Stories from 10 September 2008
Russia: American and European expectations of Russia
The 8th Circle draws attention to the Transatlantic Trends 2008 report, dealing with e.g. views toward a Reassertive Russia, NATO’s mission in Afghanistan, and Turkey’s relations with the West.
Sympathy and Support for Qatari student killed in the UK
A 16-year-old Qatari student visiting Britain died as a result of head injuries sustained when he was attacked by local youth. Mohamed Al-Majed was in Hastings, East Sussex, attending an English language course. The circumstances of the death are still under investigation but the police “are treating his death as a murder inquiry, and are investigating it as racially motivated at this time.” Reactions out of Qatar have been strong.
Turkey: Ads Honoring the Turkish National Soccer Team
Fathers playing fooseball, mothers at tea, and more can be seen in this collection of ads in honor of the Turkish National Soccer Team as complied by Erkan's Field Diary.
Kenya: “Bunge La Wananchi” members arrested
Sukuma Kenya writes about the arrest of political activists in Kenya: ‘The police once again in complete defiance of our Freedom of Assembly Rights have arrested members of Bunge La Wananchi in the hope of intimidating them. This is the continuation of the attacks on civil society.”
South Africa: Highway Africa Conference in photos
The 12th Highway Africa Conference in photos at Sychelles Digital.
Africa: Mobile Telephony in Africa
Kiwanja.net article about mobile telephony in Africa is featured in Microfinance Insights magazine: “The article – “Mobile Telephony and the Entrepreneur: An African Perspective” examines grassroots economic activity triggered by the arrival of mobile technology, and is based on earlier articles for PC World and the Boston Review.”
Morocco: Mainstream Media Coverage
A Moro in America remarks upon the mainstream media coverage given to Mohammed Raji's case and what effect it might have on Moroccan press freedoms.
Morocco: The Cost of Ideas
A Moroccan About the World Around Him ponders the cost of ideas, and attempts to explain why Mohammed Raji was given a hand of such swift (in)justice.
South Africa: Can anyone be a journalist?
Aasra blogs about Highway Africa conference in South Africa: “I spent most of Tuesday morning speaking to delegates at Highway Africa, the media rendezvous in Grahamstown which ends on Wednesday. The theme of this years talk shop is: Citizen Journalism, Journalism for citizens and the discussions focussed on whether anyone...
Morocco: An Inside View of Mohammed Raji's Trial
Ibn Kafka offers [fr] an inside view of Mohammed Raji's trial, explaining that Raji was not given the opportunity to defend himself, nor was he permitted defense by a lawyer.
Guyana: Massacre Suspects Killed
The killing by joint army and police services of Guyana's most wanted man, Rondell "Fineman" Rawlins, and his "Lieutenant" Jermaine "Skinny" Charles on August 28, has been greeted with relief by the public and by bloggers.
Jamaica, Guyana: Bolt Welcomed Home
“The rain didn't stop Usain Bolt's return ‘back a yawd’. People lined the road from Norman Manley Airport all the way to the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston”: A Fe Me Page Dis Iyah reports on the Olympic Gold Medalist's triumphant return home, as do YardFlex.com and Guyana 360.
Armenia: Relations with Turkey — What Next?
After the historic visit by Turkish president Abdullah Gul to Yerevan at the weekend to watch an Armenia-Turkey World Cup qualifying match with his local counterpart, Serge Sargsyan, Security in the Caucasus examines the question of what next for the two estranged neighboring countries.
Haiti: Cabaret Hit Hard
The Livesay Haiti Weblog reports that in one of the areas hardest-hit by Hurricane Ike, “they are literally pulling dead babies and children out of muddy river beds and stacking the bodies in trucks. People have lost their children, their mothers, their brothers and friends. All because of some rain....
Trinidad & Tobago: Sea Moss
“Men in Trinidad are not bashful to claim how much of an elixir and aphrodisiac the sea moss drink is. It is believed to be an excellent reviver and energizer or as we say in Trini ‘it good for de back'”: Simply Trini Cooking posts a recipe for this delectable...
Cuba: After Ike
“it now appears that Havana and its many historic buildings will be spared from the worst of the storm that has brought devastating consequences to the island’s housing, agriculture and other economic infrastructure”: Circles Robinson blogs about Hurricane Ike; The Cuban Triangle posts photos of devastation from Holguin province and...
Jamaica: Soon Come
“For me, this was like staring into a mirror and recognizing myself for the first time”: Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp reviews Hugh Hodges’ Soon Come, which he says “provides a useful context for understanding Jamaican religions such as Myal, Kumina, Revivalism, and Rastafari and their connection with the work of...
Bermuda: Race Relations
Bermuda's FreshieBlog examines the difference between racial equity and good race relations.
Uganda: Mob Justice in Kampala
Mob justice in Kampala Uganda: “His trousers were bunched painfully around his groin, his feet barely touching the pavement as he was forcefully dragged by his belt. As they semi-hopped from one side of the taxi park to the centre, everyone turned to see him. What had he done to...
South Africa: Highway Africa Media Awards
Simone writes about Highway Africa Media Awards: “Well, somewhere along the way it appears that the Highway Africa New Media Awards have been rebranded to the SABC-Highway Africa Digital Journalism Awards…”
Costa Rica: Referendum on Gay Civil Unions
In order for a referendum to be valid in Costa Rica, 1.3 million citizens must cast their ballots. There is a movement to call a referendum regarding civil unions between homosexuals writes Fusil de Chispas [es].
