Stories from 19 June 2010
Peru: Southern Peru on Strike Reclaiming Gas
A 24-hour strike in protest of the Camisea gas export took place in various departments of southern Peru. The villagers complained about the gas moving abroad, while they have a great need of it in their regions. Rejection of other oil and irrigation projects was also part of the strike. Here we present a brief report and a collection of tweets from cities that participated in the protest.
Mexico: Visiting a Trotilleria
Carlos Hernández visited a small tortilla factory (“tortilleria” in Spanish) and reported on his experience on his blog Mas alla de Conoce México [es], where he includes images of the tortilla-making process.
Bangladesh: Netizens Surprised By Bandwidth Export Move
Bangladesh has one of the slowest and most expensive internet connections in the world and only about a quarter of the bandwidth capacity available is being used. Now the government has issued an international tender to lease out a big chunk of that capacity which irked some netizens.
Puerto Rico: Students Clean University Campus as a way of Celebrating Victory
University of Puerto Rico students’ campaign to clean up the campus and start community vegetable garden projects with the neighboring Rio Piedras kicked off earlier this week, days before they declared victory after successfully negotiating the conditions to end their two month strike.
Blogger Compares Russian Army to American Prison
Blogger mr_bison analyses [RUS] Russian military statistics. The results are shocking: Russian army is more dangerous environment for a human being than a prison in the US. Plus, almost every fifth death in the army is a suicide, another sad military fact says.
Myanmar: Birthday Wish for Aung San Su Kyi
Breathe.Dream.Write wishes a happy birthday to Aung San Su Kyi, who will be celebrating her 65th birthday under house arrest on June 19. The birthday celebrant is Myanmar's major opposition leader.
Myanmar: Landslide Kills 46 People in Rakhine State
Floods and landslides claimed the lives 46 people in Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships in Northern Rakhine State in Myanmar.
Philippines: Report on 2010 elections
The People's International Observers Mission 2010 published its findings and observations on the recently concluded presidential elections in the Philippines
Singapore: Town Council report questioned
Gerald Giam from Singapore questions the accuracy of a local Town Council report approved by the government.
Remembering the 1969 Singapore great flood
As parts of Singapore were submerged in floodwaters a few days ago, The Long and Winding Road recalls the great flood of 1969 in Singapore.
Singapore: Youth Olympic Games
The first Youth Olympic Games will take place in Singapore on August. Young athletes – aged between 14 and 18 years – will compete in 26 sports events.
Malawi: On fake gays
Victor discusses the issue of fake gays in Malawi: “I had argued that while I acknowledge there are gays and lesbians in Malawi, the noise underway involved players whose genuineness I doubted.”
Myanmar blog stats
Htoo Tay Zar links to a technorati stat on the number of blogs and blog posts in Myanmar
Myanmar: Opposition website hacked
The Irrawaddy reports that photayokeking.org, an opposition website in Myanmar was attacked by hackers. The website provides alternative information about the Myanmar military
Ethiopia: Musician receives honorary degree
Arefe writes about Ali Birra who is one of the premiere artists of his generation, dominating the national Oromo music scene in Ethiopia.
Gambia: The Gambia Blog
The Gambia Blog is written by Matt Smith and Kathy Burrington who share their 20 years of experience in the Gambia.
Africa: Selling African Knowledge
Scribbles from the Den republishes an article that argues for the need to raise awareness about the value of Intellectual Property (IP) in Africa.
El Salvador: One Laptop per Child
The Education Ministry of El Salvador has started giving out XO laptop computers –from One Laptop per Child– to low-income students. Tim's El Salvador Blog says 400 children from 5 schools have received their laptops: “A year from now, the goal is to have the computers in the hands of 78,000 students...
Bangladesh: Law Makers Guilty Of Not Paying Phone Bills
Abu Saeed Khan at LIRNEasia informs that there are almost US$10 million phone bill dues from present and previous lawmakers of Bangladesh parliament.
Sri Lanka: Reflections On The Problems In Gaza
Sri Lankan MP and blogger Rajiva Wijesinha reflects on the adjournment of resolution on the problems in Gaza: “the world is desperately in need of consensus based on universally accepted principles of justice, rather than continuing indulgence to old victims by old victimizers.”
Mali: World Cup Fans React to Referee's Controversial Call
the decision by Malian referee Koman Coulibaly to disallow a US goal has caused a major stir at the World Cup. Many Bloggers were outraged by the call while others ask for a bit of perspective.
