resistance
The first feature film produced by Hamas had its premiere in Gaza on August 1, part of an attempt by the movement to win support through cultural initiatives, building a "culture of resistance". In the same week, a play about filmmaking opened in Gaza. Bloggers have attended both, and give us their opinions.
Uruguay: Day of the Domestic Worker
Mariolo of Asi ta’l mundo, Botija [es] writes that August 19 was “Day of the Domestic Worker” all across Uruguay and presents some facts about this occupation and adds in the comments section, “it is incredible the discrimination there is against domestic workers.”
Ghana: Maker Faire 2009 in the news
Maker Faire 2009 (Ghana) in the news.
Africa: Maker Faire 2010 announced
Emeka writes about Maker Faire 2010, which will take place in Nairobi, Kenya: “As a follow-up to the invigorating inaugural Maker Faire Africa 2009. The organizing team has announced a number of initiatives to harness the momentum and energy felt at the Accra event.”
Iran: March 18 Movement film in competition
March 18 Movement film is in competition in Bitfilm Festival. The March 18 Movement was born out of a tragedy. On this day in 2009, Omid Reza Mir Sayafi, Iranian blogger and journalist, died in Evin Prison in Tehran.
Indonesia's 64th Independence Day anniversary
Last August 17, Indonesians celebrated the 64th anniversary of their Independence Day. To mark the occasion, almost 2,500 scuba divers attempted to break the world record of “Most People Scuba Diving Simultaneously”.
Brunei History
Rozan Yunos provides a brief historical sketch on how Brunei got its name.
Brunei: Water supply situation
Rozan Yunos writes about the water supply situation in Brunei today.
Malaysia: Alcohol ban
Mental Jog from Malaysia opposes the proposal to ban the selling of alcohol in some areas of the country.
China Internet blocks bad enough to chase you away?
A survey has been set up to check if China Internet blocking will chase people away from China. (via goldkorn from twitter)
Taiwan: A Hug for Taiwan
Beeside made (zh)a video of his “free hug for Taiwan” campaign after he saw so many tragedies caused by the flood everyday (translation): “At the beginning, it was like other netizens said, people there were merely watching, no one dared to give me a hug. But this situation did not...
Suriname: Interesting Art
“On the one hand, her work demonstrates a strong ecological consciousness. On the other, it seems to grapple with various cultural discomforts and shocks”: Paramaibo SPAN pays a visit to artist Ellen Ligteringen's studio.
Nepal: Nothing Is Going Right
For a Democratic Republic Nepal is unhappy with the current politics and governance in Nepal and lists the reasons.
Bahamas: Accounting for Crime
Rick Lowe at Weblog Bahamas is stunned by the country's most recent crime statistics, saying: “Unless we begin to hold ourselves publicly accountable, how do expect to begin the slow and painful process of fighting the demons among us?”
Barbados: Freedom of Information
As Living in Barbados shares his thoughts on the importance of Freedom of Information, Barbados Free Press says that the ruling party's upcoming conference “does not include anything at all about the government’s failure refusal to introduce the promised Freedom of Information and Integrity legislation.”
Jamaica: Surprise Win
Girl With a Purpose says: “Jamaicans got the biggest, most pleasant surprise of the World Championships…when Brigitte Foster-Hylton came first in the finals of the women's 110m Hurdles.”
Pakistan: 100Pakistanis
“100Pakistanis is an initiative (and blog) started with the aim of sifting through existing information on Pakistan and presenting it in a concise and revealing way, ranging from simple lists and slide-shows to animated infographics,” informs All Things Pakistan.
Guyana: Curtains for PNC?
Guyanese blogger Imran Khan wonders whether the infighting over the PNC political party's leadership will signal “the complete and utter destruction of the party itself.”
Bangladesh: Child Beating
Bangladeshi blogger Mahadi754 is sad and can't tolerate the sounds of a little child being abused by her mother: “Most of the days at the evening I can hear that a little child beside my house being beaten mercilessly.”
South Korea: Kim Dae-jung's funeral
Ohmynews! has a report on the politics concerning the funeral arrangement for former President Kim Dae-jung who passed away on August 18.
Peru: Lawsuit Against Government for Allowing Mining Contamination
The Inter-American Commission for Human Rights has admitted into court the case against the Peruvian government for crimes against humanity for allowing the Doe Run Peru mining company for “poisoning” the people of the community of La Oroya from their activities informs Isabel Guerra of Living in Peru.