Stories from 17 January 2011
Brunei: Twitter and tourism
Soulkonekshen discusses how twitter facilitated the travel of a US-based journalist in Brunei. Local bloggers also participated in the twitter exchange.
Brunei: Popular videos made by Bruneians
Tiger Lim, who identifies himself as Brunei's number one “Broken English” blogger, provides a list of videos made by Bruneians, highlighting the creativity of local talent.
Indonesia: Addressing the suicide problem
Rob Baiton blogs about the alarming rise in suicide rates in Indonesia.
Indonesia: Lessons from the football AFF Suzuki Cup 2010
Erwin from Indonesia identifies the lessons learned in the ASEAN Federation Football Suzuki Cup 2010. Indonesia lost to Malaysia in the championship game.
Indonesia: The coming ASEAN community
Multibrand from Indonesia reports that government ministers attending the meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to establish and expand the ASEAN Community in 2015.
Haiti: Duvalier Visit Political Red Herring?
A little more than a year after a debilitating earthquake practically leveled the Haitian capital and destroyed innumerable surrounding towns, killing thousands and leaving survivors homeless (tent cities are still full, despite millions of dollars in relief aid pledged), exiled dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier returned to his homeland. Many bloggers are still stunned at this latest political development and remain unclear as to the motive behind his visit.
Costa Rica: A Sample of Costa Rican Music
Michael from El blog de Mike [es] titles his post “National music, Who says that there is no talent here?” and then shares with his readers a wide sample of YouTube videos showing what he considers the best of Costa Rican music.
Mexico: Women's Rights Activist Killed
Erwin C. in The Latinamericanist reports on the murder of women's rights activist Susana Chávez: “For many years Chavez campaigned against the unsolved murders of hundreds of women in northern Mexico. She helped create the slogan ‘Ni Una Mas’ (‘Not One More Death’), which served as a battle cry for...
Venezuela: Discussing a New University Law
Venezuelan public and student opinion is divided once again in the face of a new University Law. The reactions and results have been intense, complex and unexpected; citizen media users have reflected several of the turns the discussion has taken.
Sri Lanka: Archive of Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) submissions and media reports
Groundviews has launched two archives covering media reports on and submissions to the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) of Sri Lanka.
China: Tense days and nights in Tunis
Excerpts of a series of blog posts this week from a Chinese woman living and working in the Tunisian capital.
Pakistan: Prize Bonds Mega Scam
Shakir Lakhani writes about a prize bond draw manipulation in Pakistan where three consecutive numbers won the first three prizes.
Trinidad & Tobago: The Piano Man?
After all the brouhaha surrounding a missing grand piano (which has subsequently been found) at the Prime Minister's residence, the fake former PM has his say.
Trinidad & Tobago: Parliamentary Behaviour
“MEMBERS of Parliament read this carefully: Stop it. Stop it now. You are all killing Parliament…destroying one of the most crucial forums of our democracy…”: Tattoo explains.
Cuba: Where Do We Go From Here?
“In 2011, the sad thing isn’t that history is repeating itself, nor that they might recognize their mistakes after so much time in power…what is inconceivable is that they keep following the same policies that led them to failure”: Laritza's Laws wonders about Cuba's future.
St. Lucia: Getting Over Tomas
“It will be a long road”: Sun, Rain, Or… says that St. Lucia is still struggling to get back to normal after last year's Hurricane Tomas.
Jamaica, T&T, U.S.A.: Buju's Mobile Concert
mediascape says that “this weekend promises to be an exciting one for reggae lovers”, as reggae icon Buju Banton, who is due to head back to court soon to face drug trafficking charges, will have his Miami concert broadcast via mobile phone, so that “thousands of subscribers will be able...
Jamaica, Guadeloupe, T&T, U.S.A.: MLK Day
“Dr. King's importance lies in his challenge to expand our moral imagination”: Geoffrey Philp and other regional bloggers pay tribute to the late American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Bhutan: The Effect Of Salary Increase
Tshering Tobgay shows how the recent salary increase has made a government officer in Bhutan poorer.
Sudan: Secessionists in North and South: one goal, different thinking
Hassan Farouk speaks with two advocates of secession in the North and the South: Nhial Bol Aken, owner of the English-speaking newspaper The Citizen, and retired Brigadier Dr. Sati Sorkati, a prominent leader in the Just Peace Forum Party, in the first face-to-face confrontation of its kind.
Libya: Gaddafi Wages War on the Internet as Trouble Brews at Home
Libyan leader Muammar Al Gaddafi managed to offend both Tunisians and netizens from across the world wide web in his address to the Tunisian people, following the fall of the Zine El Abidine Ben Ali regime. With trouble brewing at home and Libyans taking to the Internet to vent off, could Gaddafi be foreseeing his doom as a “victim of Facebook and YouTube”?
