12 September 2008

Stories from 12 September 2008

Madagascar: Living abroad changes a man

  12 September 2008

In an article published in March, economists William Easterly and Yaw Nyarko noted that in Sub-Saharan Africa, remittances (money sent by immigrants abroad back to their home countries) on average amounted to 81 percent of the foreign aid received by an individual country. The role of the diaspora in the...

Saudi Arabia: Women and their drivers

  12 September 2008

“In Saudi Arabia you can tell a lot about a woman by her relationship with her driver. Yes I call it a relationship. Because, unlike anywhere in the world, drivers are a necessity and not a luxury that is used on a whim.” Read a description of the different relationships...

Singapore: New rule for cigarettes

  12 September 2008

Singapore Customs announced yesterday that they are taking extra strides against illegal cigarette smoking. Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, in addition to the graphic warning labels that already line the shelves of 7-11s, every cigarette in Singapore will need to be marked with the letters SDPC. Bloggers – smokers and nonsmokers – react.

Showbiz candidates in Indonesia

  12 September 2008

The 2009 Indonesian elections get more interesting (or disappointing?) as entertainment celebrities have been tapped to run for elective posts.

Malaysian blogger arrested again

  12 September 2008

Hard-hitting Malaysian blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin was arrested again by police for allegedly violating Malaysia's Internal Security Act. Another journalist was arrested too.

Thailand: Samak out, but protests continue

  12 September 2008

Thailand's Prime Minister was ordered by the court to step down for violating the constitution. But Bangkok protesters vow to continue with their campaign until political reforms are instituted.

Arabeyes: Daily life during Ramadan

  12 September 2008

In this post we look at different experiences of everyday life across the Arab world during Ramadan. We hear how Palestinians are coping in Gaza, how an Italian deals with Ramadan in the West Bank, have a glimpse into a Saudi household about to break the fast – and get tips from Bahrain on how to curb profanities during the holy month.

Japan: Nike buys out name of public park

  12 September 2008

Nike Japan, the Japanese subsidiary of sportswear multinational Nike, will turn a public park in central Tokyo, Miyashita Park, into what they call “Nike Park”. The naming rights have already been acquired from the Ward for about 150 million Yen, which will be paid over the next 5 years, and the go-ahead for the work was given last August. Bloggers give their thoughts about the move.

Kenya: The Looming Class War

  12 September 2008

James Muritu discusses the looming class war in Kenya. He writes, “I remember reading, almost a year ago, an article by the former member of parliament for Subukia, Hon. Koigi Wamwere, that spoke of a section of Kenyans retreating to high-walled complexes in search of solace and security.”

Russia: Western Response

  12 September 2008

Robert Amsterdam writes that “the Western response to [the Russian-Georgian conflict] should be mercantile and specific. The West should attack the visas, bank accounts and financial transactions of those involved in the planning of this invasion, as well as those who intend to invest in these occupied territories.”

Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.A.: Sexual Politics

  12 September 2008

“Her winning smile and girl next door looks serv(e) to convince me that she could possibly be the scariest woman to be seen in western politics since Margaret Thatcher. But what I don’t appreciate is the fact that the American media did what can only be interpreted as an honour...

Cuba: How to Help

  12 September 2008

Havana-based blogger Yoani Sanchez says: “Despite the air of triumph they present to us on the TV news, talking about ‘hurricane recovery’, Cubans are very worried” and writes another post about the best ways to help Cuban hurricane victims.

Barbados: War Games?

  12 September 2008

“The arrival of the Tu-160’s in Venezuela and the recent announcement that Russia will deploy its Northern Fleet to the Caribbean Sea to conduct joint exercises with the Venezuelan Navy has started to raise eyebrows…”: Barbados Underground wonders if war games are starting to be played out in the Caribbean.

Mozambique: Political crisis in central city of Beira

  12 September 2008

Angry Renamo supporters poured onto the streets of Beira in a protest against the Party's decision of substituting current mayor Davis Simango by Manuel Pereira as the Renamo's candidate for municipal governance in the local elections taking place on November 2009. Historian Egidio Vaz writes on his blog an open letter to the Renamo President, Afonso Dhlakama.