Stories from 18 July 2008
Israel: The Ugly Face of Lebanon
“Yesterday the world was treated to an image of Lebanon that was ugly as can be. […] The Lebanon we saw yesterday simply did not correspond to the kindhearted, friendly...
Israel: Law to Prohibit Exchanges
“We need to pass a law prohibiting the exchange of murderers or anyone convicted of a violent crime for kidnapped Israelis, soldier or civilian, alive or dead. Gilad Shalit needs...
Ghana: On the medal controversy
Ghana Unite for Development comments on the recent gold medal controversy in GhanaCan we really continue producing gold here in Ghana: “I was really surprised when I read that the...
Egypt: Is Kuntar Worth it?
“Too many people are jovial about the return of Samir Al Kuntar, with even Nasrallah informing him that the 2006 war was for him. The question I would like to...
Lebanon: Return of Prisoners – Part 2
Moussa Bashir takes a second look at the posts of Lebanese bloggers and their reactions to the latest prisoner swap with Israel. While some are celebrating - others are warning that the swap is yet another victory of Hezbollah. More reactions to follow soon.
Kenya: Matatu hip-hop
AfricanHipHop posted a music video by radio presenter Jimmy Gathu from around 1992, which he describes as follows: “not only is it one of the first ever rap videos in...
Angry Arab: Israel Humiliated in Lebanon
“Israel has been humiliated in Lebanon in the last 2 decades, and its ability to inflict pain on Lebanon and the Lebanese without restraint or punishment (as it has done in 1950s, 1960s, 1970s) has been deterred,” writes The Angry Arab, whose views on the latest prisoner swap between Lebanon and Israel are compiled in this post.
Palestine: Happy Birthday Mandela
KABOBfest mark Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday with this photo post.
Nelson Mandela, 90 years
Nelson Mandela is 90 years old today and the celebrations have crossed the borders of South Africa to make the world sing happy birthday and clap hands together. Join the celebrations with this round up of many happy returns from the African continent.
Madagascar:Fistula and Early Marriages.
Mialy, a blogger in Antananarivo, describes the plight of young married girls in rural areas who are subject to health and social concerns stemming from early pregnancy (fr). She explains...
Lebanon: Arabs and the News
“New York Times and other U.S. newspapers casually publish articles by Israelis and Zionists calling for the bombing of this Arab or that Muslim country. Would the New York Times...
Argentina: Senate Rejects Tax Hike on Agricultural Exports
The Argentinean Senate recently rejected the proposal to increase taxes on agricultural exports. The poll ended with a tie of 36 votes, and the country's Vicepresident broke the tie with his vote against the retentions. Such decision is a victory for the sectors linked to the so-called “countryside." This continues the internal political crisis of unpredictable consequences for the Kirchner's Government, which still has three more years to govern.
Dubai: Seventeen Deported for Homosexuality
“Police in the Gulf tourist hub of Dubai say they've detained 17 foreigners for allegedly displaying homosexual behavior in malls and other public places,” reports The Angry Arab News Service.
Madagascar: Family planning, baby-weighing and gospel choir.
Jayne Taylor Gaubatz, a Peace Corps volunteer blogger in the southern city of Fianaratsoa, describes the impact of a well-done family planning poster, the importance of baby weighing in tandem...
Tanzania: On language and unity
Kenyan blogger Jerry Okungo, writing at Siasa Duni, comments on “the realisation that Tanzanians may not be as good masters of Kiswahili as the rest of East Africa may think”...
Macedonia: Traditional Media Demonize Gamers
Two influential Macedonian media outlets, Dnevnik daily and A1 TV, have recently published technophobic articles portraying the gamers as menace to society, using language bordering on hate speech. Filip Stojanovski reviews the reactions of Macedonian bloggers.
Libya: Summer Fruit
“I think fruit is the ONLY reason I tolerate summer at all here,” writes Khadija Teri, from Libya.
Saudi Arabia: Legal Question
“I was disappointed to read that a committee from MOJ [Ministry of Justice] is working on the US$ 1.86 plan the King ordered to overhaul the judicial system in the...
Syria: Embassy to open in Beirut
“Syria and Lebanon are to open embassies in each other's capitals for the first time ever,” reports Sasa from Syria.
Egypt: 160,000 Blogs and Counting
“According to the egyptian government, Egypt now has more than 160,000 blogs,” reports Sandmonkey from Egypt.
Palestine: Arabyblogs Launched
Rebellious Arab Girl has finally launched her Arabic Social Networking site here.