Stories from 29 May 2010
Angola: Similarities between Cabinda and East Timor
Orlando Castro discloses [pt] the similarities between the Angolan enclave of Cabinda and the recent history of East Timor, criticizing the positions of the Portuguese and Timorese leaders for failing to recognize the self determination of a province that produces 70% of domestic oil.
Zimbabwe: Is it a crime to be white in Zimbabwe?
Chris Kabwato discusses the question of race in Zimbabwe's politics: “In Zimbabwe there is a person who cannot be sworn in as a minister of state, not because of any crime he committed, but he is simply the wrong colour. He is white.”
Ghana: Ghana National Media Commission has failed
Donald argues that Ghana National Media Commission has failed to do its work: “Is the Natonal Media Commission really doing their work for real?”
Africa: A blog to promote African literature
ImageNation is a blog by Ghanaian blogger Nana Fredua-Agyeman promoting literature in Africa.
South Africa: Rugby Playing Its Part in Transformation
Sport is still largely split along racial lines in South Africa. Football is considered a non-white sport and rugby is considered by many to be a game played by white South Africans. There have been many attempts at transforming these attitudes, but this year’s rugby Super 14 has proved to be the most significant step in nation building.
Ecuador: Tungurahua Volcano Erupts and Spreads Ash
In Ecuador, the Mama Tungurahua volcano erupted on Friday, May 28 canceling school classes, closing the international airport, forcing some residents to evacuate their towns, and spreading ash all across the region.
Nigeria: Exclusive interview with Nigerian soul artist
KenyaChristian blog has an exclusive interview with Nigerian soul artist Nneka Egbuna.
France: Questions and Controversy about ICC
EU-LOGOS blog explains why France was questioned by an Amnesty International report about its implementation in internal criminal law of the 1998 International Criminal Court status (fr). An impending bill seems to require a condition of the “usual country of residence” to be France for legal proceedings to take place.
Oil spill disaster in Singapore
A ship collision in Singapore Strait caused the spilling of 2,000 tonnes of crude oil into the sea. Singapore netizens are using the web to monitor and document the marine disaster and to call for volunteers in the cleanup drive.
Philippines: Destroying another landmark
Torn and Frayed in Manila blogs about the impending destruction of another historical landmark in Manila – Sta Ana Racetrack.
Vietnam: Eating “Op la” in Saigon
Eating Asia blogs about Saigon's op la dish (fried eggs cooked with various sausages).
Vietnam: Report on online censorship
Viet Tan has published a comprehensive report about online censorship and cyberattacks in Vietnam.
Colombia: Tweeting the May 30 Presidential Elections
Twitter activity about the May 30 Colombian Presidential elections is at an all-time high. Topics include the missteps by some of the candidates, their performance in the debates, as well as the chances of minor candidates.
Guinea : Waiting for Presidential Elections
Hope mixed with anxiety reign in Guinea with the presidential elections to be held on June 27, 2010. These elections are the first free elections in Guinea since its independence. The following is a retrospective of the recent events and a review of bloggers' reactions.
Mexico: 165 Mexicans Die Each Day Due to Smoking
The blog Vivir México [es] notes that 165 Mexicans die each day due to smoking-related illnesses and reflects on that statistic as the World Day Without Tobacco is upcoming on May 31.
Guatemala: Cleaning Up the Ash from Pacaya Volcano
Gustavo Reyes posts this Twitpic of workers cleaning the ash from the Pacaya volcano eruption in Guatemala.
France : A Legal Review of the Burqa Ban Bill
A lawyers blog Mieux connaître vos droits en Europe ponders the legal aspects of the French burqa ban bill (fr). Earlier, the blog also posted the main points of the bill and a survey of reactions from officials (fr).
Brazil: Rapper assaulted by Police Peacemaker Unit
MC Fiell, who recently launched a booklet about police approach at ‘favela‘ (slum) Santa Marta, was the target of a violent assault by members of the Police Peacemaker Unit (UPP). In his blog [pt], he describes the event and claims having been beaten when he tried to dialogue besides being...
India: Video Giving A Voice To Marginalised Communities
IndiaUnheard is a new initiative involving a network of Community Correspondents around India who will produce video stories about life in their community, and the issues ignored by mainstream media.
