Stories from 17 December 2008
Georgia: Driving Lesson
Ben Sweeney's Weblog recounts the best driving lesson yet in Georgia and at the same time encounters an apparently magnetic mountain.
Costa Rica: Call for Collaborative Christmas Video
Costa Rican online humour collective nosedecirlaerre.com which translates into "I can´t pronounce the R" has set out a call for participation from Costa Ricans and those familiar with their culture to create a collaborative video for Christmas. The campaign is called Uniting Ticos for Christmas and the requirements are quite simple: dancing in the Costa Rican style of "swing criollo" the popular end of the year song Jugo de Piña and saying something in Costa Rican slang, on video.
Mexico: Anti-Kidnapping Expert is Kidnapped
Crime in Mexico is very worrisome concern for many. Kidnappings especially have been a common occurrence throughout the country, especially in the northern border states. The recent abduction of U.S. anti-kidnapping expert Félix Batista is an ironic twist in this ongoing fight against organized crime, leaving some to wonder if experts are not safe, then where does that leave ordinary Mexicans?
Sri lanka: Devaluation of Sri Lankan Currency
Serendipity argues that an immediate devaluation of Sri Lankan Currency is required.
Nepal: The Famous Mountain Flight
Sirensongs describes her experience of being on the Mountain Flight in Nepal, which goes parallel to the Himalayan giants.
Letters of a sufi saint of Bengal
MysticSaint at Inspirations and Creative Thoughts shares the hundred letters of Sharafuddin Maneri, the sufi saint of Bengal.
India, Pakistan: Asking for ‘proof’ only to deny them
Diganta at Horizon Speaks posts videos broadcast in a Pakistan News Channel which show that the captured Mumbai Terrorist Kasav is from Pakistan. He comments: “They are asking for ‘proof’...
Bangladesh, Pakistan: Keeping in the dark
On December 16, 1971 the Pakistan army in Bangladesh unconditionally surrendered to the joint Indian and Bangladeshi forces. Mash at Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying unravels the false...
Israel: Innovation in First Aid Technology
Dr. Eran Shenkar has developed a remote medical vehicle that can deliver first aid in place of human first responders. Israelity reports: “It’s smaller, cheaper, and more compact than a...
Israel: New Arrivals by Style and Mile
“And so the race is on. Which will arrive first – an H&M store or an express train from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv?” inquires Rebecca of Israeli blog The Big...
Israel: Giving Up the Golan?
“The idea that Israel should give up a large swath of land, which it won in a defensive war, which does not have demographic dilemmas, in return for an elusive...
Israel: Who Were the Weirdest Terrorists of 2008?
Who were the weirdest terrorists of 2008, asks an Israellycool poll. Among the contenders are: Hairstyle Man, Big Bicep Guy, Popsicle-of-Violence Guy (pictured), and the Naqba Dwarf. Whom do you...
Western Sahara: Cubarawis
Many saharaui children, thanks to international cooperation with Cuba, travel each year to study until they graduate from university. Then, they return to work for their Western Sahara. The Caribbean is completely different from the desert, not only because of geography, but also because of the nature of the people themselves. Cubans have rhythm in their veins and are dancing all the time. Beduins are sober, quiet and reflective. However, in the end, the exchange is worthy in both ways, as Renata Avila explains.
Bahrain: Letter to a stalker
Bahraini blogger Hamad Balucci writes a letter to a ‘stalker’ who has accused him of writing purely for self-promotion: “I write this blog and my other writings as a self...
China: Lugu Lake
Inside-Out China posts an article about the matriarchal tradition near the Lugu Lake.
Russia: Miss World and the Wrong Flag
Eternal Remont and English Russia note that the newest Miss World – Ksenia Sukhinova from Russia – is holding the wrong flag during an event at Moscow's Red Square; Belgraded...
China: Journalist Throws Shoe At Bush, Chinese Reactions
Ping from ChinaMACK translates a post from tianya that shows the forum users’ reactions towards the incident of Iraqi Journalist's protest against Bush by throwing shoes.
Paraguay: Possibe New Press Law
Edgar Ruiz Diaz of Las Preguntas de Venerando [es] is a little worried about the a possible proposal for a new Press Law in Paraguay.
Paraguay: Boom in Beauty Salons
There is a boom in hair and beauty salons in Paraguay notes Muna Annahas. In the neighborhood of Herrera, she counted 6 salons in one block alone.
Puerto Rico: Taino Elder Passes On
The Voice of the Taino People Online respectfully bids farewell to the late Boriken Taino community elder and spiritual leader, Ángel Manuel Galagarza.
Cuba: Oppressing the Press
Uncommon Sense refers to a survey by the Committee to Protect Journalists to make the point that “Cuba takes the gold medal as the world's worst oppressor of a free...
