Stories from 11 November 2009
Palestine: Frustration With The “Swagger” Of Politics
Last week the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced that he would not stand for re-election in January, in frustration at the US failure to stop Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank. In this post we hear the opinion of one blogger who is also extremely frustrated – with Palestinian politics.
Sri Lanka: E-Swabhimani Awards
Chulie de Silva writes about the E-Swabhimani awards organized by the Information Communication Agency (ICTA), which honors Sri Lanka’s digital content developers/producers. The blogger also highlights some of the nominated projects.
Lebanon finally has a government
It's official. Five months after Lebanon's parliamentary elections, the country's squabbling factions have finally formed a government. Citizen journalists react in this post.
India: Climate Change And The Role Of Government
Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) volunteer Nicola Macnaughton opines that the Indian government’s lack of involvement in tackling climate changes “raises serious concerns about equity, justice, and human rights in a country which is widely acknowledged as the world’s ‘largest democracy’.”
USA: Veterans ask Obama to reconsider Afghanistan
Brave New Foundation posts a petition and YouTube video with young veterans asking Obama not to send more troops to Afghanistan.
India: Dalai Lama And The Relationship With China
Kochuthresiamma at ParelTank comments on Dalai Lama's visit in Arunachal Pradesh and India's relationship with China: “Too many things have been happening between India and China in the past few months – the incursions, the dam, issuing separate visas to Kashmiris by China, protesting against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit...
Puerto Rico: Talking ‘Bout A Revolution
Gil the Jenius suggests that the recent protests in Puerto Rico weren't enough.
Haiti: Pierre-Louis Ousted
“Haiti's Senate dismissed Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009″: HaitiAnalysis.com reports that some senators believe “the vote was ‘illegal’ and plagued by procedural irregularities.”
Bahamas, Cuba: Fair Trade?
Rick Lowe issues a few words of warning to the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce when it comes to doing business with Cuba: “The Chamber stands for ethics in business and I believe they are on shaky ground recommending we do business with a regime in Cuba that apparently does not...
Cuba, U.S.A.: Bloggers & Violence
Both writing for Havana Times, Circles Robinson reports that the U.S. government has criticized the recent seizure of blogger Yoani Sanchez and two of her peers, noting that “Cuba maintains its rejection of any interference of the US government in its internal affairs”, while Pedro Campos suggests that “to reject...
Guyana: Must Get Mosquito
Guyana-Gyal has it out with a mosquito.
Russia: Bird's Eye View Photos of Central Part of the Country
Russian landscapes from the board of a small plane. LJ-user Makarena [RUS] shared some breathtaking photos here.
Kenya: Progressive or new activist constitution?
Taabu discusses the Kenya's draft constitution: “A look at the proposed new draft constitution leaves you wondering whether you are listening to an NGO seminar presentation.”
Uganda: Coverage of Vice President's son
Rosebell discusses the coverage of the death of Uganda's Vice President's son: “For the last 20 or so hours I have been involved in a discussion on my facebook page. it was my reaction to the newspaper coverage of Vice President’s son’s death. First of all I do not in...
Cambodian Ambassador sends protest letter to Thai newspaper
Cambodian Ambassador You Aye, who is not pleased with the editorial published by Thai newspaper The Nation on the ongoing diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia, sends a letter to the editorial board of the paper accusing them of “becoming a tool for escalating tensions between the two countries.”
Cambodia: Comics culture
Webbed Feet, Web Log notes that Cambodia had a thriving comics culture during the socialist era but it declined when the country adopted free market principles in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Cambodia: Online press freedom
Sopheap Chak explains why “online press freedom is emerging as the new digital democracy” in Cambodia. The writer adds that blogs and websites are enjoying more freedom from government censorship.
Nigeria: Top Nollywood actor kidnapped
Top Nigerian film star, Nkem Owoh, has been kidnapped: “Mr. Owoh is one of the top Nollywood actors mainly due to his role in the blockbuster movie ‘Osuofia’. He was kidnapped along the Enugu – PortHarcourt Expressway and his kidnappers have reportedly demanded a 15 million naira ransom.”
Singapore: Health Care System
Diana Saw introduces the positive side of the Singapore health system.
Thailand-Cambodia diplomatic row heats up
Thailand and Cambodia recalled their ambassadors. An energy exploration deal between the two nations was suspended. The issue is no longer confined to a border dispute. Check out the reactions of bloggers to the escalating diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia.
Uganda: National unity government unlikely
The National Resistance Movement and its main rival the Forum for Democratic Change have separately dismissed the idea of a coalition government ahead of the 2011 polls, writes This is Africa.