1 December 2009

Stories from 1 December 2009

Maldives: On The Swiss Minaret Ban

  1 December 2009

Mohamed Aseel Hassan from Maldives comments on the Swiss minaret ban: “I am outraged that one of the most liberal countries in the world would vote to pass such a ridiculous motion. It's a gross violation of peoples right to freedom of religion and of expression.”

Uruguay: Mujica is President After Run-off Election

  1 December 2009

The candidate from left-wing party The Broad Front José "Pepe" Mujica obtained the majority of the votes on the run-off election for the presidency of Uruguay, making him the first former guerrilla member to reach the presidential chair.

Bhutan: Another Ban

  1 December 2009

After the tobacco ban, Penstar informs about another prohibition in Bhutan; local authorities have banned alcohol during the choedpa festival in Wamling village.

Pakistan: Lest We Forget

  1 December 2009

M.P. Bhandara at All Things Pakistan comments on the issue of the stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh: “How cynical can we get as a nation? We can tolerate the presence of a million plus illegals from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma and Afghanistan in Karachi but we shut the door tight on...

France: The Day Without Immigrants

  1 December 2009

With the embittering background of the French official debate about "national identity", a "Day Without Immigrants" was announced to take place on the 1st of March, 2010. How would the economy and society fare if so-called immigrants suspended all activity during 24 hours ?

Trinidad & Tobago: Gay Issues at CHOGM

  1 December 2009

gspottt says that “for the first time at a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting…in Trinidad & Tobago, there was significant representation of GLBTQ (gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender/queer) activists among civil society participants, and a concerted effort to highlight issues of sexual citizenship and rights.”

Bermuda: PATI Opinions

  1 December 2009

Bermudian bloggers put in their two cents’ worth on the proposed Public Access to Information Legislation.

Arab World: Reactions to the Swiss Ban on Minarets

  1 December 2009

On Sunday, November 29, 57.5% of Swiss voters approved a ban on the construction of new minarets atop mosques, paving the way for a constitutional amendment. The ban has sparked mixed reactions throughout the Arab and Muslim blogospheres: While some bloggers are outraged, others make the point that banning minarets does not hinder practicing the faith.

Hong Kong: Democracy

  1 December 2009

Tom Legg blogs about the recent political scandal on the attempt by the Beijing Basic Law expert in re-interpretation of the meaning of democracy in Hong Kong.

World AIDS Day: Reflections and Raising Awareness

  1 December 2009

While it's true that most people know by now that HIV/AIDS poses a threat, World AIDS Day, which takes place today, attempts to focus the world's attention on this disease for a day and show just how big a threat still persists.

China: Environmental issues, citizens on move

  1 December 2009

Last Thursday, in a press conference the Chinese premier Wen promised a 40% carbon emissions cut by 2020 as a measure to deal with climate change. Facing suspicion and questions, he reiterated the next day in a meeting with developing countries that it was a ‘serious and solemn promise’. But...

Japan: Moving Beyond a TV Drama Production

  1 December 2009

There are some television shows that become fashion trend setters (à la Sex and the City) but what would you think if a show was designed as a vehicle to sell clothes? With television stations in a financial slump with shrinking advertising revenues, Kansai Television is experimenting with a new...