Stories from 17 January 2008
Colombia: Congressional Delegation and Release of Hostages
Adam Isaacson of Plan Colombia and Beyond is returning from Bogotá, where he accompanied a delegation of U.S. lawmakers that visited Colombia. He provides some thoughts on the visit.
Colombia: A Million Voices Against the FARC
Liberal Colombiano [es] and Jorge Montoya of Fabrica de Cosas [es] are taking note of the interest in the “A Million Voices Against the FARC” citizen's campaign in Colombia.
China and Hong Kong: Jet Li on Patriotism
Diumanpark blogs the transcript of famous actor Li Lianjie or Jet Li's T.V interview, in particular his view about patriotism. To Jet, independent thinking is most crucial (zh).
Hong Kong: Political Surrenderer
ESWN translated an article from Wong Onyin, an internet radio host, about the mission of Anson Chan, an icon of democracy in Hong Kong, as a political surrenderer (the giving up of universal suffrage in 2012). Wong's analysis is hated by both pan democratic alliance and the pro-establishment and seldom...
Japan: Language as Long-term Visa Requirement
Debito has an elaborated comment on the Japan government's proposal on making Japanese language a requirement for long-term visa. Ampotant criticizes BBC's report for creating an impression that Japanese don't like to talk to foreigners.
South Korea: DLP on the Verge of Split
Newscham has an article on the crisis of a major left wing party, Democratic Labour Party, after the fatal defeat in presidential election.
China: Contradictory Statistic
In a Shanghai survey 76% of the primary and secondary school students said that they had never been to the Arts Museum while 84% said that they like the Arts Museum. Zhang-qing wonders how the two figures can co-exist (zh).
Cuba: Discussing Sex Education
Zenia of Regalado [es] writes about sex education in Cuba.
China: No Human Dignity, No Olympic
Clairewy reposted in her blog an article by Teng Biao (a Chinese Lawyer) about Hu Jia's arrest, which re-instated that “without human right and dignity, there is no genuine Olympic; for the sake of China, for the sake of Olympic, we have to defend human right.” (zh)
Mexico: Oldest Bar Closes
The oldest bar in Mexico and perhaps, in Latin America, recently closed its doors writes Philippe Seaz of Defecito [es]
Mexico: Users of Twitter to Gather
Twittmx [es] is the first gathering of “Twitteros” or users of Twitter in Mexico. The hope is that the meetings will become a monthly occurrence.
Iraq: Pride of Baghdad
Konfused Kid from Iraq says Pride of Baghdad is a must read.
iraq: Goldsmiths Still at Work
According to Alive in Baghdad, goldsmiths are still busy at work in the war-torn city.
Libya: Theatre in Arabia
Although Arabs generally see the theatre as a recent import from Europe, different forms of performing arts, such as shadow plays, Sufi and Shia miracle plays, and the oral performances of poetry reciters and storytellers, have a long history in the region, writes Daniazad from Libya.
UAE: Dubai Closed for Bush's Visit
Seabee from Dubai, UAE, is furious the Emirate was closed down for a day during the visit of US president George W Bush.
UAE: Bush Does Dubai
Seabee from Dubai, UAE, sums up the impact of US President George W Bush's visit to the emirate here.
Yemen: Dragon Blood Trees
From Yemen, Omar Busawad shares with us one of his country's marvels – the Dragon's Blood trees of Socotra.
Bahrain: Freezing Weather
From Lebanon, Summer says Bahrain is freezing. She also posts a video of the country she is moving to here.
Saudi Arabia: Letter to Al Farhan
Saudi Jeans writes an open letter to jailed Saudi blogger Fouad Al Farhan here.
Yemen: In Support of Fouad
Yemeni blogger Yemen Eye (Ar) expresses his support for jailed Saudi blogger Fouad Al Farhan in this post.
