Global Voices · Citizen media stories from 2008 December 27

27 December 2008

Daily archive · 13 posts

Stories from 27 December 2008

Arab World Reacts to “Gaza Massacre”

Written by Amira Al Hussaini · Middle East & North Africa

People from across the Arab world are lamenting the fate of Gazans, after a wave of Israeli aerial attacks, which have killed more than 200 Palestinians and wounded more than 700. The silence of Arab governments in particular is hitting a raw nerve.

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Philippines: Uproar over mauling by mayor/son of Cabinet secretary

Written by Tonyo Cruz · East Asia

Filipinos are unleashing online vitriol at the son and namesake of Philippine President Arroyo's agrarian reform secretary, who reportedly mauled two persons last Dec. 26 at a golf course.

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2008: A turbulent year for South Asia

Written by Rezwan · South Asia

Looking back on the events that rocked South Asia in the year 2008 we see that terrorism took the center stage in many places in this region. This was also...

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Palestine: Israeli Airstrikes Spur Actions from Bloggers

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

Following the end of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, violence and tensions have escalated between Israel and Gaza. Today, Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza in what the AFP calls “one of the bloodiest days of the decades-long Middle East conflict.” So far, the death toll in Gaza is at 210 and rising. The Palestinian blogosphere reports.

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Guadeloupe: Why not celebrate Kwanzaa as well?

Written by Fabienne Flessel · North America, Caribbean

Besides the traditional celebration of Christmas, Guadeloupean people have recently taken up a new celebration: Kwanzaa, which starts on December 26 and lasts until January 1.

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Global Health: 2008 Blogs In Review

Written by Juhie Bhatia · Middle East & North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa

Bloggers in 2008 showed all the ways in which global health is interconnected with other issues, by covering health stories that touched on everything from poverty and women's rights to...

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Japan: Un-hiring fresh graduates

Written by Tomomi Sasaki · East Asia

Job hunting for fresh graduates in Japan is an intense trial called shushoku katsudo or shukatsu for short. University students in their third year start shukatsu during the winter in hopes of receiving several naitei (informal job offer/promise of employment) in May at the earliest, to start their new jobs on April 1st of the following year.

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A Review of Global Voices in 2008

Written by Solana Larsen · East Asia, South Asia

Nearly 3 million people visited Global Voices in 2008, and here are some of our most popular stories of the year.

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World Runner Comes to Jordan

Written by Mohammad Azraq · Middle East & North Africa

Danish Runner Jesper Olsen is running around the world crossing four continents to promote running as something all cultures have in common.The Danish Ambassador to Jordan HE.Thomas Lund-Sørensen writes about...

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Saudi Arabia accuses Egyptian of Espionage

Written by Marwa Rakha · Middle East & North Africa

27 year old IT programmer Youssef Al Ashmawy is currently detained in a prison Riyadh and is accused of spying on the Kingdom. Zeinobia wrote: Saudi Arabia is detaining Egyptian...

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Updates from 27 December 2008

United Arab Emirates

Dubai's new Palazzo Versace Hotel is set to feature the world's first refrigerated beach, reports Norma of Bloggin' Banat. She comments: “Clearly, nature is no obstacle for this lavish playground. The beach’s sand will be cooled via an underground system of heat-absorbing pipes and giant wind blowers… Apparently the refrigerated beach might generate enough carbon to affect the climate.”

• Maya Norton

Israel

“If I believed in God, my prayer would be that I never see the star of David again as long as I live, so help me God,” writes Yasmin of The Angry Arab Comments Section blog. “It is impossible for me to separate it from the Israeli flag, which represents racism, hatred, and violence.” Check out the comments on this post for a diversity of reactions.

• Maya Norton

Israel

Ramzy of MidEast Youth observes: “Ever since Hamas went to power the Palestinian people’s living conditions are from bad to worse with every day because it is internationally recognized as a terrorist group and can’t be endorsed as part of the world system without renouncing violence and recognizing Israel and therefore a tight siege has been imposed on Gaza Strip.”

• Maya Norton

Palestine

“When you buy a Palestinian product, it not only represents solidarity, but also creates a direct bond between you, the Palestinian people, and the land,” Annie of Annie's Letters believes.

• Maya Norton

Israel

Free Gaza announced that a relief boat carrying medical supplies landed safely in Gaza's port. Among its passengers were representatives of 15 different nations. The Palestinian Video Blog has live footage.

• Maya Norton

India

The New Horizon analyzes the reasons behind the recent maritime dispute between Bangladesh and India. Read the post for details.

• Rezwan

Egypt

Israeli aircraft launched air attacks across Gaza on Saturday, killing at least 100 people, including the Hamas police chief, according to Israeli and Palestinian sources. Zeinobia wrote a new post about the “Ongoing Massacre in Gaza“.

• Tarek Amr

Kazakhstan

KZBlog analyzes the controversial new law on religion which passed Parliament is waiting for the President’s signature. The law is clearly created defensively to prevent cult-like activity or terrorist cells from working in the country. However it effectively criminalizes religion by demanding that religions prove themselves innocent before being allowed to work.

• Adil Nurmakov

Kazakhstan

Joshua Foust reviews the Kazakhstan's new Religion Law, which is still pending presidential approval, and says that without any leverage—say, threatening their OSCE chairmanship—there is little influence the West could exert.

• Adil Nurmakov

Afghanistan

Azar Balkhi reports that the plan, proposed by some American experts, to form local semi-military troops to fight against the terrorists, was met with criticism in Afghanistan. The Afghan MP opines that such a step would diminish the role of local tribal leaders, and power will be taken by the old and new warlords.

• Adil Nurmakov

Taiwan: When News is Sold to the Chinese Government

First, let us ignore your assertion that at the time only 1% of young Chinese attended university because its not...

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