Stories from 31 August 2009
USA, Mexico: Astronaut José Hernández Twittering from Space
Mexican-American Astronaut José Hernández is currently orbiting the Earth as part of a Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station, and he is twittering while he is on the mission.
Bahamas: Living Off Art
Nicolette Bethel continues to follow Ward Minnis‘ posts on the viability of making a living off of art in the Bahamas, commenting: “In order for this viability really to exist, though, the society as a whole has to buy into the idea of supporting Bahamian culture with more than their...
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Tackling Domestic Violence
“I am still having a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that yet another woman has been the victim of appalling domestic violence,” writes Abeni, adding: “I can only hope that Debbie's biggest impact will be to mobilise Vincentian women into meaningful action…we simply cannot afford to pay...
Jamaica: Bereft of Leadership?
Trevor Dawes, blogging at Abeng News Magazine, says that “Jamaica is bankrupt” and suggests that “it is as a result of the poor to non-existent leadership from either of the two major political parties.”
Bolivia: MAS Strategy in Next General Elections
Miguel Buitrago of MABB [es] runs down the strategy of Evo Morales’ MAS party in the upcoming general elections.
Paraguay: Pessimism in the Region
Paraguayans are the most pessimistic in the entire region writes Carlos Rodríguez of Rescatar [es] commenting on a recent study.
Peru: Alberto Pizango Wanted by Interpol
Peruvian indigenous leader, Alberto Pizango, is accused by the government as an instigator of violence for the events in Bagua, and is now wanted by Interpol according to J. Francisco Canaza of Apuntes Peruanos [es].
Chile: The Chile + Cultura Festival 2009
The Chile + Cultura 2009 Festival is set for September 6 in Curicó, which will feature free regional and national musical acts writes Manuel Herrera Díaz of Maulee.cl [es]
Georgia: Bicycle Trip from Poti to Batumi
LJ user jhwe posts over 130 photos (RUS) taken during an 85-kilometer bicycle journey from Poti to Batumi, Georgia.
Pakistan: Ex President's Trial – Treason Or Revenge?
A year after the resignation the former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf, leading political party Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) insists on putting him on trial for treason. Bloggers opine that the trial appears to be a political revenge rather than a call for justice.
Japan: Voting for Change
Diary of A Singaporean Mind comments on the Japanese election result that ended the LDP 54 years of continuous rule. The blogger pointed out that Japanese people had voted for change even though the future remains uncertain.
China and Taiwan: Dalai Lama's visit, inevitably political
Yesterday Dalai Lama arrived in Taiwan on a visit that has been denounced by China. The trip, requested by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to President Ma Ying-jeou, aimed at comforting victims of Typhoon Morakot. Dalai Lama explained in the airport that “I'm a monk. I was asked to say prayers...
India: Mobile Value Added Services For Rural People
Dina Mehta writes about an innovative value added service from mobile operator(s) which can empower people in rural areas in India with minimum cost.
Sri Lanka: Let The IDPs Go
Indrajit Samarajiva at Indi.ca visits a Sri Lankan IDP camp and shares his observations: “Everyone just wants to go home, or at least to stay with relatives. They don’t need charity anymore, they need the freedom to rebuild their lives with dignity.
Bangladesh: Justice Denied
The Online Citizen, a citizen media outlet of Singapore reports on a Bangladeshi labor, who was physically abused repeatedly by his Singaporean employer and denied 5 months salary. He held on to Singapore’s justice system, but the justice he got was deportation from the country and the employer got away...
Iran: “United for Baha'i Human Rights”
The Muslim Network for Bahai's Rights share with us a short animation video about Bahais’ problems in Iran since 1979.
Myanmar: Tension in the Sino-Burmese border
ESWN collects news reports on the military conflict between the Burmese government and the Kokang Ceasefire Group near the Sino-Burmese border. The situation has been getting worse in the past few days and thousands of Burmese refugees fled to China. Last Friday, a bomb fired across the border killed one...
Vietnam: Blogger fired by newspaper
Blogger Huy Duc, who writes under the pen name “Osin,” was fired from his job in a Saigon newspaper after Communist authorities in Vietnam complained about his writings
Myanmar: Cooking oil ban removed
According to The Irrawaddy News, seven brands of cooking oil that had been banned for health reasons in Myanmar are now on sale again in Yangon after government authorities recommended their sale in the market.
Malaysia: Muslims can’t watch “immoral” concerts
The political party which banned the concerts of Beyonce, Avril Lavigne and Gwen Stefani in Malaysia is now proposing to ban the "sinful" Michael Learns to Rock concert. Malaysian Muslims can't also watch a Black Eyed Peas concert because the show is sponsored by an alcohol company.
