Stories from 23 November 2007
Brazil: Violence against woman
Marcelo Tas [pt] compares two recent incidents of violence against women in different parts of the planet. In Abaetetuba, Brazil, a teenager was incarcerated in a cell with 20 male inmates. It had the predicable result, the girl was raped repeatedly. In Saudi Arabia, a girl was found in a...
Arabeyes: Halal Pork?
Islam, like Judaism, bans its adherents from consuming pork. But what happens when rumours about 'Halal' or religiously sanctioned pork appear in the market? Here's what some bloggers and participants in an online forum from Bahrain have to say.
Brazil: Thinking about cybercrime
Universo Anárquico [pt] looks into Megan Meier's suicide to discuss cybercrime, such as cyberstalking and the use of anonymity to bully and cause psychological or emotional damage to others. She recommends some online safety and help groups and says it is time to take action: “Their purpose is not to...
Trinidad & Tobago: Notable Caribbean Books
Antilles reports that The New York Times has selected four works by Caribbean authors as part of its annual list of “100 Notable Books of the Year”.
Cuba: Regional Police Force?
Babalu Blog finds “alarming” the prospect of “a new Latin American and Caribbean regional police force modeled on Interpol.”
Bermuda: Xenophobia?
A Limey In Bermuda thinks that “some members of the (governing) PLP are wearing their xenophobia as if it were a perfume.”
Barbados, St. Vincent: Rhodes Scholar
Barbados Underground pays tribute to young Vincentian Robert Luke Browne, the 2008 Rhodes Scholar for the Eastern Caribbean.
Bahamas: Dancing with the Stars?
Ringplay Productions was impressed with the National Dance Company of the Bahamas’ recent performance with the Alvin Ailey Company.
Iran:Persepolis,the Movie
Sepideh Saremi,in Pars Arts, wrote about Persepolis movie.Persepolis is a an award winner animated feature based on autobiographical comics by Marjan Satrapi.
Iran:Sohrab Razaghi is free
Sohrab Razaghi,a former professor in university and civil society activist,is out of prison now. Kossof, a leading photo blogger,has published several recent photos of Razaghi.
D. R. of Congo: Interview with ‘Best Francophone Blogger’ Cédric Kalonji
It's always heartening to see a good blog make the leap from a niche audience to wider recognition. Global Voices interviews the Kinshasa-based author of this year's 'Best Blog in French' (as chosen by the Best of Blogs jury).
Turkmenistan: Turkmenbashi's Hidden Wealth
Steve LeVine reflects on the article, in which a very interesting question is being raised: whatever happened to the first Turkmeninstan's President Saparmurat Niyazov's fortune, which reportedly accounts for billions of dollars.
Turkmenistan: New Foreign Education Programs
Conquistador reports that the US embassy has been sponsoring a number of educational programs recently, offering to take Turkmen students to the United States for better education.
Kyrgyzstan: OSCE to Monitor Elections
Asel informs that the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights will send nearly 300 observers to observe the upcoming Parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan.
Kazakhstan: Stabilization Money
Ben is doubtful whether the recently-announced $4bn stabilisation fund in Kazakhstan will be used prudently.
Paraguay: Result of National Survey
Cumplir [es] reviews the results of the National Survey 2007 in Paraguay and people's perceptions of corruption. In addition, the survey also found a very favorable perception of the Catholic Church, partly because of the ex-bishop Fernando Lugo, who will be running for President.
Lebanon: Pessimistic About the Elections
Lebanese blogger Maze is pessimistic about his country's presidential elections. “Tomorrow is the presidential elections in Lebanon after months of killing,destruction and pain…personally I'm pessimistic and don't think that a decision will be taken,” he writes.
Kuwait: Motorbike Trip
Kuwaiti blogger Hellraiser continues to update us on his motorbike trip from Kuwait to Beirut, Lebanon, and back on this blog. The blogger has just arrived in Amman, Jordan, from Beirut.
Philippines: Media on Suicide
Philippine Commentary looks at the media-led stampede of “jumping to conclusions” on the suicide by a 12 year old girl.
Kuwait: Why Worry About the Environment?
“The country is literally screwed, so why would I worry about the environment if I had no future?” wonders blogger Error, from Kuwait.
Kuwait: Paying Traffic Violations Online
Kuwaitis are now able to pay off their traffic violation fines online, announces Zed. “I don't know how effective this is, but i will try it and see if it actually works, unlike everything else in Kuwait,” he notes.