Stories from 11 November 2008
Brazil: National Park Under Threat from Illegal Fires
For over a month now the Chapada Diamantina National Park has been burning relentlessly and lost 50 percent of its forest area (roughly the size of New York City). Authorities say the fires were started by ranchers clearing land for pasture. The situation is out of control and if not reforested, Chapada may lose its exuberance for ever.
Bangladesh: Credible Election
Ex diplomat Sirajul Islam comments in his blog on the impending general election in Bangladesh: “If at the end of it, a major political party feels that there is no level playing ground for its participation in the polls, then for all practical purposes, the efforts of this Government has...
India: Troubles in Assam
Words From The Solitude discusses the background of the recent politics and violence in the Indian state of Assam: “For several decades, Assam is passing through too much of tears and blood. This stunningly beautiful state and its people are struggling hard to come out from the curse of their...
Brazil: Criminal fire at Chapada Diamantina National Park
Paulo Bicarato [pt] echoes the news that fires that have destroyed 50% of the Brazilian Chapada Diamantina National Park, roughly the size of New York City, were likely started by ranchers clearing land for pasture. “For those who had the pleasure to have been to that piece of paradise, it...
Costa Rica: Differences in Customer Service
Hazel Feigenblatt writes in her blog about the difference in attention that local tourists from Costa Rica receive, when compared to the customer service received by foreign tourists [es] , and how it seems that locals are treated like second-class citizens. Many commenters share their own bad experiences.
Environment: Planting Trees in Cameroon
From the Kabissa Newletter, a project is profiled: The organization aims to plant trees in thirteen Village communities of Ngoketunjia Division, as a means to fight climate change in Cameroon and the world at large.
Bangladeshi Photographers in Flickr
Arup at Sachalayatan introduces us to twenty talented Bangladeshi photographers from Flickr and their works here and here [bn].
Iran: “Tehran Has No More Pomegranates”
Parsarts informs us about Iranian documentary “Tehran Has No More Pomegranates”. You can also read an interview with its director, Massoud Bakhshi.
Pakistan: Worlds Second Best Mayor
Ahsan at Five Rupees informs that according to Foreign Policy Magazine, Mustafa Kamal, the Mayor of Karachi, has been declared as the world's second best mayor.
Syria: New Dawn for Humanity
Blogger Anas, shows an excerpt from the top of the front page of Al Watan Daily Syrian Newspaper, with a text saying....
MENA: Blogs and a social revolution
Saudi blogger, Esam Mudeer, clipped from CNN Arabic, an article asking -in light of last week's major events in the Arab world- if Arab blogs might lead a social revolution in the region.
Bhutan Crowns New King: Refugees Barely Remembered
On November 6th, the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan officially crowned a new King, who was appointed almost two years ago. The fifth Dragon King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is an Oxford-educated 28-year-old and the eldest son of the fourth and previous Dragon King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. His coronation...
Lebanon: offering the world’s most expensive chocolate
Blogger LM, from Lebanon, tells us about Patchi, the famous Lebanese luxury chocolate-makers, who have launched the world’s most prestigious and expensive box of chocolate.
Egypt: What life has taught Galal Amin
“Born in January of 1935, his father had wanted his mother to have an abortion because they already had 7 children, she refused and that is how he came to be,” writes blogger Jessyz, who takes us through the pages of the autobiography “What life has taught me” by Dr....
Iran: Woman Activist Released on Bail
According to Change4equality, Esha Momeni, the Iranian-American student and woman activist, was released from prison on bail on Monday after being in jail for about one month. Iranian authorities accused her of acting against national security.
Iran: Graffiti from Tehran
We can discover graffiti in Tehran in Alone‘s blog. Alone says “maybe I am a Vandal or Anarchist But I am glad to introduce myself as one.At least I stand for my right.I am not about politics .But I am interested on social subjects.”
Iran:Girls’ dormitory caught fire
Gorgomishsky, an Iranian blogger, reports [fa] that girls’ dormitory in the ELM O Sanat University caught fire on Tuesday and three people were injured. The blogger adds that some students believe it was not an accident and protested against University's Director asking him to find out responsible(s) of this event....
Mexico: Last Mobilization of the Year for AMLO
The leader of the “Movement for the Defense of Petroleum, Popular Economy and National Sovereignty” Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO)announces that the last mobilization of the year will take place on November 23 in Mexico City writes Jessica Uribe of Vivir Mexico [es].
Taiwan: Arrest of former President Chen
The Far-Eastern Sweet Potato writes that the arrest of Taiwan's former President, Chen Shui-bian, is terrible timing.
Honduras: Making a Living as an Artist
“It is not easy to make a living as an artist,” and especially in Honduras writes Guillermo Anderson. The singer-songwriter says that we should not rely on the government to promote culture, but that each citizen should be the country's best Ministry of Culture.
Jordan: Poor and Backward
Being poor and backward go hand in hand, according to Jordanian blogger Muoffaq Qabbani, who brings us this story about how poor people insist on having more and more children.
