Stories from 20 May 2008
Uganda: Being gay in Uganda
Being gay in Uganda is like banging your head against the wall: “Can you imagine how hard it is realizing that you are gay, growing up and realizing that your sexual orientation is different in such a society, where ‘officially’ sex is a taboo subject, demonized. And on television and...
Zimbabwe: The plight of Zimbabweans in South Africa
Xenophobic attacks in South Africa are felt in Zimbabwe: “The xenophobic attacks against migrant workers in South Africa is having its inevitable knock on impact on people here in Zimbabwe too.”
Tanzania: Review of Bongoland II
The Star Tribune review a Swahili movie, Bongoland II: “The beauty of “Bongoland II” arises in its misleading simplicity. Although it could be said that the film tracks Juma's adaptation, it uses larger issues to highlight the ways in which Juma is not – and may never be – fully...
Israel: Success at Last
From Israel, Haim Watzman celebrates the success of his son at school – after a lot of hard work and the frustrations of being different.
China: Ethnically diverse forum shut down
Uighur Online's attraction was in that it tolerated occasionally offensive and hateful opinions as valid parts of discussion; its closure now only demonstrates the short-sightedness of those responsible. As with any influential blog or BBS forum in China, Uighur Online's administrators were already in theory forced to censor any language which might alarm authorities. Now, all talks are off.
UAE: Homemade Food from Damascus
Syrian blogger Kinan, who lives in the UAE, got urgent home made food supplies from his grandmother – sent to him all the way from Damascus.
UAE: Adorable Old Colleague
Kinan Jarjous, who lives in the UAE, writes about an elderly colleague with him in his office and says: “She's soooooooooooooo adoooooorablllllllllleeeeeeeeeee I want to gobble her all up!”
Trinidad & Tobago: Emergency 101
A fatal road accident along Trinidad's North Coast leads KnowProSE.com to comment: “Emergency medicine infrastructure and preventative measures are not a priority, it seems. It seems a victim of economic triage…does the Government of Trinidad and Tobago value the lives of citizens and visitors, much less the quality of life?”
Cuba: Warnings from Sanchez
Uncommon Sense links to a post that Havana-based blogger Yoani Sanchez has written, which suggests that she may soon be arrested, saying: “Please pray for this brave woman, and for her continued safety.”
Bahamas: Thoughts on Crime
Rick Lowe at WeblogBahamas.com laments that crime is out of control, while Craig Butler over at Bahama Pundit thinks that parliamentary hearings on crime should be broadcast on television.
Trinidad & Tobago: Crash and Burn?
This Beach Called Life is worried about the direction Trinidad & Tobago is taking: “I am certain the economy will soon crash. I am basing my economic prediction, not on a feeling, but on newspaper commentaries, comments by the Governor of the Central Bank and the imbecilic looks on the...
Armenia: Out of Change
Dominic in Armenia comments on how frustrating buying goods with bills in the local currency can be. In particular he recounts how even if a shop has change it will often say it doesn't to avoid having to take bills over 5,000 drams (about $16). Small change is also a...
Cuba: Dissidents & Independence
Child of the Revolution blogs about claims by Cuba's Ministry for Foreign Affairs that “the top US diplomat in Havana…is handing over money from Cuban exiles to some dissidents on the island”, while El Cafe Cubano adds: “Today is May 2oth, Cuba's date of Independence. Who would know from all...
Jamaica: Un-Welcome?
Montego Bay Day by Day says that one unique local restaurant would be “extremely happy to welcome you” – once you read through the fine print.
Barbados: Capacity for Tourism
“Tourism is the life blood of the Barbados economy. Any decisions made outside Barbados that would have a negative impact on our survival is cause for concern”: Bajan Global Report says that the recent decision by US air carriers to cut their capacity because of rising fuel prices could mean...
Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica: Telling Stories
As Trinidadian-born filmmaker Frances-Ann Solomon's A Winter Tale opens in local theatres, Jamaican blogger Geoffrey Philp quotes a particularly poignant review: “A storyteller is a shape-shifter who uses every tool, every image, every sense to draw you in, capture your imagination.”
Georgia: Right to Return
Steady State comments on the passing by the UN National Assembly of a resolution recognizing the right of Georgian refugees to return to the breakaway region of Abkhazia. However, the blog says that despite its passage there was little interest shown by UN member states, most of which either abstained...
Armenia: Sirusho Eurovision Update
Unzipped Gay Armenia says that Sirusho, the country's entry in this week's Eurovision Song Contest, is the best yet and stands a good chance of winning the international song contest. The blog also says that if she does, next year's Eurovision would be held in Yerevan and attract the attention...
Sudan: Sami al-Hajj Released, Khartoum Attacked
This round-up highlights the two most talked about recent topics in the Sudanese blogosphere. We will start with the release of the Sudanese al-Jazeera journalist Sami al-Hajj from Guantanamo Bay where he was held for six years without trial.
Armenia: HIV Awareness
Armenia and Me reports and posts photographs from Sunday's annual HIV Awareness event held in Yerevan. The blog says that over 60 Red Cross youth volunteers marched through the center of the capital with candles. The event ended by creating an illuminated HIV ribbon by one of the city's most...
Videos: Creativity in facing the water crisis
With two very recent natural disasters in mind: the cyclone in Myanmar and the Earthquake in Sichuan, China, the topic of getting pure and drinkable water to needy populations has come back into the conversation. Following, several videos which propose different solutions to supply clean water or at least make it easier for people to have a healthful liquid to drink.
