Image from Mali: Transporting Sheep

Flickr photo blogger Johanne Veilleux posts this shot taken in Siby, Mali and writes (Fr): “Yep, these are indeed sheep attached to the bus’ roof.”

Trinidad & Tobago: A new political order?

Jeremy Taylor wonders whether a multi-party system may be detrimental to the development of a small nation like Trinidad and Tobago — and suggests a framework for a restructured — and more rational? — system of governance.

Dominica: Preachers

Kenny Green takes Caribbean preachers to task for their lack of engagement with fundamental issues affecting local communities: “Political amoebas, glory hunters in general, and silent on every single topic except in toeing the party line from their Grand Leader somewhere else. They almost like some regional company with the...

Cayman Islands: What's become of Pirates’ Week?

Mighty Afroditee is disillusioned with the current state of Pirates’ Week, the Cayman Islands’ annual festival which originated as a celebration of the islands’ culture.

Puerto Rico: Candela Festival

The Caribbean Beat weblog posts an entertaining and opinionated report on the 2006 Candela Art and Music Festival, which took place recently in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.

China: CCTV's political culture

China Media project reports that the resignation of popular sports commentator, Huang Jianxiang, has stirred up audiences’ frustration to CCTV's political culture.

Japan: historical preservation activist

Adamu reports on a speech given by author/businessman/historical preservation activist Alex Kerr.

Japan: internet homeless

Adamu at Mutantfrog Travelogue comments on the growing phenomenon of people living in Internet cafes.

South Korea: too young

Andy Jackson in Marmot's hole worries that the national human rights commission's criticism against the Asiana and Korean Air’s policy of hiring women crewmembers that are no older than 25 years will affect the service.

Trinidad & Tobago: Member of parliament misbehaves

“We're in much deeper trouble than we previously thought,” writes Manicou, discussing the disdainful treatment meted out to people at a public meeting by Trinidad and Tobago member of parliament Larry Achong, and Achong's subsequent denial of wrongdoing. The Rights Action Group T&T blog, meanwhile, reports that residents of Chatham,...

Bahamas: Police brutalise woman

Lynn Sweeting writes a powerful appeal to the Bahamian public to register their outrage at the treatment of a woman who was brutally taken from her home — wearing only a towel — by the police. Sweeting's appeal takes the form of a letter to the woman in question.

Barbados: Thinking about music

Introducing American part-time teacher-turned-soca artist Walker Hornung — who also happens to be white — Ian asks the question: “what colour is Soca?” And Titlayo is pleased to hear Barbadian music in an array of genres playing on the radio. “it remains to be seen whether the trend continues past...

Armenia: Democracy Ranking

Onnik Krikorian says that the Economist Intelligence Unit's democracy rankings come at an important time for Armenia.

Kyrgyzstan: Presidential Air

Yulia reports on why Kyrgyzstan's president may be facing danger whenever he travels abroad.

Kyrgyzstan: HIPC

Kyrgyz Report discusses whether or not joining the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative will help the country.

Uzbekistan: Gulnara Antoinette

Sean Roberts reports on Uzbekistan's imaginary middle class and compares the daughter of the country's president to Marie Antoinette.

Bahrain has banned demonstrations, gatherings and rallies in ‘sensitive’ locations, but Chanad Bahraini thinks that the list is too long. He says the ban may be because workers are holding strikes in their work places, calling for pay rises and better working conditions.

Palestinian-Jordanian blogger Haitham Sabbah tells us about the plight of a Palestinian refugee who is looking for a lawyer/s to help her “present a case, or cases, against the State of Israel and private individuals and organizations, for damages, because of human rights abuses and many other crimes perpetrated against...

Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel was killed in a terrorist attack in Jdeideh in Beirut, Abu Kais reports minutes after the attack. Follow the link for more updates as more details about the assassination emerge.

Brunei: Malay Wedding

The ever resourceful blogger at The Daily Brunei resources ushers in the peak of wedding season in Brunei by describing the wedding attire worn by Malay males.

Senegal: Garbage Handlers’ Working Conditions

Appalled at the working conditions of the employees of a local garbage collection company, Blog Politique du Senegal writes (Fr): “Quick to denounce slavery … we refuse to see the quasi-slavery endured by many in our society and in our families. These quasi-slaves whose masters we are.”