Stories from 17 December 2009
Russian Programmer Community Hacks Super-Earth Name Vote
After The Wired magazine opened a vote [ENG] to name a newly discovered “most Earth-like” planet, Russian Habrahabr-user khekkly started a flashmob[Google Translation – ENG] urging Russian programmers to name it “Siberia.” This name currently leads the chart.
Zambia: The case for Social Enterprise
Campbell makes the case for social enterprise in Zambia: “I have really been thinking of how Zambians can change Zambia. Social entrepreneurship is something that is foreign to our nation and has not been given the attention it deserves. For profit enterprises are the most common.”
Africa: RSS feeds from Africa
The Passion of the Present posts a list of RSS feeds from Africa.
Sri Lanka: Politics Of Boycotts
Devanesan Nesiah at Groundviews criticizes the suicidal Tamil politics, which is considering to boycott the coming elections in Sri Lanka. The blogger opines that participation in national politics is absolutely essential for the minority parties.
Sudan/Lebanon: Sudanese blogger's impression of Lebanon
Sudanese Thinker writes about his impression of Lebanon where he is attending 2nd Arab Bloggers Summit: “I arrived in Beirut yesterday with a crapload of misconceptions about Lebanon and its people, but I’m glad to say that I’ve been largely very, very wrong. It’s been a lot of fun so...
Pakistan: Soul Searching For 1971
Raza Rumi at All Things Pakistan remembers the end of the nine month long liberation war of Bangladesh (freedom of Bangladeshis) and the fall of East Pakistan on 16th of December, 1971. The blogger comments: “we, simply, are reluctant to learn from the fiasco of 1971.”
Puerto Rico Online Map Collection
Mapas de Puerto Rico links to dozens of online, interactive maps of Puerto Rico with different topological, political, historic, and touristic themes.
South Africa: Blogger becomes first soldier to receive new Air Assault Badge
Soldier of Africa receives new Air Assault Badge in South Africa: “After four years of waiting I was today the first person in the SANDF to be awarded the new Air Assault Badge, which I also designed.”
Bangladesh: Celebrating Victory Day
Saad Hammadi at Of Diaries And Experiences writes about the joy of celebrating the victory day of Bangladesh.
Barbados: British Airways Strike
Living in Barbados says that “the news that British Airways unions are threatening a strike to happen over the Christmas period” is worse news for a Caribbean island than the threat of hurricanes or volcanoes.
Bangladesh: Media And Politics
Asif Saleh and Mridul Chowdhury writes in Drishtipat Writers’ Collective on the politicized media of Bangladesh.
Bermuda: Of Crime & Injunctions
As the spate of violence continues in Bermuda, bloggers are further troubled by news of the government taking out an injunction against a newspaper, allegedly to prevent the publication of a news story.
Jamaica: The Good and the Bad
The good and the bad: The Phoenix in a Gas House reports that dancehall artist Buju Banton has been officially indicted for cocaine possession, while Letter From Jamaica is pleased that Usain Bolt is a runner-up in TIME magazine's Person of the Year.
India: Federalism
Hari at India First-Hand comments on the proposal of the Indian government to separate Telangana region from Andhra Pradesh and form a new state: “the answer definitely is not forming more states and thereby increasing the overhead.”
India: Indibloggies 2008 Winners
The winners of the Indibloggies 2008 awards have been announced. Over 150 Indian blogs were nominated across 16 varied categories and here is the statistics showing the final votes for each category. Go check out the blogs.
Uganda: Could Pastor Warren stop anti-gay legislation in Uganda?
Could Rick Warren be the man to stop pending anti-gay legislation in Uganda?, asks Ethan Zuckerman after Pastor Warren has released a video condemning the Ugandan anti-gay legislation.
Namibia: First step victory in forced sterilisation case
The forced sterilisation case in Namibia has achieved its first victory: “The High Court today agreed with the Legal Assistance Centre that the Public Service Act does not apply to the forced sterilisation cases, in which the LAC is representing several women suing the Government of Namibia for damages.”
Philippines: Poll body rejects election bid of “immoral” LGBT group
For promoting same sex relationship which is contrary to religious beliefs, the Philippine poll body has rejected the petition of an LGBT group to be recognized as a party that can run in the 2010 elections. Many bloggers are not happy over the ruling.
Philippine Revolutionary Theatre
TatayK posts photos, complete accompaniment music, and audio snippets from Makata’y Mandirigma, Mandirigma’y Makata, a play based on the life of Prof. Jose Maria Sison, a Filipino poet and revolutionary leader.
Saudi Arabia: The Jeddah Floodings on Video
People are still talking about the Jeddah floods and their aftermath, almost three weeks after torrential rain and flooding brought life to a standstill in the western Saudi Arabian city. Internet users are exchanging links to YouTube, showing the extent of the damage, via email. Here are some of the videos taken.
Philippines: At The Barricades
A university professor shares a humorous account of her participation in a protest action against last week's planned visit of the Philippine president at the University of the Philippines in Diliman.
