Stories from 1 November 2008
Southeast Asia: The Power of the Pontianak
One of the most enduring legends of South East Asia is the Pontianak, said to be a bone-white lady, with ruby-red eyes, who is borne from her death in birth-giving. The Pontianak, or sometimes called the "Kuntilanak", lives in almost all of South East Asia, except the Indochina region.
Bangladesh: Right to Information Ordinance 2008
Tahmina Shafique analyzes the strength and loopholes of the recently drafted Right to Information Ordinance 2008 in Bangladesh and opines that it may require many years before the act can be put to real use.
India: Media turning people neurotic
Sans Serif quotes Prof U.R. Anantha Murthy, a writer and thinker from Kannada, India and questions: “the Indian media’s role in whipping up ‘mass hysteria’ through its breathless coverage of the recent terror attacks and the arrest of the suspects behind them.”
Venezuela: The Launch of the Simón Bolívar Satellite
After three years in the making, the government of Venezuela placed the Simón Bolivar satellite into orbit, which will be used for telecommunications projects for the country and for Latin America. The launch of the satellite, named for the national liberator, was watched by Venezuelan bloggers, who approve of the event because of its ability to take communication services to more people, but also recognize that there are still other unmet needs in the country.
Cameroonian Bloggers Close-in on the US Presidential Elections
As the countdown to election day narrows, Cameroonian bloggers have also stepped up their postings on the issue. Dibussi Tande, who blogs at Scribbles from the Den is interviewed on the issue by Ngum Ngafor who blogs at Dulce Camer. One of the questions is how Cameroon could benefit from the next American Presidency.
Saudi Arabia: Appeal and Your Sentence is Doubled up!!
Saudi Arabia has sentenced Egyptian doctor Raouf Amin to seven years in prison and 1,500 lashes. What for? Nermeen Edrees brings us the story straight from his wife's mouth - who blogged about it.
Georgia: Tbilisi favors McCain
Cult of the Dead Fish says that Georgia's interest in a McCain victory in next week's U.S. presidential election is based on self-interest. The blog says that following the recent war with Russia, a Republican victory is more likely to increase U.S. support for the country.
Armenia: Defense Spending
The Armenian Economist comments on the size of the Armenian military budget and notes that it pales into insignificance compared to that of Azerbaijan and Turkey, the country's traditional foes in the region. The blog wonders if it wouldn't be better to spend more on education and health care instead.
Armenia: Blogger Nominated
London-based Armenian blogger Mark Grigorian [RU] has been nominated for Reporters Without Borders’ award in this year's Deutsche Welle Best of Blogs (BoBs).
Nagorno Karabakh: Peace in Sight?
My The Caucasian Knot examines the prospects for a framework peace agreement ahead of tomorrow's meeting between the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian presidents in Moscow. Although there is some optimism that the talks might yield such an agreement over the status of the disputed mainly Armenian populated territory of Nagorno...
Armenia: Shootings
Unidiana [RU] posts an eyewitness account of a shooting in a back yard that left at least one dead. The blogger notes the inaction of the police despite the presence of children. Kornelij Glas [RU] also comments on the incident.
Philippines: McCain will win
Loy meets World from the Philippines believes US Senator John McCain will pull off the biggest upset in US presidential elections history.
Philippines: Dealing with office politics
My Daily Blog Diary from the Philippines writes about how to deal with office politics.
Brazilian myths and haunts in the Lusosphere – Part 3
To bring this series about Brazilian myths, legends and haunts as seen on the Lusosphere to a great close, we couldn't choose a better entity to speak about than Saci Pererê. After being introduced to mythic beings like Cuca, Boitatá and Curupira in the first article, and reading the intriguing narratives about Cabeça de Cuia and Caboclo D'Água, among others, in the second article of the series, now it's time to delve into the mysteries of the most famous being from Brazilian mythology.
MV Doulos in East Timor
MV Doulos, the world’s oldest passenger ship and largest floating bookshop will visit East Timor next week.
Vietnam: Respect ‘bao ve’
‘Bao Ve’ in Vietnam refers to “motorbike security, parking staff, or even valets.” The Comical Hat reminds us to be kind to ‘Bao Ve’.
Singapore: Advice for expatriates
Lam Chun See from Singapore has a message for expatriates: “If you want to come to work and live in Singapore, you should adapt to our ways and not expect us to adapt to yours.”
Ukraine: More on Political Chaos and the Economy
Moscow Rules praises Mykhaylo Petechuk's text on Ukraine's economic situation posted on Mmd Russia Blog. Petechuk writes: “But we are skeptical about the real impact the IMF can have on three people who are competing with each other for the position of President in upcoming Presidential elections and a political...
Russia: “RIP Muslim Magomayev, Soviet Superstar”
Foreign Policy Association's Russia blog pays tribute to Muslim Magomayev, “the original Soviet mega-star” who “was many things: a quintessential dandy who also happened to be a People’s Artist of the USSR; a trained opera singer with a Sinatra’s showman touch; a brilliant scion of an family of artists and...
Russia, U.S.: Election Coverage
Russia Blog writes that, in addition to writing regularly on McCain/Palin and Obama/Biden, “Russian mainstream media also give a fair amount of coverage to minor party American presidential candidates, who, somehow, are left unnoticed in their own country.”
Russia, Ukraine, Somalia: Cargo Ship “Faina”
Russian Navy Blog posts updates – here and here – on the capture of the MV Faina cargo ship by Somali pirates. At the time of the capture, the ship's crew consisted of 17 Ukrainian citizens, three Russian citizens and one citizen of Latvia; the ship's Russian captain died from...
