Stories from 17 September 2008
Yemen: Sixteen People Killed in US Embassy Attack
Sixteen people were killed when the US Embassy in Sana'a, Yemen, was attacked with a car bomb and rockets today. One blogger was minutes away from the explosions.
Slovakia: Common Phrases in Slovak
The Foreigner's Guide to Living in Slovakia shares and explains some common Slovak phrases and even provides a test at the end of the post.
Slovenia: Election 2008
Lots of info on the Slovenian electoral system and the upcoming election – at Sleeping With Pengovsky.
Nigeria: House of Rainbow Takes a Brave Stance
Sokari writes about the House of Rainbow, the church for LGBTI people in Nigeria: “Rev Jide Macaulay who founded the Rainbow Church (part of the Metropolitan Community Church network) has taken a brave step in opening up the church amidst the rampant homophobia in a country where religion is all...
Young Egyptian Women Do Not Want to Work!
While some women are still struggling to prove themselves in the workplace, the young generation of Egyptian men and women seems to be taking different route. Marwa Rakha brings us the story of how young Egyptians told a television show that they did not want their wives to work.
Bangladesh: Was Bridget illegally adopted by McCains?
Shada Kalo blog questions whether US presidential candidate John McCain and Cindy McCain's adoption of their Bangladeshi daughter Bridget is illegal as according to Bangladesh Law ‘no foreigner is allowed to adopt a Bangladeshi child’.
Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada: Nutmeg Industry
Caribbean Beat Blog reports that Grenada's nutmeg industry is still in recovery post-Hurricane Ivan.
Cuba: Economic Reforms?
“The current President did not propose a program, he did not commit himself before his voters, and that means he is not accountable to us. The much needed measures can take one year or five years because he will not lose his post”: As some Cubans anticipate the implementation of...
Pakistan: Open fire on intruders
Ymasood hails Pakistan army's order to ‘open fire‘ on intruding US warplanes raiding in Pakistan territory and comments “I can bet today that ex-General ex-President Musharraf wouldn’t have done (it)…“.
Mexico: Explosions in Morelia During Independence Day Celebrations
Two hand grenades were tossed into a crowd in the city of Morelia, Mexico during independence day celebrations. Eight people were killed, and more than 100 were injured. Authorities are blaming the attack on drug cartels, who have been responsible for brutal killings throughout the country. This concern also led to a recent protest march that attracted thousands. Mexican bloggers are mourning this latest tragedy and are calling on the government to act.
Barbados: Extortion Ring
“They stop tourist hired cars by standing in front of them. They inform the drivers that the road is closed, instruct them to drive another way and then demand money for the ‘assistance'”: Barbados Free Press calls on the police to clamp down on the Boscobel “Road Toll Gang”.
Jamaica, U.S.A.: Poor Sportsmanship
“I think he forgot (that in) 2003 he failed several drug tests that questioned the validity of his achievements. Sometimes folks think what you are doing is what they are doing”: A Fe Me Page Dis Iyah is not impressed by former US sprinter Carl Lewis’ insinuations about Jamaican Olympic...
Jamaica: Mining Woes
Abeng News Magazine reports that communities along Jamaica's North Coast are concerned about plans for bauxite mining and the construction of an alumina plant in the parish of St. Ann: “Some residents complained that negotiations were proceeding without consultation with the people who would be affected by the proposed mining...
Guyana: Criminal Inquiry?
As the opposition party calls for an inquiry into the deaths of two suspected mass murderers, Living Guyana says: “We disagree. No one can deny that the deaths of Fineman and Skinny have put a serious dent in crime and have gone a far way at dismantling a well established...
Bolivia: Lord of the Lakes Celebration in Oruro
The annual feast of Our Lord of the Lakes that takes place in the department of Oruro, Bolivia brings many surrounding communities to participate in a pilgrimage to the site, where the faithful can ask for one of many wishes [es] writes Virginio Sandy.
Peru: Bloggers Provide Thoughts on Conflict in Neighboring Bolivia
Peruvian bloggers provide their thoughts on the recent unrest in neighboring Bolivia. Juan Arellano of Globalizado rounds up the analysis.
Nigeria: Arabian GSM lands in Nigeria
A new investor enters GSM market in Nigeria: “The poor network service infested Nigerian GSM market has a new kid on the block. Estisalat the new kid in the exploitative GSM market is headed by Keem Bello-Osagie, former MD of United Bank for Africa (UBA).”
Five Minutes to Midnight: Let the Youth Be Heard
Since June 2003, Five Minutes to Midnight (FMM), a non-profit organization, has been trying to give youth's a voice on human rights and international issues, especially in developing countries. Leonard Chien has the chance to talk to Wojciech Gryc, FMM founder and director, about its past, future and views towards online tools.
Japan: Respect for the Aged Day
Martin J Frid from Kurashi blogs about local NGOs’ attempt in encouraging more senior citizens in Japan to tackle environmental problems in “Respect for the Aged Day”.
Japan: Hilarious Google translations
Blogger Cozy Ozy picks up a few simple sentences and compares English-to-Japanese machine translations [ja] from Google Translate, Yahoo, Excite and Korya Eiwa 2009. While translations by other services are understandable, Google Translate produces bizarre results: “We played baseball” becomes “This is our baseball” (私たちの野球です), “Lucy has no friends to...
China: Crisis on “Made in China”
The anger on the poisonous milk powder incident continues to roar everyday. Apart from Sanlu, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China released last night (Sept 16) that one fifth of baby powder manufacturers in the country are involved in the melamine scandal. 22 dairy enterprises, including national brands like Yili and Meng Niu are involved in manufacturing poisonous milk powder. Up till now, at least 6,244 babies got sick with kidney stone disease.
