Stories from 5 January 2010
Sri Lanka: Paying Global Media For Local Elections
Sri Lanka's incumbent president Mahinda Rajapakshe's aggressive re-election campaign includes purchasing banner ads on leading global media sites. Groundviews questions what is the point of paying global media for local elections.
Pakistan: State Of The Media In Balochistan
Marvi Sirmed at Baghi writes about the State of the Media in Balochistan, Pakistan in 2009.
India: Contemporary Art In 2009
JohnyML at By All Means Necessary summarizes the progress of Indian contemporary art within India during the year 2009.
Bangladesh: Becoming A Service Oriented Nation
“Bangladesh, is becoming more of a service oriented nation and a customer service culture is developing more than ever before,” comments Zain Mahmood, a non-resident Bangladeshi and the CEO of a US-based multinational company, after visiting Bangladesh recently.
South Asia: Looking Back At 2009 (Part 2)
This is the second part of our retrospection of some of the major events, which took place in 2009 in the South Asian countries, seen through the eyes of the citizen journalists.
Bolivia: The Life of a Taxi Driver in El Alto
Blogger Wilfredo Jordán takes a closer look at the life of a taxi driver in El Alto, Bolivia. In addition to the long working conditions for little pay, they often face dangerous situations from passengers.
Kazakhstan: Bloggers discuss the Customs Union and public welfare
Bloggers discuss what the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, which came into force on January 1, 2010, would give Kazakhstan. A trade bloc of three countries is viewed by the governments as the first step towards deeper integration into the Eurasian Economic Union. Some experts believe this is...
China: Will you accept ‘Naked Marriage’?
A new term has become popular recently among Chinese netizens: ‘naked marriage’ (裸婚). Don’t be mistaken, but the term has a special meaning: it means getting married without a house, a car, a diamond ring and a proper wedding ceremony. Just taking a picture and getting a marriage certificate is...
Philippines: Remembering the Maguindanao Massacre
Bloggers share their thoughts one month after the massacre of more than 60 men and women in Maguindanao, Philippines. The suspects in this gruesome crime belong to a warlord clan formerly allied with the incumbent president.
Australia: Indian Homicide Reignites Racism Ruckus
The murder of an Indian migrant in Melbourne has reignited the debate about racism in Australia and the safety of overseas students. It has also severely strained relations between Australia and India. GV author Kevin Rennie gathers the reactions of bloggers in Australia
Puerto Rico: The Crime of Corruption
“Most people, when confronted with the topic of corruption in government spheres, tend to shrug it off, like it's a death in a distant neighbor's family, a common occurrence not worth thinking about”: Puerto Rico's Gil the Jenius takes a closer look.
Suriname: Ferrier Dies at 99
Repeating Islands acknowledges the passing of Suriname's first President.
Kazakhstan: Patriotism and Democracy
In the last weeks of 2009, the Kazakh bloggers’ comments were concentrated around two topics – patriotism and democracy in the Republic of Kazakhstan. PATRIOTISM The level of patriotism in the society keeps on provoking interest of various parties. The nationalist circles complain on prevalence of the Russian language in...
Trinidad & Tobago: Woman is Boss?
Islandista wonders if the time has come for a female political leader in Trinidad and Tobago.
Trinidad & Tobago: This is Madness
“The major concern is being able to afford the fetes, playing mas and surviving post Carnival”: Trinidad Carnival Diary says 2010 fete prices are getting more and more out of reach for the average party-goer.
Jamaica: Bountiful Behaviour
After Jamaican dancehall artist Bounty Killer goes on a tirade against homosexuals at an upscale charity concert, Stunner says: “Dancehall artistes need to wake up and learn how to conduct themselves appropriately based on the given environment.”
Guadeloupe: 2010 another year of social struggle?
The Guadeloupean blogosphere has been buzzing for about a week around one question: “2010, a year of social struggle?” asked by blogger Shakazulu [Fr Cr], sparked by another recent rise in the price of oil products, as explained by Shakazulu [Fr Cr], Indiscrétions [Fr] and Bondamanjak [Fr]
Martinique, French Guiana: Referendum for more autonomy from France
Bloggers from Martinique [Fr] and French Guiana have been posting for months about the upcoming popular referendum to decide whether they want to change their political status and gain more autonomy from France [Fr], or keep the same status. Answer on Sunday, January 10th 2010 [Fr].
Azerbaijan: Winter blues
Linda in Azerbaijan details the downside of being a Peace Corps Volunteer in the South Caucasus. Based in Azerbaijan, she says that winters can be particularly depressing and fitting in with the local culture sometimes frustrating.
Japan: New Year customs
Lee from Tokyo Time posts photos of Japanese new year customs.
Lebanon: Worker's Suicide Tragedy ‘Ignored’
Matthew Cassel reports the suicide of Theresa Seda, a Filipino domestic worker in Beirut. Read the chilling details of how such suicides- which have been increasing in numbers- are going ignored at Justimage.
