Stories from 24 September 2009
Serbia: Gay Pride Parade Postponed
Sinisa Boljanovic writes about the cancellation of the gay pride parade in Belgrade and reviews bloggers reactions to statements made by politicians and ultra-nationalist groups regarding the event.
Egypt: Blogging Farouk Hosni's Defeat
Egypt's Culture Minister Farouk Hosni has kept bloggers busy over the previous few days. His failed bid to secure a seat at the helm of UNESCO has polarised the blogosphere, with some even cooking up conspiracy theories to justify his defeat.
Morocco: Teaching Tamazight
Jamal Elabiad, author of the blog A Moroccan Voice in English, discusses the limits of teaching the Tamazight language in Morocco.
China: Is Bo Xilai's corruption crackdown good for China?
"Who can ensure that the impartial and incorruptible anti-corruption heroes of today, with their unrestricted power, won't end up on the same path as their predecessors tomorrow?"
Harvard Forum – Faith and focus
Ethan's final live-blog post from the Harvard Forum about internet and communications technology ICT for development with concluding thoughts from several participants.
Botswana: River flows again since 1988
Boronyane River in Botswana flows again since 1988: “Local dignitaries and politicians gather on the banks of the Boronyane River to watch it flow down to the Thamalakane River. Local knowledge says it last flowed in 1988 and 1974 – so this is a big occasion.”
Botswana: Churches targeted by crime syndicates
Are international criminals targeting churches in Botswana?: “There are fears that some churches in Botswana may fall prey to international crime syndicates who launder money under the guise of donations and sponsorship.”
Africa: Volunteer for BikeTown Africa
BikeTown Africa is heading to Tanzania and South Africa: “Over the next two months, BikeTown Africa will be delivering 640 Kona AfricaBikes to South Africa and Tanzania and Kona needs your help.”
Cuba: activist arrested and released
Uncommon Sense reports the arrest and subsequent release of Cuban activist and journalist Belinda Salas Tapanes in Havana. “Salas is president of the Federation of Latin American Women (FLAMUR), one of the more effective opposition groups in Cuba.”
British Virgin Islands: conservation victory
Repeating Islands reports on a legal victory for environmentalists in the British Virgin Islands, who oppose the construction of a hotel and golf course in a protected area.
Barbados, Guyana: forest outpost?
Living in Barbados examines an audacious 16-year-old proposal to establish a Barbadian outpost in the interior of Guyana, thus addressing the problems of overpopulation in one country and underdevelopment in the other.
Harvard Forum – What do we need to know?
Today's conversation starts with discussions of “knowledge gaps”, open questions we need to answer through research so we can understand what's succeeding and failing in our field.
Uganda: When health care system in Bundibugyo works
A moving story of how life was saved at Nyahuka Health Center in Bundibugyo, Uganda.
Africa: Africa Code Camp
An announcement of AfricaCodeCamp next month: “So on the 4th of October we'll get as many of these innovators as possible together in one place in San Francisco, to problem solve and work together to make all of our hacking even better.”
Iran: “Bloggers persecuted”
Reporters Without Borders informed us that Ali Pirhasanlou (Alpar), one of the first journalists to start blogging in Iran was arrested last week. This organization adds that Iranian authorities continue to persecute the bloggers.
Iran: Shiva Nazar Ahari, Iranian blogger freed
According to several Iranian news sites Shiva Nazar Ahari, a female blogger and human rights activist was freed after being imprisoned for about 100 days in Tehran.
India: The Paradox Of Poverty
Smart Alec comments on the paradox of poverty: “India is indeed a rich country with a lot of poor people in it. And it’s these poor people who make rich India rich, give it its wealth of poverty. India cannot afford to give up its lucrative poverty; it must perpetuate...
Bangladesh: Can A Journalist Throw Shoes To A Leader?
“I cannot undermine the sentiment of Al- Zaidi and ordinary Iraqi people who are the sufferer of invasion and war. But he has misused his access and accreditation rights by throwing shoes. I would be happy if Al-Zaidi were a member of any other community except journalist,” comments Bangladeshi blogger...
Singapore: Beauty Queen's qualifications questioned
The crowning of Ris Low as the new Miss Singapore World generated mixed reactions in the Singapore mainstream media and blogosphere.
Japan: The decline of the LDP
Observing Japan has an article explaining the decline of the LDP. The blogger points out that from the early 1990s until 2007 the LDP shifted not just from center to right, but from pragmatism to idealism and from the realm of practical politics.
Japan: Against animal testing
Martin J Frid from Kurashi blogs about the upcoming peace walk for animals on September 27, 2009 in Osaka.
