Stories from 19 May 2009
Bangladesh: Ban Religious Parties?
Chowdhoury Mohibul Hassan Nowfel raises the question at E-Bangladesh whether the religious parties should be banned in Bangladesh.
Bahrain: Activism Widget Generator Launched
Mideast Youth has launched a widget generator to raise awareness on imprisoned bloggers, journalists and activists. “Setting up campaigns is not an easy task if you don’t have the right tools. There was one tool that we at Mideast Youth always felt was missing, and that was the ability to...
Sri Lanka: The Body Of Prabhakaran Creates Controversy
The statement by Sri Lankan government yesterday was that LTTE leader Prabhakaran was killed, and burnt beyond recognition when he was trying to flee in an ambulance. The End, Rising from the ashes notices when the body was shown on TV: “nobody from the Government had yet clarified how the...
Saudi Arabia: Why domestic violence will continue?
From Saudi Arabia, Nzingha shares her thoughts on why domestic violence will continue in the kingdom – where laws have remained unchanged despite the opening of shelters for women and the numerous conferences and meetings held to address this issue.
Yemen: A visit to Tarim
Yemeni blogger Omar Barsawad takes us on a trip to Tarim in this post, which is dotted with photographs.
Kuwait: On Angels and Demons
Kuwaiti blogger ZDistrict reviews Dan Brown's blockbuster Angels and Demons in this post. “I really recommend this movie, but I’m assuming if watched in Kuwait it will be really chopped up because it has so many religious references,” he notes.
Morocco: The Secret to Making Mint Tea
From Morocco, The View from Fez shares the secrets of making the “perfect Moroccan mint tea” in this photo post.
Bahrain: Message to Greedy Dealers: Let them Rust
Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al Yousif lends his voice to the Let Them Rust campaign, which aims to “force greedy car dealerships to reduce their prices.” “The essence of this campaign is to not buy cars, let the stock rust if need be, until dealers take active steps to make car...
Jordan: Calling a Spade a Spade in War on Child Abuse
From Jordan, Kinzi notes her admiration for Queen Rania's efforts on curbing child abuse. “It’s not too late to highlight her amazing ability to both take responsibility for temporary failure, point out the problems, call a spade a spade, and inspire leaders to attack the problem with renewed vigor,” writes...
Sri Lanka: Priorities After The War
A Voice In Colombo discusses about the two priorities Sri Lanka needs to address after the end of civil war; helping the IDPs and taking care of the injured veterans and families of the deceased.
Bahrain: Possible Pay Rise for MPs
Bahrain-based blogger Coolred38 cannot believe her ears: “This can only be a late April Fool's joke being played out to the masses…MP's might possibly be getting yet ANOTHER pay rise!!!”
Ecuador: The Legacy of Indigenous Leader Mama Tránsito
Many Ecuadorians are mourning the passing of one of its indigenous leaders, Rosa Elena Tránsito Amaguaña, better known as "Mama Tránsito." Her role in society as an activist and defender of indigenous rights has made her an inspiration for her perserveance and courage.
Paraguay: Skateboarding Day in Asunción
Guri is looking forward to the activities of Skateboarding Day in Asunción, Paraguay [es] on June 21.
Malawi: Twittering Malawi Elections 2009
Seven candidates are running for president in the fourth presidential elections in Malawi, including the incumbent Bingu wa Mutharika for the Democratic Progressive Party and the main opposition figure John Tembo, standing for the opposition coalition. Voters are also choosing their members of parliament. Anyone interested in the elections can follow updates from Malawian micro-bloggers.
Zambia: Live-Blogging a Groundbreaking HIV Discrimination Case
Priti Patel, project lawyer (HIV/Aids) for the Southern Africa Litigation Centre is in Livingstone, Zambia to live-blog a groundbreaking HIV discrimination case in the country.
Haiti: Minimum Wage Increase
Wadner Pierre says that “Haitian labor activists applauded the Preval administration's decision to raise the minimum wage in Haiti from 70 to 200 gourdes ($5.50 USD) per day”, but notes that “the increase has been strongly opposed by Haitian industrialists.”
Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago: Crop Over
Repeating Islands, Trinidad Carnival Diary and Islandista are getting into gear for Barbados’ 2009 Crop Over festival.
Trinidad & Tobago: Why the Enquiry?
Trinidad & Tobago diaspora blogger Jumbie's Watch has his eye on developments with the Commission of Enquiry into the local construction sector, and fears that nothing with come from its findings: “Why then are we spending millions of dollars for this enquiry? Is the report to be used in place...
Barbados: Budget Speech Reactions
Barbadian bloggers weigh in on the Prime Minister's much anticipated 2009 Budget Speech.
Jamaica: Dead and Gone…Where?
“You know crime is bad when there’s nowhere to put the bodies”: Jamaica Salt explains.
Guyana, Cuba: Day Against Homophobia
“What did it mean that there were no openly lesbian women where I lived in Guyana, a little over 20 years ago?” asks Signifyin’ Guyana, as she acknowledges the recent International Day Against Homophobia; Repeating Islands, meanwhile, notes that the occasion was recognized in Havana.
