Stories from 17 September 2009
Russia: Victor Pylyavsky's Paraglider Photos
Samara photographer Victor Pylyavsky flies a paraglider over the city and the region, taking pictures; his beautiful photos are currently part of an open air exhibit at one of the city's central squares. LJ user drugoi has photographed some of these photos and posted them on his blog (RUS).
EU: Russophone Bloggers React to Dairy Farmers’ Protest
LJ user drugoi hosts a discussion of the Belgian dairy farmers' protest over low milk prices.
South Africa: How to vote for Big Brother Africa for free
Rafiq's tip on how to vote for Big Brother Africa IV for free: “Luckily there are alternatives you are able to vote for Big Brother Africa housemates via the web and… *drum roll* MXit.”
Trinidad and Tobago: public decency?
News of seven people murdered in a single incident in Trinidad prompts bitter reflections from B.C. Pires: “what Trinidad’s ‘leadership’ reveals, more and more plainly each day … is what little sense of public decency there is left in the place.”
Barbados: seven photographers
The Bajan Reporter files a story from the opening of an exhibition of seven pioneering photographers in Barbados. “The old time cameras meant you had to be able to get it right the first time.”
Trinidad and Tobago: who pays for justice?
Jumbie's Watch reacts to news of a huge apparent shortfall in funding for the judicial system in Trinidad and Tobago's national budget for the coming financial year.
Trinidad and Tobago: touring Chacachacare
In words and pictures, My Chutney Garden recounts the history of the former leprosarium on Chacachacare, an island off the northwest coast of Trinidad.
Mexico: Spreading the Message of Islam
According to recent Census figures, there are 25,000 Muslims in Mexico, which represents .02% of the population. However, this community is using advertisements on public transportation and digital media to help spread their message.
Botswana: What Botswana Creative Writers Need
Lauri writes about creative writing and writers in Botswana: “I was told once that when the English Department at the University of Botswana suggested they start a creative writing programme there the vice chancellor asked – what for?”
India: Commercialization Of Professional Education
Ram Bansal at India In Peril criticizes the commercialization of professional education in India and the mushroom growth of institutions offering such education. The blogger comments: “The setting up of such institutions is not related to the demand of professionals in the country, but purely with a purpose exploiting en-masse...
Nepal: Maternal Health Care Challenges
Last week, two high profile visits brought maternal health care challenges in Nepal into media spotlight. But it will take more than high profile celebrity visits to bring relief to Nepalese mothers who suffer because of deep seated prejudice and lack of awareness.
South Africa: Top 10 Malema-isms
Prisha lists her top 10 Malema-isms. Julius Malema is a controversial figure in South African politics. He is the president of the ANC Youth League.
D.R. of Congo: Why Congo Matters
Why Congo Matters is a video by Emily Troutman who visited the Democratic Republic of Congo recently: “After spending a month in the Democratic Republic of Congo, I find myself speaking most often about the numbers: 5.4 million dead, 2,000 rapes per month, 17,000 UN soldiers, a war that started...
India: Tips on portrait photography
Charukesi at Itchy Feet shares some tips on how to capture that perfect portrait through the lense of your camera
India: Beer is against Indian culture?
Amit Varma, on India Uncut, wonders if beer is against Indian culture, after the Indian People's Party (BPJ) protested in opposition to a female minister who attended “a beer promotion party”.
Japan: The boyladies
An Englishman in Osaka introduced a theatrical troupe called the Takarazuka Revue Company. The group is famous for their boyladies – women performing man's role on stage.
China: Pretending to be a reporter
ESWN translated the Retrial of Wu Baoquan, a netizen sentenced to 2 year imprisonment for exposing a land dispute in Ordos city under the charge of libel. On 16 of September, the verdict of the retrial was released, apart from libel, the court introduced the new element of “pretending to...
Kenya: CEO of Wildlife Blogging Site Named Pop!Tech 2009 Fellow
Pop!Tech is coming again this October and on 9 September they issued a release announcing the 2009 Social Innovation Fellows which was also blogged about by Pop!Tech's Kristen Taylor. Pop!Tech is a conference set in Camden Maine, where every year scientist, artists and innovators meet to discuss ideas and world...
Argentina: Decline in Tourism
Jorge Gobbi of Blog de Viajes [es] writes about the decline in tourism in Argentina and attributes much of it to the H1N1 effect and economic crisis.
Mexico: Recent Explosions Around Capital
El Nahual of México para los Mexicanos [es] takes a look at some of the recent explosions around Mexico City. He writes that no one knows with certainty the motive, but points to a message found the 2nd explosion calling for a halt to the construction of the new “megaprison.”
Video: Call for submissions in Democracy Now Challenge
As the winners of the 2009 Democracy Now Challenge enjoy their reward in the USA, the submission period for the 2010 edition of the contest is opened to allow people from all over the world to complete the phrase "Democracy is..." in a video.
