Stories from 8 April 2009
Maldives: Facebook Changes Lives
Island Chic's Babble has a crush on Facebook and comments: “I am definitely grateful for the changes it has brought to my life and how it has helped me understand myself better than I ever did before!”
Pakistan: Teaching Urdu To Expatriate Kids
Aisha PZ at All Things Pakistan urges the expatriate Pakistani parents to teach the Pakistani state language Urdu to their children.
Sri Lanka: What Happened To The Money?
Rising of Ceylon asks some questions regarding the international aids that have flown into Sri Lanka after the Tsunami in December 2004: “what happened to all those money which came to the country in bucks? What happened to all those plans which the government had??? Where did they all go???”
Georgia: Tbilisi braced for mass protests
This is Tbilisi Calling, the blog of Al Jazeera English's Matthew Collin, posts video and a report on tomorrow's planned opposition rally in the Georgian capital.
Egypt enters new GPS era
Egyptian Zeinobia reports on Egyptian Chronicles: “At last the GPS ban is lifted in Egypt thanks to a Presidential decree issued recently. NTRA has approved the use and import of GPS mobile phones and cars with GPS navigation system.”
Iraq: Obama's Visit Just Fine
Iraqi Pundit comments on US President Barack Obama's visit to Iraq and says: “President Obama, who sounded different from Sen. Obama, did fine.”
Philippines: Alternative to layoffs
Noting that job layoffs are on the rise in the call center industry, Mi from the Philippines advises companies to cut salaries instead of reducing the workforce.
Iran:”90 sites were dismanteld”
Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced in Gerdab site the name of about 90 sites that they have dismanteld a few weeks ago. Most of these sites were accused of being involved in poronographic and anti-Islamic activities.
Kenya: A ‘Cheetah Zoo’ in Nature Conservancy?
The Mara Triangle blog is looking into a controversial project that would result in construction of a ‘cheetah zoo’. William posts about the news that the Kenya Wildlife Service had stopped construction of such a zoo, and provides links to more information about the project.
Jordan: No Honour in Killing
Jordanian bloggers reach out to others to put an end to "honor killings" and the culture and laws that provide lenient sentences for the murderers.
Indonesia: Lessons from the dam tragedy
Love Ely shares some thoughts on why the Situ Gintung dam collapsed in Indonesia. He also proposes that those who live in disaster-prone areas should prepare for an emergency response system.
Thailand: Thousands join anti-government protest
Tens of thousands of protesters joined the opposition Red Shirts in Bangkok in a bid to topple the government. Many of the rallyists were supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Barcamp Hanoi 2009
Barcamp Hanoi will be held on April 19. More than 48 logo designs have been submitted for the event.
Tanzania: Zebra and Giraffe According to Tanzanians
“Zebras” and “Giraffes” according to Tanzanians, “In a conversation late last night with one of my Tanzanian colleagues, he explains that in Dar es Salaam it is not unusual to label women ‘zebras’ and ‘giraffes’.”
Tanzania: “Satolicious” Collections
Ladybrille writes about new collections, “Satolicious”, by Tanzania's designer Mustapha Hassanali, “His collections encompassed bridal gowns, traditional African fabrics sewn into Afro-Western fusions and beautiful strapless multi-colored silk chiffon gowns that appeared to move with such fluidity.”
Zimbabwe: Deputy Prime Minister Speaks the Truth
Eusebia discusses the recent speech by Zimbabwes Deputy Prime Minister, “The speech was so full of truth that it made me realise that at least we have one man in the coalition government who has the intelligence to objectively evaluate perfomance of the coalition government and point out exactly were...
St. Lucia: Walcott & Oxford?
St. Lucian-born Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott apparently has “the slimmest of edges” in “the campaign to succeed Christopher Ricks as Oxford professor of poetry”, according to Caribbean blog Repeating Islands.
Haiti: Planting a Garden
Konbit Pou Ayiti seeks to create sustainable solutions to hunger in Baie d’Orange, Haiti by “working with local officials to plant a garden that can benefit the community.”
Cuba, St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Easter Week
Havana Times blogs about Easter Week celebrations in Cuba, while in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Abeni says: “One thing I love about Easter is the increased presence of fish.”
Dominica, Bahamas: Rastafari
As two Customs employees in the Bahamas face possible dismissal because of their hairstyle, Dominica Weekly says: “Once the women conduct themselves professionally, are able to do their jobs efficiently and keep their hair and appearance neat I see no problem in them hav[ing] dreadlocks…”
Cuba: Restaurant Closure
A famous restaurant in Havana is shut down by the authorities, prompting Generation Y to comment: “I’m deeply shamed that the police in my country are dedicated to imprisoning enterprising citizens, while the streets are full of criminals who snatch purses, steal and defraud.”
