Stories from 22 December 2009
Mexico: Marriage and Adoption for Gay Couples in the Capital
Both gay marriage and adoption for gay couples are now legal in Mexico City after approval by the Legislative Assembly on December 21. The community celebrates, but remains skeptical about the effectiveness of the changes.
El Salvador: The Role of the Media as Watchdogs
In El Salvador, Willian Marroquín writes about the role of the media as watchdogs for the new programs of the administration of President Mauricio Funes [es], including those from the Ministry of Education. He writes that hopefully the media would stop being ‘spokespersons’ for the government as had been the...
Peru: Deaths in Huancabamba Protests
Two residents of the Peruvian province of Huancabamba were killed during a recent protest against mining activity, and Caviar de Cianuro [es] writes about the recent investigation findings that they were shot in the back.
El Salvador: Images from the Campaign for External Vote
The blog Salvadoreños en el Mundo [es] collects images of the campaign to allow citizens of El Salvador the right to vote abroad.
Bhutan: The Launch Of Drukpa
Jurmi Chhowing announces the launch of a new Bhutanese monthly news magazine, called “Drukpa”. He informs that: “the monthly magazine was born as discussion after discussion highlighted the lack of a proper bridge to gap the difference between all sections of our society.”
Pakistan: Negligence in Medicare
Sana Saleem at Mystified Justice discusses about the recent cases of negligence in medical service in Pakistan and urges everyone to be more vigilant.
Sri Lanka: The Mouthpiece Of The Ruling Party
A Voice In Colombo criticizes two state owned TV channels for being biased to the “governing party” and discusses how it can affect the upcoming presidential elections in Sri Lanka.
South Africa: Truth without venom is impossible when it comes to Manto
Truth without venom is impossible when it comes to South Africa's former Minister of Health: “To be honest, I did not wish to reflect on the life of Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, as I have been taught that it is not proper to speak ill of the dead. But as the crocodile...
Ethiopia: Meles Zenawi betrays Africa
Lucas Liganga writes about Ethiopian Prime Ministers's betrayal: “Unfortunately, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi who is the spokesman of Africa on climate change uncharacteristically teamed up with France and heavily doctored the African document, a move that shocked the African negotiators.”
Sri Lanka: Lesser Of Evils
The campaigns for the election in Sri Lanka are gearing up and Serendipity suggests to root for the leader, who has more experience in life rather than politics and who is the lesser of evils.
Iran: Death of Top Dissident Cleric, Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri
Iranian citizens posted photos and videos of clashes with pro-government militamen during the funeral of the country's top dissident cleric, Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri.
South Africa: A nation in conversation with itself 140 words at a time
“Was news of Manto’s death the Hudson plane crash of South Africa? Did the passing of the controversial former minister of health mark a coming of age of Twitter in this country?,” asks South African blogger and author Sarah Britten in her post on Thought Leader titled, “How Twitter broke the news about Manto.”
Copenhagen summit: Nepalese Ministers Miss The Point
The Nepalese cabinet held a meeting near Everest base camp days before Copenhagen summit to emphasize that effects of global warming on Nepal. However, bloggers are criticizing the bulky Nepalese ministers delegation to Copenhagen and questioning their effectiveness.
Uzbekistan: Criminal Charges Filed Against Documentary Photographer Umida Akhmedova
Umida Akhmedova, photo by Fergana.ru Umida Akhmedova, the Uzbek [EN] documentary photographer, has been accused of insult and slander against Uzbek people and traditions, reports Fergana.ru [EN]. The maximum penalty for these charges includes remedial work on two up to three years or detention for up to six months. According...
Bermuda: Gun Play
Bermudian bloggers weigh in on the island's recent criminal activity and the response by the government.
Trinidad & Tobago: Preserving Lion House
Repeating Islands reports that “the Lion House in Chaguanas [Trinidad], the ancestral home of the Capildeo family (maternal relatives of writer V. S. Naipaul)” has been nominated for the upcoming National Trust Heritage Preservation Awards.
Barbados, Jamaica: Economic Impact
“Jamaica's political leaders are looking down the barrel of a gun; or staring into an abyss; or stuck between a rock and hard place”: Living in Barbados says that “once again, solutions are being sought to the country's seemingly intractable economic problems.”
Cuba: Proceeding With Caution?
Generation Y comments on Raul Castro’s speech in the Cuban National Assembly.
We are Global Voices. Five years on.
As Global Voices celebrates this fifth year of existence, co-founder Rebecca MacKinnon reflects on how far the we've come—and how far we still have to go.
China: White-listing the Internet
DANWEI has translated the Beijing News’ report on the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)'s plan to white list websites on the Internet. More background can be found in GV advocacy: Online protest against CNNIC and White-listing the Internet.
Bangladesh: Home Grown Solutions
The lunatic is on the grass proposes some home grown solutions to mitigate Bangladesh's traffic woes.
