Stories from 5 March 2010
Chile: Earthquake Testimonials
The site Terremoto 2010 [es] invites readers to submit their testimonials when and after the earthquake hit Chile.
Maldives: Failure Of Judiciary
Reacting on some recent court rulings in Maldives, Maldivian blogger Yaamyn, who blogs at “Slicker Than Your Average”, comments: “the Maldivian judiciary is an embarrassment, and completely deserves not only our contempt, but also the strongest condemnation.”
Nicaragua: Poor Health of Salvador Cardenal
The poor health of Nicaraguan musician Salvador Cardenal [es] was on the mind of Central American blogger Julia Ardón, who is a fan of his voice and his lyrics.
Sri Lanka: Exploitation Of Paddy Farmers
Ratmale at Serendipity discusses about the exploitation of paddy farmers “because two of the Agricultural Ministers in Sri Lanka are directly or indirectly owners of the largest rice mills”. The market price of rice is 86% higher than what the farmers are getting for their paddy.
Sri Lanka: Shunning Public Transport
Sujeewa de Silva at Random Reflections of a Kind blog discusses about the “terrible state” of the Sri Lankan public transport system and why people shun away from them.
India: Interview With Greatbong
Blogadda interviews Indian blogger Arnab Ray aka Greatbong, who is working as an Assistant Adjunct Professor at University of Maryland. His blog Random Thoughts Of A Demented Mind was adjudged Indiblog of the year 2008 last year.
Jamaica: Consumer Win
“Thank you OUR (Office of Utility Regulations) for standing up for the Jamaican consumers by telling the JPS (Jamaica Public Service) no to their latest attempt of robbery!”: Stunner lets loose.
Trinidad & Tobago: Proper Attribution
Citing two local examples, Edmund Gall at KnowTnT.com wonders, “When does copying become plagiarism in the media?”
Trinidad & Tobago: Gender Policy
gspottt is keeping a close eye on the Gender Policy: “Our Government cannot shirk its responsibility to set clear domestic policy to address the concerns of the tens of thousands of GLBTI citizens of Trinidad & Tobago.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Hearty Defense
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog and Jumbie's Watch are following the latest political fiasco: the government's continued defense of Udecott executive chairman Calder Hart “in light of fresh evidence linking Hart to a company his board awarded $820 million in contracts.”
Bermuda: Illegal or Impossible?
“Yep, as you guessed, nothing has changed, not even on the agenda. Unethical but not illegal”: Still, Vexed Bermoothes continues to press for anti-corruption laws in Bermuda.
Kenya: Massive Flooding in Samburu as Ewaso Nyiro River Bursts its Banks
At dawn on Thursday, 4 March 2010, a massive flash flood hit Samburu in northern Kenya destroying 6 tourist lodges, some wildlife research camps and leaving thousands marooned on roof tops and on trees. This wave of rushing water came from the Ewaso Nyiro River which has burst it's banks following...
Kenya: The iHub launched in Nairobi
The iHub, an innovation center for techies, developers and innovators was launched in Nairobi this week. Several leading bloggers attended the event and here are their stories, photos and videos.
Slovakia: Unwanted Patriotism
Slovak netizens react to a draft bill by the Slovak National Party (SNS), which will introduce "obligatory patriotism" in Slovakia beginning April 1.
Kyrgyzstan: Who needs Kurultai of Harmony
Kyrgyz blogger writes that the government of Kyrgyzstan is planning to hold the “Kurultai of Harmony” (a mass congress of community representatives from all over the country) to be chaired by the president, but many people are wondering — does the country really need it?
Turkmenistan: Psychiatry Abuse for Political Motives
Annasoltan tells about the abuse of psychiatry for political purposes, which is getting less attention in Turkmenistan than other “traditional” methods of repression, such as imprisonment and torture.
Tajikistan: A Color Revolution? Be careful…
The Tajikistan opposition is furious at the recent parliamentary election results and is planning massive protest actions. However, Dushanbe advises caution: the opposition must be very careful not to open themselves to accusations of fomenting a Color Revolution.
Uzbekistan: Anti-AIDS activist sentenced
Nathan Hamm reports that Uzbekistan's anti-AIDS campaigner Maksim Popov was sentenced in to seven years in prison. The court found that a brochure he distributed is “incompatible with local traditions.”
Tajikistan: Unlikely Street Protests
Christian Bleuer opines on the aftermath of Tajikistan’s parliamentary elections and expects no serious demonstrations.
Turkmenistan: Listening to Reason?
Vlad writes about the human rights record in Turkmenistan, citing a report on the state of the country’s prisons, and the government's surprising response with reduction of the maximum pison sentence. However, the authorities still fall short on the issue of oversight, the blogger says.
Afghanistan: Abandon the drug war to save it
Joshua Foust argues that in Afghanistan the U.S. should abandon its war on drugs if it hopes to ever reduce the drugs trade.
