Stories about Weblog from August, 2009
Qatar reflects on spirit, practice of Ramadan
Residents of Doha, Qatar acclimate to Ramadan and the special perks and restrictions that come with it.
Pakistan: Sugar Crisis Turns Ramadan Bitter
This year shortage of sugar supplies in Pakistan and the rise of price has affected the consumers and put a halt to the increased consumptions during the month of Ramadan. Pakistani bloggers analyze the situation.
Brazil: Outrage at violent São Paulo eviction
On Monday, 240 police went to evict 800 families from the Olga Benário squatter settlement in São Paulo. Bloggers and photojournalists report on the violence, despair and lack of social justice.
Hong Kong: “Compensated Dating” and the use of Pejoratives
The life imprisonment of the “girl butcher” might have halted the case against “compensated dating” in Hong Kong for a while, but what have Hong Kong people learned from the incident? It all started with the conviction of a 17-year-old girl for soliciting compensated dating online. In Hong Kong, it...
Iraq: Death Of Shi'ite Leader Abdul Aziz Al Hakim
Sayyed Abdul Aziz Al Hakim, leader of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (the largest political party in the Iraqi Council of Representatives), died of lung cancer on August 26 in Tehran, Iran. His death is expected to have repercussions for politics in Iraq. Bloggers around the region have responded to the news.
Japan: What to do with “Media Arts”
For a nation working to capitalize its “soft power”, what is the role of anime and manga culture in governmental policies? The official answer is that anime, manga and digital art is both an important heritage and high-growth industry, requiring an official hub for preservation and presentation. Throw in a...
Bangladesh: Mourning Senator Edward Kennedy
Senator Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy (February 22, 1932 – August 25, 2009), the second most senior member of the US Senate, died of cancer last Tuesday. Bloggers recall him as a true friend of Bangladesh and explain why Bangladeshis will remember him forever.
Ecuador: The Frustrations of Being a Writer
Being a writer in Ecuador can be frustrating. Whether it is the lack of books available or how politicians use cultural events to spread their message, many authors just want their work to reach their readers.
USA: Activism to Stop Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is an ongoing and often undetected problem in the United States. Individuals and organizations are taking actions to raise awareness and to combat this problem.
Jordan: The Dream Train that was not to be
Getting to and from work daily takes its toll on employees, especially in countries without a 'proper' public transportation system. Jordanian Osama Al Romoh writes about the resurrected dream train link which was not to be.
Netherlands: Too young to sail the world alone at 13?
Laura Dekker from the Netherlands is 13 years-old and wants to sail around the world alone to break a world record, but the Dutch Child Welfare Council have taken legal action to stop her.
Brazil: Students arrested for demonstrating in the Senate
Students were held for demonstrating against the Senate's President José Sarney and suffered many threats. We hear the blogosphere's thoughts on Brazilian democracy being slowly done away with.
Palestine: Qatayef, A Special Ramadan Dessert
During Ramadan one of the special dishes enjoyed throughout the Arab world is qatayef, small pancakes stuffed with various sweet fillings. One blogger in Gaza has watched them being made, and another Gazan blogger provides a recipe.
India: A wave of suicides among farmers
Increasingly, Indian farmers are resorting to extreme measures, including suicide, to escape complex problems of poverty, crop failure and growing debt. Indian bloggers analyze the situation.
Kenyan cartoonists find a home in the blogosphere
The older Kenyan generations vividly remember cartoon characters like Bogi Benda, Juha Kalulu and many others who premiered in newspapers. But times are changing and the internet is changing almost everything including the medium that cartoonists are using to share their thoughts.
Azerbaijan: Activist bloggers face additional charge as trial approaches
Youth activist video bloggers Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli have been held in pre-trial detention for 48 days. However, in an unexpected development, the authorities in Azerbaijan have now decided to add an additional charge of assault.
Kazakhstan: On the Efficacy of Government
How professional is the government? Is it rigorous enough in performing its functions? How often does it interfere in matters beyond its competence? These are among the most popular questions discussed in the Kazakh blogosphere. Izhanov writes a gloomy, ironic post on the “sensitive” subject of bidding in the process...
Taiwan: Stories of the survivors from Typhoon Morakot
Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan on 8 August. The heavy rain it brought to Taiwan has caused serious damage across the country, with thousands of people evacuated from their homes. Stories abound on the internet.
Maghreb: Ramadan Good Wishes and More
The Maghreb blogosphere has been blooming with an outpouring of congratulations, welcoming the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. And amongst the usual greetings and formal congratulations, controversial thoughts, often at odds with conventional views on Muslims, are being aired.
Singapore: Taxi driver-blogger is a PhD graduate
He is a Singaporean taxi driver, blogger, and PhD holder from Stanford University. Singapore netizens describe him as the “most educated taxi driver in the world.” His name is Dr. Mingjie Cai.
Indonesia: Soeharto's son aims to be president?
Hutomo Mandala Putra, the youngest son of former Indonesian President Soeharto, returns to the political arena with a bang. He seeks chairmanship of his father's political party Golkar. Indonesian bloggers speak about this political twist in the archipelagic country.
