Stories from 18 May 2009
USA: National Ethnic Media Awards Winners 2009
New America Media in the United States announces the winners of the 2009 Ethnic Media Awards. Pro-migrant blog The Sanctuary takes best ethnic blogger award.
Egypt: Stop the Culling of Pigs Petition Launched
Egyptian Leftist is urging his readers to sign a petition to “stop the senseless slaughter of Egypt's pigs,” following the government's decision to cull more than 300,000 pigs in the wake of the H1N1 Swine Flu paranoia. So far more than 900 people signed the petition which aims to target...
Saudi Arabia: Municipal Elections Put off for Two Years
Saudi blogger Saudi Jeans notes: “It’s official now. The municipal elections will be put off for two years, but instead of saying we are delaying the elections they came out today saying they will extend the mandate of municipal councils by two years. Classic.”
Sri Lanka: Bloggers react to the death of the LTTE leader
The government of Sril Lanka announced via state media and SMS today (Monday, May 18, 2009) afternoon that the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Vellupillai Prabhakaran, is dead. Obituaries of Prabhakaran note that he was a hero to some and a ruthless killer to others. Sri Lankan Bloggers lament on the legacy of this war lord and what his demise means for the future of the Tamil people and Sri Lanka.
Nepal: Madhav Kumar Nepal Will Be The Next Prime Minister
United We Blog! for a Democratic Nepal reports that Madhav Kumar Nepal, the leader of the moderate Communist Party of Nepal United Marxist and Leninist (CPN UML) is set to become the next Prime Minister of Nepal.
Sri Lanka: Prabhakaran, The King Maker Is Dead
Ajith P. Perera at Dare To Be Different writes about the life of the slain LTTE rebel chief: “Prabhakaran is no more a hero than Hitler or Pol Pot, but he is a legend that will live on. I am sure for centuries to come mothers use his name to...
Caribbean: Bloggers React to Walcott's Withdrawal
St. Lucian-born Derek Walcott is truly a West Indian man. He has been embraced by literature lovers of countless other regional territories who identify with his writing and see the nuances of the Caribbean come alive in his work. Which was why his Nobel Prize win for Literature in 1992 seemed like a regional victory - and why his withdrawal from the tight race for the coveted position of Oxford Professor of Poetry has left a bad taste in many bloggers' mouths.
India: Five Truths About The Election
Chandra at Desicritics lists five truths about the recently concluded Indian Elections 2009.
Sri Lanka: Is It Really Over?
The LTTE rebel leader Velupillai Prabakaran is dead and many Sri Lankans are rejoicing. Portrait describes how does it feel when the war is won. However Scourge! asks whether the Sri Lankan civil war is really over.
Japan: Video by Eric Testroete
Eric Testroete has posted ‘This is Japan!’, a fantastic video using hundred of images from a three week stay in Japan. [via watashi to tokyo]
Myanmar: 150th Anniversary of the Founding of Mandalay City
Mandalay, the last royal capital of Myanmar, celebrated its 150th anniversary with a three-day festival event from May 14 to May 16. GV Author TAN translates a few posts written by bloggers from Myanmar who had witnessed the event.
Uruguay: The Passing of Writer Mario Benedetti
Uruguayan writer and poet Mario Benedetti passed away on May 17 at the age of 88. Benedetti is extremely important to Uruguayan society, especially because of his history as an exile and as an outspoken critic during the military dictatorship in the 1970s and 1980s. However, his works transcend borders and he was beloved all across the region. Bloggers remember the man and what his writings meant to them personally and to the region.
Trindad & Tobago: Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word
Trinidadian bloggers This Beach Called Life and Jumbie's Watch take issue with the President's “apology” over the Integrity Commission debacle.
Haiti, Dominican Republic: Repercussions
Wadner Pierre republishes an article from Haiti Liberte that examines the repercussions of the decapitation of a Haitian man by another from the Dominican Republic.
Barbados: Budget Speech
Barbados Underground says that expectations are high for the Prime Minister's 2009 Budget Speech, adding: “There are times when political partisanship should give way to bi-partisanship in the interest of the national self. This is such a time.”
Jamaica: Bolt Takes to the Street
Girl With a Purpose congratulates Jamaica's Usain Bolt on his impressive win at the 150 meter Manchester Street Race.
Guyana: Prayer Calling
“It is an injustice being blatantly perpetrated upon thousands and thousands of Guyanese on a daily basis and one against which many feel helpless”: Imran Khan takes issue with the custom of amplified calls to prayer, calling it “noise pollution”.
Haiti: Flag Day
Today is Flag Day in Haiti. Real Hope for Haiti offers some insight into the history of the celebration, while The Livesay Weblog ruminates on the country's recently concluded elections.
Hong Kong: Donald Tsang, please die!
Last week, the public was outraged by the Chief Executive Donald Tsang‘s remark on June 4 Incident in the Legislative Council's policy address in May 13. When asked about his personal view on the vindication of June 4 student movement, he answered: I understand Hong Kong people’s feelings about June...
China: Thoughts on how to do “small” business
Maryannodonnell blogs her conversation with her tea vendor on the ethics of small business.
China: Good Citizenry
ESWN translated government banner propaganda advocating “good citizenry” in Jiangsu province. The purpose is to encourage the residents to accept the relocation plan.
