Stories from 27 May 2008
Barbados, U.S.A.: Taking It Back
On the heels of Hillary Clinton's comment about Bobby Kennedy, Barbadian blogger Jdid comments: “You're just playing the spoiler now. It almost looks like you are trying to muddy the waters for your fellow democrat. All I can say is both you and Bill showed a wicked and dirty side...
Jamaica: Gays and Golding
Kadene Porter at Jamaica's Abeng News Magazine analyzes the Prime Minister's controversial BBC interview in which he said that there would be no gays in his Cabinet: “It is rather strange that this single issue has come to define the morals of a people, considering the heinous nature of crimes...
Morocco: Campaign to Support the Unemployed
The Moroccan Bloggers Association has launched a campaign [Ar] draw attention to the atrocities and harsh treatment jobless Moroccan graduates with higher degrees are being subjected to when they protest for jobs.
UAE: Googling what?
UAE blogger Fahad looks at what internet surfers in the United Arab Emirates are Googling and shares his findings in this post.
Malawi's Ex-President Under House Arrest
Following recent reports of alleged coup plotters, police picked up and put Malawi's former president Bakili Muluzi under house arrest. Lilongwe-based Journalist Bright Sonani gives eyewitness accounts as events unfolded at Kamuzu International Aiport in Lilongwe where Muluzi was picked as he arrived from a trip from the UK.
China: Relief tents embezzled, while stoppers got arrested
Diaster-relief tents were found in up-scale community and college campus in Chengdu city rather than any refugee site where they should be. Activists took action to check out the fact, while at the night of 21st, a conflict strangely burst out between police and embezzlement stoppers.
China: An Earthquake Reporter's Self-Mockery
A Beijing reporter wrote a self-mockery confession on his trip to Wenchuan earthquake center [zh].
China: Earthquake Relief Posters
Red Cross (China) together with other media companies launched a campaign, Together we are, and called for submission of earthquake relief posters for expressing solidarity with the earthquake victims. A list of posters can be found here.
South Korea: Disrespect for Police
Korea Beat translates a local newspapers article which explains the phenomenon of disrespect for the police in South Korea.
Iran: Chris de Burgh and Aryan Band
Chris de Burgh,famous Irish singer, has performed a song with Aryan band from Iran.
Iran:No Permission for 100 books to get published
Khabgard,an Iranian blogger, says[Fa] that according to a publisher there are more than 100 books waiting for long time to get Iranian government's permission to get published.The blogger calls it a new record for Iranian State!
Venezuela: The Poet Who Enjoyed the Simple Things in Life
Poet Aquiles Nazoa had always led a simple life. His poetry illustrated the beauties of daily life and the humorous soul of all Venezuelans. He was also one of the most furious advocates of Human Rights during the 1960s in Venezuela. Venezuelan bloggers pay tribute to this poet, who had a certain love of the simple things in life.
Jordan: On Top of the World!
According to Al-Ghad newspaper, Jordanain Mustafa Salameh became the first Jordanian to plant the Jordanian flag on top of Mount Everest, reports Jordanian blogger Hareega.
Sudan: Stranded Palestinians
Sudanese blogger Yahya Jaser Mohammed [Ar] sheds light at the plight of Palestinians stranded in Sudan – and who cannot return to their homes.
Morocco: Calculators are to Blame
Moroccan blogger Essam Aissam [Ar] writes about the educational systems and grades students get in Morocco and Egypt. He concludes that graduates from his country could fare worse than their Egyptian counterparts, who failed miserably in entry exams for jobs in a casino. Aissam blames calculators for the inability of...
Saudi Arabia: Pyschiatric Help for Teachers
Saudi blogger Thamood [Ar] suggests increasing the salaries of teachers because of the harassment they are subjected to from students, who ask repetitive questions. He says the money would go towards paying of psychiatric help the teachers would need.
Syria: Stalling Reform
Syrian blogger Jassas [Ar] blames Syria's ruling elite of stalling development and reform in his country.
Philippines: Human rights blog
A group blog, Slaughter of Innocents, was launched to document extrajudicial killings in the Philippines
Fire at Myanmar embassy in Thailand
A fire broke out at Myanmar’s embassy in Thailand. Because of the fire, aid workers were not able to secure visas. Absolutely Bangkok comments: “What a coincidence that the fire ravaged that part of the embassy where those visas should have been issued?”
Malaysia: Blogs and websites under investigation
Nobody and The Bolehland reported that 22 websites and blogs have been investigated by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission “for airing false, pornographic and baseless allegations.”
First Brunei Climbathon
Ranoadidas blogs about the first Brunei Climbathon held last weekend