Stories from 15 September 2009
Pakistan: Back Home And Starting A New Life
After nearly two months of living in squalor in temporary camps the displaced people of the Swat region of Pakistan were allowed to go back home from July 13th. Although they still face uncertainties and challenges, there are signs of normalcy as many of the displaced families are now starting a new life.
Peru: Looming Problem of the Inambari Hydroelectric Power Station
A 4-billion dollar hydroelectric power station is planned for the Peruvian Amazon, which will provide energy to neighboring Brazil. However, there is concern how the construction will affect the Amazon and other parts of the country.
Egypt: A Coptic Presidential Candidate?
A Copt has stated his intent to run for elections for Egypt's top post in the 2011 presidential race. Lawyer Mamdouh Ramzy, a member of the Constitutional Party, is venturing where many have failed.
Trinidad and Tobago: budget “daggering”?
Writer Attillah Springer blogs her most recent newspaper column, comparing the Trinidad and Tobago government's annual budget presentation with the violent “daggering” trend in dancehall music.
Jamaica: development or destruction?
Snailwriter reports on the illegal bulldozing of an area of forest near Jamaica's sensitive Martha Brae River. “The situation … well illustrates why the destruction of Jamaica's natural resources continues...
Barbados: lizard life
My Rustic Bajan Garden does a photographic survey of lizards in her garden and reminds readers why these creatures are useful to humans.
Barbados: speaking bluntly
“They don’t come more honest than your average Bajan.” Notes from a Small Rock reflects on Barbadians’ habits of plain speaking.
Anguilla: imported massage?
A newspaper advertisement for “excellent massage” prompts some tongue-in-cheek commentary from Corruption-free Anguilla.
Bangladesh: Interview With Professor Anu Muhammad
Bangladesh Watchdog publishes an interview with Professor Anu Muhammad, member secretary of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports on their recent protests against the...
Bhutan: Drug Abuse – Sign Of Changing Times
Dipika wonders why there is a boom in newspaper reports about drugs in Bhutan. “A change in attitude, perhaps, on how we look at drug abuse, or rather, how the...
Pakistan: Shifting The Blame For Stampede Death
Kalsoom at CHUP: Changing Up Pakistan informs that yesterday at least 19 women were killed in a stampede while collecting food in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Karachi. “In...
China: Here comes the Laowai
Uln from Chinayouren blogs about an experimental performance for testing people's reaction towards foreigners (Laowei) who wrote a T-shirt with big Chinese characters “laowai has come!” and “laowai has left!”
Egypt: A Marginalized Middle Class
Mohamed, from Traveller Within, analyzes the Egyptian Middle class, and acknowledges the presence of a parallel middle class that is being deliberately marginalized. In his post he stressed the importance...
China: Verifying reports of Ai Weiwei's surgery
Joel Martinsen from DANWEI translated a blog post by Liu Xiaoyuan verifying the fact that Ai Weiwei, a prominent artist and activist in China, has been hospitalized for cranial surgery...
China and Hong Kong: Ex-president's life sentence, a farce or a victory?
Former Taiwanese leader Chen Shui bian was sentenced to life imprisonment on 11 September and Portnoy has made an excellent summary of Twitterers' responses from Taiwan. Here I would like to add to the discussion by collecting more opinions and discussions from mainland China and Hong Kong.
Panama: Demolition of Historic Buildings
Orlando Acosta of Estación Tropical [es] is worried about the demolition of several “emblematic buildings” in Panama City, Panama.
Czech Republic: Sidewalk Parking
Parking on sidewalks in the Czech Republic – at The Czech Daily Word.
USA: Use of the Term “Illegal Immigrant”
Marisa Treviño of Latina Lista takes a look at President Obama's recent use of the term “illegal immigrant,” and his change from earlier usage of “undocumented immigrant,” and what the...
Costa Rica: Media Portrayal of African Immigrants
Alejandro Vargas Johannson criticizes the Costa Rican media for the manner in which they portrayed African immigrants that recently arrived by boat as criminal delinquents, and not as victims [es].
Panama: The Arepa Buzz
In Panama, Rob Rivera writes that the shop in Via España that sells arepas, a popular food in the country, is deserving of all the buzz that it has been...
Russia: Matryoshkas
Culture Blog writes about Sergiev Posad and matryoshkas, the Russian wooden dolls, that are made there.
