Stories from 13 July 2009
Bangladesh: Replica Of Taj Mahal
Taslima Akter at Bangladesh From Our View posts some pictures of the replica of Taj Mahal located 18 miles northeast of the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka.
Bolivia: The Return of the “Minister of Cocaine”
During the military dictatorship in Bolivia in the early 1980s, Minister of the Interior Luis Arce Gómez had a bit of advice for dissidents, “walk around with their written will under their arms.” After serving a sentence in the US for drug trafficking, the "Minister of Cocaine" was returned to Bolivia where he will serve out his remaining sentence.
Only Pakistan can help Pakistan
While discussing the problem of the growing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs), Mosharraf Zaidi at All Things Pakistan comments: “Pakistan is in this mess because this is a state that does not deal with small problems until they become big problems,” and “in the long run, only Pakistan can...
Nabucco: Chorus of the energy slaves
Gabriela Ionita of Power&PoliticsWeblog discusses the recent agreement in Ankara on the construction of the western financed Nabucco gas pipeline and competition with Russia over Caucasian and Central Asian gas supplies and deliveries to Europe.
Congo Brazzaville: Disappointment at Presidential election
On Sunday July 12th, people in the Republic of the Congo voted in an election which opposition leaders boycotted over allegations it would be neither free nor fair. Denis Sassou N’Guesso, who has ruled the Congo for about 25 years as head of state, is seeking another seven year term...
Latvia: EU and IMF rift on Baltic economy
Latvia Economy Watch reports of increasing divergences between the EU and IMF on addressing the financial crisis in Latvia.
Eastern and Central Europe ranking on the Failed States Index
Eternal Remont comments the ranking of states in Eastern and Central Europe on Foreign Policy's Failed States Index.
Republic of Congo: Voters want peace and stability
Elie Smith sums up voters’ expectations in the presidential elections in the Republic of Congo: “Most voters today said, their main motivation to vote was to consolidate peace and stability and these two aspects, are the greatest achievements of incumbent President Denis Sassou Nguesso.”
Africa: Vote for Pambazuka News
Sokari urges readers to vote for Pambazuka News, the source of authentic voices of Africa’s social activists and analysts : “For the fifth year running, Pambazuka News has been selected as one of 25 finalist nominations in the ‘Top 10 Who Are Changing the World of Internet and Politics’ competition.”
Cameroon: Bloggers Discuss Obama's Ghana Speech
U.S. President Barack Obama gave a speech in Ghana which could be considered as his Africa policy speech. Cameroonians at home and in the diaspora have been reacting to the words pronounced by the American leader with African roots via the blogosphere.
South Korea: Ohmynews! calling for 100,000 supporters
Ohmynews! is now calling for 100,000 supporters to give monthly donation in order to become independent.
Dominica: New Carib Chief Elected
Dominica has a new Carib Chief – Repeating Islands reports.
Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados: Farce Meets Abject
“West Indies cricket is not a compass for but a barometer of the West Indian nation. The status and performance of the team does not point us in a new direction; it merely reflects where we are as a people. And we’re in a mess”: From Barbados, B.C. Pires examines...
Bahamas: Strong Institutions
“Our whole political campaign in 2007 was an exercise in time-wasting; because I believe with all my heart that, like Africa, what The Bahamas needs is not strong men, but strong institutions”: Nicolette Bethel explains.
Puerto Rico: Play for Las Playas
Repeating Islands profiles a play by a group of students that “is meant to educate people about the value of caring for our coasts and to raise consciousness to avoid the privatization of Puerto Rico’s shores.”
China: Xinjiang Info-War
Rebecca MacKinnon from Rconversation looks into the Chinese government's strategy in information control over the Xinjiang riot.
China: How did a protest become mass murder?
Black and white cat urges more investigation on how the student protest in Urumqi suddenly turned into a mass murder on July 5?
Jamaica: KOTE '09
Annie Paul reviews Kingston on the Edge 2009 – Jamaica's up-and-coming urban art festival.
Guyana: Blogging as Social Networking
Diaspora blogger Signifyin’ Guyana thinks that blogging just may be “a cut above the rest” when it comes to avenues of social networking.
Tanzania: Updates for 6th Pan African Reading For All Conference
Updates for the 6th Pan African Reading For All Conference, which will take place in Tanzania: “As you are making your final plans, please include bringing your National Flag for the opening ceremony and national dress for the closing banquet.”
Russia: Why there will be no new war with Georgia
LJ user ulakya rejects [RUS] fears of a new conflict between Russia and Georgia and argues why Moscow wants to avoid war in the Caucasus.
