Stories from 1 October 2009
Bhutan: Premier Women's Magazine
Bhutanese journalist and blogger Dipika celebrates the launch of Bhutan's first women's magazine.
Nepal: Indian Currency Is Accepted
Paritosh Chakma informs that: “In Nepal, Indian Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes are not accepted. So, Indians have to carry Rs 100-notes which make your purse looks thicker. Everywhere you can pay in Indian Currency. The exchange is as follows: IC 100= NC 160.”
Bangladesh: The Need For A Spiritual Guide
“We accept teachers and masters in our life – at school, college, karate classes, even for driving lessons. But for the most important thing – the spiritual journey of our life – we believe we can do without a guide…” comments Sadiq Alam at Inspirations And Creative Thoughts.
Colombia: “Ojo al Sancocho” Community Film Festival
The International Film and Alternative and Community Video Festival called “Ojo al Sancocho” took place September 18-25, 2009 in Ciudad Bolívar in Southern Bogotá. During the week, Colombian audiovisual projects gathered to discuss and display their work.
Haiti: Thoughts on Dessalines
Repeating Islands republishes blogger Ezili Danto's perspective on “that most maligned of Haitian Revolution leaders, Jean Jacques Dessalines.”
Jamaica: Racist Cartoons?
Letter From Jamaica takes a visit to Kingston's National Gallery and posts photos of cartoons drawn in the early 1800s that “look kind of racist”.
Trinidad & Tobago: The Energy of Money
From Trinidad and Tobago, Now is Wow Too shares her perspective on money.
Trinidad & Tobago: Law or Ethics?
“I tend to come at things from an ethical standpoint whereas most seem to come from a legal standpoint”: Trinidad-based KnowProSE.com examines the law as opposed to ethics and politics versus real issues.
Jamaica: Hard Times
Stunner's Afflictions says that economic times are hard in Jamaica, while Iriegal remembers “the late 70's and 80's, when Jamaica was borrowing every 5 minutes from the IMF and the poor people were getting poorer”, adding: “I heard that they are much kinder and gentler now; I hope to God...
Dominican Republic: Constitution Bans Abortion in All Cases
After an intense debate, legislators from the Dominican Republic ratified an article within the Constitutional Reform that makes it illegal for a woman to terminate her pregnancy in all cases.
Cova Lima, East Timor: Political conflict can lead to consitutional crisis
The isolated district of Cova Lima, Timor-Leste has produced two major stories last month. While one is headline news in the English and Tetun speaking press, the other has received little attention beyond Tetun print and web media. Citing various web sources, GV author Keta Haluha provides a lucid introduction to the brewing political conflict in Cova Lima.
USA: Mapping DREAM Act Online Youth Movements
Immigrant high school and university students in the United States have used the internet effectively in building activist networks to support the passing of a law called the DREAM act.
‘Samoa will remember this day in her heart for ever’
Bloggers and citizen journalists are reacting to the massive earthquake and subsequent Tsunami that struck both Samoa and American Samoa, destroying crops, property and killing an estimated 150 people.
Philippines: 2.5 million persons affected by flooding
The number of flood casualties continues to rise in the Philippines: Almost 300 dead bodies. More than half a million individuals living in evacuation centers. And at least 2.5 million Filipinos affected by the flooding caused by Typhoon Ondoy. Bloggers are sharing their "typhoon" stories.
Global Health: HIV Vaccine Breakthrough?
For the first time, an experimental HIV vaccine has been shown to protect against the deadly virus, creating media buzz and giving the public health and HIV/AIDS communities hope.
