Stories from September, 2010
Japan: Earthquake warning via mobile phone
Akky Akimoto from Asiajin introduced an earthquake early warning system via mobile phone network in Japan.
China: Blind people's footpath with Chinese character
A collection of photos on the design of blind people's footpath in China has been circulated widely through sina micro-blog. All the paths lead the blinds to dangerous trap.
South Africa: Winners of South Africa Blog Awards 2010
The South African Blog Awards started in 2005 to showcase the best blogs in South Africa voted for by the public. The winners were announced on 25 September 2010 at the annual awards ceremony at the One & Only hotel, Cape Town. The award for the Best 2010 South Africa Blog went to Watkykjy.
Nigeria: On Kidnapping of Children
On kidnapping of children in Nigeria: “But even worse than that sad reality is that Nigeria is increasingly becoming a kidnapping capital. Nowhere else is this madness exemplified than in the reports of 15 young children that were kidnapped on September 27th, 2010.”
Africa: University of Texas Africa Conference 2010
Jessica explains the focus of University of Texas Africa Conference 2010: “…this year we hope to take it a step further by putting scholars into conversation with activists and policy-makers who are actively involved in the actual political process.
Hungary: AGRI Pipeline Project
The Hungarian Spectrum writes – here and here – about the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Romania Interconnector (AGRI) natural gas pipeline project and Hungary's possible involvement in it.
Belarus: Opposition and the Presidential Election
Andrei Khrapavitski posts a note on the Belarusian opposition and the upcoming presidential election.
Europe: “Mapping Stereotypes”
Via Dr Sean's Diary, “a series of maps of Europe mapping the (supposed) prejudices of various nations […] and, for some reason, also of gay men” by “Bulgarian visual artist, graphic designer and illustrator Yanko Tsvetkov.” Also, “What European Tribes Think About One Another” – at eXile.ru; a similar map...
El Salvador: Aquaponics in El Salvador
Colleen writes about Aquaponics, “the combination of freshwater fish aquaculture and hydroponic vegetable production” in El Salvador for her blog Locavore del Mundo where she covers local farms and food movements around the world.
Mexico: Landslide in Oaxaca Buries 300 Homes
Erwin from The Latin Americanist writes: “In a piece of breaking news hundreds of people are feared to be trapped in the Mexican state of Oaxaca as a result of a massive landslide during the overnight hours.”
Nicaragua: Blogger Interviews Journalist About Covering Sexual Diversity
Espacio Nica [es] published an interview with journalist Rafael Lara from El Nuevo Diario [es], where a blogger asks him about covering sexual diversity for the newspaper and as a journalist in general.
Russia: Moscow Mayor's Dismissal
Today, the main topic of all discussions in the RuNet is the dismissal of Yuri Luzhkov, mayor of Moscow. While some bloggers (1 [RUS], 2 [RUS]) consider it a victory of the opposition, others say, nothing had changed [RUS] – mayor's team is on it's place. Zyalt posts [RUS] pictures...
Morocco: “Why Belle is a Peace Corps Volunteer”
A blog meme is making the rounds amongst female Peace Corps Volunteers in Morocco; though neither of the bloggers who posted the meme disclosed its origins, both women say that they relate to it. The meme in question? "Why Belle, from Beauty and the Beast, is actually a Peace Corps Morocco volunteer."
Bermuda: “Mockumentary”?
Of “the corporate-style movie…that has appeared on the Internet polishing the Premier’s image as a popular leader”, Vexed Bermoothes says it is akin to “what BP might undertake to restore its image after the debilitating Gulf oil spill.”
Bahamas: Straw Saga
Jerome Pinder at Weblog Bahamas says that the straw vendors who have been charged in the United States for the purchase and export of knock off luxury goods “have become the symbol of a lawless society.”
Trinidad & Tobago: MATT's Role
“I know in a democracy it is only right for everyone to have their say. Even in criticising you, MATT. But when the criticism becomes mere target practice, it’s time for us to grow up and look at MATT not as the enemy but as a vessel for all of...
Bolivia: The Story of the Uncle and Other Scams
They are often the oldest tricks in the book, yet people still continue to fall for them. In Bolivia, like other South American countries, a scam or attempt to con is often called “El Cuento del Tío” (The Story of the Uncle). Bolivian bloggers share their own story of being swindled.
Trinidad & Tobago: Film on the Amerindians
Repeating Islands blogs about “one of the documentaries being screened at the 2010 Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival…Tracy Assing’s new film The Amerindians.”
Jamaica: Back to Court for Banton
Jamaican bloggers - nay, regional bloggers - have been following dancehall music icon Buju Banton's drug possession court case with great interest. Yesterday, news broke that the jury was evenly divided on what his fate should be. The judge has since declared a mistrial, which means that the singer will head back to court later this year.
Iran: The Art and Design of the ‘Green Movement’
“Where is my Vote” is an exhibition of 150 political posters for the Green Movement in Iran that was on display at the School of Visual Arts in New York by graphic artists from around the world in support of the protests in Iran that followed the 2009 presidential election.
Egypt: “The Inevitable Mubarak Photoshopping Contest”
In its coverage of the 2010 Peace Talks–the latest round of direct negotiations between leaders from Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, and the US, Al Ahram newspaper used Photoshop skills to place Mubarak at the front and center in the lineup of heads of states. Bloggers take the cue to launch their own Mubarak Photoshopping Contest!
