Stories from 17 May 2006
The Week That Was – Bolivian Blogs
For the most part, blogs in Bolivia have been used by students, journalists, musicians, private citizens and by those who simply want a platform to write. Governmental institutions have been slow to warm up to the use of technology to respond to the needs of the general public. Most departments...
Chad: What is France doing there?
Generation Consciente, Une Autre Afrique asks (Fr) “What is France doing in Chad? In Africa?” and answers: “The day before yesterday, they waved the communist threat to explain France's presence in Africa. Yesterday Anglo-American jolts justified the need to stay. Today Islamist regimes peak their heads in and explain our...
Mongolia: Mining Association Reaction
Luke Distelhorst reports that the Mongolian National Mining Association held a meeting on the country's new windfall tax law, which has yet to be signed into law by the president. Mongolian mining companies were the most vocal opponents of the legislation.
Armenia: Clean Green Center
Nessuna wonders whether or not the designer of signs promoting a clean central Yerevan has a sense of humor.
Afghanistan: Reconstructing
In the wake of an international business conference in Kabul to explore ways to invest in Afghanistan, Afghan Warrior goes through many things that need attention
Armenia: Bikers
Onnik Krikorian posts on Armenia's small biker scene.
Georgia: Sheep on the Road
Hans has videos of sheep on the Georgian Military Road, showing it continues to be an important route through the Caucasus.
Kurdistance: Finding Rebirth in Grief
For my regular readers, I apologize for my absence, I lost a much beloved Uncle to Cancer of the Esophagus and was away dealing with family matters. In reading through the Kurdish blogs this week, I found a posting From Holland to Kurdistan with a similar situation: I feel sorry...
Ukraine: Photographer Victor Suvorov Remembered
Abdymok.net remembers Ukrainian photographer Victor Suvorov, who died May 11 of injuries sustained in a car crash April 26: “. . . he was blunt, and plowed ahead like a tank . . . […] and never asked permission to take a picture.”
Russia: Site Devoted to Victims of Racism
Daut of Ufa Blog is starting a memorial site devoted to the victims of racism in Russia. Some help is needed: “I have an incomplete list and very few photos. I have written various organizations and embassies, but so far haven’t received any replies. If anyone can help, particularly with...
Russia: Orthodox Baptism Ceremony
Browler attends a Russian Orthodox baptism ceremony of a friends’ baby and shares his impressions: “All the children being baptised (there were about seven of them) got quite wet. The priest was sufficiently liberal with his splashing of the holy water. They also had a small bit of hair cut....
Poland: Homophobic Coalition Party Official
The beatroot writes about Wojciech Wierzejski, the homophobic spokesman for the League of Polish Families, one of the three parties that make up Poland’s government coalition.
Poland: Different Kind of Diaspora
Aaron Fowles of p3 writes about young Polish friends who are planning to go to England to earn some money: “England is a shangri-la for many Polish people. It's the local version of the American dream: Work hard, earn money, be happy. Learn English for free.” Becca of Boo shares...
Mexico: Chilean Anthropologist Beaten and Deported
Antropologi.info is justifiably troubled by the deportation and beating of Chilean Anthropologist Valentina Palma when she went to San Salvador Atenco on Thursday, May 4 to document protests that erupted there. We will have much more on San Salvador Atenco and the reaction it has inspired later in the week.
Caribbean: The meaning of “excellent service”
Jamaican Francis Wade at Chronicles from a Caribbean Cubicle thinks about customer service in the Caribbean. “There is not a single island I have visited in which there is a local company giving excellent service to local people.” He tries to understand why, and congratulates the Sandals resort chain for...
India: Chennai and Right to Information
An online initiative takes off in Chennai to move volunteers to work towards being able to use the Right to Information Act.
Bangladesh: Guantanamo Bay and lack of information
Or how I leart to stop worrying comments on the information released on the two Bangladeshi detainees at Guantanamo Bay. “The information released by the Pentagon, on close examination, suggests that after 4 years of detention the United States Government does not have complete or accurate information on, at the...
Barbados: Common entrance examination
“Monday was Common Entrance Exam day in Barbados,” writes Titilayo at The Pan Collective. She explains why this exam (sometimes called 11-plus), which determines which secondary schools children will attend, is such a big deal. “To a child that age, it can probably feel like your entire future is hanging...
Pakistan: Who was Aamir Cheema
Lahore Metroblogging on a young student Aamir. “Aamir Cheema was a student in Germany. Apparently he went to assassinate the editor of Die Welt newspaper for publishing the infamous cartoons. Security arrested him in the lobby of the building and he was allegedly carrying a knife and told the police...
India: SMS Culture
Text messaging in India has found use across sectors. From finding cricket scores, to booking rituals in a temple. Kamla on the SMS culture in India.
Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia: Network neutrality
Caribbean bloggers are making noise about the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Efficiency Act of 2006, currently before the US Congress, which would permit “broadband discrimination” by ISPs. “It seems odd that the rest of the world has such little influence on this decision when so much of the world will...
