Stories from 20 October 2010
D.R. of Congo: Mobile Phone Light Saves Life of a Mother
Mobile phone light saves life of a mother in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo: “Everyone is healthy in the end, but she was required to undergo a C-section. Apparently during the operation, the electricity at the hospital went out, and there was somehow no petrol on hand to run...
Zimbabwe: What does Zimbabwe have to offer children?
What does Zimbabwe have offer children?: “Away from personal experience, the law protecting children or, more accurately, the lack of law protecting children in Zimbabwe is shocking. Looking at the current constitution as of February 2009, there is no particular area where the needs of children are addressed.
Swaziland: The Swazis who dare to demand democracy
Mathews writes about activists who dare to challenge the King of Swaziland: “The Swazis are losing patience with this conspicuous consumption, however. In August 2008, hundreds of women marched through the streets of Mbabane, the capital, to protest against a shopping trip for nine of the king’s wives to Europe.”
Zimbabwe: Update on Zimbabwe's New Draft Constitution
Zimbabweans are discussing the proposed draft of a new constitution. This will be Zimbabwe's second constitution. A proposed new constitution to replace the Lancaster House Agreement of 1979 was approved by the Parliament in 1999, but was defeated in the 2000 referendum. Zimbabwe will hold a referendum on the new constitution next year on June 30.
Haiti: Upcoming Elections
“The November 28th elections are supposed to provide a beacon of hope for Haiti. Unfortunately, flawed and undemocratic elections which exclude large groups of essential Haitian stakeholders will kill this hope”: Wadner Pierre republishes a post about “whether unfair and exclusionary elections would be beneficiary for the country.”
Cuba: A Taxing Situation
Iván's File Cabinet notes the level of discontent with the proposed high taxes associated with Cuba's new self-employment regulations.
Trinidad & Tobago: Tragic Accident
A recent accident in which a car ran over two police officers, killing one and leaving the other in critical condition, prompts bloggers to comment. Jumbie's Watch says: “Until such time that the laws are actually enforced we will continue to see death and destruction around us”, while Lisa Allen-Agostini...
Cuba: Plea for Dr. Biscet
The daughter of political prisoner Oscar Biscet pens a letter to President Obama; Blog For Cuba republishes it here, while Uncommon Sense says: “This is the moment for friends of Cuban liberty to speak up and act on behalf of Dr. Biscet and other Cubans imprisoned because of their faith...
Puerto Rico: Pervasive Corruption in the Police Department
The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) arrested 133 people in Puerto Rico, including 89 police officers, in what the US Department of Justice called "the biggest police corruption investigation in the history of the FBI". The blogosphere reacts.
China: Woser's acceptance speech for the Courage in Journalism Award
Tibetan writer and blogger Woser has been awarded by the International Women's Media Foundation for its Courage in Journalism Award. Since she is under monitored and cannot travel outside the country to receive the award, she posted her acceptance speech in her blog (English version translated by A.E Clark).
Egypt: Bad Bad Facebook
A TV show discussing Facebook on the Egyptian state-run television channel soon became the source for rumours, mockery, and loads of fun on blogs and Twitter. Tarek Amr has more in this round up of reactions from Egyptian netizens.
China: 50 Cent Party Roams on Internet
Lee Chi-Leung from interlocals.net translated an investigative report written by Chang Lei on the history of government hired online commentators, the so-called 50 Cent Party, in China.
Venezuela: Nuclear Energy Deal with Russia
President Hugo Chávez met with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, in Russia on October 14. At the meeting they signed a "plan of action" on different issues; among them, building a nuclear plant in Venezuela. Venezuela is the first Latin American country to sign an atomic energy deal with Russia.
Syria: Who Gets Paid $42,000 a Month?
Syria, formerly a socialist state, began its economic reform process in late 2003. The process has lead to a rapid growth of Syria's private sector, but also led to a continuous increase in poverty levels and an exponential income inequality within the private sector.
China: Student protested against the removal of Tibetan textbooks
A student protest took place in Qinghai Tongren at 8am October 19 against the removal of Tibetan textbooks at schools. (Via Twitterer @Iahu and RFA has posted the video to Youtube)
Brazil: Day by Day in a Favela School
Follow Tia Dag's stories on violence, poverty and drugs, in a school in one of Sao Paulo's favelas, Casa do Zezinho, where she educates children, aiming to prevent them from joining Brazilian criminal gangs.
Ukraine, USA: Kuchma and Clinton
Ukrainiana writes about the current political situation in Ukraine, the Gongadze case, and ex-president Kuchma's special relationship with ex-president Clinton – here and here.
