Stories from 14 September 2006
Africa: New publishing ventures
Two publishing ventures in South Africa and in Nigeria aim to publish writings by Africans for local markets, reports African Women's Blog.
Bahamas: Non-Aligned Movement
“. . . For the first time we have an ideologically driven foreign minister who appears to have some latitude to set policy, whether by default or otherwise. And that sometimes means playing international games that can get us needlessly into hot water,” says Larry Smith in a post warning...
Cuba: Oil find?
Luis M. Garcia is skeptical about reports of large quanities of oil having been found off the coast of Cuba.
Kenya/South Africa: Differences in Banking
Bankele, a Kenyan blogger attending a conference in South Africa, observes that “One significant difference between Kenya and South Africa banking is their (SA) recognition that banking is a necessary service which should be affordable.”
South Africa: New Media Awards
The Digital Citizen Indaba blog, The Blog, writes about the SABC Highway Africa Awards Ceremony. The winners for 2006 Highway Africa Awards for Innovative Use of New Media are…
Reunion: Mosquito Eradication
Pierrot Dupuy wonders (Fr) why mosquito eradication to help fight the Chikungunya epidemic in La Reunion is not done like in Camargue on mainland France, i.e. by air. It would beat the current manual by-land model which he adds, is an onerous “sweating exercise” for the heavily costumed workers who...
Madagascar: Local Products
At the request of a reader, Madagascar Croissance provides (Fr) an illustrated list of Malagasy signature exports including coffee, vanilla, clove, seafood and specialty fabrics.
Rwanda: Motorcycle Taxis ctd.
A while back, ex-pat blogger Guillaume lamented the recent scarcity of motorcycle taxis in Kigali. Today he follows up with good news (Fr): “Officially, motos were reauthorized since last monday. In truth 3 different papers were needed from 3 different administrations. (…) Since last Thursday, you could see motos in...
Serbia: Guca and Exit Music Festivals
Traditional Guca Trumpet Festival is held anually in Guca, a town hours south of Belgrade, near the city of Cacak, from Aug. 30 to Sept. 3. The event remains the main topic of the country’s bloggers these days. Their talk ranges from pure drivel about how it feels to have...
Poland: U.S. Entry Visas
Chris Borowski of Traveling Life cites official documents confirming that Polish citizens should not expect visa-free travel to the United States anytime soon.
Poland: Socialist Realism Award
Drawing on a previous entry, the beatroot announces the Socialist Realism Award contest: “We aim to find the most ridiculous (and by definition, the most fantastic) piece of socialist realism art ever.”
Poland: 1,000 More Troops to Afghanistan
The beatroot writes about homosexuality in Afghanistan and the possible alternatives to sending more Polish troops there.
Poland: Polish President Briefly Meets U.S. Counterpart
The beatroot comments on the brief meeting between George W. Bush and Jaroslaw Kaczynski during the latter's visit to the United States.
Croatia: Visit to Split
Paul of Further Ramblings of a N.Irish Magyar posts eight notes and recommendations from his trip to Split, Croatia: “5. Tourists are Tolerated … rather than appreciated.”
Singapore: Illegal Workers
Moe Moe encounters illegal workers being chased by police in a busy Singapore street and remembers her own experience as a illegal worker in another country “When you work illegally, you are always kind of scared. I mean, you can't trust your colleagues, you are afraid you will be found...
Cambodia: Anti-corruption Campaign Blocked by Police
Vutha writes that the authorities in Cambodian capital city Phnom Penh blocked the Black Box campaign. The campaign was organised to collect comments on corruption from the citizens.
Sri Lanka: The insensitive Colombo Citizen
Nirmal Jayasinghe outlines the ‘Insensitive Colombo Citizen’. “Why should I go out? Let them get all the bullets, suffering and whatever results. I don’t care, because I’m not concerned. I’m not involved. I’m the Insensitive Colombo Citizen.”
India: On being Macho
Cuckoo's Call on what constitutes being macho. “According to a study done on the group from a northeast Mumbai slum, a “real man” is one who is “physically attractive, dominant, aggressive and sexually powerful”. And possibly like actors Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt, who most said were their “role models”.”
Nepal: Grief and the Maoists
United We Blog! on the mistakes that the Maoists are making, causing much grief to those in Khatmandu.
Estonia: Upcoming Election
Edward Lucas, the Central and East European correspondent of The Economist, posts his piece on the upcoming Estonian election and one of the candidates: “A Big Man From a Very, Very Small Country.” (He begins with a disclaimer: “I didn't write this silly headline.”) Giustino of Itching For Eestimaa writes...
Ukraine, Russia: Foreign Service Trainee
Wu Wei cites a comment from a foreign service trainee preparing himself for Ukraine: “…In order to better to absorb the Russian language and culture (although I’m actually going to Ukraine), I plan on renting every Cold War action flick of the ’80s to get in the vibe. I already...
