Global Voices · Citizen media stories from 2008 December 25

25 December 2008

Daily archive · 5 posts

Stories from 25 December 2008

Macedonia Timeless

Written by Elena Ignatova · Eastern & Central Europe

On December 24, 2008, there was a presentation of a promotional video for Macedonia – “Macedonia Timeless.” The video is written and directed by Milcho Manchevski (an Academy Award nominee in 1995), and its purpose is to promote Macedonia as a tourist destination. The video will be aired on CNN, and a dozen countries in eight different languages. Elena Ignatova reviews bloggers' reactions to the video.

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Caucasus: 2008 Blog Review

Written by Onnik Krikorian · Middle East & North Africa, Eastern & Central Europe

Last year ended with a state of emergency declared in Georgia, but few could imagine that the events of 2008 would eclipse those of 2007. Three presidential elections, a war,...

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Bahrain: Comparing the Bahraini and Japanese work ethic

Written by Ayesha Saldanha · Middle East & North Africa

Bahraini blogger Yagoob is currently studying in Japan - and has seen firsthand the legendary Japanese work ethic. In this post he compares the attitude of many Bahrainis towards work with that of the Japanese.

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Morocco: Obama to Speak?

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

Algerian-American blogger The Moor Next Door has reported on a campaign set up by Moroccans to encourage President-Elect Barack Obama to make his first speech abroad in Morocco. The blogger...

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Western Sahara: Student Reported Detained

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

Saharawi-students.org reports that a Saharawi law student has been detained in Tan Tan. The student was released after 10 hours.

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Updates from 25 December 2008

Ethiopia

EthioBlog reports that religious leaders in Ethiopia have urged lawmakers to amend the country's constitution to ban homosexuality, sparking a heated debate amongst the readers of the blog about homosexuality in Ethiopia with over 300 comments.

• Elia Varela Serra

India

The Acorn quotes the Prime Minister of India to confirm that there is no war ahead with Pakistan, at least initiated by India.

• Rezwan

Bangladesh

An Ordinary Citizen wonders whether the 27 million (34%) new voters in Bangladesh hold the key to the much needed change in the governance of Bangladesh.

• Rezwan

Bangladesh

Shada Kalo blog looks deep into the recent Siemens Bribery Scandal and analyzes the case of $5.3 million bribes to government officials in Bangladesh including the son of the Ex-Prime Minister.

• Rezwan

Sri Lanka

Cerno reports on the ongoing civil war around Nevil in Northern Sri Lanka: “as the world celebrates Christmas lots of humans from a volunteer army are fighting a crumbling terrorist death cult in the torrential rain.”

• Rezwan

Guinea

Emmanuel of Liberia Journal expresses concern about the recent developments in neighboring Guinea because “any power struggle would be extremely dangerous, and could easily become a regional problem”.

• Elia Varela Serra

Zimbabwe

Denford Magora's Zimbabwe Blog posted some photos of human rights activist Jestina Mukoko (who was abducted a couple of weeks ago) appearing in court yesterday accused of recruiting insurgents to topple Mugabe. A few hours later he reported that “although not being freed, it looks as though the abductees will be able to at least see their families and spend time with them, albeit in hospital”, and today that she had disappeared again because police didn't comply with the High Court order. Kubatana reproduces a statement issued by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) about the recent developments related to enforced disappearances.