Stories from 15 August 2010
France: Expulsions of Roma people from Camp Sites Stir Feelings of Shame
As Roma people are expelled from campsites by security forces under the supervision of the French Ministry of Internal Affairs, Club de l'Europe blog [Fr] links to a video entitled “How many hens did we steal from you this year?“. “We shot these images in march 2003. Now the same people...
Morocco: English as the Second Language
Said Bellari, a writer for Moroccoboard.com, advocates the gradual eradication of the dependence on the French language, and the introduction of English as the official second language of Morocco. In his essay, he introduces a newfangled concept known as “disliteracy.” reports Nabila Taj.
Pakistan: Sluggish Help For The Flood Victims
Osama Bin Javaid criticizes the sluggish response of the Pakistan government and the international community to help the flood victims in Pakistan. The blogger asserts: “the world must DO MORE and do it NOW.”
Pakistan Floods: Why Should We Care?
Ethan Casey tries to widen awareness of the massive devastation of the Pakistan floods beyond stereotypes which are present in the West. The post includes some links to organizations for donations to flood relief for the victims.
Mozambique: Discussing Culture of Work in Africa
The statement that was made by the billionaire Mo Ibrahim, during his recent visit to Mozambique, saying that “Africans don't have a culture of work”, drew a response from Rui Guerra at blog Prestigío [pt]. Blog ma-schamba [pt] goes even further with a deep reflection on the way Mozambican people...
Bangladesh: Online Journalism And Multimedia
Mahadi Hasan Talukder, an online journalist, comments on the slow speed internet in Bangladesh and the phenomenon of media portals not using multimedia options properly to assist online journalists.
Jordan: Big Brother is Watching You!
Jordanian netizens had a rude awakening when news surfaced about the sentencing of Imad Al-Ash to two years in prison - for insulting the Jordanian monarch in an instant message (IM) he had sent to a friend. Bloggers and their readers have their say here.
Iran: One of Mayor's sites was filtered
According to Kalmeh news site, and several bloggers, Iranian authorities filtered “Khbargozarieh Shar” (means city's news agency). This site belongs to Tehran's Mayor. No information about the reasons for this filtering was released.
Iran: Arresting girls for unfit hijab
Here is a film in You Tube showing the Iranian securtiy forces arrested and humilated a few girls for unfit hijab (veil). You can read the conversation in English.
Myanmar: Elections To Be Held on November 7
Myanmar has announced today that elections will be held on November 7, 2010, which will become the first election to be held after 1990. Political parties were urged to submit their candidate list between August 16 and August 30, 2010.
Japan: Where taking a vacation is a no-no
Lying lazily in the shadow of an umbrella on a beach, being a tourist and wandering around the streets of an unknown city with a guide book in your hands, or just relaxing at home enjoying free time. These seem to be the trivial options for holidaymakers – that is, if they don't live in Japan.
Turkmenistan: Despite its wealth, govt owes money
Ekspeditsiya writes about Turkmenistan's request to China for a $4.1 billion loan to develop the huge and untapped gas field.
Kazakhstan: Former presidential adviser released
Joshua Foust reports that James Giffen, adviser to the Kazakhstan president and middleman between oil companies and Nazarbayev, was accused of bribing the Kazakh officials, but now the U.S. government dropped most of the charges against him.
Afghanistan: Just get rid od Karzai
Joshua Foust reflects on the popular belief that Hamid Karzai is the main problem in Afghanistan. “What can we do about it? The usual answers seem to involve removing Hamid Karzai in some way—with all its myriad problems usually left unsaid”, he writes.
Kyrgyzstan: Nationalist agenda on the rise amidst new rallies
Who would be Rosa Otunbayeva right now? Two months after effectively losing control of Kyrgyzstan’s south, Central Asia’s first female president faced further upheaval as Balykchi-born entrepreneur Urmat Baryktabsov announced his intentions to march on the national capital and “discuss a strategy for development in the country”. The demonstration took...
China: Are the greatest natural disasters Man-Made?
The Chinese Propaganda Department has issued notice to mainstream and online media outlets regarding the recent disaster in Zhouqu. For the Chinese government, it is a time to mourn rather than digging up the man-made mistakes. Reporters, hence, have been asked to leave the landslide area. However, if we don't...
Japan: A manga to celebrate the US-Japan alliance
Jamaipanese reports [en] that the US military in Japan have published the first chapter of a manga to celebrate 50 years of Japan-US alliance. The first chapter is titled “Our Alliance – A Lasting Partnership” and can be read online (Japanese only).
Azerbaijan: Ramadan
From the Land of Fire, a blog by a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer working in Azerbaijan, details Ramadan in the form of a daily diary. In the first post, the blogger says that although she is not Moslem, she wanted to attempt to fast and also hope other PCVs will...
