21 February 2009

Stories from 21 February 2009

Iran: Disaster in Parishan wetland

Mojgan Jamshidi,an Iran based blogger and journalist informs us that thousands of turtles and birds were burned and killed after fire destroyed an important part of Parishan wetland. You can...

21 February 2009

Bangladesh: Accessorizing Patriotism

Bangladesh Corporate Blog thinks that “a time has come when we need to ‘accessorize patriotism’ somehow”. The blog suggests that Bangladeshis should brand something as small as a Gamcha (traditional...

21 February 2009

DRC: When it rains in Kinshasa

Cedric Kalonji describes Kinshasa after a heavy rain [FR].  The roads turn into lakes, but “high up in their 4x4s, the authorities are untouched by the problem, the result being...

21 February 2009

Martinique: On independence and French “paternalism”

As the workers' movement in Martinique and Guadeloupe continues, bloggers in Martinique consider what it might mean for the overseas departments to become independent. le blog de [moi] finds the idea Martinique couldn't make it on its own offensive and paternalistic. Her readers think that one reality of being a small island country is that you are always under someone else's shadow.

21 February 2009

Jordan: Questions to God

Jordanian blogger Hareega asks: “Why did God create earth, humans and the whole world? Did he have to? Did he want to? Can God regret something he's done a very...

21 February 2009

Iraq: The Walk to Karbala

Laith walks for 67 miles from Baghdad to Karbala to mark the 40th day anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, grandson of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), who was killed in...

21 February 2009

Iraq: At the Zoo

Iraqi Dentist shares his experiences in Baghdad – including a visit to the zoo, along with photographs – in this post.

21 February 2009

Angola: Presidential elections postponed?

As of the end of February 2009, there is still no schedule for the presidential elections in Angola, which were due this year. The main priority for the MPLA, the party in power, is to approve a new constitution for the country. Bloggers speculate whether this means that the much awaited elections for a new president, the first since 1992, will be postponed.

21 February 2009

Azerbaijan: News site closed down?

Following a recent ban on foreign broadcasts in the country, the content of a leading news site considered more independent than most in Azerbaijan was replaced on Thursday with a message informing readers that the “project is closed.” Although the authorities denied any involvement with the site's disappearance, bloggers were not convinced.

21 February 2009