Stories from 12 December 2008
Trinidad and Tobago: Prime Minister's Health
Trinidadians and Tobagonians were shocked yesterday by news that Prime Minister Patrick Manning was diagnosed with kidney cancer. While few bloggers commented publicly, in more private forums like Facebook discussions are raging about the consequences of Manning's state of health.
Chile: Alliance Between CNN and Network of Citizen Newspapers
Juan Dominguez announces the alliance between the Network of Citizen Newspapers in Chile and the newly created CNN Chile [es], and part of this cooperation will include the contributions from citizen journalists to the television channel.
Chile: Pharmaceutical Companies Charged With Price-Fixing
Several Chilean pharmaceutical companies have been charged with collusion for price-fixing of more than 200 products writes Tomás Dinges of Chile From Within.
Mexico: Shoeshiner Uses YouTube to Increase Business
Shoeshiner Juan Luna has come up with a clever way to attract business to his stand located in downtown Monterrey, Mexico. With the help of a friend, he posted a video on YouTube demonstrating his unique way of shining shoes with a brush in each hand. As a result, he has received more business from clients eager to see the shoeshiner in person. Blogger Issa Villarreal interviewed Luna to learn about his marketing strategy.
Turkey: All About Barbarossa
With news of pirates grabbing news headlines, Talk Turkey gives us a valuable lesson in history in this post on Ottoman era admiral Barbarossa (Redbeard) and asks: “Will the next wars be fought on the high seas again?”
Tunisia: Stop Kissing Our Children!
An infuriated Subzero Blue from Tunisia writes: “What is it with people who give themselves the right to kiss other people’s children without their permission? It’s very common here in Tunisia, and I don’t know what screwed up logic these people are following that says they can kiss a child...
Jordan: Praise for Peru's Anti-Smoking Advertisement
Jordan's Jazarah is full of praise for an anti-smoking advertisement in Peru, where 15,000 cigarette butts were glued to a panel.
Migrant Workers in the Gulf
Nimr, from America-Palestinian Kabobfest, discusses the issue of migrant workers in the Gulf – and how their governments are not fending for their rights thanks to the millions of remittance payments they send back home every month.
Bahrain: What Economic Crisis?
Bahrain is distancing itself from the impact of the economic crisis rocking the world economies, writes blogger Khalid in this post [Ar].
Jordan: Not So Stupid
Have you created something only to be dissed by your boss as it being “stupid”? Qwaider, from Jordan, has more details here.
Egypt: Natural Gas to Israel
Zeinobia, from Egypt, continues to report on the court saga on exporting natural gas to Israel.
Syria: Remembering Henry Gustav Molaison
The name Henry Gustav Molaison rings a bell? Find out more about him in this post by Syrian blogger Abu Kareem, from the Levantine Dreamhouse.
Iraq: Angry with Iraqis
Layla Anwar is angry with Iraqis and here‘s why.
Jordan: Lost and Found
Lost something – or rather someone hid something from you – and you can't find it? K Sharif from Jordan tells us the story here.
Jordan: Public Beach a Let Down
MommaBean, in Jordan, had visitors, whom she took to the Dead Sea's Amman Tourist Beach. Read her complaints here.
Where is Hossein Derakhshan?
Bangla blogger Jajabor Aronnyok writes about the detention/disappearance of well-known Iranian blogger Hossein Derakhshan aka Hoder. A supporter of freedom of expression, Aronnyok wants justice and freedom for Hoder.
Barbados, Dominica: A First for Indigenous Communities
Barbados Free Press reports on “a first in the history of the Americas” as Dominica issues a diplomatic passport to its indigenous Kalinago-Carib leader.
Dominica, U.S.A.: Economic Effects
Dan at Dominica Weekly notices that the economic downturn is having a trickle-down effect on Dominicans who live abroad.
Cuba: Damas March for Human Rights
Both Uncommon Sense and The Cuban Triangle report that the Damas de Blanco marched through Havana on Wednesday – without incident – to commemorate International Human Rights Day.
Jamaica: Speaking Patois
Iriegal explores the origins of Jamaican patois and links to a few examples of how to speak it.
Pakistan: Crack Down On Militants
CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan reports: “On Thursday, Pakistan moved to ban the Jamat-ud-Dawa, the Islamic charity organization that has been linked to Lashkar-e-Toiba, the militant group that many believe were responsible for November’s attacks in Mumbai.”
