Stories from 24 August 2007
Eiffel Tower Not ‘That Big’
Lebanese Mark, who lives in Kuwait, wasn't impressed with the Eiffel Tower during his trip to Paris and notes: “I was really expecting it to be much bigger. Weird.”
Jordan: Laptop for Varsity Students
A plan to provide Jordanian university students with affordable laptops is finally being implemented, announces Ahmad Humeid from Jordan.
Guyana: A Woman's Role
Stella Ramsaroop finds herself assuming the role of submissive woman…but only long enough for her to use it as an example of how women must not “mindlessly fall in line with patriarchal socialisations.”
Trinidad & Tobago: A Case for Condoms
“The reality is that people are having sex, illicit or otherwise, with frightening proportions in our country being infected with HIV and other STIs.” Ramblings and Reason makes a case for educating youngsters about being sexually responsible.
Russia: An “Oasis of Nonchalance”
August 19 marked sixteen years since the beginning of the Soviet Union's collapse. On this day, LJ user galerist (Marat Guelman, gallery owner from Moscow) happened to post a sketch on his visit to a rich client's estate - a sketch that, in a way, highlighted some of the changes that have - and have not - occurred since 1991.
Tanzania: The future of the East African Community
By joining SADCC instead of Comesa, Tanzania has diminished chances of a regional integration: “This was until Tanzania opted out again to join South African Development Cooperation (SADC) , allying itself to what is clearly a grouping for Southern African countries.”
Jamaica: Election postponed — till when?
In the aftermath of Hurricane Dean, confusion reigns over the postponement of the Jamaican general election originally scheduled for 27 August.
Kenya: Political satire on Facebook
Kenyan political satire of Facebook: Kenyan opposition figure Raila Odinga has two facebook profiles. In one of them, his only friend appears to be the very dodgy Artur Margaryan. The other, which seems more likely to be real, says that Raila is ” Raila is Working hard to cement ODMK...
Guyana: Let There Be Light
“Yes, in these bright nights of electricity and days of sunlight, jumbies stalking we land, living jumbies with minds so dead they can’t switch on the light no more…” Guyana-Gyal finds a way to shine light on dark days.
Madascar: It takes a village to raise an idea
It takes a village to raise an idea: “4 African bloggers from there have united on a project to make a difference. They aren’t just talking, they are doing something.”
Tunisia: explanations about lodging regulations
Mouwaten Tounsi explains that the accusation of racism in a dispute over lodging regulation is much ado about nothing. He explains that in Tunisia, it is against the law to rent a room to unwed Tunisian couples. This rule applies only if you are of Tunisian citizenship. Therefore the couple...
Dominica: Back to Normal
Steve's Dominica sees signs that the island is returning to normal after Hurricane Dean.
Ukraine: Independence Day
Scenes from the Sidewalk and Ukrainiana write about Ukraine's Independence Day – today and 16 years ago.
Ukraine: Another Poisoning?
Foreign Notes writes about an alleged poisoning of the author of “the only book written to date describing the turf wars that took place in the early and mid '90's in Donetsk and their alleged participants.”
Russia: Opinion on Chechnya
Window on Eurasia cites opinion polls on the Russian attitudes toward Chechnya.
Russia: Pensioners Back to Work
Low pensions and not enough young people are the reasons why more Russian retirees are returning to work, reports Window on Eurasia.
Madagascar: Closing ceremony of the Indian Ocean Island games
According to Jentilisa, the closing ceremony of the Indian Ocean Island Games went on without any troubles because the organizers learned from their previous mistakes during the opening ceremony (Mg).
Russia: Subethnic Divisions
Window on Eurasia writes on how subethnic divisions among Russians influence (or not) Russia's relations with its neighbors.
Russia: Muslims the Majority in 2050
Window on Eurasia writes that, according to a Kremlin adviser, more than half of the population of the Russia will be Muslim in 2050.
Tahiti: Photos of dancers performing the “fire” dance.
Amazing photos of Tahitian dancers performing “la dance du feu” (the fire dance). Fenua blog advice: “do not try it at home !” (Fr).
Europe: Elimination of Roma in 1944
Peshas Gypsy Gitan Blog writes about the elimination of the Roma by the Nazi in 1944: “The Roma kept very few written records the Generations gone before were remembered and kept alive in memory by word of mouth. Those murdered in the death camps were not only killed but they...
