Stories from 13 July 2007
Nepal: No cut for the King
Kathmandu Speaks on the budget in Nepal, which proposes, among other things, no more money for the King and his kin.
Sri Lanka: Music
London, Lanka and Drums on music and its importance to Sri Lankans.
Bangladesh: Going to Dhaka
A Sunshine Too Brief goes to Bangladesh and discovers two unexpected things – great facials and a lesson in humility.
Peru: Bloggers Celebrate Machu Picchu's Selection as a Wonder of the World
The much delayed selection of the “new seven wonders of the world” has finally ended; Machu Picchu, also known as the lost city of the Incas, came in fourth place in the election, which was decided by internet users around the world. Peruvian bloggers were pleased with the results and hope that this means improved conservation of this archaeological site.
Bahrain: Do Bahrainis Want To Be Part Of Iran?
Bahrain is making headlines in the international Press. While mainstream media in the country is turning a blind eye, bloggers are busy typing away at their keyboards to talk about what is beyond the headlines. What did the LA Times write about Bahrain and what do bloggers think? What are the Iranian papers writing about the Kingdom and what do bloggers have to say? Would you rather drive for 15 minutes in a traffic jam or walk for five? These are some of the issues tackled by bloggers this week.
Yemen: The iAge
Yemeni Omar Barsawad writes about the impact of the i-age on his country.
Syria: Damascus Old Streets
Syrian Looks takes us down Damascus’ old streets in this photo post.
Lebanon: Three Palestinians Shot Dead
Golaniya writes about attending a memorial service for three Palestinians shot dead by the Lebanese Army during a peaceful demonstration in Baddawi.
Jordan: Bush in Court
Shifaa from Jordan writes about calling US President Bush to testify in front of a Jordanian court.
Jordan: Family Life
Naseem Tarawnah from Jordan opens a small window into his family life and living with parents in a light-hearted post.
Algeria: Muslim Prayer Break
Nouri, an Algerian American blogger, discusses the 15-minute break for prayers for Muslims in schools.
Egypt: After Mubarak
D B Shobrawy from Egypt is worried that history may repeat itself in his country. “My fears for the future of Egypt are largely based on what might happen when Mubarak dies,” writes the blogger.
Bahrain: Irresponsible Response
Bahraini Mahmood Al Yousif is angered by the “irresponsible” response of an official to the plight of the legendary Tree of Life.
Haiti: Unmasked
gmtPlus9 (-15) links to a project called Kids With Cameras, which has given Haitian children in indentured servitude the power to tell their own stories.
Jamaica: The Human Cage
“A caged bird cannot pick blossom from the tree nor catch worms from the soil.” The Inmate Diaries features the poetry of Byron Mesquita, a prisoner at a correctional facility in Jamaica.
Bahamas: Literary Ethnicity?
“When I gave my reading…someone remarked that my poetry was not ‘street’. Well, I wondered, why should it be?” Nicolette Bethel examines the role ethnicity plays in literature.
Israel: the censorship bill unanimously approved
The censorship bill for internet porn and violence proposed by Amnon Cohen of the ultra-orthodox Shas party has been unanimously approved by the Ministerial Committee on Legislation and will be brought to the Israeli Knesset.
Barbados: Losing Tourists to Dubai?
As Barbados Free Press identifies Dubai as the island's new tourism competitor, it also examines some of the challenges Barbados faces: “Barbados Tourism has suffered from an identity crisis. We don’t know what we want to be anymore and our messages to the world reflect this confusion.”
Bahamas: Freedom of Information
“I find it difficult to write about this subject – it's such a no-brainer, and so crucial to the good governance of the country that it upsets me.” Larry Smith at Bahama Pundit blogs about the Freedom of Information Act.
Vietnam: Love of Reading
Chlim01 is impressed by the Vietnamese people's love for books.
Japan: Robot receptionists
Edo from Pinktacle reports: On July 11, People Staff, a major temporary staffing agency based in Nagoya, announced it has accepted 10 of the robots as dispatch workers and is ready to send them out to work at businesses and institutions in the Tokai area of central Japan.
