Stories from 29 May 2007
Pakistan: Begum Nawazish Ali
The Pakistani Spectator on a delightful talk show where a man presents himself as a woman named Begum Nawazish Ali. “One thing is clear and established that the program “Late Night Show with Begum Nawazish Ali” broadcast by AAJ channel, is in striking contrast with the Pakistani values, but its...
Nepal: On “newness”
Nepali Network has a post on the notion of “newness” and its perception. “Usha Bista has become an apt metaphor for the tentativeness of our trudge toward a new Nepal. A member of the Loktantrik [Democratic] Everest Expedition 2007, Bista was part of a much-hyped endeavor to show the rest...
Bangladesh: Religion and Spirituality
Sadiq M Alam on religion and spirituality. “One can become cold blooded murderer even in the name of religion, in the name of God and justifying unthinkable crime even holding a holy book of religion. What is interesting is that Spirituality without religiousness again becomes selfish, an escape route for...
Sierra Leone: State Led Prostitution, Diamond Tales, And More
After three years of peace following eleven years of civil war, Sierra Leone is engaged in concerted efforts to attract investors. The efforts, which are led by the the government of Sierra Leone and the the Department of International Development in the UK, involve a campaign, Sierra Leone: Back in Business. Sierra Leone, like many other African countries, is guilty of "state led prostitution" in its attempts to bring investors back into the country, argues Sweet Sierra Leone.
Corruption in Senegal
Le Blog Politique du Senegal posts data on the incidence of corruption in Senegal and reminds us that the definition of corruption differs around the world; in Senegal, the practice of exchanging gifts is deeply rooted in traditional culture.
Bahrain: Police Excessive Use of Force
“I’m not sure what the Ministry of the Interior wants to achieve by its continuous excessive use of force. If this is their idea of instilling love for the country, they failed; if it is their intention to protect public and private property, they failed, their habitual use of tear...
Jewlicious: Hamas Spreading Propaganda
Writing in Jewlicious, US-based Rabbi Yonah accuses Palestinian group Hamas of spreading propaganda on the Internet.
Palestine: South African Views on Israel
Palestinian blogger Haitham Sabbah links to an article about “Ronnie Kasrils – South Africa Minister of Intelligence – testimony and experience upon his visit to Israel and Occupied Palestine; published by an internationally recognized Jewish South African in a major South African paper (Mail&Guardian).”
Jordan: The Other 3% in Syria
From Jordan, Naseem Al Tarawnah writes: ‘The BBC Reported: “The interior ministry said he (Syrian President Bashar al-Assad) won the backing of more than 97% of Syria’s 12 million voters in Sunday’s referendum.” Question: If Bashar Al-Assad was running unopposed, who were the other 3% voting for?’
Israel: A Lesson in Sikhism
Israeli blogger David Bogner gives us a lesson about Sikhism after a trip to India.
Egypt: From Here and There
Egypt-based blogger Issandr El Amrani selects a few essential readings here, where he links to articles of interest to his readers including one about how some Iraqi refugees are turning to the sex trade in Syria and the uproar an agreement to send 120,000 Egyptian housemaids to Saudi Arabia has...
Belarus: Blogger br23/Uładzimer Katkoŭski Passes Away
Belarusian blogger Uładzimer Katkoŭski/br23 passed away in Prague on May 25 at the age of 30. As one of his online friends wrote, "To a large degree thanks to his effort Belarusian-language Internet is now what it is."
Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela: Media & Politics
“When media become political players themselves, they lose their credibility, and they betray the people who rely on them for truthful, accurate information.” Jeremy Taylor weighs in on the controversy surrounding the closure of RCTV in Venezuela.
Antigua, St. Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis: Caribbean Cooking
“This little gem…is a riot of colour and it’s got some interesting recipes by top chefs from Antigua, St Lucia and St Kitts & Nevis”: Can Cook, Must Cook discovers a cool new Caribbean cookbook.
Jamaica: Requests for Proposal
“Only recently have I come to understand why my stomach churns and I politely demur, when I am told that several companies will be bidding on a solution”: Jamaican Francis Wade reveals why he runs away from Requests For Proposal.
A special-made signboard for wife of government officials
“Wife (Samonim) of the Seoul Mayor and Wife of the District Chief, Welcome to Jung-gu District Office!” A special-made signboard was mocked by bloggers.[ko]
Guyana: Mother Nature
Guyana-Gyal and her mother discuss what could be ailing Mother Nature…
ka,na,da,ra,ma,ba,sa…
ka,na,da,ra,ma,ba,sa… the Korean alphabet has been used for a love poem.
Kuwait: What Kuwaitis Did This Week?
It's been yet another busy week for Kuwaiti bloggers who give us a break down of their day to day activities. While one contemplates why he should register to attend a film festival, others are visiting relatives and friends, ordering lunches in, comparing hypermarket prices and scrutinising Google Earth for places they didn't know existed in their country. Abdullatif Al Omar has more.
Cuba: Health Care
Child of the Revolution refers to a New York Times article as he examines the Cuban health care system.
Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica: Caribbean Customer Relations
“We all like to belong, most of us like to be acknowledged, and if we're paying you for a product or service, we most definitely like to be kept in the loop,” writes Karel Mc Intosh as she examines customer relationship management in the Caribbean.