Stories from Quick Reads from December, 2008
Uganda: Being a journalist is unpredictable
Daniel Kalinaki, an editor at the Ugandan daily The Monitor, explains that being a journalist in Uganda is an unpredictable profession: this week the paper has received a letter to “present ourselves at the Criminal Investigations Directorate to assist the police investigations that a story we published in the paper...
Tanzania: Visiting Mikumi National Park
Pernille of Louder than Swahili describes going on a safari to Mikumi National Park, 5-6 hours drive from Dar es Salaam, including some pictures.
Pakistan: Top Ten Pakistani Bloggers
S A J Shiraji at Light Within blog lists his favorite top ten Pakistani bloggers.
Bhutan: The Next Data Hub
The New Horizon analyzes the economical growth potential of Bhutan in the energy sector. The country has also the possibility of becoming a cyber hub of Asia with the help of increasing data centers being set up by the multinational companies.
India: A Relationship Based On Fairness
Supriyo Chaudhuri at Sunday posts has this to say to the winners of the Bangladesh election: “The Bangladeshi politicians must understand their responsibility and display their accountability to keep the mandate. India too, must abandon its big brother stance and make real concessions to build a relationship based on fairness,...
Bangladesh: Please accept the result
In the Middle of Nowhere writes an open letter to ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the chairperson of BNP, whose party lost significantly in the recent Bangladesh election: “Accept the results, Madam. Accept the result. Don’t follow the hated destructive path of the politics of rejection and exclusion.”
Bangladesh: The reasons behind the change
An Ordinary Citizen analyzes the reason behind the huge defeat of BNP led four party alliance in the recently concluded Bangladesh election.
Trinidad & Tobago: Carnival Culture
“Minister of Culture Marlene Mc Donald has no doubts that Carnival 2009 will be a success even in the face of the global economic crisis”: Trinidad Carnival Diary is not so sure.
Cuba: Remembering José Silvestre White
AfriClassical profles José Silvestre White, an Afro-Cuban violinist who became a composer and professor after graduating from the Paris Conservatory.
Trinidad & Tobago:
“It is an interesting note on which to end this year. Going back in order to go forward, knowing what went to know what comes next”: Trinidadian blogger Attillah Springer bids farewell to the Old Year and welcomes the new…
Bermuda, Grenada: Freedom of Information
Bermudian blogger Vexed Bermoothes reports that Grenada is in the process of introducing a Freedom of Information Act and public sector integrity legislation, with additional plans to “establish a common code of practice and ethics for media.”
Jamaica: Communing
“We won’t be condemning the Palestinians or the Israelis…we won’t be contributing to the chaos on frontlines…[we] have decided that our approach will be to help bridge communities”: Jamaica's Abeng News Magazine has a very clear goal for 2009.
Iran: A new blog and military intervention in Gaza
Flight Destination: Gaza is a new blog created by Iranian Islamists who ask Iranian government for a military intervention in Gaza. Several Islamists also protested in Mehrabad airport against Iranian government ‘inaction’ regarding Gaza.
Iran: Two bloggers in jail
Iranian judicial authorities announced that Hossein Derakhshan was being held in prison in connection with his comments about key figures of the Shiite faith.In the same time several bloggers such as Freedomvatan reported [fa] that Esmail Jafari, a journalist and blogger ‘was arrested by Iranian security agents’.
Azerbaijan: Historical Buildings
IN MUTATIONE FORTITUDO writes on the inauguration of a redesigned metro station in downtown Baku and decries the fact that the modern design does not sit well with the historical buildings in its vicinity. In a second entry, the same blog posts photographs of derelict buildings that will either be...
Azerbaijan: Day of Solidarity
Sheki, Azerbaijan writes that 31 December is not only New Year's Eve, but also marks the Day of Solidarity in her country. The blogger says that while Azerbaijan posses an abundance of natural resources, a lack of solidarity gives way to negative traits among its people. Concluding that respect is...
Thailand: Text messages from the Prime Minister
On his first day in office, Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva sent SMS to his constituents. A sample of the text message: “I am your new PM. I would like to invite you to help pull our country pull of the crisis. If you are interested in receiving my messages, please...
Fiji: Offensive ads
Oceanic writes about the debate over the culturally inappropriate ads in Fiji.
Fiji: Dispute over local jobs
A government infrastructure project in Fiji was delayed after local residents demanded that workers in the project should come from the local community.
Myanmar: Pictures of fishing villages
dawn_109 went to the delta region of Myanmar, and posted pictures of fishing villages which were destroyed by a deadly cyclone last May.
Myanmar: Political prisoner commits suicide
A 35-year old political prisoner in Myanmar committed suicide after authorities refused to give him proper medical treatment.
