Stories from 2 January 2006
Afghan Whispers
Taliban & Schools: Afghan women and girls were routinely victimized under the Taliban, who even denied them the right to go to school. President Karzai's government has given girls the opportunity to go back to schools but the Taliban is still trying to stop half the Afghan population from learning...
Chile: The Year in Review
Este artículo también está disponible en español. Chilean blogger, Julio Frank S. recently looked back over his archives and selected his most pointed posts (ES) of the past year. In doing so, he managed to capture a year of Chilean journalism, politics, and current events. What follows is a translation...
Brazil: Favela Funk
Noting the blogosphere's buzz about Kevin Federline's debut single “Popoção,” Arjan says that the favela funk genre from urban Rio de Janeiro could experience a pop boom in 2006. Made in Brazil, disappointed with the Federline track, thinks that “we are certainly going to have to count on a real...
Guatemala: 80's Commercials
One of the most original weblogs to appear in the Central American blogosphere as of late is Guate en los 80's (ES) and its video collection of 80's commercials from Guatemala. There is no need to speak Spanish to understand just how cheesy these 20-second ads are.
Argentina: Carlos Tevez Voted Best Football Player of the Year
Pavlos Skoufis writes that Argentine striker, Carlos Tevez was voted Latin America's best footballer of the year according to a poll held by El Pais in Uruguay. On a related note, a fan petition website has been launched requesting that Argentine legend Diego Maradona plays in the 2006 World Cup.
Americas: Remembering 2005 and Predicting 2006
Both A.M. Mora y Leon and Boz offer their top 10 lists for Americas stories of 2005. Adam Isacson, meanwhile, has some predictions for Colombia in 2006.
Iran: Journal Banned
An economic journal, Asia news, was banned by government. Journal's internet site is still active.
This Week in Palestinian Blogs: Occupy Me With Peace
Happy new prosperous year from KABOBfest and Haitham Sabbah. The Palestinian Blogosphere wish that 2006 would bring with it pleasant surprises and help us get over last year's misfortunes. And even though, some dark clouds are hovering over our heads, some of us have typed down some new year's resolutions....
China: Anti's Blog Shut?
Both the Chinese and English blogs of Zhao Jing, a.k.a. Michael Anti, have gone missing on MSN Spaces. EastSouthWestNorth has some initial thoughts about why.
China: Locust of Asia
Angry Chinese Blogger asks if China has become the locust of Asia: vaccuuming up foreign resources to satisfy its growing domestic consumption.
Indonesia: Bomb in Sulawesi
On the heels of a bomb explosion outside a store selling pork meat in Central Sulawesi, Dog Pundit discusses the latest development in troubled Muslim-Christian relations on the Indonesian island.
Indonesia: Jakartass’ Blog Awards
Jakartass lists the Indonesian blogs he likes: “The newly gained democratic right of one man – one (secret) vote, coupled with access to free hosting of personal websites and reasonably user-friendly editing tools has encouraged Indonesians to begin to express and share their concerns.”
Japan: History Lessons
The Japan History Blog reflects on a revealing exercise by a history teacher in Fukuoka: the teacher passed out mock draft cards and asked students to mark whether or not they would go to war for their country.
Syria: Why Khaddam?
AfterKhaddam shacked the earth under Syrians, Aleppous wonders, why would a man who for the past 40 years served his country loyally, occupying two of the most important jobs – foreign affairs and the vice-presidency — suddenly turn on his country? Ammar says, despite its sensationalist nature, we really should...
India: The world is no better
India: The world is no better
Bangladesh: The year that was
Bangladesh: The year that was
Bangladesh: Women and rights
Bangladesh: Women and rights
Nepal: Best and the Worst
Nepal: Best and the Worst
Pakistan: Hijab And Decency
Pakistan: Hijab And Decency
Bahrainis disillusioned with government and opposition
Another week of turmoil in the tiny country. An opposition figure's detention sparks riots at the sole international airport resulting in public property damage and several arrests.
Reactions to Arrest of Cambodian Human Rights Activist Kem Sokha
Photo of Kem Sokha via VOA Via Jinja who points to this AP wire story about the arrest of the Kem Sokha, Cambodian Center for Human Rights. It confirms that Yeng Virak, head of the Community Legal Education Center, was also arrested. The article provides more details about the banners...
