Stories from 5 September 2008
Ukraine: U.S. Missionary's Visa Ordeal
Matty, a U.S. missionary based in Kerch, Ukraine, blogs at The Gaws – here and here – about a Ukrainian visa ordeal he and his family are going through now.
Poland: Secret CIA Prisons
The beatroot examines whether “Poland’s government knew all about ‘secret’ CIA prisons” in Poland.
Macedonia: Name Dispute and Google Weather
Say: Macedonia posts a protest letter sent to Google by one of the blog's readers regarding the “improper naming” of the country that comes up when one does a “weather Skopje” search on Google.ca.
The Balkans: Dutch Soldiers to Testify in Favor of Karadzic?
Srebrenica Genocide Blog reports that a group of former Dutch soldiers may “testify in Radovan Karadzic's favor.”
Palestine: The siege of Gaza was broken – and then?
On August 23, two boats carrying international activists broke the siege of Gaza by landing in Gaza's harbour. The boats have since left again, leaving some of the activists behind, and taking some Palestinians with them back to Cyprus. However the activists plan to return to Gaza on September 22 - amongst other things, delivering mail to the Palestinians. In this post, we look at some Gazan reactions to the breaking of the siege, as well as accounts by the activists.
Dubai: Princess Pamela Anderson
“Not content with building an eco-hotel in Abu Dhabi, former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson is now planning to become Queen of the UAE. Or at least a princess,” reveals Secret Dubai, who says that she is quietly seeing a member of a Royal family.
The Balkans: Florence Hartmann and the ICTY
Greater Surbiton writes about the case of Florence Hartmann, former spokeswoman for ICTY chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte, recently indicted “for allegedly disclosing classified information relating to the proceedings against Slobodan Milosevic.”
Saudi Arabia: Matrook Al Faleh Still in Prison
“More than 100 days have passed and Prof. Matrook al-Faleh is still detained following his arrest last May. His situation remains the same: in solitary confinement and yet to be allowed to meet his lawyer,” writes Saudi Jeans, from Saudi Arabia.
Haiti, Bahamas: Hurricane Hanna
Haiti didn't need another tropical storm, far less another hurricane. As Hanna descended upon the island, she brought with her more rains, more flooding and more death.
Russia, Georgia: War and Art
IZO writes about the possible impact of the Russian-Georgian conflict on the art world and freedom of speech.
Ukraine: Political Crisis Update
Foreign Notes posts an update on the political crisis in Ukraine.
Ukraine: Dick Cheney, Elections, NATO
Ukrainiana writes about Dick Cheney's visit to Ukraine: “Undoubtedly, the outgoing Bush administration wants to send a welcome message to Kyiv. But given the lame-duck status of both Cheney and Yushchenko, Ukraine’s accession into NATO hinges on the outcome of the presidential election in America no less than it does...
Puerto Rico: Daddy Yankee Endorses John McCain
Puerto Rico is in the spotlight due to a recent endorsement by recording artist Daddy Yankee. Even though he is not as well known on the island, than in other parts of Latin America, U.S. presidential candidate capitalized on his fame for campaign purposes at an event in an Arizona high school.
Bahrain: Traveller's tales
Bahraini blogger Cradle of Humanity, who studied in the UK, describes a recent visit to London, and the intensity of her feeling for Britain when there: ‘I’ve always been a victim of nostalgia, but did not quite expect it to be triggered by mere names in the street. … To...
Angola: Chatam House pre-election assessment
Koluki writes about the Chatham House's pre-election assessment, which examines the run-up to elections in Angola.
Saudi Arabia: Finding strength and empowerment in religion
While it is often argued that religion is used to oppress women, there are many women who gain a sense of empowerment from their faith. In this post, we hear from one Saudi blogger who thinks she knows why many married women turn to religion, while another describes the inspiration she gained from a colleague.
Bahrain: A friend in need…
Bahraini blogger Icon explains why she has chosen to help her ex-boyfriend's girlfriend who is pregnant.
Angola: Elections underway
No Longer at Ease on elections in Angola: “Parliamentary election is underway in Angola, the first in sixteen years. The governing party is expected to win, and international observers from EU, AU and SADC have all been invited.”
Bahrain: Gratitude to a teacher
In Bahrain, a blogger who calls herself Dedicated To Him pays tribute to her teacher: ‘It’s rare when an English teacher…becomes you becomes your friend, your mother, & your sister… It’s rare to find a person like her among us.’
Dominica: Domestic Violence
“Come on guys we are better than this – lets love and respect our queens”: Chris at Dominica Weekly sends a message to women beaters.
Guyana: Akon Again
Akon has done it again - created controversy in the Caribbean. This time, Guyana is his territory of choice and bloggers are interpreting this latest outburst as a demonstration of the singer's misogyny.
