Stories about English from September, 2008
Cuba: Independent Journalists
“There is no better way to learn about journalism than from another journalist”: Uncommon Sense is pleased to report that independent journalism is growing in Cuba.
Jamaica: Power Struggle
“Portia Simpson-Miller…represents to the elite and middle class in Jamaica what Obama represents to white, bible-thumping, gun-toting mainstream America. Which is worse I wonder: To be black (socially speaking) in a black country or to be black in a white country?” Annie Paul provides thoughtful commentary on the recent opposition...
Guyana: Power Hungry
Guyana-Gyal is on a steady diet of power cuts and “thick, charcoal-dark bitter carbon…”
Ukraine: How Russian is the Crimea?
The 8th Circle discusses the Crimea and Ukrainian fears of a Russian secessionist movement, arguing that the peninsula could be compared to other European regions, which today could not be imagined seceding. He also refers to a new book on this theme by Ukrainian writer Taras Kuzio.
Russia: A demand for 19th century art
Just A Mon comments on soaring international prices on Russian 19th and early 20th century art – especially that of landscape painter Aivazovsky.
Belarus: Parliamentary elections no way to reforms
A Fistful Of Euros writes about Sunday's parliamentary elections in Belarus, where all seats were won by the Lukashenko regime, and sees little hope for change in comparison with other countries that have undergone transition.
China: PR-ing Poisonous Milk
David Bandurski from China media project wrote a detailed article about Sanlu's public relation strategy in creating the high-quality image of its milk products and showed how the media is conspired in relaying the lie.
China: Imprison for Faking Tiger
Do you still remember the South China Tigergate issue? The farmer, who claimed to have taken the photo is now facing criminal charge and may be put into prison because of that. ESWN has collected and translated local news on the case.
Lebanon: Army Soldiers Targeted…Again
Forty five days after the first bombing of a bus transporting army soldiers in Lebanon, another bomb exploded in Tripoli today, killing at least four soldiers and wounding over 20 people. The initial report indicates that the bomb was planted in a car targeting a bus carrying army soldiers in...
Egypt: Kidnapped Tourists Freed
Nineteen people, including foreign tourists, kidnapped in Egypt 10 days ago have been freed. Egyptian bloggers react.
Nepal: Critique on revolution
Revolution in South Asia blog posts a translation of an article (from Farsi) titled “Nepal Revolution: Great Victory or Great Danger,” which is an explicit polemic by the Communist Party of Iran (MLM) — targeting the path taken by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist).
Maldives: Why are expatriate labors here?
Innovative Thinker is concerned about the living conditions of the expatriate workers and criticizes Maldives dependence on these workers.
Lebanon: Terror strikes in Tripoli again
A remote control car bomb ripped through a military bus this morning killing four soldiers and a civilian in the northern city of Tripoli, Lebanon. Today’s bombing is the second deadly attack targeting troops in northern Lebanon in less than two months. Following are the first reactions from bloggers about the incident.
Pakistan: Media propaganda
Teeth Maestro is furious because without concrete evidence the international media suggested that the two Somali suspects arrested in Germany were intending to join terrorists in Uganda and Pakistan.
Kazakhstan: Above and Beyond
Joshua Foust wonders if the retirement of the U.S. space shuttle will make Baikonur space launch site in Kazakhstan even more important than it already is.
Afghanistan: Surge East
Joshua Foust thinks that long-term development goals are a critically missing piece of the Western agenda in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: How to Win
Joshua Foust takes issue with an essay about how to “win” in Afghanistan.
India: Recent bombings and economics
Pass The Roti On The Left Side comments on the second bombing incident in Delhi in recent times: “While you can pitch this in communal terms or identity terms of various kinds.., ultimately, this is driven in my opinion by economic factors which are understood in politics through communal and...
Afghanistan: What kind of government
Joshua Foust notes some of the problems with the American conceptions of Afghan society, and how that is influencing bad policy.
Bangladesh: Five layered tea
Claire b writes in Travel Blog about her recent trip to Srimongol in Sylhet division where the tea-estates are in Bangladesh: “My guide urged me to try the 5 colored (layered) tea apparently famous in the region..it was one of the best cups/glasses of tea I’ve had.”
Mongolia: Brain Drain Remains Harsh Problem
Asian Gypsy reports that brain drain problem Mongolia faces is more evident now than ever, as overseas Mongolian online communities sprout and more Mongolians are active online, whose locations are mostly outside of Mongolia.
