12 December 2008

Stories from 12 December 2008

Trinidad and Tobago: Prime Minister's Health

  12 December 2008

Trinidadians and Tobagonians were shocked yesterday by news that Prime Minister Patrick Manning was diagnosed with kidney cancer. While few bloggers commented publicly, in more private forums like Facebook discussions are raging about the consequences of Manning's state of health.

Mexico: Shoeshiner Uses YouTube to Increase Business

  12 December 2008

Shoeshiner Juan Luna has come up with a clever way to attract business to his stand located in downtown Monterrey, Mexico. With the help of a friend, he posted a video on YouTube demonstrating his unique way of shining shoes with a brush in each hand. As a result, he has received more business from clients eager to see the shoeshiner in person. Blogger Issa Villarreal interviewed Luna to learn about his marketing strategy.

Turkey: All About Barbarossa

  12 December 2008

With news of pirates grabbing news headlines, Talk Turkey gives us a valuable lesson in history in this post on Ottoman era admiral Barbarossa (Redbeard) and asks: “Will the next wars be fought on the high seas again?”

Tunisia: Stop Kissing Our Children!

  12 December 2008

An infuriated Subzero Blue from Tunisia writes: “What is it with people who give themselves the right to kiss other people’s children without their permission? It’s very common here in Tunisia, and I don’t know what screwed up logic these people are following that says they can kiss a child...

Migrant Workers in the Gulf

  12 December 2008

Nimr, from America-Palestinian Kabobfest, discusses the issue of migrant workers in the Gulf – and how their governments are not fending for their rights thanks to the millions of remittance payments they send back home every month.

Where is Hossein Derakhshan?

  12 December 2008

Bangla blogger Jajabor Aronnyok writes about the detention/disappearance of well-known Iranian blogger Hossein Derakhshan aka Hoder. A supporter of freedom of expression, Aronnyok wants justice and freedom for Hoder.

Cuba: Damas March for Human Rights

  12 December 2008

Both Uncommon Sense and The Cuban Triangle report that the Damas de Blanco marched through Havana on Wednesday – without incident – to commemorate International Human Rights Day.

Pakistan: Crack Down On Militants

  12 December 2008

CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan reports: “On Thursday, Pakistan moved to ban the Jamat-ud-Dawa, the Islamic charity organization that has been linked to Lashkar-e-Toiba, the militant group that many believe were responsible for November’s attacks in Mumbai.”