Stories from 17 January 2010
Senegal offers free land to Haitian earthquake survivors
Senegalese president, Abdoulaye Wade, has been making headlines by offering free land to any Haitian earthquake survivors who wish to "return to their origins," according to a spokesperson. Online, the proposal has been received with almost universal ridicule.
Haiti: Beyond the Capital
Much of the coverage of the destruction in the earthquake's aftermath has been focused in and around Haiti's capital city, Port-au-Prince. But many other areas close to the 'quake's epicentre have also been affected, as bloggers are quick to point out...
Chile: Emapanadas of Con Cón
In Chile, Pancho Araya of Santiago en Picada [es] recommends the empanadas of Con Cón, which are filled with cheese and various fillings, including oysters.
Haiti: International clashes over humanitarian assistance
Five days after the terrible earthquake which has partly destroyed the capital city, Port-au-Prince and others like Leogane and Jacmel, it has been very difficult for rescuers, medical teams and humanitarian services to reach the population and help the survivors.
Iran: Helping Haiti
Dosieh, an Iranian blogger, proposes [fa] that Iranian opposition starts to help Haiti's surviviors.
Haiti: Waiting for water
Nearly six days after the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, a severe shortage of drinking water in Port-au-Prince hampers relief efforts. Pleas for water issued via Twitter and other media highlight the severity of the situation.
Algeria: Indigenous March for Autonomy
Indigenous Algerian Kabyles took to the streets demanding more autonomy from the central state. Amidst a media blackout imposed by the authorities, supporters of the marchers reported the event on the Net.
Haiti: Hoping for Miracles
“This city is more densely populated than I can fathom. The work ahead in Port and other areas is mind-numbing. I know there are tons of efforts being made — some of which you'll never get to hear about on media or blogs”: The Livesay [Haiti] Weblog is sure they...
Haiti: Power of Music
Repeating Islands recognizes that music by Haitian artists is making a difference on to survivors of the ‘quake, inspiring resilience and strength.
Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti: Aid
Trinidad and Tobago's Pleasure blog posts a poem in honour of the Haitian earthquake victims.
Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti: Blame the Alcohol
“As thousands in [Haiti] were trapped under rubble and were wailing for their lives, our politicians…decided to go ahead with the ceremonial opening of Parliament. Prime Minister Patrick Manning…left the day’s proceedings early, promising $6.3 million in aid to Haiti. Then…he hosted…a ‘media appreciation’ event…there was not a single press...
Barbados, Haiti: Canine Contribution
Dogs in Barbados examines the role of Man's Best Friend in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti.
St. Lucia, Haiti: Role of Social Media
“It is at such times of large-scale catastrophes that we get a true sense of the incredible power of the Internet and social media”: St. Lucia's Caribbean Book Blog on the Haiti earthquake.
Is France letting Haiti down?
French collective blog Etats du Lieu has a rant against what they feel as an abandoning of Haïti by the French government. So far, says the post, it has handled the issue with not much more than an emergency phone number, 100 fire fighters and a few million euros, whereas...
India: Demise Of An Icon
Abhijit at Blowing In The Wind compiles media reactions on the death of the veteran communist leader and ex-chief minister of the West Bengal state of India, Jyoti Basu.
India, Bangladesh: Transit Rights And Opportunity For North East India
Sandeep Bansal calls India's recently concluded accord with Bangladesh on the transit rights for North East India as a historical opportunity for this region.
Afghanistan: Slow progress on power supply
Nick Fielding says that providing electricity for the residents of Afghanistan is one of the best ways of undermining the Taliban insurgency. However, although reports indicate increase of energy supply in the country, that modest increase hides many problems.
Georgia: Penisman, an alternative superhero
Social Blurbs comments on two teenage bloggers in Tbilisi, Georgia, and their alternative style of blogging. In a guest video post on the social media blog, the two young bloggers speak about Penisman, a Georgian superhero who “doesn't give a crap.” The blog says that 15-year-old Giorgi Chilaia and 14-year-old...
Turkmenistan: New way out for the natural gas
Elina Galperin writes that Turkmenistan lainched a new Central Asia-China gas pipeline, and wonders if there is going to be enough gas for Nabucco and how will China affect Central Asian politics.
Japan: Remembering the Great Hanshin Earthquake
As images from Haiti circle the globe, people in another part of the world are remembering an earthquake which wreaked havoc in their own country. On January 17, 1995, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit Kobe and surrounding areas. 15 years later, we today give voice to those who experienced the disaster.
Japan: For Haiti it may be too little, too late
In an odd twist of fate, the worst earthquake to hit Haiti in two hundred years has erupted within days of the 15th anniversary of Japan's worst earthquake since the second world war: the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. Given the timing of the catastrophe, one might have expected a strong Japanese presence in Haiti. To the frustration of many in Japan, the opposite was in fact the case.
