Stories from 21 July 2006
Sri Lanka: Away from Lebanon
Only 300 Sri Lankans have been evacuated from Lebanon says Sri Lanka. “There are around 93,000 Sri Lankans currently working in Lebanon, 86,000 of them housemaids, said Jagath Wellawatta, Chairman of Sri Lanka's Foreign Employment Bureau. “
African Migrants in Australia
African Migrants takes note of a report that says African migrants who held a job before leaving their homeland in search of work are more likely to find employment on arrival in Australia.
Russia: Blog on Basayev's Death
David McDuff of A Step At A Time provides a link to a new blog examining the death of Shamil Basayev and its significance for Chechnya.
African Thatched Roofing
African Architecture showcases the possibilities inherent in traditional African thatched roofing in contemporary buildings.
Nepal: Maoists and the National Capital
Democracy for Nepal explores what Maoists mean when they talk of National Capital. “Those of us who for a decade feared a Cambodia style massacre in Nepal should put some effort into appreciating this transformation that is taking place. There are things we can do to help that process of...
Nepal: Maoists in the mainstream
Blogdai on Maoists and the Government. “So the next time someone tells you that the “Maoists must be brought into the mainstream,” give them a sharp smack in the head. Hope and optimism are wonderful things, but patterns and past practices are what should inform our judgements.”
Israel/Lebanon commentary
“Destroying the infrastructure of Lebanon isn't going to achieve much. It would surely not make Israel any safer,” writes Netherlands-based Nigerian blogger Chippla in a
African Women: Call for Nominations
African Women posts a call for nominations for the African Women of Distinction book and video exhibition scheduled for December 2006. The aim, the announcement says, is to profile the stories and work of 20 women in Africa who embody the essence of leadership, determination, and innovation in addressing social,...
New Caledonia: Video of Kanak and Polynesian Dance Show
Sebastien of 5 Minutes en Nouvelle Caledonie posts a video of Kanak and Polynesian dances performed during a 14 Juillet [July 14] celebration.
Islam: Caged Virgin Reviewed
Palava Soup posts a review of Ayaan Hirsi Ali's book about Muslim women, The Caged Virgin, by British Muslim Fareena Alam, who is impressed neither by its central thesis nor its author's level of scholarship.
Reunion: Moslem Community Rallying Cry
Zarabes writes (Fr): “We members of the moslem community of la Reunion, are watching powerless the current events in Palestine and Lebanon. Tired of the ambiant silence, we ask the various heads of the island's masjids to hold a common discourse next Friday (July 28, 2006) for the salat of...
Ethiopia: Funeral blues
Lela Tensae gives a witty and detailed portrait of funeral rites among Ethiopians in the United States. “The worst type of funeral for me is when the deceased is in the age bracket of 65 to 80. The deceased probably was hiding during the Italian invasion or was titled by...
Mexico: Election Update
Various election updates from the usual suspects. Mark in Mexico is shocked that only half a percent of Mexicans living in the United States voted by absentee ballots. Ceci Connolly says López Obrador might have a few surprises in store. And Ana Maria Salazar has her usual rundown of the...
Reunion: Volcano Eruption
From Reunion, Jean-Paul at Dijoux.re writes (Fr):”It is the first eruption of the year. Of the two lava flows registered at the beginning of the eruption, one stopped and the other has diminished. The awful weather (i.e. the cold, the rain and the fog) is not making for a scenic...
Costa Rica, Colombia: SoHo Magazine
Cristian Cambronero has an entertaining meditation on the Colombian magazine SoHo (ES), which he describes as “Maxim with less beach.”
Colombia: ¡Feliz Día de Independencia!
Bethany wishes Colombia a happy Independence Day. Harry Hutton celebrates the day with a rant against the American habit of taking credit for all world events.
Argentina: The Mitsubishi Wanker
Guillermo gets a kick out of car model names and what they mean in Spanish. For example, there is the Mitsubishi Pajero (“Wanker”), the Nissan Moco (“Booger”), and the Mazda Laputa (“The Whore”).
Brazil: Music: Bonde do Role
Atari has a change of heart about the “funk light” band, Bonde do Role and their “party music that’s reasonably fun to dance to.”
Reunion: Volcano Eruption
Reunion Passion writes (Fr): “Le Piton de la Fournaise started erupting at the end of the night of July 20 at 4 am. According to information from the volcano observatory, the eruption took place at the volcano's summit, near the Bory crater.”
Iran: Internet & national security
Alireza Shirazi founder of fast growing Blogfa, an Iranian provider for blogs says Parliament Research Center in Iran considered internet as a dangerous instrument for national security and for people. According to this blogger Research Center talks about internet users who put national security in danger and want to overthrow...
Ganji's Hunger Strike & Lebanon Conflict
Dissident journalist Akbar Ganji and his supporters called for a three days hunger strike to attract attention on Iranian political prisoners. Several bloggers have talked about this hunger strike movement and some discussed Ganji’s regime change idea. Bring Iranians closer to each other MardomIranema thinks that Ganji’s call for hunger...
