Stories from 25 November 2008
Bahrain: A Day at the Dog Walk
Umm Naief in Bahrain takes a dog, Henry, to the Bahrain Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals annual Dog Walk and tells us all about her adventure here.
Bahrain: Blast from the Past
Bint Batutta in Bahrain links to photographs from Bahrain in the 50s from LIFE magazine's photo archive.
Syria: What About the Palestinian Human Rights?
Majd Syria (Ar) writes: “Western countries show off their support for human rights.. at the time they turn a blind eye to the most basic rights of Palestinians – their right to live in an independent free state, with sovereignty, an army, a currency, language, identity and capital.
Oman: Flying Cigarette Butts
From Oman, Kay writes: “Things I have seen in the last few days: sharks in a mall – Dubai mall Aquarium, a chihuahua in a lady’s tote bag in Muscat City Center), a dvd of my friend’s knee surgery, the most beautiful sunset, half a dozen lighted cigarette butts flying...
Russia-Ukraine: Denying the Great Famine
Finrosforum accounts for President Medvedev's view of Holodomor – the great famine in Ukraine 1932-33 – accusing those who speak about the “so-called Holodomor” of creating a rift between the two Slavic nations.
Russia: Fast Track Constitutional Changes
Robert Amsterdam discusses the quick changes to the Russian Constitution in favour of prolonging the presidential term to seven years.
Bahrain: ‘Censoring Free Speech is Like Blocking the Sun’
Boundaries and censorship cannot stop written words from spreading, says a Bahraini blogger. Those attempting to block the free flow of information are only trying to block out the sun, he says in this post written in Arabic.
Sri Lanka: Extra Judicial Killing By Police
Chitrangi describes a case of extra judicial killing by Police in Bandaragama, Sri Lanka and posts the testimony of the victim's wife.
Nepal: What is happening to the country?
Shristi notices that there is unnecessary tension in the daily life of the Nepalis: “In former times the country used to be lively and full of tourists but now you can hardly see a tourist walking in the streets as you pass by. The people are living in fear.”
Bangladesh: The rich and powerful are back
D in Dhaka notices that the rich and powerful of Bangladesh are back in business as the election approaches. They kept a low profile during the interim government’s crackdown on corruption.
Pakistan: A Dancer’s Perspective on Pakistan
CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan posts an interview of Sheema Kermani, a classical dancer, teacher, drama artist and women’s rights activist. Sheema describes how art and music have traditionally been viewed in Pakistan and what obstacles women face in Pakistan.
Japan: Employment promised and then revoked
Using the excuse of financial instability, new graduates in Japan, after being hired initially, are finding that unofficial promises of employment are then being revoked, a trend that blogger Akinori Nakamura [中村昭典] uses as a starting point for making observations on recent changes in the Japanese employment system. Nakamura-san compares...
Jamaica: Austism Speaks
“In Jamaica, the word ‘Autism’ is just now becoming a familar word. Years ago, having a child that was ‘different’ can warrant just titles as, ‘baffon’ or ‘Lagga Head'”: A Fe Me Page Dis Iyah is pleased that autistic children are finally beginning to get the help they need.
Trinidad & Tobago, U.K.: McDonald Signs Off
Discover TnT Blog pays tribute to Trinidad-born journalism icon Sir Trevor McDonald, who “has stepped down from ITN's main nightly news programme.”
Jamaica: Don't Worry, Be Happy
Active Voice wants to let you know “that despite the global financial meltdown and the downfall of another wall–Wall Street–WE ARE NOT IN PANIC MODE in Jamaica.”
Cuba: To Choose
“First there were the elections in the United States and now the issue has been revived with what happened on Sunday in Venezuela. It’s as if at the end of the year everything conspires to remind us of our condition as non-electors, our limited experience in deciding who leads us”:...
Trinidad & Tobago: Gender Gap
“The World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2008 not only listed Trinidad & Tobago as the regional leader in both the Caribbean and Latin America in closing the gender gap, but placed #19 of countries around the world making that kind of progress”: Discover TnT Blog‘s Caroline Neisha comments:...
Jamaica, Barbados, T&T: Bolt is Athlete of the Year
Jamaican Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt has been chosen as the International Athletic Foundation's ‘Athlete of the Year'; regional bloggers congratulate him.
Jamaica: The Real Story
Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp weighs in on the discussion about literary authenticity and the Caribbean writer: “Storytellers come and go, but the story of the Caribbean continues to evolve–waiting for storytellers to respond to the relationship between a people and a place through time.”
Azerbaijan: Eurovision Concerns
IN MUTATIONE FORTITUDO expresses it concern with recent local media reports speculating who might represent Azerbaijan in next year's Eurovision international song contest. The blog says that public money should not be wasted on such a competition, especially if the name of a late famous singer is being used to...
Senegal: Billionaire hopes auto rickshaws can create thousands of jobs
A plan to create 60,000 new jobs by importing tens of thousands of auto rickshaws to Senegal has sparked an impassioned online debate.
