Stories from Quick Reads from April, 2007
Iraq: The Sound of Bombs
“If this morning’s blasts have an explanation last night’s explosions remain of unknown origin and nature. Last night there were more than two dozen explosions that could be heard from somewhere around the city. Some sounded like artillery shelling, others like air strikes. There’s still no word anywhere about what...
Egypt: From Fisk to Heykal
A week or two ago The Independent ran a portrait-interview of Muhammad Hassanein Heykal by Robert Fisk. It was a rather odd piece — an ode of admiration and self-admiration by two aging Middle East hacks who, while arguably important men, are highly divisive figures, writes Issandr El Amrani.
Algeria: Say Camel in 40 Words
Algerian blogger and linguist Lameen Souag draws our attention to the fact that there are more than 40 words used in Arabic to mean and describe camels.
Oman: Why No FM Stations?
“If I'm not mistaken the law governing the licensing of private TV and radio stations came out in August 2004 and the license fee structure was agreed by committee overseeing the process in April 2005. Three FM stations and one satellite station were were approved in October 2005. Not one...
Bahrain: Multi-Cast a First!
Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al Yousif took part in a multi-cast, the first in the Middle East, in which an Egyptian judge accused of plagiarism was expected to make an appearance. “The next session, which I am part of, is supposed to make history in that it is going to be...
Guyana: Sarwan New W.I. Captain
Voice of Guyana International is thrilled that Guyanese Ramnaresh Sarwan is “being entrusted with the arduous task of taking West Indies cricket forward”, following former captain Brian Lara's recent retirement from the sport.
Cuba: The truth of the truth
mi isla al mediodia quotes Carlos Varela's lyrics to make a statement (ES) on truth.
Japan: Media has its eyes wide shut
Ampontan posted a detailed and scathing attack on American media (notably CNN and AP) for their failure to catch the “story staring them in the face”: “In the past two days, Prime Minister Abe and the government of Japan just issued its Declaration of Independence from the legacy of World...
Japan: What will happen after Golden Week?
Social Democratic Party MP Hosaka Nobuto and former diplomat Amaki Naoto say things will start moving in the Diet after Golden Week (one week period with several national holidays). Hosaka expresses his concern[Ja] about a recent trend in which the ruling coalition has forced through several bills and also points...
France: Expelling Illegal Immigrants
Continuing the debate on expelling illegal immigrants living in France, SEMEtt ou l'étincelle noire (Fr) writes about a political asylee who was shipped back to Liberia, a group of long-term illegal immigrants who decided to form an organization to publicly demand naturalization, and how the mass explusions are eroding civil...
Why is adultery illegal in Senegal?
Why is adultery illegal in Senegal? (Fr) Women are still considered the property of men and religion a justification for law, whether or not you are a believer, the Blog politique du Senegal writes.
China: Please, no more rural healthcare propaganda!
Chris O'Brien from Beijing Newspeak blogged about the editorial process of a Xinhua article about China rural healthcare system: it was immensely frustrating that the story had to go through four revisions before all of them (opinions) were included in the story.
China: Prison Break
Joel Martinsen from DANWEI has translated a BBS post, Musings on the Chinese version of Prison Break, which addressed the question: how would a Chinese Prison Break be adapted so that it would pass the TV censors?
China: Slogans with Chinese characteristics
Banyue from DANWEI blogged some outrageous Chinese slogans, such as: Popularize the first child, control the second child, exterminate the third child, Whoever does not follow family planning will have his household ruined and his family perish, and many others.
China: An Eye for an Eye
The dog abuse case in Nanjing has resulted in furious internet response and real life threat: “You burned that dog to death and therefore I want you ‘dead'!” ESWN translated a report by Wang Feng from Southern Metropolis Daily on the case.
Japan: Baby Crying Contest
James from Japan Probe posted some photos from the annual baby crying contest.
Myanmar: Electricity and Internet
As internet is becomes more popular in Mayanmar, the electricity supply gets more and more irregular. Myat Thura has more.
Brunei: Brunei Girl, Sex and Relationship
Katie-Ella who calls herself “an old married woman” but remembers being a teenager once writes a post for “young women out there who are still finding their way, (hopefully) enjoying their youth and trying to make sense of modern relationships” .
Mali: presidential elections in Mali
Sociolingo's Mali blogs about today's presidential elections in Mali: “So far all is quiet here in Bamako on polling day. There seems to be a little apathy in the city – only 31% have been reported as picking up their voting cards despite being given the day off on the...
Africa: more African than thou
Koluki posts photos from the “drum jam session” at the White House and asks, “… ON THE PATH TO SELF-RIGHTEOUS “MORE AFRICAN THAN THOU”?”
Africa: ingenuity at a young age
Afrigadget on ingenuity of African children: “Most African children are forced to create their own toys from scratch. Below are some samplings of what they make with what’s available. Old tire inner-tubes, soda cans, mud, bailing wire and sticks are just a few of the materials used to create imaginative...
