Stories from 19 November 2009
Poland: Anonymous Blogger to Write About a Daily Tabloid
An anonymous journalist who used to work for a Polish daily tabloid called Fakt, started a new blog, BrukowiecStory ("TabloidStory" in English), in which he wants to write the truth about how things really work in the newsroom and in the publisher’s office.
Brazil: Do banks have metal or melanin detector doors?
Most banks in Brazil use revolving doors with metal detectors. But are they being used as an excuse to discriminate against people? A citizen media video reveals at least one case.
Pakistan: Not Eliminated
Kalsoom at CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan posts a roundup of the latest news and information on the South Waziristan war against the Taliban.
Sri Lanka: What Is Your Race?
Mahesan Niranjan at Groundviews shares a personal story depicting how race & nationality is perceived in Sri Lanka leading to further divide.
Global Health: World Toilet Day Raises a Stink
While it may sound like a bad joke, today's World Toilet Day focuses on a not-so-funny issue impacting almost half the world's population -- a lack of toilets and sanitation.
Bangladesh: Corruption Reduction Policy Under Question
This year Bangladesh improved her position in the Transparency International corruption perception index. However citing some recent lapses, Habib Siddiqui questions: “How committed is Bangladesh Government about boosting the Corruption Perception Index?”
Bangladesh: The Long Awaited Verdict
Unheard Voice live blogged the long awaited final verdict of the trial of the killers of the first president of Bangladesh, the father of nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Laos: Southeast Asia Games Village
Pictures of the 25th Southeast Asia Games Village in Laos were uploaded by Lao Voices
Australian Peacekeepers in East Timor
Notes from Abroad observes that Australian peacekeepers armed with automatic rifles are a common sight in East Timor
Disturbing Images Blogged on alleged Timor Assassin
On the 15th November Portuguese language blogger, Timor Lorosae Nacao, posted disturbing images of the corpse of Major Alfredo Reinado undergoing an autopsy in Dili in February 2008. Major Reinado led a group of armed men to the house of Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta on the morning of 11 February...
Puerto Rico: No. 35
Gil the Jenius has something to say about Puerto Rico's #35 ranking on Transparency International's 2009 Corruption Perception Index.
Australia: Asylum Seekers test tough but humane approach
There has been a spike in asylum seekers coming to Australia by boat following the increasing violence in Afghanistan and the defeat of the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka. The Australian government has been heavily criticised for both its handling of the Oceanic Viking incident and refugee policy in general.
Trinidad & Tobago: Social Media Crimefighting
Taran Rampersad is glad “to see that social media is being seen as a tool for fighting crime in Trinidad and Tobago”, but says there are more effective ways in which to do it.
Barbados: Mini Monaco?
Barbados Free Press and Barbados Underground question the vision of the island being transformed into another Monaco.
Cuba, U.S.A.: Questions for Obama
Cuba's Generation Y sends a questionnaire to U.S. President Obama “with some of the issues that keep [her] from sleeping” and publishes his responses.
Burmese Songs to be Used as Ring Tones in Thailand
A company in Thailand bought more than 100 popular Burmese songs to be sold as ring tones for mobile phones in Thailand.
Bermuda: Sitting on the Dock of the Bay
“Next time you go up to Dockyard, lie down on that big ole dock and give it a hug”: According to Vexed Bermoothes, “At its $60 million pricetag, it cost every single Bermudian about $1,250 in long term debt. You better kiss that dock ‘cuz it owns a piece of...
Japan: British teenager becomes a YouTube star
She is British, blond, slim and cute. Her name is Beckii Cruel [ja] and, at age 14, has become an idol on the Japanese web. Beckii Cruel started to gain popularity at the end of this year thanks to some videos posted on YouTube where she appears dancing in her...
Jamaica: Defence Against the Defence Force
“It seems there are a few problems with the Jamaica Defence Force worth looking into”: For Jamaica Salt, it is a case of who's going to guard the guards.
Uruguay: Film About Robots Invading Montevideo
The locally produced short film called Panic Attack! created by Fede Alvarez shows the science fiction story of robots invading the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo. The blog El Bachural [es] enjoyed the short because it showed his city in a different light.
Guatemala: The Streets of the Capital City
The look of the streets of Guatemala City has changed over the past 20 years. The blog Guate en los 80s [es] takes a look at the culture of that decade, and includes this video of a drive through the city and notes the differences to how it appears now.
