Stories from 26 July 2007
South Africa: commodification of poverty
What is this commodification of poverty in South Africa?: “The commodification of poverty is becoming more fashionable by the hour. For instance, a new restaurant in Greenside, a trendy suburb near Johannesburg ’s CBD, allows its patrons to enjoy their dining experience as if they were in a shack.”
Israeli Security at a South African airport?
Walton Pantland is outraged that Israeli security police are operating in South Africa where they detained, interrogated and strip searched Xolile Nxu, the Vice-President of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) at O R Tambo Airport (formally Johannesburg International).
Japan: Sanja Matsuri suspension
Anpontan has posted an overview of the reasons behind this year's suspension of the main event of a three-day festival, which he explains are connected to the increasing presence of yakuza, who have “taken to wandering from festival to festival in Tokyo lately looking for action and dominating events.” He...
Russia: Registration
White Sun of the Desert writes about Russia's frustrating registration law – which applies to citizens and non-citizens alike.
Russia: Berezovsky and Britain
Sean's Russia Blog writes about Boris Berezovsky and the problems of Russia's relations with Great Britain.
Russia: Nazi Attack Environmentalists
Sean's Russia Blog reports on the recent deadly attack on a camp of Russian anti-nuclear activists – here and here.
Russia: Energy Deals Blog Coverage
Ruminations on Russia criticizes Russia Blog‘s coverage of the recent deals in the energy sector.
Russia: Cyclical History
From Russia With Blog looks at Putin's Russia from a “cyclical history” perspective – and also highlights “the apathy of the Russian masses” by describing the annual no-hot-water season.
Russia: Polonium 210 Coffee Mugs
The Accidental Russophile considers buying a Polonium 210 coffee mug, available at CafePress for $10.99.
Russia: Grozny at Google Earth
The world zooms in on Chechnya's capital Grozny via Google Earth and doesn't see much reconstruction going on, A Step At A Time reports.
Bangla blogs discuss evolution – Of life, blogs and women power
What is blogging all about? Is it about sharing one's daily life and/or thoughts with the rest of the world? Is it then an autobiography of sorts? Can a blog be deemed as literature? Suman Rehman, who labels himself as an ‘uploader’ rather than a true blue blogger, set the...
Botswana: fighting HIV/Aids with billboards
Latest efforts in the fight against HIV/Aids in Nata village, Botswana: “Another new billboard in the fight against HIV/AIDS has appeared in Nata. This campaign is aimed at the men of Botswana. The men in Botswana have had a history of not taking part in the numerous AIDS programs that...
Nigeria: This is Port Harcourt
Titilayo remembers her experience in Port Harcourt: “I am writing this from Kaduna, a commercial hub of northern Nigerian. I had to travel from Abuja to Kaduna by road and by Nigerian standards, I will call the roads…smoo0ooth roads. This prompted me to reminisce on my first visit to Port...
India: Women, abortions and the Government
Kafila on the girl-child in India, the government's alarming proposals to stop sex-selective abortions and the impact it has on women's control over their bodies.
India: On Marriage
Wannabe Indian Punkster comes up with a list of reasons to not get married.
Pakistan: Chaniot
Light Within on a town called Chaniot – famous for its woodwork and the furniture industry.
Sri Lanka: English and Universal Language
A Janusis on the prevalence of English, the cultural and historical backdrop of the “universal language”.
D. R. of Congo: Miracle-peddlars, musical hippos and scary lightbulbs
Probably the most consistently interesting Congolese blog is kept by Cédric Kalonji [Fr], whose photographs and commentary bear humorous but often sorrowful witness to the struggles of ordinary life in Kinshasa, the country's heavily populated, run-down capital. Returning from a recent visit to Europe, Cédric found himself wondering whether the...
Nepal: The Gulf for Nepalis
United We Blog! on the harrowing experience of a Nepali student returning from US, witnessing the treatment of Nepali people in Bahrain.
Caribbean: Seven Wonders of the Caribbean
Why hasn't the Caribbean appeared on the Seven Wonders of the World list? Bajegirl at the Cheese on Bread blog lists the “Seven Wonders of the Caribbean”.
Afghanistan/Kazakhstan: Moving around 42 kids
Tom T retells his adventures of accompanying 42 young Afghan students across the border from Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan.
