Stories from 27 June 2006
Colombia: The UN's data on Coca-Growing
Adam Isacson explains why the recently released Andean Coca Survey by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime is required reading for anyone wanting “to know about drug-crop cultivation in Colombia and the rest of the region.”
El Salvador: Gay Pride and Gay Issues
Observing that “dozens of gay and lesbian protesters marched today in a Gay Pride March in San Salvador,” Tim Muth links to some background context on gay issues in El Salvador. Meg also writes about “Salvadoran Gay Pride.”
The World Cup Online: Discovering Lionel Messi's Blog or Blognovela
The anonymous nature of the web is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, everyday citizens living under repressive regimes, can easily learn how to blog anonymously and express themselves without fear of reprisal. On the other hand, it is difficult if not impossible to verify the real identity of...
Mexico: Un Poco de Todo
Ana Maria Salazar Slack runs through Mexico's big three stories: the status of negotiations between Oaxacan teachers and the Ministry of the Interior, union strikes by minors, and the campaign trail with less than one week till elections. From Pachuca, Mexico Votes 2006 describes an Institutional Revolutionary Party campaign event.
Pakistan: Grand Trunk Road
Shirazi on the Grand Trunk road that spans South Asia. “Its angles have been yanked and diverted by history. It has witnessed the march of Aryans and victorious advance of Persian and Greek armies. It also saw the Scythians, White Huns, Seljuks, Tartars, Mongols, Sassanians, Turks, Mughals and Durranis making...
Pakistan: Rock and the Underground
Asma covers the rock scene in Islamabad. Watch out for the take on underground rock. “Here, bands remain underground only because financial constraints, lack of contacts, sponsorships and media attention, and discouragement from parents cause them to remain smothered down there. Most Western UG bands prefer remaining proudly unheard of...
Nepal: Story of an Internally Displaced Citizen of Nepal
Stories of tragedy, grief and loss at United We Blog! “Toyanath Poudel, 68, couldn’t stop his tears flowing over the cheeks as he entered inside his rugged home draped under the web of spiders in Duragaun village that was locked by the Maoist rebels for months.”
Bangladesh: Going to Bangladesh
Ami travels through Bangladesh and shares his experiences. “I entered Bangladesh through its westernly most border with India. I was coming from Calcutta. The border was somewhat of a joke. I had to just kinda wander around and hope that I went into the right building in the right order....
Morocco: Essaouira Gnawa Music Festival
Samir talks about the huge success of Essaouira Gnawa and world music festival. He said: “Once again Essaouira has turned on a world class music festival. More than 500.000 people attended between June 22 through 25. Last year's record of 450.000 was easily beaten.”
Palestine: Peaceful Resistance in Bethlehem City
Al Khadr is yet another example of a peaceful village bearing the brunt of the Israeli occupation's policies to annex land while undermining the social and economic viability of the Bethlehem governorate. The soon to be built Apartheid wall near Al Khadr will isolate 95% of the village's lands behind...
Syria: Authoritarianism
Syrian comment on the cultural inclination which was cited by a study that claims that there is no anti-democratic attitude within the Mideast cultures. Syrian said: “While its true that an individual may not object to a democratic form of government does not explain his acceptance of the alternative. Syrians...
United Arab Emirates: Modhesh
Dubai Summer Surprises is back, and dubaiwalla has photos of its mascot, Modhesh, but Dubai Sunshine thinks that Modhesh-mania is going a teeny weeny little bit overboard.
Yemen: Presidency Next Seven Years
Omar Barsawad admire and respect his President, Ali Abdullah Saleh. Yet, Omar felt both frustrated and relieved at Saleh's decision to run again for presidency. “Frustration, in that: by not standing he would have done an unprecedented, unheard of thing in the Arab World! And become a pioneer and role...
Iran: A Weird Business with Belgium
Ship considers recent news about Belgium based Exmar company's deal with Iranian Sadra company very weird. The bloggers says Belgian company asked Sadra to build ten ships for this company despite this fact that Iranian company has never constructed such a product before. The blogger was surprised when Iranian company...
India: Startups in India
Kamla has a podcast interview on doing start-ups in India. “Rene Seifert, Bangalore-based entrepreneur and Managing Director of Level 360 Services discusses in our podcast interview on how to do a start-up, and what it takes to do business in India.”
Malawi: $20 million for corruption
Anti-Bzkil Muluzi - Malawian blog reports that the US has given $20 million to Malawi to fight corruption!
Darfur: still waiting for AU troops
Passion of the Present points to an article on the lack of AU troops in Darfur – too little and too late!
Nigeria: Adeniyi-Jones
Naijablog publishes an article by Nigerian photography, Jide Adeniyi-Jones on his thoughts on Nigeria – he originally sent the article to local newspapers who refused to publish –
Nigeria: Adeniyi-Jones
Naijablog publishes an article by Nigerian photography, Jide Adeniyi-Jones on his thoughts on Nigeria – he originally sent the article to local newspapers who refused to publish –
World Cup: Dreams of Ghana again
Soul on Ice - hoping France trash Spain (remember the racist remarks of their coach about Theirry Henry “black shit”?) Meanwhile Africa hangs on cliff edge as Ghana meets Brazil -
Ethiopia: Hi-tec war against bloggers
Ethiopian Life comments on Ethiopia's crackdown against bloggers at home and in the Diaspora….”An office is being opened at the old airport area in Addis Ababa to conduct this warfare. Blocking and hacking opposition internet websites, sending spam and viruses, wire-tapping and telephone tapping, tracking money transfers are some of...
