Stories from 24 September 2008
Saudi Arabia: Supercomputer to be developed
Crossroads Arabia reports that Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology plans to build an IBM supercomputer.
Liberia: Update from Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission
An update from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Liberia: “A witness told commissioners of Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) grisly accounts of how fighters of the defunct ULIMO-K faction slaughtered and ate eight civilians in 1993 in Lofa County.”
Madagascar: My blog and I
Andry is a new blogger from Madagascar. He describes himself as “the cyber observer”: “My name is Andry Rakotoniaina Andriatahiana and I am Malagasy. I am a lawyer, more specifically I work as a legal counsel for an International business and taxation law firm located in Antananarivo, capital of Madagascar.”
Uganda: One Happy Lady
Glenna posts photos of “one happy lady” in Gulu, Uganda.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Speak Out Against Dutch Court's Decision
Kirk Johnson of Americans For Bosnia notes that “a Dutch civil court sided with the Dutch state and dismissed the case against the Netherlands for their failure to prevent Srebrenica genocide in 1995″ and is urging readers “to contact the Dutch embassy in your country to express your dismay at...
Madagascar: All along the street
Dago Tiako describes street activities in Madagascar: “Suddenly, you notice lots of people making a circle. You think there must be an accident. You come nearer to se what’s going on. In the middle of the circle, there is a man almost nude (he is wearing only a little pair...
Madagascar: All along the street
Dago Tiako describes street activities in Madagascar: “Suddenly, you notice lots of people making a circle. You think there must be an accident. You come nearer to se what’s going on. In the middle of the circle, there is a man almost nude (he is wearing only a little pair...
Korea: The End of OhmyNews Japan (following Hanako's)
Following the post, “The End of OhmyNews Japan” by the Japanese editor, Hanako, I was curious how Korean bloggers talk about the failure of OhmyNews Japan. Many bloggers have analyzed the success of OhmyNews Korea and have been keen on changes in ONK, which is regarded as the godfather of...
Senegal: Would you mind fasting with us?
George writes about Ramadan in Senegal: “This Ramadan in Dakar, I had a most interesting invitation from a couple of friends. “…Would you mind fasting with us?”, they asked. What was the significance of this invitation?”
Trinidad & Tobago: Film Festival
“We need a film festival like America needs to not vote for McCain,” says Trinidadian blogger Attillah Springer, but warns: “It shouldn’t just be about film as business. What about art for art’s sake? Money can’t be the only thing that motivates our capacity to create.”
Japan: Manga teaches children danger of fast food
Japanese blogger and author Chiki Ogiue [荻上チキ] scans an educational manga book he stumbled on at an eco cafe [ja] that teaches children good dietary habits with incredibly frank visual messages and storylines, emphasizing the danger of fast food and the value of eating rice, among other things. Webpage of...
Jamaica: More Corrupt?
As the 2008 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) rankings are released, My View of JamDown from Up So asks, “Which party deserves the bulk of blame for the increased perception of Jamaican corruption?”
Jordan: When do you say Enough?
The more you have, the more you want. When do you say you have had enough and become content with the blessings bestowed upon you, asks Ola Eliwat from Jordan.
Cuba: Access Denied
“Won’t the Daddy-State learn how irritating children become when they rarely leave the house?” Havana-based blogger Yoani Sanchez says that she has once again been denied travel privileges.
Barbados: Food Security
“Government needs to put together a strategic plan to respond to short, medium and long-term demands of the agricultural industry”: Barbados Underground is concerned about food security.
Jamaica, Guyana: New Book
Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp focuses on a new book by Guyanese author Sasenarine Persaud.
Tanzania: Pedestrians’ tales
Mara writes about pedestrians’ experiences in Tanzania: “Pedestrians have nothing close to the right of way around here. The bigger you are, the more authority you have. The faster you go, the more people are expected to dive out of the way when you approach. Motorcycles swerve to avoid 4×4s...
Japan: Wordcamp Tokyo 2008
Akky Akimoto writes about the first Wordcamp (conference of WordPress users) in Japan [ja], Wordcamp Tokyo 2008 held on September 23rd, and also rounds up other Japanese blog posts on the event.
Japan: The true revolution of Google Street View
Blogger id:bohemian_style reflects on the launch of Google Street View in Japan [ja], noting that the way the service is viewed differs depending on where people are living: in modern urban areas, people's sense of privacy tends to be limited their immediate living space, which ends at the entrance to...
Japan: Maga on War and Japan
Japan Focus just published a translation of one of Mizuki Shigeru’s short manga pieces, entitled “War and Japan“, with a brief introduction to the man and his work written by Matthew Penney. via Mutant Travelogue.
Iran: Google Earth and former jailed blogger
Mojtaba Saminejad, an Iranian blogger, who had been in jail for more than 20 months for his writings, uses Google Earth to show us his prison in Iran.