27 April 2006

Stories from 27 April 2006

Thai Kick Boxing

  27 April 2006

Muay Thai or Kick Boxing is very popular in Thailand and regular bouts are held in major cities. Malaysian blogger Kenny Sia blogs about his visit to a Muay Thai stadium.

Honduras, El Salvador: Defining Boundaries

  27 April 2006

Honduras News and Tim's El Salvador Blog both mention the finalized agreement between El Salvador and Honduras over the border dividing the two countries. The decision closes an unfinished chapter of the 1969 “Soccer War.”

Guatemala: Mayan Translators

  27 April 2006

Noting that five Mayan languages are at risk of extinction, Chapinadas tells the story of the first graduating class of Mayan translators from the Academy of Mayan Languages.

Mongolia: Casino Park

  27 April 2006

Shards of Mongolia notes that a plan for a massive development project including shopping, industry, an international airport, and a casino. Curiously, it will not be anywhere near the capital, but instead on the border with China.

Turkmenistan: 30K Buckets

  27 April 2006

Peter writes at neweurasia about the televised confession of Turkmenistan's former General Prosecutor Gurbanbiby Atajanova who was, until recently, the only public official with considerable stature besides the president.

Brazil: Portuguese and Indigenous Languages

  27 April 2006

While Portuguese is Brazil's official state language, M. Bichuetti of The Brazilian Way of Life says that around 180 native tongues are still present. Quoting a linguistics professor, Bichuetti says that some of the languages “are ‘on the verge of extinction,’ [while others] are ‘very vigorous.'”

Georgia: Dinner Party

  27 April 2006

Susan says that it is easy for expats to get on the news on slow news days in Georgia. She took part in a traditional Georgian supra outside the Russian embassy to protest Russia's ban on Georgian wine and made the evening news.

El Salvador: Pro Life Nation

  27 April 2006

Writing from Antartica, J. Allbritton offers his thoughts on an article by Jack Hitt regarding El Salvador's strict anti-abortion laws. Tim Muth also recently commented on the article, inspiring various impassioned comments.

Costa Rica: Supreme Court to Discuss Gay Marriage

  27 April 2006

Andrés Duque says that Costa Rica's supreme court will decide next week if a new petition for marriage rights for same sex couples is constitutional. Sergio of La Foto Salió Movida describes (ES) the recent opposition against a gay rights conference. Cristian of Fusil de Chispas cites the intolerant comments...

World: Handwriting Meme

  27 April 2006

John Guzman, a native of Colombia now living in the United States, has started an international handwriting meme. He hopes to attract as much international participation as possible. There is also a Flickr group.

Dominica: Karib Cultural Village

  27 April 2006

French Antilles blog Bondamanjak describes (FR) a new cultural village located in Dominica which showcases the history and culture of native Karibs. Dominica retains a rare community of the Caribbean indigenous group.

Jamaica: A writer's development

  27 April 2006

On his personal blog, Jamaican writer Geoffrey Philps reproduces a lecture he delivered recently in which he discusses his development as a writer and also raises the question: “What is the mission of my generation?”

48 Missing Detainees Wrongly Identified

  27 April 2006

“Courtyard 29” is a communal grave place, located in the General Cemetery (ES) of the capital, Santiago. In 1991, 124 missing detainees from the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship, were found and 96 were identified. After 20 years, 96 families had the chance to properly bury their relatives. Last week, 10 years...

Nepal: Role of political parties

  27 April 2006

The challenges for the political parties in Nepal has increased. Bahas on the role of the parties and other stakeholders in the changing political scenario.

Nepal: Getting the democracy working

  27 April 2006

Voices of sceptics rise. United We Blog! on “…celebrate the victory of people where the people ‘talked and showed’ they are still skeptical on politicians’ commitment to constituent assembly and republic.”