Stories from Quick Reads from April, 2006
Rep. of Congo: Activists Free At Last
Le Pangolin celebrates (FR) the liberation of human rights activists Mounzeo Christian and Brice Massoko. But the blogger cautions vigilance because “they are not yet completely free to go about .” He adds: “dictators are afraid of publicity regarding their ugly ways. Since they like to act as saints, we...
Iran: Virginity Matters!
IranJensy (Persian) says virginity of a girl is so important in Iranian society. Blogger asks how men, who have had sex with many women can expect the girls have no sex before getting married?
Iran: Refugee Seekers in Church!
Panhajoyan (Persian) writes that a small group of Iranian refugee seekers, since 24 April, have occupied a church in Belgium to stay in country. Many Iranian refugee seekers are under threat by Belgian government to be sent back to Iran.
Iran: Blogger Remains in Jail!
Webgardian writes according to ILNA (Iran Labour National Agency) Arash Sigarchi's, jailed blogger & journalist, appeal was rejected by Supreme Court. He must stay in jail for three years.
Martinique: Tourists Turned Off
Bien Vu worries (FR) that Martinique is turning tourists off. Some have complained to him, he says, about: “a poor welcome, bad company, not feeling safe during their vacations and to top it all off, women being the subject of obscene insults.”
China: Truth penetrates firewall
In ‘China Good News Vol. 3‘, the Laowiseass blogger posts a letter from a reader: “I just saw a PBS documentary about what happened in Beijing in the summer of 1989 with my roommates. The three of us were shocked by not only the bloody, barbarian event, but also the...
Martinique: Gas Ration In Case of Strike
Bien Vu laments (FR) rumors of an imminent gas station strike and hopes a new twenty Euro per person ration is not in vain. “You don't want to be driving a 4X4 right now” he says.
China: Blogger still held
With help from her father and friends, Nina Wu—older sister of illegally-detained Beijing or Bust blogger Hao Wu—has become a one-woman lobbying force as seen in today's post ‘contact‘.
Martinique: Do Not Piss Here
Bien Vu finds a “Do not piss here” bilingual french/creole sign near the Tourism Bureau in downtown Fort-de-France and concludes “In Martinique, we spell things out.”
DRC Diaspora: UDPS Wallonie May 1st Forum
On May 1st, UDPS Wallonie will hold a conference in Liege, Belgium to explain why UDPS will not partake in the upcoming DRC elections, says (FR) UDPS Liege. Details are in the post.
East Timor: Update from the streets
Things have quietened down in Dili, the East Timor capital. Blogger at Dili-gence drives around the streets of central Dili to look at the damage. A largely peaceful protest by sacked soldiers turned violent on Friday when gangs of unemployed youths joined in started looting.
Venezuela: New CNE Board and Friday Night Fiesta
While Katy explains how the board of Venezuela's Electoral Council (the elections governing body) is selected, Francisco gives some background on the new five board members. Away from politics, Adriana of CaracasCafe recommends getting rowdy tonight at El Tunel's open bar.
Mexico: Review of the Debate
Dark Diamond Network has a comprehensive and articulate summary of the Mexican presidential debate and how each participant fared.
Mexico: Presidential Race Attracts Bumps Up Bandwidth
Boli-Nica reveals that the Mexican presidential race is generating quite a bit of traffic around the web, including a share of anti-Obrador blogs.
Bolivia, Venezuela, Cuba: Morales’ TCP
Evo Morales has announced a free trade agreement with Venezuela and Cuba. A free trade agreement except that it shall be called a TCP, or “Trade Agreement of the Peoples.” Alvaro Ruiz-Navajas explains the difference, or lack thereof, in a two part series. Chilean blogger Carlos Gustavo Machicado Salas has...
Mexico: Debate Didn't Change Voters’ Decisions
Two polls taken after this week's presidential debate show Felipe Calderón as the winner despite bloggers’ insistence that it was Patricia Mercado who left in best shape. Another poll, however, reveals that 90% of those surveyed did not consider changing their vote after viewing the debate. For more numbers from...
Argentina: History Finds a Home
Robert Wright explains the etymology of the Buenos Aires neighborhood, Caballito. If in the area, you'll soon have a chance to see the original namesake.
World: Farmer's Market International Parade
Melissa De Leon and Elena Hernandez are co-hosting the “The Farmer's Market International Parade” where participants from across the world post photos of their neighborhood markets, which will then be collected and linked to. So far, entries have been received from Venezuela, Mexico, Trinidad, UK and Panama. Entries will be...
Ukraine: Markets Won't Wait
At Foreign Notes, LEvko writes that Ukrainian president expects the coalition to be formed sometime in June, and Scott W. Clark cautions that this may be a bit too long for the country's economy: “If, as LEvko reports, this mess won't be sorted out until June, will the markets hold...
Mongolia: News of the Week
neweurasia rounds up and discusses the week's news from Mongolia.
Kyrgyzstan: Issyk-Kul by Bike
JJ writes about visiting villages on Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul by bike.
