Stories from 26 April 2006
The Week That Was – Bolivian Blogs
Este artículo también está disponible en español. Millions of Bolivians have left their homeland in search for greener pastures for a variety of reasons. Nostalgia can sink in and can be expressed through writing. The subject was recently featured in Claudia Peña Claros’ blog Inútil Ardor (ES). In poetry form,...
Venezuela: Wikipedia Page on Venezuelan Cinema
BlogaCine, or “Cinema Blog” says (ES) that Wikipedia has a page on Venezuelan films (ES) that is growing slowly but surely.
Peru: Looking to the Second Round
Patrice explains the en vogue Peruvian saying, “it now remains to choose between AIDS and cancer.” Boz cites a new poll which has Alan Garcia leading Ollanta Humala in the second round presidential elections.
Martinique: Parental Rant
Bien Vu wonders (FR) why his/her teen-aged son is being taught History in French class. “Martinique doesn't do anything like anyone else [in the French school system],” says the blogger “unless this is our very own national curriculum.”
Bolivia: Unity Festival 2006
GlowMain lists the DJ's that will perform at the 24-hour, non-stop, psychedelic trance event (ES) called “Unity Festival,” which will take place the first week of May in Bolivia.
Latin America: Stories Broken By Bloggers
Jose Luis Orihuela is making a list (ES) of stories that first broke on Spanish-language blogs and were then picked up by the mainstream media. Among the stories include Argentine soccer celebrity Diego Maradona's contract with a TV station (ES) and an anti-MTV marketing parody (ES).
Mexico: Paticia Mercado “Wins” First Presidential Debate
Eduardo Arcos live-blogged last night's presidential debate in Mexico (ES). Arcos says it was leftist outsider (and blogger), Patricia Mercado who won the debate. Goleech agrees (ES), but says that Felipe Calderón of the conservative PAN party also left in good shape. Boz says that “By not participating in the...
Mongolia: Traffic
Shards of Mongolia reports that Ulaanbaatar's Peace Bridge, a major route for the tourists visiting for Mongolia's 800th anniversary this year, is being closed for improvements which will only make traffic in the capital more of a nightmare.
Kyrgyzstan: To Build a Yurt
Trent Milam writes about the process of and traditions surrounding the erection of Kyrgyz yurts.
Kyrgyzstan: Stop the Protest
The Golden Road to Samarqand reports that the Kyrgyz government is going to great lengths to prevent people from joining this weekend's planned protests
Armenia: Talks Break Down
Onnik Krikorian reports that talks have broken down between Indian students and the Yerevan State Medical University and notes that a blog has been set up for students to write about the university.
Central Asia: Beer
Registan.net discusses the rapid rise in beer consumption in Central Asia.
DRC: Report Says Ruling Party Received Illegal Corporate and State Funds
NIZA, a Dutch NGO, published a report alleging President Kabila's party (PPRD) is illegally funded by private enterprises of the Katanga region and has received government funds, says (FR) Le Blog du Congolais.
Ukraine: A Trip to Chernobyl
Dan McMinn of Orange Ukraine links to his own report from a trip to Chernobyl he and his wife took on November 13, 2004.
Belarus: Chernobyl and Charnobylski Shlyah
br23 blog writes about how he, then a 10-year-old son of two physicist parents, learned about the accident at the Chernobyl power plant 20 years ago. Ivan Lenin writes about today's protest rally in Minsk, and TOL's Belarus Blog links to Radio Liberty's photos from the rally.
DRC: “A Poem From My Heart”
Lines from a poem posted (FR) by Prince du Fleuve du Congo: “Son of this Sacred Land, I cry for your misfortune/Yet for your salvation, I fight with fortitude.”
Chernobyl: Letters Never Written
LJ user wall4 – originally from Lviv, Ukraine, now living in Connecticut – writes about his experience as a soldier forced to serve in Chernobyl 20 years ago (RUS). The piece is accompanied by several black-and-white army pictures. 20 Years Ago. Letters I haven't written. “Mama, I'll never forget how...
Sri Lanka: Apathy
After the bomb explosion in Colombo Azrael's Word comments on the current state of apathy in Sri Lanka.
Nepal: MPs and legal status
Legal News From Nepal on the legal status of the MPs in Nepal in the context of the changing political environment.
Bangladesh: Homeland
Returning to the countries we come from. Mezba on living in the MidEast, South Asia and Canada. The racism, quality of life and job opportunity confusion all thrown in together.
Nepal: What it means for South Asia
Pickled Politics on what the current events in Nepal mean for the rest of South Asia. “An insurgency has forced an autocratic ruler to give power back to the people. What if others try the same in their countries? I bet President Musharraf is apprehensive.”