Stories from 20 December 2007
Japan: The Mixi Social Network
At Asiajin, shunichi arai writes about Mixi, Japan's largest and most popular social networking service.
Soviet History: The Red Terror
De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis writes about the history of Cheka and the Red Terror.
Serbia: 50 Cent in Kosovo
Prishtine: Independence and Kanun hosts a discussion of 50 Cent's recent concert in Kosovo.
The Balkans: Fighting Genocide Deniers
Srebrenica Genocide Blog has two new posts up: on the atrocities of 1943, and on Darko Trifunovic, a “Srebrenica genocide denier” employed by the University of Belgrade's Faculty of Security Studies. In a comment, Alan Jakšić of Serbian Anarchist recommends that Daniel of Srebrenica Genocide Blog file a “formal complaint”...
The Balkans: A Blogroll, Sort Of
Balkan Anarchist posts a blogroll of sorts, listing all blogs (mostly Balkan, but not exclusively so) he has left comments at in 2007. Of special notice are Genocide in Bosnia, a blog by an exile from Srebrenica, and this discussion at Srebrenica Genocide Blog.
Albania: On Corruption and Bribery
Kolin of Living in Shkoder writes about corruption in Albania and answers a reader's question: “As a foreigner, have you ever bribed an Albanian official?”
Albania: Wood Burning Stoves
Living in Shkoder writes about winter and wood burning stoves in Albania.
Macau: March for democracy and end to corruption
José Carlos Matias [pt] publishes pictures and videos to mark the eighth anniversary of Macau's reversion to Chinese rule, among which images of today's workers march demanding more democracy and a corruption-free government.
Brazil: We will write in Portuguese indeed
Felipe Lobo [pt] analyses the many reactions brought by a post published in Portuguese at the American site propeller, among which comments like “Our national language is English! If you want to post something, do so in English”. The Brazilian blogger believes they will carry on speaking in Portuguese and...
Kuwait: Operation Cat Rescue
Kuwaiti firemen were out in full force – to rescue a cat. Read Mark‘s report with photographs here.
Iraq: Celebrating Eid
Najma from Iraq shares with us how she celebrated Eid Al Adha in this post.
Jordan: Views on Lebanon Conference
Jordanian blogger Mohammad Azraq is back from a conference in Lebanon. Read his observations here.
Egypt: High Alert Security in Zamalek
The Arabist from Egypt posts a security circular for the rich Zamalek district in this post.
Egypt: Sunni-Shia Dream
The sectarian rift between the Islamic Sunni and Shia sects is haunting Egyptian blogger D B Shobrawy‘s dreams. Read about that here.
Israel: Hypocritical Arabs
“(A)ny state that defines itself as “Arab” would be equally guilty of the racism that Israel is being accused of,” writes The Elder of Zion, in this post, which lists excerpts from the constitutions of a number of Arab countries and Iran.
Bahrain: Bahraini Demonstrator ‘Killed’
Bahraini blogger emoodz writes (Ar) about the death of a Bahraini demonstrator in this post.
Bahrain: National Day Celebartions
Bahraini blogger Ammar shares scenes from his country's national day celebrations in this photo post.
Turkey: Childhood Dreams
Turkish blogger Murat Altinbasak shares his dreams with us in this post.
Syria: Hassan Al Quwatli RIP
Hassan al-Quwatli, the oldest son of Syrian President Shukri al-Quwatli [1943-1949, 1955-1958] has died in Saudi Arabia. Syria Comment has an obituary here.
Israel: Interfaith Hanukkah Party
Jerusalem Gypsy, from Israel, holds an interfaith Hanukkah party – with Muslims and Jews.
Arabeyes: Celebrating Eid Al Adha
Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid Al Adha - which commemorates Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael for Allah (God). It also culminates the Hajj, an annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which has this year attracted more than 2 million people. Here's how bloggers from the region marked the occasion.
