Stories about English from January, 2009
Trinidad & Tobago: Carnival Slump?
With just three short weeks until the big event, Discover TnT Blog and Trinidad Carnival Diary report that the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival season has been slow.
Bermuda: No Thank You?
Vexed Bermoothes is sceptical about the Premier's “kind offer” to subsidize the University of the West Indies, saying: “It’s more ideology than about educational opportunity.”
MENA: Reflections on Obama's Al Arabiya Interview
It came as a surprise to many people that US President Barack Obama gave his first formal interview as president to an Arab television channel. Some were optimistic with Obama's replies, while others were disappointed. Yet, almost everybody was more concerned about the decision to have the interview conducted for Al Arabiya.
Kazakhstan: Livejournal Unblocked. And Blocked Again
On Junuary 28, the Kazakhstani Internet users were suddenly granted access to LiveJournal – the most popular blog platform in the post-Soviet Russian-speaking blogosphere. It was blocked by the national...
Tajikistan: Terrible Tajik-Uzbek relations
Vadim says that Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have chronically had bad relations since early history of the two countries, and the most recent actions of Uzbekistan made these relations even worse.
Kazakhstan: State-run web-sites tested by the public
Mursya reviews the results of an evaluation of web-sites run by Kazakhstani state authorities. The evaluation was performed by MediaNet, the International Journalism Center, supported by Soros Foundation in Kazakhstan.
Kyrgyzstan: Something About Patriotism
Kyrgyzstani citizens are now legally obliged to listen to their national anthem standing with their right hand over their heart, reports Elena.
Tajikistan: Electricity rationing returns
Seemingly a shock to some, Vadim reports upon why electricity rationing in Tajikistan has returned, as well as why it has only just been noticed by the media.
Kazakhstan: Innovations, Kazakh-Style
Arseny writes about the government's innovation strategies in Kazakhstan, and how efficient they actually are.
Afghanistan: Bagram Prison and Obama’s Gitmo Policy Change
Patrick Frost reflects on how President Obama's political stand towards Guantanamo prison would change the administration's position regarding Bagram Air Base prison in Afghanistan.
Ethiopia: What a Difference Water Makes
At the end of last year, five families decided that visiting Ethiopia with their daughters would be the best way for them to see what their donations to provide fresh, clean and safe water sources were doing to change the lives of families and complete villages. Through their blog and videos, they have been able to share the importance of charity:water in making this possible, and hopefully raise more donations and engage more people to help.
Jordan: The BBC and Gaza
“The BBC says the risk of compromising confidence in its fairness, coupled with ‘question marks’ about aid getting through, had led to its decision not to broadcast the Gaza appeal....
UAE: Snow in Ras Al Khaymah
“Who would have ever thought that something like this could happen in the UAE? I sure hope it survives till the weekend so I could go and take photos,” says...
Egypt: What Next After Guantanamo Bay?
“Honestly, what do you put on your resume after spending a couple of years working as a Guantanamo Bay interrogator? And where do you apply for work?” asks Egyptian Sandmonkey,...
Jordan: 7iber wins award
“Last night was a milestone for 7iber as it received an honorary award at the third annual, 2008 Jordan Web Awards in Amman,” announces Jordanian site 7iber.
India: Questioning The Satyam Probe
Ashish at Desicritics wonders whether the investigation of the Indian IT giant Satyam's major accounting fraud will be fair.
India: Tamil Wikipedia Academy
Kiruba Shankar writes about the Tamil Wikipedia Academy and comments that initiatives like this “will encourage more regional language contribution from people within India.”
Guadeloupe: A new social movement
Guadeloupe has been in a state of social unrest for about a week now as record numbers of trade unions, cultural and political associations have united around a motto: "Lyannaj kont pwofitasyon", Creole for “Let's gather up to fight against all sorts of abuses.”
Cuba: Raul in Russia
Child of the Revolution, Una Familia en Cuba [Sp] and Havana Times all blog about Cuban President Raul Castro's official visit to Russia.
Cuba: Human Rights & Political Prisoners
As The Cuban Triangle reports that Cuba is about to face a human rights review, Uncommon Sense says that women are also among the political prisoners on the island.
Martinique, South Africa: Cultural Exchange
Africlassical reports that South Africa's Premier ballet company has been invited to dance in Martinique as part of a cultural collaboration.
