Stories from 26 September 2009
Cuba: Concert for Peace
The "Paz sin Fronteras" concert organized by the Colombian singer Juanes and celebrated on Sunday September 20, 2009, at iconic Revolution Square in Havana, Cuba, ignited many passions and heated debates. Posts from Cuban bloggers, living in Cuba and in other countries, show the diversity of opinions on Cuba's political situation and future.
Peru: Preservation Efforts in the Chan Chan Archaeological Site
Chan Chan is an archaeological site located in Northern Peru and suffers from the negative effects of looters and natural phenomena. A number of preservation efforts are taking place, including a project led by a group of housewives.
Saudi Arabia: KAUST To Inspire Scientific Achievement – And More?
On September 23 the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology was inaugurated. It is a graduate-level research university, and the first coeducational university in the country. In this post we hear reactions to the inauguration of KAUST by bloggers in Saudi Arabia, including some KAUST students.
Global Voices Mentors Update: Warming up to Climate Change
A team of 31 Global Voices Blogger Mentors have each been paired with one Danish or African student in order to help them become more familiar with both the technical and human aspects of blogging.
Tunisia: Severe Flooding Kills 15
Flash floods hit Tunisia this week, killing at least 15 people and damaging property in the town of Redeyef in southern Tunisia. Bloggers declare two day of mourning and speak out against a media apparatus which trades on people's miseries to trump up the government.
Sri Lanka: Suppression Of Media Freedom
Concerned Citizen comments on the media freedom in Sri Lanka at Groundviews: “despite vehement denials, it is obvious that the government is guilty of suppression of media freedom and dissent through intimidation, threats, violence and extrajudicial acts which have seriously affected their credibility both nationally and internationally.”
Afghanistan: Is Withdrawal a Surrender?
Joshua Foust reflects on the fact that the withdrawal of the U.S. military from vast tracts of indefensible bases in Afghanistan is being put into motion.
Kyrgyzstan: Celebrations of Eid al Fitr
Aravanski tells his readers how Muslim holiday Eid al Fitr was celebrated in Kyrgyzstan (with photos).
Kazakhstan: Playing the Borat card
Vicky reports that that the government of Kazkahstan is now thawing and reversing its position on Borat, a comic character, as tourism rose by 13% last year.
Turkmenistan: Reforms back on the shelf?
Annasoltan analyzes the political impact of the visit of Turkmenistan president Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov to the United States, and says that it will be difficult for him to present himself as a reformer who would take Turkmenistan out of present isolationist course.
Kazakhstan: Interview with the author of a comic book about Kazakhstan
Jenia Saikina interviews Nicolas Journoud, the French artist living in Kazakhstan, who prepares to release a comic book about this Central Asian country.
Afghanistan: Threat to Germany
Nick Fielding writes about several videos in German language, threatening an al-Qaeda attack on the country unless it withdraws its 4,000 soldiers from Afghanistan.
West Africa : Victims of Floods Call for Help
Last weeks’ torrential rains triggered disastrous floodings (Fr), killing 159 people and affecting over 600,000 in a dozen Western Africa countries, unprepared to face seasonal rains growing heavier and heavier. (See map). Afropages (Fr) describes the situation in Conakry, Guinea's capital.
Floods in West Africa Displace Hundreds of Thousands
The ReliefWeb, quoting the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), reports that recent floods in West Africa have displaced or made homeless 600 000 persons, destroyed schools, roads, hospitals in Burkina Faso,Senegal, Niger,Guinea, and Ghana. Guinea alone account for 40.000 people in need of help.
Massive Protests in Guinea
A MISNA (Missionary International Service News Agency) report published on Sept. 25, states that massive street protests took place in Labé, Guinea second largest city, against Captain Dadis Moussa Camara, the military head of the state.
Iran: Green rage against Ahmadinejad in New York
Protesters against Iranian human rights violations and election irregularities demonstrated against Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in New York City, as he addressed the United Nations General Assembly.
Iran: Artists and Green Movement
Artists from different corners of the world have created posters to support Iranian opposition movement (Green Movement) and Iranian people struggle for democracy.
Japan: Homeless World Cup
Ikeda-san, at Greenz, uploaded some old and recent pictures and videos [ja] of Nobushi Japan, the football team that represented Japan at the Homeless World Cup, the championship held in Milan at the beginning of September.
