Stories from 20 March 2008
Israel: Shakespeare Was a Jewish Woman?
The Bard's identity has long been a matter of debate, but a new candidate has entered the scene. Could Shakespeare have been an Italian Jewish woman? Jewcy's John Hudson provides eight pieces of evidence to convince you.
Israel: Historic Visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel
Chancellor Angela Merkel's address to the Israeli Knesset was the first ever by a German head of state. Following controversy that Merkel would speak in German– an issue that enraged Holocaust survivors for its perceived insensitivity– Merkel spoke in Hebrew. Israel On Blog features the full story and a video...
Israel: A Joyous Celebration of Purim
The holiday of Purim celebrates the triumph of the Jewish people over those who seek and sought their destruction. Purim is a joyful holiday celebrated with costumes, festivities, good food, and much drinking, writes Maya Norton, from Israel.
Iran:Iran in Slides
Damon Lynch in asianreflection presents Iran in several slides/photos.
Iraq: Five Years of War and Deception
Moi, from My Occupied Territory, writes about the fifth anniversary of the war on Iraq in this post. “The U.S. will continue to live with this burden for years to come,” she says.
Morocco: Prisoners Pardoned
More than 560 prisoners were pardoned in Morocco, to mark the Prophet's Birthday, announced The View from Fez.
Lebanon: At the Lebanese-Syrian border
Returning to Lebanon after a trip to Syria, Bech shares his experience with the officials at the Lebanese side of the border.
Lebanon: Dutch embassy without flag
“Since a couple of days, The Dutch embassy in Beirut has stopped flying its flag,” reports Harald Doornbos from Beirut.
Sri Lanka: Agriculture and Policy
Perceptions explores how flawed agricultural policies in Sri Lanka have had an impact on other aspects of the economy in the country.
Nepal: Independence, Autonomy and Tibet
Bahas on the politics of Independence, Autonomy and the Dalai Lama, and the issue of Tibet as it emerges in South Asia.
Bangladesh: Cartoonist released
Unheard Voices announces the release of the cartoonist Arif, after six months of being detained.
India: A petition for Tibet
Sacred Media Cow is running a petition against Chinese excesses to control Tibetan protests.
Lebanon: Lack of interest
“To be completely honest with you, I’m having a sudden lack of interest in Lebanese affairs these days… It could be a serious case of disillusionment about Lebanon and its politics, or it could be a simple case of I-need-a-break,” says Beirut Spring about his lull in blogging.
Lebanon: Solidere demolishes synagogue
“The last witnesses to Beirut's architectural heritage and to the once-thriving Lebanese Jewish community in Wadi Abu-Jmil fall to the bulldozers of Saad Hariri's Solidere,” writes Hanibaal.
Lebanon: Hanging on
Marillionlb shares the story of a middle aged man who is keeping his faith in Lebanon despite the odds and hardships.
Korea: Independence Movements in Tibet and in Korea
As groups in other countries support Tibetans’ rage and criticize the violence of the Chinese government, Korean netizens are also busy making signature-seeking-campaigns or boycotting the Beijing Olympics. The participants who express their opinions on the internet and put their names on the campaigns are more and more. The reasons...
Barbados, UK: RIP Arthur C. Clarke
Barbadian bloggers Notes From The Margin and Pull! Push! acknowledge the passing of “noted science fiction writer and visionary” Arthur C. Clarke.
Barbados: Riding the Waves?
Blogging from Barbados, Notes From The Margin reports that Eastern Caribbean territories are bracing for large waves as a result of “a deep low pressure centre that spawned tornadoes and thunderstorms across the US earlier this week.”
Bermuda, USA: Watching US Elections
“As the American election process grinds on, I find myself more and more impressed by Barack Obama’s apparent decency and integrity”, writes Breezeblog, while Politics.bm says that “many of the themes” in Obama's latest speech “are very applicable to Bermuda.”
Jamaica: Teenaged Crime
“Apparently the crime rate in the region is the highest in the world for teens ages 15-17″: Jamaican Francis Wade links to an article that gives the details.
Guyana: Firsts
Guyana-Gyal gets “first”ed.