Stories from 28 October 2008
Angola: On the mermaid Kianda and other mythical beings
Angola has several stories, legends and mythical characters which, like a breath of fresh air, feed the imagination of young ones and adults alike, giving wealth to Angolan history and culture. Read about the mermaid Kianda, and animal tales: deer, tortoise, alligators - they all make people's imagination fly.
Obama Presidency is better for Pakistan
Yasser Latif Hamdani at Pak Tea House argues that Obama Presidency is better for Pakistan.
India: Solar-Powered Rickshaw
The Better India reports that a solar-powered electric cycle rickshaw had its debut in the Indian capital. “Called the Soleckshaw, it is in test run in Delhi and will be mass produced in a month if all goes well.”
Angola: A post dedicated to prize winner musician Paulo Flores
Luanda born musician Paulo Flores has won the Angolan National Prize for Arts and Culture. Koluki [pt] takes the opportunity to “dedicate a post to some of his music, focusing on some duets I consider particularly well done.” Hear the selected songs on her blog.
Zambian Bloggers Discuss Presidential Election
Zambian blogger Kaela Mulenga writes, "Thursday, October 30, 2008, is the day set aside in Zambia as a presidential ‘by-election’ date to replace the just deceased President Levy Mwanawasa (Levy). Mwanawasa had a stroke and passed away in a Paris hospital on August 19, 2008.
Carbon Footprint Calculators
Last month, GV environment looked at Maps, online communities and carbon footprint calculators. Since then there have been more calculators released, and in this post we list some of these new tools for the public to calculate their CO2 emissions. PEIR – Personal Environment Impact Report PEIR is not only...
Tax incentives to invest Africa: chance for development or more Françafrique?
Le Pangolin [Fr] posts an excerpt from Le Journal du Dimanche on a new provision that would reduce taxes for French companies that invest in developing countries, “especially in Africa.” According to the excerpt, one logic behind the provision would be to encourage more private investment in the hopes that it...
New law gives tax incentives to French companies investing in Africa
Le Pangolin discusses a new provision offering tax incentives to French companies who invest in developing countries [Fr] in particular Africa.
Sudan: Humanitarian Access in Darfur
Jacky discusses humanitarian access in Darfur, Sudan: “Media reports this week cite growing concern over ‘denial of humanitarian access’ in Darfur. Although such denial certainly exists, many of the actors being denied – in the form of travel bans, visa refusals, car-jacking, etc – are not strict ‘humanitarians,’ but a...
Zambia: What Type of President Do We Need in Zambia?
Zambian blogger, Percy Mwale, asks, “What type of President do we need in Zambia and what type of parliament will ensure prosperity?” She continues: “Firstly, all MPs must be mature enough to support any progressive move or bill in parliament, to the benefit of all Zambians not just a party,...
Venezuela: How Children Show Their Community Through Photography
Ancla2 is an educational cooperative devoted to teaching photography, technology, and media skills to children from small and poor communities in Venezuela, who have discovered a new way to see and appreciate their own surroundings, and at the same time, have learned new life skills that will help them in many other areas.
Bolivia: Introduction to the Language of Guaraní
Camiri Digital [es] introduces readers to some basic words in the indigenous language of Guaraní, which is spoken by many in the Chaco region of Bolivia.
Israel: Heading Towards General Elections
The leader of Israel's ruling party, Tzipi Livni, gave up her attempts to form a governing coalition. Livni has been trying to put together a government since she replaced Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as head of the ruling Kadima party last month. Elections are now set for February 10. Gilad Lotan reports from Israeli blogs.
Trinidad & Tobago: Divali
Both Haveworld and Trinidad Carnival Diary wish their fellow Trinbagonians a Happy Divali!
Trinidad & Tobago: Crime Watch
“Like any other country, we have a well-laid out and codified set of laws for the populace to follow. Of what good is our law however, when particularly in relation to serious and violent crime, we appear to have little success of apprehending and convicting those who break it?”: Trinbago...
Barbados: MSM & Democracy
Barbados Underground says that “the current fast food diet of journalism being served up by the local media” poses a threat to the country's democracy.
Japan: Expression of surprise
Blogger and comedian Hirokazu Fujii [藤井宏和] snaps a picture and catches an expression of surprise [ja].
Jamaica, U.S.A.: Race to the White House
“Let's be real… you want him to win because he's black…”: Stories of Me thinks that “it's no coincidence that most of Jamaica supports Obama for President, and wish they could vote. Only a fraction of those ‘supporters’ know much of Obama's policies, or fully understand the impact of an...
Guyana, U.S.A.: Making History?
“We may see in the possibility of America’s first Black president the sign of more tolerant times. We may see in the possibility of this particular Black president the sign of a more genuine concern for global affairs. And we can’t help but be caught up in the positive feel...
Japan: Net users versus mainstream media on Governor Hashimoto
id:Chikirin observes that lately a pattern of estrangement has developed in Japan between the tone of existing mainstream media and public opinion on the net [ja], one that can be traced to a generation gap. The blogger takes the case of Osaka Governor Tōru Hashimoto, recently in the news for...
India: Moon mission not a waste
Thunga at Desicritics argues that India's recent mission to moon (Chandrayaan -1) is not a waste of money and resources.
