December, 2007

Stories from December, 2007

Kuwaiti Publisher in Court

  31 December 2007

The Kuwait authorities levied charges of libel against Dr. Saad bin Tifla [translate], the publisher of the first online newspaper in the Gulf – Alaan – citing their Press & Publications Law of 2006, reports Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al Yousif.

Africa: Africa's modular machines

  31 December 2007

Afrigadget has a video showing Africa's modular machines: “The video below shows how the machines are used in wood workshops to make design cutouts, carve out pieces for furniture and to split planks of wood. It is essentially the same machine pieces, motor, pulleys and frame, just customized for different...

Is Kenya turning into a police state?

  31 December 2007

How would you describe the political situation in Kenya? White African uses three words to describe millions of Kenyan voters following the announcement that the Mwai Kibaki has won by 200,000+ votes: disappointed, angry and jaded. Daudi of Mental Acrobatics chose one word to describe the mood: uncertainty. What are other bloggers saying?

Jamaica: Friends for Life

  31 December 2007

“Moving home to live in Jamaica has revealed to me that American friends are for a reason, but Jamaican friends are for life”: In Francis Wade‘s experience, West Indians and North Americans approach relationships very differently.

Dominica: Bhutto's Son

  31 December 2007

Living Dominica is touched by the words of Benazir Bhutto's son and wonders “what the world would be like today if American leaders had spoken words like this in the wake of 9-11″.

Barbados: Homophobia

  31 December 2007

“In the Caribbean we are confused and hypocritical in our attitudes toward sex in general”: Living in Barbados blogs about the region's lack of tolerance for homosexuality.

Lusosphere: Wishes and hopes for 2008

  31 December 2007

The new year is inevitably soon arriving and the Lusosphere is booming with posts about traditions, resolutions, wishes, and reflections. Here is a short roundup of Portuguese speaking blogs from Brazil, Cape Verde, East Timor, Mozambique and Portugal - although countries far apart, they share the language and hopes for a better future.

Kenya: Total media blackout

  31 December 2007

Kenyan Pundit on total media blackout in Kenya: “I have no news to report. It’s a total total blackout. Watching TV feels like watching TV under some crazy dictatorship. I mean we all know that the country is on fire, but KBC is airing Just for Laughs. WTF???”

Pakistan: Benazir Bhutto's legacy

  31 December 2007

The news of Benazir Bhutto's death seems to have finally settled in. Bloggers are now focusing their attention on what Bhutto's legacy might be. Bhutto comes from a powerful family of sorts, and as is often characteristic of politics in South Asia, a lot of the controversy ow is directed...