Stories from 14 July 2008
Brazil: “Forget adsense, I want a banner from the Senate!”
A blogger uncovered the story: the Brazilian Senate pays a monthly fee of US$ 30,084.61 for a 120×60 banner on an unknown website. Bloggers are now humorously trying to get a similar deal with the Senators, with many publishing the banner: "Dear Senators: Advertise on my site".
St Vincent & The Grenadines: Bollywood Magic
From St Vincent and the Grenadines, Lullabies, Fairy Tales and Other Self Delusions sees Jane Austen through an Indian film director's eyes—that's when he begins to realise he can't resist the attraction of Bollywood movies.
Trinidad & Tobago: Polluted Olympics
Looking ahead to the Olympics next month, Trinidad's Life from a caffeine hyped point of view says pollution is a sobering reality of these Games. Seeing photos of pollution, she says “makes you almost wish that Beijing was still The Forbidden City, and one cannot help but be saddened by...
Trinidad & Tobago: Internet Connection
Trinidadian blogger Four Fingers and a Thumb 2.0 learns a few things about music, and discovers there's a lot she still doesn't know about her mother.
Europe: Roma People in Italy
At A Fistful of Euros, a discussion of the situation with the Roma people in Italy, inspired by this piece from the Guardian's Comment is Free (229 comments).
Morocco: Fashion Island
Myrtus discusses fashion in the Middle East and tells us about Isla Moda (Fashion Island), a new fashion-conscious community in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Morocco: Abbas Fourak
cinema and movies shares information about Moroccan film director Abbas Fourak.
MENA: Reactions to the Mediterranean Summit
As over 40 leaders from the Mediterranean region gather in France for the inauguration of the new Union for the Mediterranean, the blogosphere is filled with mixed feelings. Jillian York checks up on the Middle Eastern and North African communities, bringing us reactions from Morocco to Syria.
Brazil: Senate pays 30,084.61 USD a month for banner
Carlos Cardoso [pt], from Contraditorium blog, secured a major scoop ahead of any media: according to him, the Brazilian Senate pays US$ 30,084.61 a month for a small advertising banner on the rather obscure website www.paraiba.com.br, which is number 208,667 in the Alexa ranking. See the links to he proves...
Western Sahara: Poetry and Spanish – The Permanent Links
For some cultures, it is food, for others it is music, and many cultures show their character in their architecture. For Western Sahara, one of their cultural characteristics is the oral tradition, and poetry is meaningful for Sahrawis.
Jamaica: Press Freedom
Jamaican blogger Diatribalist uses news clips showing an ugly interaction at a council meeting to illustrate how the media self-censors itself.
Jamaica: Conference Call
Active Voice gives an insightful report on a number of note-worthy academic gatherings, including the conference held in honour of the eminent Jamaican-born sociologist and poet MG Smith.
Hungary: Tipping; Underground Railway Museum
Hudin writes on “how tipping works in Budapest” and posts a note about the city's Underground Railway Museum.
Moldova: Transnistria's New Foreign Minister
Scraps of Moscow writes about Transnistria's new de facto foreign minister.
Cape Verde: No money for lifeguards?
“How to explain that there is no money to pay for lifeguards in our beaches, where more and more people have died? How come? Where do all fees and taxes paid in this land go then?”, asks Maktub, from Praia, Cape Verde.
Mongolia, Russia: Coverage of Unrest
Scraps of Moscow writes about the coverage of the recent unrest in Mongolia in the Russian press – here and here.
Moldova: Fear of “Colored Revolutions”
Scraps of Moscow writes about “a rather over-the-top attack on two democracy-promoting NGOs operating in Moldova,” delivered by the country's largest-circulation newspaper.
Egypt: Freedom House Report
The annual Freedom House report on Egypt is out, writes Ibn Al Dunya, who adds: “I was most fascinated by their brief historical outline, and must confess that i had trouble in galvanizing strength to read on.”
Saudi Arabia: Pious Wife Beating
From Cairo, Tom Gara posts a video [Ar] featuring a Saudi clergyman preaching on how to discipline wives. He adds: “This clip of a Saudi cleric explaining how to properly beat your wife is pure poetry – you couldn't make more perfect anti-Saudi propaganda if you tried.”
Egypt: Bird Flu?
Egyptian blogger Zeinobia wonders if her country will be effected by bird flu this summer.
China: Why did China veto sanctions against Zimbabwe?
Independent blogger Ruan Yifeng on Beijing's relationship with repressive governments: "What's more, while Beijing plays the role of "friend to the dictators" in negotiations with the US, it also stands to gain from the spoils. The North Korean nuclear crisis is a perfect example."
