Stories from Quick Reads from April, 2007
Ghana: Ghana University library goes open-source
The Balme Library at the University of Ghana has gone digital and open-source: “Yes, you heard me right. The Balme library records have been fully digitized and guess the platform...
Japan: Thoughts on the Abe “apology”
Japan, Beyond the Tamagawa reminds readers, with respect to recent comments by Prime Minsiter Abe Shinzo about the Comfort Women issue, that Abe “didn't intend [his comments] to raise such...
Ethiopia: the human rights center for human wrongs
A critical look at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia: “Other institutes are created for solely political purposes. The Institute of Human Rights, the President’s pet project, will kick off its...
Egypt: Sinai Bedouins Seek Refuge in Israel
Writing at Kabobfest, blogger Hanaan reports the plight of a Sinai bedouin, who is seeking entry into Israel. “You know police brutality has reached a new low in Egypt when...
Morocco: Fez for Weddings
Moroccan blogger Sameer tells us why the ancient city of Fez is an ideal wedding spot.
Kuwait: The Truth About Franchising
Business-minded Kuwaiti blogger io81 briefs us about the difficulty of owning franchises of famous brands. “Most of you out there had thought of opening up a store that you have...
Kuwait: Healthcare Update
“(M)isinformed decision-makers and erroneous popular belief have shifted resources away from many of the basic foundations of a sound health care system (in Kuwait),” writes blogger Nadeem, as he continues...
Iraq: Al Maliki Snubbed by Saudi Arabia
Iraqi blogger Ladybird debates why Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki was denied a visit to Saudi Arabia. While some claim it was for ‘technical’ reasons others say that he...
Japan: Reflections on postwar “Child's Play”
Debito reproduces a passage from John Dower's famous book “Embracing Defeat” dealing with the games children played in post-WW2 Japan, including “holding a mock black market, playing prostitute and customer,...
Iraq: Satirical Stats
I have found a great Arabic Wiki called Beidipedia (lit. Eggepedia) about the Middle East in general but is predominantly focused upon Iraq, its approach is to present satirical items...
Bahrain: Mahmood's Den Fourth Anniversary
The Godfather of Bahraini bloggers Mahmood Al Yousif marks his blog's fourth anniversary with a gift to his readers.
Liberia: the man da can put Charles Taylor inside
Liberian Ledger on Liberian English and “the man da can put Charles Taylor inside.”
Somalia: Mogadishu Tech Massacre
Espresso Royale Commentaries discusses “Mogadishu tech massacre”: The Mogadishu massacre was bigger in number but lesser known to most people because it didn’t make to be a prime media piece....
Kenya: Kenyan film wins African award
“Last month Nigerian films made a sweep at the African Movie Academy Awards. Incidentally, only one film from Kenya was nominated, Voice in the Bin for Best Film,” writes KenyaImagine.
Uganda: Uganda ratifies Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
Jackie Tumwine reports that the Uganda government has ratified Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC): “Uganda signed this first ever global public health treaty back in March 2004- the same...
Africa: the cultural construction of African homosexuality
Gukira discusses “the cultural construction of African homosexuality”: If we are to understand the cultural construction of African homosexuality, it must be from within the prison. Once we understand sodomy...
Cameroon: Autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs from Cameroon
Dibussi Tande on Cameroonian national figures with autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs: “For example, Albert Mukong and Christian Tobie Kuo both wrote two volumes of their memoirs. Same with Jean Martin...
Armenia: Pop Stars for Status Quo
Oneworld Multimedia reports that Armenia's pop stars have finally come out in support of the ruling political party in the country's parliamentary election campaign.
Georgia: Talent, A Rush, & Photos from Abkhazia
Josh Kucera has more from Abkhazia, a de facto independent region of Georgia, including photos and video from a talent show.
Armenia, Georgia: Comparing Local Governance
Social Science in the Caucasus compares local governance in Armenia and Georgia.
Kazakhstan: Investment & the Court
An American businessman in Kazakhstan, Marc Seidenfeld, has been arrested in what appears to be a frame-up by local business interests to retaliate against him for selling his business in...
