Stories from 12 September 2008
Madagascar: Living abroad changes a man
In an article published in March, economists William Easterly and Yaw Nyarko noted that in Sub-Saharan Africa, remittances (money sent by immigrants abroad back to their home countries) on average...
Russia: Ukrainian NGOs Exporting Orange Ideas?
Osteuropablog discusses [GER] an article on Rosbalt.Ru about a perceived threat of Ukrainian NGOs in southern Russia bringing an Orange Revolution to the country.
Estonia-Finland: Divided views on dealing with Russia
Itching for Eestima discusses how Finland deals with its Russian neighbour in the Georgia war context and reflects on Estonia's role.
Russia: Getting the Message Through
Kosmopolit comments on the difficulties for Russian leaders to get their message through internationally, when their political language does not come across to their audience.
Bahrain: Swapping plastic for paper
Bahraini blogger Mahmood reports on a local supermarket introducing paper bags instead of plastic ones – and interviews some of the customers for their opinions.
Saudi Arabia: Women and their drivers
“In Saudi Arabia you can tell a lot about a woman by her relationship with her driver. Yes I call it a relationship. Because, unlike anywhere in the world, drivers...
Singapore: New rule for cigarettes
Singapore Customs announced yesterday that they are taking extra strides against illegal cigarette smoking. Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, in addition to the graphic warning labels that already line the shelves of 7-11s, every cigarette in Singapore will need to be marked with the letters SDPC. Bloggers – smokers and nonsmokers – react.
Showbiz candidates in Indonesia
The 2009 Indonesian elections get more interesting (or disappointing?) as entertainment celebrities have been tapped to run for elective posts.
Malaysian blogger arrested again
Hard-hitting Malaysian blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin was arrested again by police for allegedly violating Malaysia's Internal Security Act. Another journalist was arrested too.
Philippines: Electoral fraud
Cheating is possible even in an automated election system, Morofilm writes.
Thailand: Samak out, but protests continue
Thailand's Prime Minister was ordered by the court to step down for violating the constitution. But Bangkok protesters vow to continue with their campaign until political reforms are instituted.
Arabeyes: Daily life during Ramadan
In this post we look at different experiences of everyday life across the Arab world during Ramadan. We hear how Palestinians are coping in Gaza, how an Italian deals with Ramadan in the West Bank, have a glimpse into a Saudi household about to break the fast – and get tips from Bahrain on how to curb profanities during the holy month.
Japan: Nike buys out name of public park
Nike Japan, the Japanese subsidiary of sportswear multinational Nike, will turn a public park in central Tokyo, Miyashita Park, into what they call “Nike Park”. The naming rights have already been acquired from the Ward for about 150 million Yen, which will be paid over the next 5 years, and the go-ahead for the work was given last August. Bloggers give their thoughts about the move.
Kenya: The Looming Class War
James Muritu discusses the looming class war in Kenya. He writes, “I remember reading, almost a year ago, an article by the former member of parliament for Subukia, Hon. Koigi...
Russia: Western Response
Robert Amsterdam writes that “the Western response to [the Russian-Georgian conflict] should be mercantile and specific. The West should attack the visas, bank accounts and financial transactions of those involved...
Haiti: Update from Cabaret
RHFH Rescue Centre posts a photo update about one of the worst-hit Haitian towns, Cabaret.
Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.A.: Sexual Politics
“Her winning smile and girl next door looks serv(e) to convince me that she could possibly be the scariest woman to be seen in western politics since Margaret Thatcher. But...
Trinidad & Tobago: What's Wrong
As a Trinidadian man dies after his car was firebombed, Coffeewallah blogs about the many things that are bothering her about her country.
Cuba: How to Help
Havana-based blogger Yoani Sanchez says: “Despite the air of triumph they present to us on the TV news, talking about ‘hurricane recovery’, Cubans are very worried” and writes another post...
Barbados: War Games?
“The arrival of the Tu-160’s in Venezuela and the recent announcement that Russia will deploy its Northern Fleet to the Caribbean Sea to conduct joint exercises with the Venezuelan Navy...
Mozambique: Political crisis in central city of Beira
Angry Renamo supporters poured onto the streets of Beira in a protest against the Party's decision of substituting current mayor Davis Simango by Manuel Pereira as the Renamo's candidate for municipal governance in the local elections taking place on November 2009. Historian Egidio Vaz writes on his blog an open letter to the Renamo President, Afonso Dhlakama.
