Stories from 4 March 2010
Armenia-Turkey: US Congressional panel adopts Genocide resolution
In what turned out to be a nail-biting vote, the US congressional House Foreign Affairs Committee today voted on a non-binding resolution recognizing the massacre and deportation of Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire as Genocide. Outside observers live-tweeted the vote.
Russia: RuNet Grew 37 Percent in 2009
The Russian Internet grew 37 percent in 2009 and now consists of more than two and a half million domain names, said Andrey Kolesnikov, director of the National Domain Coordination Center.
Russia: Every Third Family Has Internet Access
Every third Russian family has an access to the Internet, a new Russian telecommunication market research by Gfk showed. According to Lenta.ru, Moscow has the biggest Internet penetration rate of 52 percent, while the Russian Far East region has the lowest penetration rate of 21 percent.
Pakistan: Public Transport Of Karachi Requires Improvement
Spring Of Autumn lists a series of problems associated with the current public transport of Karachi and urges the authorities to hear their plights.
Sudan: Is ICT all it's cracked up to be?
The Financial Times recently reported that a multimillion dollar World Bank plan to supply Juba, the capital of Southern Sudan, with computers and Internet access has fallen through. The news forces the question: is the hype surrounding information and communication technology (ICT) justified?
FarmVille And Facebook
“It is hard to be on Facebook and avoid Farmville. It’s Global addiction,” comments Hina Safdar at Chowrangi Blog while discussing the popularity of the online Facebook game app.
India: Nithyananda Scandal On Twitter
Blogadda compiles the reactions of some Twitter users on the recent scandal of Swami Nithyananda, a Karnataka based spiritual leader.
Bangladesh: Save The Wounded Whale
A whale entangled with a latch of fishing net on its tail fins was seen by a tourist group in the Swatch-of-No-Ground (SONG) of Bay or Bengal, the largest submarine canyon on the Bangladesh shelf. Kewkradong urges for a cumulative action to save the life of the wounded whale.
Haiti: Short Order
Repeating Islands is pleased that “Carel Pedre, a Haitian radio host who used Twitter to inform the world about the earthquake which ravaged his country” was among users honoured at the annual Shorty Awards.
Jamaica, U.S.A.: Extradition Issues
“Although Bruce Golding stated that his government is doing nothing to harm its relations with the United States government…I beg to differ”: The Wickedest Time blogs about Jamaica's decision regarding the extradition of Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.
Cuba: Gorki Re-Entry?
Repeating Islands notes that Cuban punk rocker Gorki Águila, “known for raunchy lyrics criticizing Fidel Castro says he will try to return to the island after an 11-month absence.”
Trinidad & Tobago: The CLICO Question
“As we move forward into the deep waters of the CL Financial bailout, the picture becomes murkier and less encouraging”: Trinidadian blogger Afra Raymond examines “three of the main areas which need urgent explanation.”
Africa: The future of technology in Africa
Juliana's thought provoking piece on the future of technology in Africa: “Before I get to the five ideas that shape my perspective on futurity in Africa, I found myself asking, where are the African futurists?”
Africa: Can France Telecoms dominate East Africa?
Rebecca's advice for France Telecom if it has to succeed in East Africa: “Whatever it is, I think if France telecom is to challenge the domination of other bigger companies, they need to start acting like them, in response to the public, otherwise their silence does not smell like they...
Africa: The future of Technology in Africa
Juliana's thought-provoking piece on the future of technology in Africa: “Before I get to the five ideas that shape my perspective on futurity in Africa, I found myself asking, where are the African futurists?”
Kenya: Launch of Nairobi's Innovation Hub
Njeri writes about the launch of Nairobi's Innovation Hub (iHub) at the Bishop Gatimu Magua Centre on Ngong Rd. in Nairobi, Kenya.
Africa: Quick hits in the African Tech space
Quick hits in the African Tech space from Erik: “StarTrack is a new location based tracking service in Nigeria, Loy Okezie has a good overview of this new service from Starcomms.”
Uganda: Landslides have always been a problem
Rosebell discusses mudslides in Eastern Uganda: “Landslides have always been a problem in eastern Uganda but what has been put in place to lessen the risk of many in these villages being buried whenever it rains.”
South Africa: South Africa stand up comedy
SA Rocks posts a video of Don Packett, a South Africa stand up comedian: “This man makes me laugh. And yes, sure, he’s a friend so I sort of have to say that, but I really, really mean it. Honest”
USA: March 4 Day of Action to Defend Education
The March 4 National Day of Action to Defend Education is underway at several United States universities. Students are protesting against tuition fee hikes and racism, and for free publicly-funded education.
Africa: Should Sports Club be community driven or tribal affair?
What is the best model for running sports clubs?: “In the last few months, I have been feeding off comments and conversations about the need for sports clubs and more specifically football clubs to embrace ‘tribal’ outfits (for lack of a better word).”
