Stories from 13 January 2010
Russia: Quarter of Households Use Broadband
A recent report [RUS] shows that 23.6 percent of households in Russia use broadband Internet access. Analysts also predict the increase in wireless Internet usage in the country within the next few years.
Russia: Mobile Operator Upset With Mockery Online
Russia's largest mobile telecommunication company Mobile Telesystems [ENG] demanded to remove a blog post [RUS] that mocked the company's new ad campaign, adme.ru [RUS] reports. Russian blogosphere is boiling with indignation (here and here ).
Armenia: Reflecting on the Haiti earthquake
With Armenia having experienced its own devastating earthquake 21 years ago, Ianyan comments on the tragedy in Haiti. In particular, the blog notes the similarities between the two countries, summarizes an account in Armenian by one blogger who spent time there, and also tells its readers how they can help...
Haiti: Experiences of the Earthquake
So far the casualty reports from Haiti's earthquake have focused on the terrifying statistics, but very few names had been attached to those numbers. Here is a look at some of the experiences that the survivors of this natural disaster are sharing online...
Guatemala: Investigation Reveals Rosenberg Masterminded His Own Murder
After an investigation by a UN commission, it was determined that Guatemalan lawyer Rodrigo Rosenberg had masterminded his own murder, clearing President Álvaro Colom, who Rosenberg had accused in a video left behind after his death.
Kenya: During severe drought, a role model emerges
People, crops and animals throughout Kenya are suffering from a prolonged drought. One young woman's thoughts are to the future and how to better build her community.
India: Queer Film Festival In Bangalore
Ultra Violet reports that the deadline for submission of films for the Bangalore Queer Film Festival is 30 January 2010. The non ticketed free event will be held at the Alliance Francaise de Bangalore on 26th, 27th and 28th of February, 2010.
Bangladesh: Cold Wave
Bangladesh is experiencing a cold wave which is bringing the temperature down to less then 10 degrees Celsius. Fahad at Finding Myself is thankful to God for being blessed with a home and warm blankets. He wonders what will happen to the street people who have nothing.
Pakistan: First Blog Awards
Tenezo reports that Google Pakistan and CIO Pakistan are organizing the first Pakistani blog awards. If you are a Pakistani blogger or write about Pakistan please submit your blog here.
Diaspora Mobilize to Help Haiti in Earthquake Aftermath
As aftershocks continued to rattle Port-au-Prince this morning, Haitians in the Diaspora have started mobilizing prayers and financial support as they try to find word about friends and family.
Africa: 2010 Africa Cup of Nations Starts: What Do We Expect?
This year Africa’s in the sports arena for all the right reasons. First to shine the spotlight is definitely the Confederation of Africa's (CAF) African Cup of Nations being held in Angola which is just a stone’s throw away from South Africa, which hosts the World Cup in June later on this year.
Haiti: We're Sorry
Regional bloggers reach out with compassion to their Haitian neighbours, while Repeating Islands notes that “in the past 500 years, a dozen major earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or greater have occurred in the Caribbean near Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the island of Hispaniola, shared by Haiti and...
Important Children Activist Dies in Haiti Earthquake
Deborah Goldemberg mourns the death of Zilda Arns, one of the Brazilian victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti. Dr. Zilda Arns Neumann was a children's right activist and founder of the Child's Pastoral of Brazil. Internet users in Brazil are also reacting to the news on Twitter.
Haiti: Aftershock
The Livesay [Haiti] Weblog writes a hair-raising post about the aftermath of the earthquake: “I cannot imagine what the next few weeks and months will be like. I am afraid for everyone. Never in my life have I seen people stronger than Haitian people. But I am afraid for them.”
Bahamas: Investing in Culture
“The call for some thought to be given to an investment in Bahamian art and culture, is not about tourism at all. It is about finding, and reminding us of, ourselves”: Nicolette Bethel clarifies the purpose of The Day of Absence.
Cuba: Diaz Passes On
Repeating Islands acknowledges the passing of “famed lute player and composer Miguel Ojeda Díaz, who made significant contributions to traditional music in Cuba.”
Jamaica: Big Guns
Jamaica Salt reports on the number of guns being smuggled into the island.
Church attacks in Malaysia
Several Christian churches were attacked in Malaysia following a court ruling which overturned the government directive banning non-Muslims from using the word Allah in their teachings and publications. Here are some reactions from the Malaysian blogosphere
Martinique, French Guiana: “No” To More Autonomy
The referendum which took place on Sunday, January 10th 2010, in the French Overseas Regions of Martinique and French Guiana to vote for either more autonomy from France or to keep the same status, was along awaited and its results have left bloggers with mixed feelings. The following is a roundup of some Martinican blogs and their insight on what took place.
China: Google's possible exile leads to cyber protests; Netizens on move
Do no evil, Google says. But the irony is that it did help the Chinese government block sensitive information from the Chinese internet users, which is necessary for it to operate in China. However, this time it seems to be really provoked and made its simmering feud with the authority...
China: Goodbye, Google
Following Google's announcement today that (don't snicker) if the Chinese government won't let the company's China operations stop censoring search results Google China will be shut down, netizens trekked to Google's Beijing office to lay flowers. UPDATE: more photos here, formal flowering of Google China offices scheduled for later today.
