8 December 2008

Stories from 8 December 2008

Zimbabwe: On the cholera crisis

  8 December 2008

Sokwanele posted several pictures taken in Ruwa of raw sewage overflowing from manholes, causing residents in the area to fear for a cholera outbreak. Sokwanele says: “It’s a ticking time-bomb, and the residents know it, but can do nothing about it”. The Kubatana blog also comments on the current cholera...

Eritrea: Russian literary ties

  8 December 2008

Semantic Eritrea reports that the government of the Russian Federation has decided to cement the connections between Eritrea and Russia by erecting a monument of bronze to famed poet Alexander Pushkin, as well as a Pushkin Centre in the Eritrean capital of Asmara. Pushkin's Eritrean connection comes from his great...

Myanmar: Prepaid GSM SIM card now available

  8 December 2008

dawn_1o9 reports that pre-paid GSM SIM cards are now available in Myanmar, but costs and application procedures are still prohibitive. Mobile phones have been used in the protest actions against the ruling Junta.

Myanmar: Jailed bloggers receive awards

  8 December 2008

Popular Burmese bloggers Zarganar and Nay Phone Latt, who were arrested by the Junta authorities for allegedly criticizing the government, have been recognized by media groups in Paris.

Malaysia: Traffic lights

  8 December 2008

Kampua Talk feels Sarawak in Malaysia has the most traffic lights in the whole world. She also suggests some activities while waiting for traffic lights to turn green.

Philippines: Surprised by Boxer's Easy Victory

  8 December 2008

Rev. Edicio dela Torre shares his countrymen's surprise at Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao's easy victory over Oscar de la Hoya in last Sunday's match. “We were all heavily influenced by the media hype about de la Hoya,” he said.

Fiji's military coup: Two years on

  8 December 2008

Fiji’s military coup hits its two-year anniversary, and bloggers around the region have spent the past few days gathering thoughts and opinions on the country’s past, present and future.

Libya: Eid Al – Adha 2008

  8 December 2008

After a long hiatus, Libyan bloggers are back at work behind their keyboards, wishing each other a happy Eid, discussing the increasing prices and reflecting on Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca which Muslims perform. Fozia Mohamed tunes in to bring us the story.

Playing for Change: Peace Through Music

  8 December 2008

MeetJohnSong brings to our attention a global collaborative musical project called Playing for Change: Peace through Music. The concept behind it is that music is a common uniting factor between different cultures, ethnicities and regions.The film and music will be available in 2009, and more information on the project can be found on the Playing for Change website.

Brazil: How to become Santa Claus in four weeks

  8 December 2008

Anton M. Steeman describes one of the many courses in Brazil that leads to qualified Santa Clauses, a welcome Christmas temporary job. “The most difficult part of being a good Santa Claus is the hours and hours sitting in a chair, showing a slight smile, taking punches and pushes, a...

Haiti: Distorted View of Aristide

  8 December 2008

HaitiAnalysis.com republishes an article that claims “repeated false stories of corruption against President Aristide are part of a continuing disinformation campaign against him that began when he first took office in 1991.”

Cuba: Journey of the Bloggers

  8 December 2008

As Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez begins “the planned journey of the bloggers” deemed “counterrevolutionary” by the government, she explains: “In the blogger phenomenon there are a thousand ways to camouflage oneself” – and Uncommon Sense applauds her cleverness: “Freedom one day will prevail in Cuba, and nothing the dictatorship does...