The big story of the year in Southeast Asia was the global economic downturn. A rice and food price crisis hit the region last summer. It was compounded by the dramatic rise of oil and gas prices. When prices of these commodities began to stabilize, Wall Street announced the crash of several banks and major financial institutions in the United States.
A blog was set-up promoting East Timor's local products.
MV Doulos, the world’s oldest passenger ship and largest floating bookshop will visit East Timor next week.
Like the rest of the world, the China milk scandal has alarmed Southeast Asian countries. China is the major trading partner of Southeast Asian nations. Chinese goods are popular and accessible in the region. It is not surprising to learn that Chinese milk products which are contaminated by melamine have already been sold in local markets.
President Jose Ramos-Horta of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste delivered a statement at the 63rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Horta mentioned the improving economy of his country.
Dili-gence blogs about the coffee industry in East Timor
The head of media agencies in Timor-Leste participated in a joint press conference to raise awareness for the 100 Day Peace Campaign celebrated around the world. The specific theme in Timor-Leste is this: “What are you doing for peace?”
Asia's Perfect 10 raised a valid issue. The Southeast Asian (SEA) games logo has 10 rings representing the countries of the region. Another ring should be added to include Timor Leste.
Moriae [pt] celebrates the local teachers' victory after a manifestation over pay rise in East Timor. They used to be paid less than Portuguese teachers working in the country.
“A blog about economics of development, in particular about the East Timor economy, and about what can then be helpful to economic development of this country”, A.M. de Almeida Serra [pt] introduces a new blog about East Timor.
On May 5th 1999, Portugal and Indonesia signed a document agreeing to hold a UN-supervised referendum. Ângela Carrascalão [pt] reminds the date: “We all believed our destiny would be brilliant! Was it a long time ago? Not really. There have been only 9 years. And yet, although a historic day, who still remembers it in these troubled days in which we live? Who gets relieved in the goodwill spirit that back then cheered the leaders of the Timorese Resistance? And hope, where does it live?”
Ângela Carrascalão [pt] describes how rice entered East Timor via Indonesia, substituting native corn, and the problem the country now faces in times of food shortage: “When it was no longer part of the current diet of the East Timorese people, the population almost ceased to grow corn, and the idea that the maize could help to overcome the shortage of rice in the market is not even contemplated.”
It was a beautiful party
I was very pleased
I've still kept stubbornly
an old carnation for me
They have wilted your party
But they must have forgotten a seed
in some corner of the garden
(Song by Chico Buarque, to whom I beg forgiveness for my translation)Source: Global Voices OnlineBookmark/Search this post with:
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