Global Voices · Citizen media stories from 2008 September 12

12 September 2008

Daily archive · 7 posts

Stories from 12 September 2008

Madagascar: Living abroad changes a man

Written by Lova Rakotomalala · Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe

In an article published in March, economists William Easterly and Yaw Nyarko noted that in Sub-Saharan Africa, remittances (money sent by immigrants abroad back to their home countries) on average...

· 3

· read »

Singapore: New rule for cigarettes

Written by Angilee Shah · East Asia

Singapore Customs announced yesterday that they are taking extra strides against illegal cigarette smoking. Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, in addition to the graphic warning labels that already line the shelves of 7-11s, every cigarette in Singapore will need to be marked with the letters SDPC. Bloggers – smokers and nonsmokers – react.

· 3

· read »

Arabeyes: Daily life during Ramadan

Written by Ayesha Saldanha · Middle East & North Africa

In this post we look at different experiences of everyday life across the Arab world during Ramadan. We hear how Palestinians are coping in Gaza, how an Italian deals with Ramadan in the West Bank, have a glimpse into a Saudi household about to break the fast – and get tips from Bahrain on how to curb profanities during the holy month.

· read »

Japan: Nike buys out name of public park

Written by Scilla Alecci · East Asia

Nike Japan, the Japanese subsidiary of sportswear multinational Nike, will turn a public park in central Tokyo, Miyashita Park, into what they call “Nike Park”. The naming rights have already been acquired from the Ward for about 150 million Yen, which will be paid over the next 5 years, and the go-ahead for the work was given last August. Bloggers give their thoughts about the move.

· 12

· read »

Mozambique: Political crisis in central city of Beira

Written by Egidio Vaz · Sub-Saharan Africa

Angry Renamo supporters poured onto the streets of Beira in a protest against the Party's decision of substituting current mayor Davis Simango by Manuel Pereira as the Renamo's candidate for municipal governance in the local elections taking place on November 2009. Historian Egidio Vaz writes on his blog an open letter to the Renamo President, Afonso Dhlakama.

· 5

· read »

The Middle East Remembers 9/11

Written by Amira Al Hussaini · Middle East & North Africa, North America

Today marks the seventh anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the US, a pivotal day in history and a day which brought about so much heartbreak and destruction not only in the US but around the world. Bloggers from the Middle East reflect on the disaster.

· 5

· read »

Morocco: Mohammed Erraji Provisionally Released

Written by Jillian C. York · Middle East & North Africa

Today, Moroccans rejoiced at the news that Mohammed Erraji, the blogger who was arrested and quickly jailed, has been let out on bail. But the rejoicing was short-lived, as bloggers discuss a system mired in its ways and Erraji's upcoming retrial.

· 1

· read »

Updates from 12 September 2008

Russia

Osteuropablog discusses [GER] an article on Rosbalt.Ru about a perceived threat of Ukrainian NGOs in southern Russia bringing an Orange Revolution to the country.

• Vilhelm Konnander

Estonia

Itching for Eestima discusses how Finland deals with its Russian neighbour in the Georgia war context and reflects on Estonia's role.

• Vilhelm Konnander

Russia

Kosmopolit comments on the difficulties for Russian leaders to get their message through internationally, when their political language does not come across to their audience.

• Vilhelm Konnander

Bahrain

Bahraini blogger Mahmood reports on a local supermarket introducing paper bags instead of plastic ones - and interviews some of the customers for their opinions.

• Ayesha Saldanha

Saudi Arabia

“In Saudi Arabia you can tell a lot about a woman by her relationship with her driver. Yes I call it a relationship. Because, unlike anywhere in the world, drivers are a necessity and not a luxury that is used on a whim.” Read a description of the different relationships at Saudiwoman's weblog.

• Ayesha Saldanha

Malaysia

Hard-hitting Malaysian blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin was arrested again by police for allegedly violating Malaysia's Internal Security Act. Another journalist was arrested too.

• Mong Palatino

Philippines

Cheating is possible even in an automated election system, Morofilm writes.

• Mong Palatino

Thailand

Thailand's Prime Minister was ordered by the court to step down for violating the constitution. But Bangkok protesters vow to continue with their campaign until political reforms are instituted.

• Mong Palatino

Kenya

James Muritu discusses the looming class war in Kenya. He writes, “I remember reading, almost a year ago, an article by the former member of parliament for Subukia, Hon. Koigi Wamwere, that spoke of a section of Kenyans retreating to high-walled complexes in search of solace and security.”

• Ndesanjo Macha

Ukraine: Homophobic Legal Initiatives in Sync with Public Attitudes

Came to find this post after signing the AllOut petition (which already has almost 50k signatures, and needs to grow...
Please sign this if you are pro