Stories from 3 December 2008
Trinidad and Tobago: bridges and barriers
Trinidadian artist Marlon Darbeau posts a series of ironic graphics (1 , 2 , 3 ) commenting on "bridges and barriers" to development — taken from an upcoming exhibition .
Guyana: stop “vehicular homicide”
Living Guyana urges political leaders to overcome their differences and cooperate to solve the problem of "vehicular homicide": "there is a prevailing sense of madness on our roads and efforts need to be made to reduce it."
Bahrain: King Invites Jews to Return
The king of Bahrain has invited Jews to return to his country. “This sounds like the man really likes the Jews, and it sounds as if he is so magnanimous!” Michelle Nevada of Israel Jewish News blogs. “The truth couldn't be farther from what you think.”
Barbados: a simple story
Living in Barbados tells "a simple story of a woman, whom we will call M", who despite many disadvantages and a lack of formal education managed to raise two accomplished daughters and lifted her family out of the cycle of poverty.
Israel: Challenges Facing Arab Businesswomen
There is a “double barrier facing Arab women – both gender and coming from a minority,” Ruth Ludlam of Reality and Fiction writes. “Thus, Arab women seeking employment are held back first by their own society's traditional attitudes and later by the discrimination against Arabs in Israeli society. However, there...
Israel: “Live Like the Israelis”
The Patriot Missive blog advises how to live with terrorism. “So take note from Israelis who are surrounded by enemies on three corners… Do you know what they do? They go eat at a nice restaurant. Or have coffee with friends… In all honesty, Israelis have it a lot worse...
Israel: Feathers Fly in Tel Aviv
OneJerusalem announces a “mass pillow fight” tonight in the heart of Tel Aviv. “Entering stealth mode. Gathering fluffy things,” he writes.
Germany: Israel is Greatest Threat to World Peace
“According to a poll conducted by the European Union recently, in 2005, 65% of Germans consider Israel to be the greatest threat to world peace, ahead of Iran and North Korea,” Svetov writes on Jewcy. He adds: “Germany is the by far biggest European exporter to Achmadinejad's Iran. It is...
Iran: A Nation of Bloggers
Students at Vancouver Film School have created a beautiful animated video about the Iranian blogosphere that is making waves on the internet. See it here.
Cuba: police summon blogger
Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez of Generación Y — who just a few days ago won the Best of Blogs award for best weblog in the world — reports [ES] that she has been summoned by the police for questioning today.
India: Do the Islamic Terrorists Care for Muslims?
Sumankumar comments on the motives of the Islamic terrorists who attacked Mumbai: “These cowards merely want to spread terror. They are not really bothered about Muslims or Hindus. Their motives are political and far removed from a religious cause. Muslims form approximately 15% of the civilian causalities.”
Armenia: Sex Education
Unzipped: Gay Armenia comments on reported changes to legislation concerning HIV/AIDS in Armenia. In particular, the blog notes, this looks likely to include mandatory sex education classes in Armenian schools.
Thailand: Airports reopen but crisis not yet over
Bangkok’s airports are now open. The protesters have agreed to end their protests. But the crisis is not yet over. The ruling party is still dominant. Protesters could still launch similar daring actions in the future. The next few weeks will not be quiet for Thailand.
Myanmar: Humanitarian aid for AIDS victims
Yu Yu Din writes that two cousins of hers have died of AIDS. She also notes that Myanmar is receiving very little humanitarian aid to treat people with AIDS.
Pressure for Fiji
A visiting European Union delegation concludes that there is no reason why Fiji should not continue with the elections next year. There is also a need for more domestic pressure to implement political reforms in Fiji.
New Zealand: Pro-choice and Pro-abortion
The Hand Mirror from New Zealand explains why being pro-choice is very different from being pro-abortion.
HIV & AIDS: Creative awareness raising campaigns
We bring you a Christian Church that raps in Spanish against Drugs and AIDS, correct male condom usage in El Salvador, a Peruvian campaign using modified Tarot cards to tell "clients" about their future regarding love and sexuality, a Venezuelan calendar that brings nude artists together against AIDS, an African network show about living with HIV/AIDS and an HIV+ Argentinean who shows through video what his life is like.
Armenia: Referendum for Peace or War?
Unzipped comments on news that the Armenian government is considering polling citizens on policy issues, with much speculation that the initiative is linked to ongoing negotiations with Azerbaijan to resolve the conflict over Nagorno Karabakh. The blog believes such a development is fraught with dangers and says that if such...
Philippines: Anonymous Blog Exposes Controversy
An anonymous blog posted photos exposing a controversy in the donation of computers and books to a public high school in a province in central Philippines.
China: Punishes France and EU
A letter to editor at the Fool's Mountain commenting on the cancellation of China-EU summit in France.
Hong Kong: 1938, a Gateway to China
Charles mok posted a documentary video, A gateway to China, on Hong Kong in 1938 via youtube.
