Stories from 2 November 2010
Guatemala: Access to Archives Sheds Light on Case of Forced Disappearance
Records and official archives are becoming tools to fight impunity, providing the evidence to prosecute perpetrators. Access to archives and databases helped shed light on a landmark case of forced disappearance in Guatemala.
Somalia: New Political Party Launched
A new political party has been launched by Somali politicians, Terror Free Somalia Foundation reports: “Over 160 delegates from Somalia converged in Nairobi, Kenya to attend the launch of Democratic Party of Somalia (DPS) as a political vehicle to tackle problems facing the nation. The party seeks to become a...
Tanzania: Tanzanian MC becomes Member of Parliament
“Tanzanian MC Sugu is now official Member of Parliament..first MC to enter the house in the whole entire world,” Zavara reports on Twitter.
Ghana: What is the link between rain and roadworks?
Why do rains force roadworks in Accra, Ghana?: “To tell you the truth, it is generally hard to establish a logical link between rain and roadworks in this country.”
Cuba: Selling Your Soul
Octavo Cerco crosses paths with a writer whom she used to admire, who now “writes nonsense about Yoani Sánchez and even dares to call her a terrorist”; the encounter causes her to surmise: “I have no doubt: some souls die in life.”
Haiti: Where's the Relief?
“Relief is what earthquake victims desperately need right now to protect them from an oncoming hurricane. It’s what they’ve needed for the past ten months to make tent camps more livable”: Mediahacker points out a few critical ways in which “The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund is lying to you.”
Cuba: The Individual in the Collective
“Collectivization has not erased in us that human longing to have our own piece, and forced egalitarianism has only fueled the desire to differentiate ourselves”: Generation Y says many Cubans are searching for the “me” amidst the “we”.
St. Lucia: Tomas Leaves Dire Situation
YardFlex.com reports that Hurricane Tomas caused two deaths (thus far) in St. Lucia, while Sun, Rain, Or… is frustrated: “The international media have ignored this focusing only on the possibility that Haiti may be hit. Yes, I understand, any system heading their way will bring huge tragedy, but every day...
China: Relaxation of press restrictions will lead to collaspe
China Media Project translates an article from the Chinese Communist Party's mouthpiece Seeking the truth which states that relaxation of press restrictions would lead to a series of events mirroring the collapse of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s.
Jamaica: Tomas On Its Way
Girl With a Purpose, along with the rest of Jamaica, is hunkering down for the impending arrival of Tropical Storm Tomas.
China: 360 VS. QQ
Annie Lee from China Hush translates a local report about the competition between an Internet security provider 360 with the Internet giant company Tencent.
Chile and China: Rescuing the miners
The news about the successful rescue of 33 miners by the Chilean government on October 14 was followed by the news of a mining accident in Pinyu county, in the Henan province in China only two days later, which resulted in the deaths of 37 miners.
Tanzania: Twittering 2010 Tanzania General Elections
Tanzanians voted on on 31 October 2010 to elect the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, President of Zanzibar, Members of Parliament and Members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives. Using hashtags #UchaguziTZ, #uchaguzi, and #TZelect, Tanzanian netizens have been keeping their followers updated with results and on-the-ground observations.
Taiwan: Protecting biodiversity
Michael Turton interviews Dr. Bruno Walther about biodiversity in Taiwan. Dr. Walther has co-produced a documentary called Crisis of Life to educate people about the importance of protecting biodiversity.
Tanzania: Zanzibar has a new president, suspense in mainland
The Zanzibar Electoral Commission announced late yesterday that Dr Ali Mohamed Shein of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (revolutionary party) won the presidential race in Zanzibar. The announcement came amidst tension caused by the delay in announcing the final results in Zanzibar and in mainland Tanzania. During that tense situation bloggers and twitter users kept readers updated with the latest events by the minute.
Malaysia: ‘No to mega tower’
It seems Malaysia is not satisfied to have two iconic skyscrapers - the Petronas Twin Towers and the Kuala Lumpur Tower. The government plans to build another 100-storey mega tower which is being opposed by many residents. Netizens are also protesting.
Southeast Asia: Interactive Sex Education Website
Established in July 2010 in Singapore, the website sexxie.tv is the world’s first and only sex education platform adopted by renowned doctors for interactive sex education. Unlike traditional sex education programs, sexxie.tv uses the online platform to reach its clients.
