Stories from 19 June 2007
Haiti: Reflections on the beauty of life
Note d'Or writes about a new-found appreciation for the beauty of life after a nine day hospital stay. “As I greet each tree, each bird, each blade of grass and my square of flowers, I thank the rusty beds for being there to make me aware of these beauties that...
India, Pakistan: Kashmiris and terrorists
Kashmir on the perception of Kashmiris in India and in Indian media as terrorists.
South Asia: Sir Salman Rushdie
Sepia Mutiny on knighthood and Salman Rushdie, and how the writer in the 80s was a strong critic of the British establishment.
India: On Arranged Marriages
Sudipta's Life on a discussion on arranged marriages at a rather “international” gathering.
Central African Republic: Rebel soldier executed for shooting MSF volunteer
The young rebel soldier responsible for the death of a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) volunteer has been executed, Alliance Pour La Democratie et Le Progres writes. The director of MSF was shocked. “A tragic death is followed by an absurd one.” (Fr)
Sri Lanka: Then Sri Lankan Blogger
London, Lanka and Drums on what makes a Sri Lankan blogger. “My view on it is that the SL bloggers share an interest in Sri Lanka, whether that is because of nationality or location or heritage it doesn't matter.”
Bangladesh: Deporting Mohiuddin
Mash on the deportation of Mohiuddin to Bangladesh from the US, and why it's not a day to celebrate but to reflect.
Congo: Small business important for economic growth
Congopage writes about the importance of small and medium businesses (Fr) and private initiative for economic growth.
Benin's fans get rowdy at the Togo-Benin match
Togo played Benin in Cotonu this Sunday, the fifth day of qualifying matches for the 2008 Africa cup. Benin won (4-1), but not before their supporters engaged in what Togo-iTunes calls “gratuitous violence” (Fr). Togo-iTunes has photographs of the match and the rowdy fans, taken by a Togolese journalist posing...
Togo: Possible avian flu outbreak
Togo iTunes writes about a suspected case of avian flu in Togo [Fr]. On a semi-commercial farm 45 km outside of Lome, 2,000 of 3,000 chickens died in two days.
Phénix, Défi Liban, a collaborative blog for Lebanese and French middle school students
Phénix, Défi Liban is a collaborative blog between two middle schools, one French, one Lebanese, that seeks to “symbolize and make concrete the desire for peace that animates us.” [Fr]
Guyana, Barbados: Living Legends
Living Guyana laments the fact that the majority of Guyanese cricketing heroes choose to live elsewhere.
Trinidad & Tobago: Happy Labour Day
The 5Rivers Kid acknowledges the celebration of Labour Day in Trinidad and Tobago.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada: The Grenada 13
Abeni weighs in on the re-sentencing hearing for those convicted of murdering Grenadian Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and others in 1983.
Guyana: Seeing is Believing
Guyana-Gyal will not believe she has a rodent problem until she sees it with her own eyes - but she's setting down a few traps just in case.
Dominica: The Scent of an Island
“Whether it is bay leaf and ginger in the Southeast of the island, the flowers in the rain forest, or the frangipani, plumeria and night blooming jasmine planted in gardens, Dominica smells like nowhere else on earth.” Living Dominica breathes in the beauty of the island.
Cuba: New Rules for UN Human Rights Council
Even as members of the European Union seek “to forge a fresh relationship with the government in Havana”, the United Nations announced that it has dropped independent expert monitors of alleged human rights abuses in Cuba. Uncommon Sense shares his perspective.
Iraq: Difficult Reconciliation
Amid increasing sectarian violence in Iraq, Alive in Baghdad concludes: it's difficult to see how reconciliation between Iraqis can be possible in the short-term.
Iraq: 830 Assassinations Documented
“Over 830 assassinations have been documented, victims killed along with their families. Numbers includes: 380 university academics and doctors, 210 lawyers and judges, and 243 journalists/media workers” writes Ismail Jalili in an article posted by Iraqi blogger Imad Khadduri.
Bahrain: MP Branded a Kaffir
A religious Bahraini MP has been branded a “kaffir” – an apostate – and Mahmood Al Yousif discusses how this could become a dangerous trend in society.
Israel: Dancing Queens
Israelity gives us a review of British production Mamma Mia – which was enthusiastically received by Israel's dancing queens (and kings).
