Stories from 21 September 2009
Iran: Remember International Day of Peace
Pendar writes about International Day of Peace.Pendar adds [fa] that ‘I as a blogger think that first [Iranian] regime should reconcile with [Iran's] people and then it can join the international community.’
Can social media help make microfinance sustainable?
Microfinance agencies provide loans to small businesspeople who often can’t meet the strict credit terms of large banks. Either these entrepreneurs don’t have the capital or the cash to back the loan. Or as the large banks argue, their credit needs are too small.
Seychelles: New lease of life for Seychelles Media Association
Seychelles Digital reports that the Seychelles Media Association (SMA) has been given a new lease of life.
Bangladesh: The Exodus
Leetlegirl's Big Adventures blog posts some telling pictures of the mass exodus from the mega city Dhaka during the Eid holidays, which answer why the capital of Bangladesh is so quiet and free from traffic jams now.
Republic of Congo: Government at last
Elie Smith blogs about the new government in Congo-Brazzavile: “Why it has taken 63 days for Mr Denis Sassou Nguesso to form his government is a mystery, especially that, no major changes has been noticed. While there is no major change of faces, one will note that, the 37 member...
Cameroon: Dibussi Tande at the forefront of African blogging
Francis Nyamjoh writes about the Cameroonian blogger, Dibussi Tande: “Dibussi Tande established JimbiMedia in 2004 with the primary objective of using affordable blogging technology to give a solid online presence to powerful African voices – creative people, trendsetters, academics, journalists, etc.”
Pakistan: The Origin Of Railways
Owais Mughal at All Things Pakistan writes about the origin of railways in Pakistan. “The first line from Karachi to Kotri (1861) was constructed primarily to reduce the journey time on the final stage of long haul from Britain to Delhi and Calcutta,” the blogger informs.
Suriname: R.I.P. Henk Tjon
Celebrated Surinamese playwright and theatre director Henk Tjon died in Paramaribo on 18 September, 2009. The Bahamas-based Ringplay Productions blog remembers “his passion and his eloquence on the subject of the role of the arts in Caribbean society.”
Sri Lanka: Endangered Amphibians
“Did you know that Sri Lanka holds the world record for the highest number of global amphibian extinctions?” informs Sri Lankan animal watcher blog Gallicissa.
Omani Bloggers Take the Streets To Combat Swine Flu
Omani bloggers have started their Swine Flu Awareness Campaign yesterday by going through Souq Matrah to spread the message and educate people.
Puerto Rico: Debate on Censorship
The Department of Education of the government of Puerto Rico recently eliminated five books from the eleventh grade curriculum of the public school system. Numerous writers and artists in Puerto Rico publicly voiced their concerns and described the government's action as censorship. The Puerto Rican blogosphere reacts to the controversy.
Bermuda: decriminalising cannabis?
21 Square joins the debate over decriminalising cannabis in Bermuda. “Our present stance on cannabis has created a black market intent on fulfilling demand that is consuming our island and causing our crime rates to soar…. we maintain a punishment scheme for users which outweighs the actual crime.”
Jamaica: honouring Usain Bolt
Active Voice reflects on how the Jamaican government has honoured star athlete Usain Bolt, and shares information about a new documentary film called Why Do Jamaicans Run So Fast?
Anguilla: abandoned hotel?
Corruption-free Anguilla stumbles upon an abandoned hotel construction site, and asks questions about development policy and the possibility of government involvement. “The buildings just sit there, enigmatic, clueless.”
Barbados: journalist's “confession”
Barbados Free Press reacts to a newspaper journalist's “confession” that he posted anonymous comments on several Barbadian blogs — starting a discussion about “the limits of anonymous blogging.”
Barbados: listening to Chalkdust
The Bajan Reporter attends a lecture on “Calypso and Crime” by Trinidadian calypsonian Chalkdust, and files a report. “In the Question & Answer section, I got a chance to ask if Bloggers and Calypsonians serve the same purpose in showing problems and solutions few would dare touch normally.”
Barbados: Clean-Up Day
Living in Barbados reports on Barbados Clean-Up Day, when volunteers collected garbage from the island's beaches. “How many meals on plastic plates? How many cups of soda in plastic cups? … I have no idea what figures to put to these questions but they still went through my head as...
Trinidad and Tobago: “poor man's food”?
“Why are we so angry about the rise in the price of doubles?” Coffeewallah considers the popular Trinidadian street snack as an economic indicator. “The cost of living has increased for everyone, even your doubles vendor. They are really a barometer for society.”
Guyana: celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr
Lifespan of a Chennette describes her family's elaborate preparations for celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr in Guyana — complete with menus.
Guyana: images of Georgetown
Flickr user Nigel Durrant — a Jamaican living in Guyana — posts sets of images from two well-known public spaces in Georgetown: Bourda Market and National Park.
Afghanistan: Captain Semrau Goes to Trial
Joshua Foust reports that Captain Robert Semrau, a Canadian military man facing murder charges for the alleged shooting death of an injured, unarmed insurgent outside Lashkar Gah, is now facing a general court martial.
