Stories from 17 February 2006
Malaysia: Selfish Society
Mack Zulkifli reflects on why people seem more and more reluctant to help each other: “But that's just how society is turning out. When they need something from you, the persuasiveness is laced with the sweetest of candy. When push comes to shove, some people might forget that at the...
Philippines, Thailand: Comparing Crises
My Liberal Times compares the crises in the Philippines and Thailand that have been dogging both countries’ leaders (accusations of election-tampering in the case of the former and allegations of self-enrichment in the latter). His conclusion: In both countries, the opposition has been politicizing the alleged misdeeds of the leaders...
Singapore: Budget Wishes
Chemical Generation Singapore hopes housing and pensions will play a large part in the 2006 Singapore budget, which will be announced on Friday, Feb. 17: “They are the cornerstones of a Singaporean's bread and butter concerns.”
The Threat of China, Inc.
To acquire sophisticated engine technology, China is buying a car engine plant in Brazil, breaking it up and shipping the pieces back to China for re-assembly. Richard and readers of his Peking Duck discuss whether it's time for carmakers everywhere to start worrying.
Thailand: Conquering the Mind
Thai Buddhist blogger Pongsathorn discusses his discovery of two kinds of samatha, or “coercion of our intention to do one single activity.” There is intentional samatha and unintentional samatha. Engaging in both exercises different aspects of the mind, so doing both is beneficial for the spirit. “For samatha without intention,...
Russia: Film Industry Revival
Snowsquare.com writes about the revival of Russia's film industry: the opening of Dnevnoi Dozor (Day Watch, a sequel to Nochnoi Dozor, Night Watch) in the United States today, and the upcoming Moscow opening of Bumer 2, also a sequel.
Russia: Sandunov Bath House in Moscow
Two-Zero writes of how he became a fan of the Russian banya while living in New York City's East Village, and explains why he hasn't been to Moscow's famous Sanduny (Sandunovskiye Bani) yet, now that he lives in Moscow. His friend Michael Haertfelder, however, visited Sanduny and took some pictures.
Russia: Fake Fireworks for Lenin
Snowsquare.com shares a glimpse of an inconspicuous corner of one of Moscow's best-known squares. (Not Red Square, though.)
Racism in China and South Korea
Matthew Stinson observes the similarities and the differences between the Chinese and the Koreans regarding racism.
Gulag for Those Who Talk in North Korea
On The Korea Liberator, Joshua recalls the North Korean cheering squad whose presence at the 2002 Asian Games sparked a mood of reconciliation between the North and the South. A recent defector from North Korea, however, reported the women being sent to a concentration camp for having talked about their...
How to Take a Stand on Censorship in China?
In PowerPoint bullet-point style, Beijing Loafer explains on Beijing or Bust the many complex issues on the topic of Internet censorship in China and why it is difficult for him to take a firm stand on this.
Sudan: Yale sells stock in oil
The Passion of the Present reports that students of Yale university in the US have called for the university authorities to remove any financial interests they may have with Sudan.. “Yale had stock in one of seven oil companies that produced a good amount of revenue for the Sudanese government....
Nigeria: Army v citizens
Agodi News describes President Obasanjo as irresponsible and dangerous following the use of military helicopters to fight illegal bunkering in Warri.……….”Why use bomb on your own community when you can simply shut down whatever illegal operation was going on peacefully and positively? Is the Nigerian army at war?”
Kenya: Bean harvest
Adrian of This and That writes about the bean harvest in his home town, Loitokitok, Kenya. He has some excellent photos too showing the harvest process.
Ethiopia: Meles equals bad democracy
Oromia Times writes that a vote for dictator Meles is a vote for bad democracy.…
Nigeria: moving back home
Ore of Ore's notes writes about being “blue” and feeling “blah” about her new life back home in Nigeria…..”I long for the things that were familiar to me and rail against the unpleasant bumps in the road” like “the inefficiencies I see everyday, causing so many resources (peoples’ minds and...
Kenya: Spying on spys
Bankelele points to a report in Africa Confidential reports that President Kibaki and intelligence chief, Brigadier Wilson Boinet” knew that Githongo was covertly recording conversations with senior officials in the government.”
Nigeria: Press and the NFA in Egypt
African Shirts writes about the “monetary” relationship between the Nigerian press and Nigerian FA in Egypt during the recent Africa Nations Cup. ….”There were some journalists who refused to accept the money, saying it was only journalists who had “sold their souls” that accepted such.”
Ethiopia: Food Aid dependency
Black Star Journal comments on a BBC article on Ethiopia's dependency on foreign food aid..…”It notes that while aid may be well-intentioned, its effects can sometimes be devastating (and I'm careful to not lump all aid together).”
Mozambique: microfinance
Aid worker, Jared of Jared's Mozambique Adventure describes his time spent with the “Caixa das Mulheres de Nampula (CMN), an association that offers savings and small enterprise loans exclusively to female members. These women are given the opportunity to gather in small groups to learn about healthy lifestyles, money management...
Zimbabwe: IMF debt a waste of resources
Zimbabwean Pundit likens Zimbabwe's repayment of the IMF debt to that “the head of a family in a starving village, throwing food over the fence to baboons waiting on the outside, while the children of the village die of hunger, malnutrition and disease”
