Stories from 4 December 2006
Sri Lanka: Blast in Colombo
A blast in Colombo with the likely target being a Government Minister. More at Indi.ca who says “There’s also a bank and a shopping mall, and a lot of working people pass through there on their way to or from Galle Road. So, that would be a civilian area. Bad...
Africa: exodus of health care workers
The Black Star Journal has a link to an article by The Center for Global Development about the exodus of health care workers from Africa and its impact on rural areas.
Africa: trailing in IP Per Capita
White African posts a chart showing IP per capita in the world, “African countries represent the bottom of the chart. Actually, 8 of the bottom 10 are African countries (Madacascar, Guinea-Bissau, Central African Republic, Burundi, Malawi, Ethiopia, Niger, Democratic Republic of Congo). That’s not a good thing, but not altogether...
Fiji: Fiji Crisis opens up Positions
Mayvelous in Fiji is pointing to the developing situation in Fiji and inviting readers to apply for the openings in Fiji.
Malaysia: Banned Books
The Sensintrovert looks at the list of banned books in Malaysia and asks Are We Heading Towards A Third Reich?
Malaysia: Bloggers and Journalists
Rocky's Bru responds to Malaysian Deputy Information Minister Zahid Hamidi's call to the mainstream media to help counter the incorrect information and allegations by the bloggers. “I am all for positive ethics and taking bloggers to account. Zahid, however, should be reminded that the mainstream media in this country aren't...
Iran:Prisoner of Colour
Pouya has presented on his blog, paintings of Derlara Darabi, a 20 year old girl, who has been in prison since she was 17. She was sentenced to death for confessing to a murder. Although she later stated her confession was false,this was not accepted by court.
Arabisc: Asian Games, Democracy and Models
Why was there no celebration of the Arab heritage in the opening of the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, and what is the relationship between democracy and models and why is an Egyptian blogger asking his readers to watch award-winning movie Good Night and Good Luck? These are some of...
Lebanon: The Babes of Hizbullah
Are Hizbullah babes as photogenic as Hariri's? A debate has broken out about whether the most recent crop of demonstrators are as telegenic as those of the March 14 crowd. Joshua Landis has some photos and links highlighting the Babes of Hizbullah.
United Arab Emirates: Skiing in the rain
“Dubai cannot cope with rain. It is a city built only for desert, with flat roofs, limited drainage and few umbrellas for sale. A small amount of water turns highways into slimy, skidding death traps. A downpour floods roads, pavements and car parks, creating gleaming lakes in the desert that...
Egypt: Miss Earth
Freedom for Egyptians reports that Miss Egypt Meriam George was selected among the top 8 in Miss Earth pageant, held recently in Manila. Meriam was competing with another 84 contestants from all over the world. The Miss Earth contest promotes environmental preservation and contestants are called “beauties for a cause.”
Lebanon: Tripoli Is Boiling
Mustapha says that various eyewitnesses informed him that tens of thousands of protesters have filled the parking lot of the Tripoli International Fair (an area of around 20,000 square meters) in a show of support for the government. The witnesses described a huge forest of Lebanese flags and loud displays...
Kuwait: Wii #1 selling point
What is #1 selling point that Nintendo Wii's marketing strategy didn't fully cover? Jackie says that with the Play Stations and other Gaming consoles one sits on his tush and just plays whereas, the Nintendo Wii offers you a way to stay fit and exercise while playing!
Chile: 27 Hours of Love
Last Thursday marked the begininning of the biggest charity event in Chile, called Teleton (ES) . Carola (ES) explains a little of its history: La historia de Teletón comenzó a escribirse en diciembre de 1978, en Chile, cuando el famoso conductor de Televisión Mario Kreutzberger, Don Francisco, asumió un compromiso...
Iraq: Assassination attempt on Al-Sadr's life
Raed Jarrar says that there are unconfirmed rumors that there's been an attempt on the life of Muqtada Al-Sadr n Najaf. There is nothing in the news about this yet, but Raed promised to keep is updated in case he get more details.
Trinidad & Tobago: Tempo Turns One
“A stabbing, several fist fights and a poorly organised programme” marred the Trinidad leg of MTV Tempo‘s first anniversary concert series, according to this post by guest writer Michael Mondezie at ttgapers.com.
Jamaica: Pam Mordecai
Geoffrey Philp talks about Jamaican author Pamela Mordecai, who reads excerpts of her work in a podcast from the 2006 Miami Book Fair.
Guyana: Woman President in the Offing?
The Guyana Groove republishes an article from the Kaieteur News suggesting that Guyana could be in line for a woman President in the not-too-distant future.
Jamaica: Perry Henzell's Legacy
As the Flashpoint Film Festival opens in Negril, Jamaican View remembers Perry Henzell, the late director of “The Harder They Come”, a Caribbean film classic.
Barbados: Chavez Envy?
The Barbados Free Press, still concerned about Deputy Prime Minister Mia Mottley's proposal that call-in programmes and internet blogs should be placed under government control, sees striking parallels to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
China: temporary freedom for the Olympics?
Angry Chinese blogger comments on the press arrangement in China during the Olympics.
