Stories from 17 April 2010
Guinea: Thierno Siré Diallo on Hunger Strike
Guinée50 wonders whether Thierno Siré Diallo hunger strike to raise awareness for all the Guineans who disappeared in the past 40 years is helping the reconciliation process or not (fr).
Cameroon: E-Government for Southern Nations
Hervé Djia reflects on how governments could use information technology to simplify a multitude of administrative procedures and improve public services (fr).
Rwanda: Rwanda suspends newspapers
Jason links to a few stories of interest from Rwanda and D.R of Congo: “* Rwanda suspends two newspapers critical of the government for six months, meaning they won't be able to cover the election campaigns – Texas in Africa isn't happy. * An excellent interview of Congolese academic Jean...
South Africa: MTN South African Music Awards 2010
Swazibella writes about MTN South African Music Awards 2010: “Friday the 16th of April saw Sun City's Royal Ballroom play host to some of South Africa's most slick and glamorous artists, producers and record industry reps for the MTN Gala Awards.”
Sudan: Women's Votes
Alex de Waal discusses wome's votes in Sudan: “Without doubt, the statistics of Sudan’s elections will be pored over and debated at length, and the interpretation of every figure will be open to dispute. But there seems to be one consistent feature across the country. Women were the majority of...
Sudan: Elections and its implications for Darfur
Enough Team discusses the implications of Sudan's elections for Darfur: “The results of Sudan’s elections will have a large impact on the many challenges still standing between the country and peace. Outstanding provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (the treaty that ended the North-South civil war) and questions relating to...
South Africa: Ticketing woes as 2010 World Cup approaches
The first day of FIFA World Cup Ticket sales in South Africa was characterized by chaos and one fan even died. More than 500,000 tickets are expected sold in local retail outlets.
Global Voices makes list of ‘subversive’ blogs
Fiji Today reports that Fiji's government has created a list of “subversive” blogs (Fiji Today's term) that government workers should not access at work. The report is unsubstantiated. However, “FijiToday questions how Babasiga, Crosbie Walsh, Globalvoicesonline or the Fiji Labor Party could be considered subversive.”
Did internal wounds kill the Fiji Times
Many prognosticators worry about how Fiji's proposed media ownership law will affect the Rupert Murdoch-owned Fiji Times. But a former staffer said in Cafe Pacific both foreign and local management are to blame for the paper's fall.
Lebanon: Hamra's graffiti and posters
“While walking in Hamra, the graffiti and what people post on the walls can’t but grab your attention! I took the photos below in a less than a 15 minutes walk there,” writes Rami alongside the photos he took.
China: Premier Wen remembers Hu Yaobang
In an open letter published Thursday in the People’s Daily, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao recalled an enlightening journey with purged and disgraced former Premier Hu Yaobang. The letter commemorates the 21st anniversary of his death. The letter not only symbolizes affection and respect for Hu, but stands as a clear reminder...
Thailand, Myanmar: See Mon Market
Hungry Guide from Thailand visited the See Mon Market and blogged about the various Burmese food items and other products for sale in the market
Thailand: Bangkok taxi in museum
Dale uploads a photo of a cross-section of a Bangkok taxi which is on display in the Museum of Siam
Laos: Song contest in honor of Ho Chi Minh
A song contest was launched in Laos to honor the 120th birth anniversary of Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh
Vietnam: Texting while driving
TW doesn't think that the danger of texting while driving in Vietnam is a pandemic threat and asserts that other traffic safety issues must be given more discussion.
Vietnam: Work permit for foreigners
Thomas Wanhoff complains about the difficulty of requesting a work permit for foreigners in Vietnam
Poland: Social Network Criticized for ‘Black Ribbon’ Gifting Option
Sylwia Presley translates online reactions to a new gifting option that a popular Polish social network has introduced this week: black ribbons.