Stories from 5 September 2008
Trinidad & Tobago: Unstable Police Force?
As mainstream media in Trinidad and Tobago report on the arrest of a police officer in the shooting of a pastor, Coffeewallah is stunned by the poor quality of journalism: “The current Commissioner says…steps were being taken to ensure that the firearms did not go home with ‘unstable’ officers. What...
Bermuda: Daily News
“The media should ask tough questions; it keeps power honest. It is not the media’s fault if the answers to those questions are inadequate or embarrassing or rejected by the public”: Vexed Bermoothes suspects that Bermuda's new daily “is designed as a political tool rather than an independent news source.”
Bermuda, U.S.A.: Political Parallels
Politics.bm finds parallels between US and Bermudian politics.
Saudi Arabia: Permission to celebrate birthdays
Saudi Jeans reports on a sheikh who has spoken about the permissibility of celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, viewed by more conservative religious leaders as un-Islamic.
Bahrain: Life of leisure?
Bahraini blogger Garden of Sands, currently living in the USA, is surprised to discover from a co-worker that Bahraini women do not work: ‘Nope, not a single one of us. Not only do we not want to, we surely don't need to. Why? Because we are all sitting on oil...
Egypt: To blog or not to blog?
Egyptian blogger Whisper of Madness explains an absence from blogging, and reflects on the Middle East blogosphere: ‘Believe me, the faults and flaws of the Middle East are staunchly reflected in our blogging community, often times by the same people who speak out against them. The politics, the backstabbing, gossiping,...
Iran:Iran jails 4 leading women’s rights activists
Change for Equality reports that Iranian authorities sentenced four women’s rights activists to six months in jail, including one who was awarded a $75,000 human rights prize in Sweden this year.
Armenia: Remembering Meline's
Unzipped: Gay Armenia posts photographs and remembers Meline's, Yerevan's only gay bar which recently closed because of financial problems and construction work in the city center.
Kazakhstan: Fears of aggravation of crisis
Although Kazakhstan, enjoying booming economy fueled by extractive industries, remains the leading state among Central Asian republics, the volatile situation in the country's economy gives grounds for anxiety among bloggers.
Mongolia: Alcoholism Problem
Bilguun says that the problem of alcoholism in Mongolia is one of the bigger obstacles to progress and development in Mongolia.
Mongolia: A Politician Arrested
Bilguun reports that head of the Republican Party of Mongolia was detained for questioning on 4 September, being reportedly a suspect in the ongoing investigation into the organizers of the July 1 riots.
Kazakhstan: A Kazakh Woman in Forbes List
Adam links to the post by slavasay in Livejournal, in which the blogger reports about a Russia-based Kazakh businesswoman who is on the Forbes list of the most influential women.
Kazakhstan: No Elections, President Says
Arman reports on the president Nazarbayev’s speech at the opening of the Parliament’s session and his disapproval of the possibility of an early election.
Tajikistan: Water is Life
Patrick Frost discusses Tajikistan’s water woes and dire energy situation, reviewing the IHT reporting on the issue.
Japan: I am different from you
A buzz phrase “I am different from you” made by Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda during his resignation has inspired some new designs. More from Pink Tentacle.
Japan: Cup Ramen Museum
Peter Payne from Japundit blogs about the cup ramen museum in Osaka.
Taiwan: Collapsing stock market
Michael Turton blogs about the political implication of collapsing stock market in Taiwan.
Hong Kong: Fighting For Votes Everywhere
Learning Cantonese wrote his election diary part two.
Hong Kong: Voting
Ngszehin urges everyone to cast their vote in the legco election.
Cuba: Composer of Guantanamera Born 100 Years Ago
Cuba's most recognized song “Guantanamera” was written by Joseíto Fernández, who was born 100 years ago and who wrote the song when he was 20 years old, writes VivirLatino.
Panama: Political Ads by the PRD's Juan Carlos Navarro
It is primary season in Panama, and the country's largest political party PRD have unveiled campaign ads. Rob Rivera writes about one of the leading candidates, Juan Carlos Navarro and his questionable ads.
