Stories from 10 September 2010
Russia: Wheat Export Ban Triggers Worldwide Panic
A new Russian ban on grain exports, including wheat, has created a panic over how the move will impact wheat prices and food security. Russia is among the world's top five wheat exporters, but crops were devastated this summer as the country was hit with a record-breaking heatwave, severe droughts and wildfires.
Angola: Journalist Killed for Unclear Motive
Angolan journalist Alberto Chakussanga was killed on September 5, at his house. The motive behind the killing is not clear. Some bloggers suggest [pt] that there are connections with politics, as Chakussanga hosted a radio programme critical of the Government. Committee to Protect Journalists and French NGO Reporters Sans Frontiers...
Mexico: Third Murdered Mayor Raises Questions About Spreading Drug Violence
Gancho reacts to the news of the recent murder of the mayor of El Naranjo, “a small town in San Luis Potosí.” He wonders: “though it lies just of Tamaulipas and Nuevo León, San Luis is not a state known for a whole lot of drug violence. Could it be...
El Salvador: A Festival of Lanterns Amid Gang Threats
Tim, from Tim's El Savador Blog, writes: “In contrast to the news of gang threats and the reduction of bus service, the Festival of the Lanterns shone in the night streets of Ahuachapan.”
Venezuela: Will the Economy Really Improve?
In Venezuela News and Views, Daniel Duquenal shares his opinion about the recent statements by Finance Minister Jorge Giordani, who said they hope to keep inflation low and see economic growth this year. Daniel says, “The fact of the matter is that for people like me, at ground zero, there...
Ghana: Cassave peeler and sweet sleeping child
A photo of a cassava peeler and her child in Ghana from Ghanaian blogger and photographer Nana Acquah.
Kenya: PayPal Users Can Now Receive Money
PayPal users in Kenya can now receive money,Nigerian blogger Oluniyi Ajao reports: “The big P of e-commerce, now offers more service to residents of Kenya. Paypal users in Kenya can now receive money via PayPal, and withdraw same to a US bank account if they have one.
D.R of Congo: Why are peacekeepers so bad at protecting civilians?
Jason wonders why UN peacekeepers are so bad at protecting civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo: “There had been an uproar about MONUSCO’s lack of response to the rapes – the peacekeepers had a base 30km away – so the Secretary General had sent his assistant in charge of...
Zimbabwe: Mugabe Must Go Now
After 30 years in power, now it is time for Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe to go: “The Union for Sustainable Democracy suggests that even if Robert Mugabe is in good health, its about time he stepped down.”
D.R of Congo: Kabila's dislike for large diplomatic gatherings
Please, do not invited the President of D.R. of Congo to a large diplomatic gathering: “President Joseph Kabila is well known for his dislike of attending large diplomatic gatherings. He did not attend the AU summit in Kampala or the France-Africa summit in Nice, both held this summer. He also...
Ghana: Andikra Cloth Symbols
Ma-Jordan's photo of the week is Andikra cloth symbols: “Adinkra are visual symbols, originally created by the Akan of Ghana and the Gyaman of Cote d'Ivoire in West Africa, that represent concepts or aphorisms.”
China and Japan: Reactions on Chinese Fishing Boat Captain Arrested by Japanese
ChinaSMACK translates Chinese netizens’ reactions towards the arrest of Chinese fishing boat captain by the Japanese coast guards.
Azerbaijan: Opposition bloc unveiled
Tamada Tales comments on news that two opposition parties, Musavat and the Popular Front of Azerbaijan, have formed an election bloc to contend 90 of the 125 seats up for grabs in November's parliamentary election. However, the blog notes, while some are willing to give it the “benefit of the...
South Korea: Daughter's Hire Sparks Public Outrage
It is disturbing but universal fact of life. People from the priviledged class get a fancy job easily. In South Korea, a recent hiring of the Foreign Minister’s daughter into the ministry has made front pages for several consecutive days, promting public anger.
Asia: Videos on Drug Abuse and Detention Centers
Drug abuse detention centers in Asia are in the spotlight. Although some Asian drug addicts go in voluntarily to kick their habit, in some places, this has led to routine human rights abuses where people off the street are locked up with no choice, tortured, raped, forced to work for free and denied basic comforts.
Brazil: The Political Spectrum of Narcotics
On Futepoca [pt] blog, Anselmo debates over the possibility of a political spectrum of narcotics. He quotes a cartoonist who believes that “marijuana is left-winger and cocaine is right-winger”.
Azerbaijan: Ramadan in Sheki
Sheki, Azerbaijan comments on observing Ramadan in Azerbaijan. The blog says that the holiday is a time for sharing and remembering relatives that have passed away as well as those also marking the tradition.
Brazil: Independence Day and East Timorese Self Determination
“To talk about Brazil, I chose East Timor”, wrote [pt] Leonardo Sakamoto, on the 188th anniversary of the Brazilian “political independence”, September 7. He talks about dignity and self-determination, while reflecting on the lessons learnt from the recent history of East Timor, that voted for independence in a popular referendum in August 1999.
Ecuador: Citizens Attempt to Remove President Rafael Correa from Office
Through the web, using YouTube and his blog, journalist Carlos Vera has spread his plan to constitutionally remove President Rafael Correa from office. Other bloggers have also given their opinion on the proposal, which now also includes the removal of some local authorities.
Nigeria: Corruption and Politics in Football Elections
This week a Federal Court nullified the results of a recent election held for top posts in the NFF, Nigerian football's governing body. Toyin comments on the shenanigans that undermined the NFF election: “The best candidates found out again that Nigerian football is under vicious grip of our politicians…”
