Stories about International Relations from November, 2008
Bulgaria: Inadequate Media Coverage
Veni Markovski writes about a recent case of misrepresenting Bulgaria in the International Herald Tribune and posts his letter to the editors. He also writes about the European Commission's decision to cut funding to Bulgaria (and so does The 8th Circle), and about Sofia mayor's explanation for a recent earthquake...
Central Europe: Relations With the U.S.
Belatedly, a link to Antal Dániel's post at Central Europe Activ on “Central European expectations from the new American president.”
Russia, Ukraine: “Pindostanis at the Gate”
A definition of a derogatory Russian word for “Americans” – at Eternal Remont; a usage context example – at Russian Navy Blog.
Two Egyptian Hostages in Mumbai
Egyptian blogger Zeinobia quotes Egyptian TV as saying there are two Egyptian hostages caught up in the mayhem in Mumbai, India.
Egypt: Locking Al Azhar students in the dark ages!
Al Azhar English Training Center is funded through a partnership agreement between Al Azhar University, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Global Opportunities Fund and the British Council. The Center was supposed to provide English Language courses in its first semester to 125 students from various disciplines until Ali Laban, a Muslim Brotherhood deputy, decided otherwise. One enraged instructor speaks up on Facebook.
Bahrain: World Hypoparathyroidism Awareness Day
The world will mark the World Hypoparathyroidism Awareness Day on January 5. Bahraini Hassan Fadhul writes on Mideast Youth his role in making that day a reality.
Armenia: Bloggers Throw Funeral at Georgian Embassy
Carrying a black casket labeled “The Newborn Georgian Democracy,” a group of bloggers in Yerevan have marched toward the Georgian Embassy protesting what they call the destruction and desecration of Armenian cultural monuments in neighboring Georgia. Bloggers tell the story.
Morocco: Thanksgiving Away from Home
Elizabeth, a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco, writes about celebrating Thanksgiving so far from home.
Middle East: Mumbai Terror Attack “Crazy and Inhumane”
Bloggers in the Middle East woke up this morning to news of terror and mayhem in Mumbai, India, and are still coming to terms with the size of the calamity. One blogger describes the attack as "crazy and inhumane" while another the other wishes for God would "obliterate the enemies of peace."
Israel: Sending Help and Sympathy to Mumbai
Western countries awoke today to news of a widespread attack on the city of Mumbai, India that occurred Wednesday night and continued through Thursday, killing 101 people and wounding hundreds more. Many Israeli bloggers are following the events in Mumbai with an all too familiar apprehension and are posting regular updates of the hostage situation, writes Maya Norton from Israel.
Pakistan: Blogosphere Stands United With India Against Terrorism
Pakistani bloggers have reacted and strongly condemned the terrorist attacks carried out in Mumbai, India at 11 PM local time yesterday (November 26, 2008). It was expected that these attacks would be blamed on Pakistan's intelligence (ISI) as before, but so far this is not the case. Although the Indian...
Jamaica: Punishable by Death
As a country struggling with spiraling rates of violent crime, Jamaica has voted to re-introduce the death penalty, despite appeals from Amnesty International and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The atmosphere on the island nation is tense, with the prevailing attitude appearing to be, in the words of blogger Kadene Porter, "Blood fi blood and fyah fi fyah."
Haiti, Trinidad & Tobago: Letter to Zoellick
HaitiAnalysis.com republishes a letter from the former Trinidad and Tobago Ambassasdor to the US (and special advisor to the UN on Haiti) to the President of the World Bank.
Japan: Cooperation with Thailand for the Prisoners Transfer Program.
At the Irregular Rythm Asylum blog, Shiga announces [ja] that she received a letter from Chinpô-san [珍宝さん], a Japanese who has been serving his term of life imprisonment at Bangwang Central Prison for over 10 years. Chinpô explained that starting this year, Japanese and Thai governments will cooperate in the...
Cuba: Castro & Penn
American actor Sean Penn's interview with Raul Castro is being widely commented on by Cuban bloggers: Child of the Revolution, The Cuban Triangle and Havana Times.
India: Media, Mumbai and Terror Attacks
This post is part of the Global Voices coverage on the terror attacks in Mumbai, India on November 26, 2008. Anger at the media for their coverage of the terror attacks in Mumbai is apparent on the blogosphere. For one, the mainstream media appears to have taken the approach of...
Bangladesh: Bangla blogs react to the Mumbai terror attacks
This post is part of the Global Voices coverage on the terror attacks in Mumbai, India on November 26, 2008. Please stay tuned for more news and views as the event unfolds. The Bangla blogosphere reacted to the Mumbai terror attacks with concern. Condolences poured in with bloggers such as...
Middle East: Shock and Anger at Mumbai Terror Attacks
Bloggers from the Middle East were quick to respond to the Mumbai terror attacks with shock and anger. Following are immediate reactions from bloggers in Israel and Egypt.
Poland, Georgia: The Shooting Incident
A discussion of the shooting incident near the disputed Akhalgori area, which involved the presidents of Georgia and Poland – at the beatroot, here and here.
Madagascar: Land deal with Daewoo finally rejected by authority
Mahefa Rakotomalala writes at L'express de Madagascar that the alleged land deal with South Korean company Daewoo has been officially rejected by the Malagasy government. The minister of land reform explained in a press release to local newspapers that anyone can request to lease an unlimited amount of land but...
Congratulations Pour in on Queen Rania's Youtube Award
Bloggers from across the Middle East and North Africa are tipping their hats to Jordan's Queen Rania, and her visionary initiative on YouTube, after she was awarded YouTube's first-ever Visionary Award for launching an interactive online channel to combat stereotypes and misconceptions associated with Arabs and Muslims.
