Stories from 1 December 2009
Maldives: On The Swiss Minaret Ban
Mohamed Aseel Hassan from Maldives comments on the Swiss minaret ban: “I am outraged that one of the most liberal countries in the world would vote to pass such a ridiculous motion. It's a gross violation of peoples right to freedom of religion and of expression.”
Sri Lanka: Sloppy Service By The State Airlines
Dare to be different posts a letter from a disappointed customer of the Sri Lankan state airlines detailing the suffering due to negligence in service.
Uruguay: Mujica is President After Run-off Election
The candidate from left-wing party The Broad Front José "Pepe" Mujica obtained the majority of the votes on the run-off election for the presidency of Uruguay, making him the first former guerrilla member to reach the presidential chair.
Bhutan: Another Ban
After the tobacco ban, Penstar informs about another prohibition in Bhutan; local authorities have banned alcohol during the choedpa festival in Wamling village.
Mongolia: Climate Change Affecting Nomadic Way of Life
Climate change is affecting the way of life of Mongolian nomadic families, as rangeland for their grazing animals has been reduced in size and the availability of fresh water has become scarcer.
Pakistan: Lest We Forget
M.P. Bhandara at All Things Pakistan comments on the issue of the stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh: “How cynical can we get as a nation? We can tolerate the presence of a million plus illegals from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma and Afghanistan in Karachi but we shut the door tight on...
Ghana: 10 Ghanaian Christmas gifts
Wo Se Ekyir has a list of 10 Ghanaian Christmas gifts.
France: The Day Without Immigrants
With the embittering background of the French official debate about "national identity", a "Day Without Immigrants" was announced to take place on the 1st of March, 2010. How would the economy and society fare if so-called immigrants suspended all activity during 24 hours ?
Sudan: Ambassador reacts to Enough Said Project paper
The Sudanese Ambassdor reacts to a strategy paper released by Enough Said Project: Even before our most recent Sudan strategy paper went public yesterday, the Sudanese ambassador to the United Nations had a strong reaction to our recommendations…”
Trinidad & Tobago: Gay Issues at CHOGM
gspottt says that “for the first time at a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting…in Trinidad & Tobago, there was significant representation of GLBTQ (gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender/queer) activists among civil society participants, and a concerted effort to highlight issues of sexual citizenship and rights.”
Montserrat: Soufriere Activity
Repeating Islands has an update on the activity of Montserrat's Soufriere volcano.
Trinidad & Tobago: Blogging & Journalism?
KnowTnT.com explores the question of whether blogging is journalism.
Caribbean: World AIDS Day
Regional bloggers discuss World AIDS Day.
Bermuda: PATI Opinions
Bermudian bloggers put in their two cents’ worth on the proposed Public Access to Information Legislation.
Arab World: Reactions to the Swiss Ban on Minarets
On Sunday, November 29, 57.5% of Swiss voters approved a ban on the construction of new minarets atop mosques, paving the way for a constitutional amendment. The ban has sparked mixed reactions throughout the Arab and Muslim blogospheres: While some bloggers are outraged, others make the point that banning minarets does not hinder practicing the faith.
China: Female deputy editor-in-chief being assaulted
ESWN translated a local news story about a female deputy editor-in-chief, Le Qian, being assaulted by an attacker in front of her home.
Hong Kong: Democracy
Tom Legg blogs about the recent political scandal on the attempt by the Beijing Basic Law expert in re-interpretation of the meaning of democracy in Hong Kong.
World AIDS Day: Reflections and Raising Awareness
While it's true that most people know by now that HIV/AIDS poses a threat, World AIDS Day, which takes place today, attempts to focus the world's attention on this disease for a day and show just how big a threat still persists.
China: Environmental issues, citizens on move
Last Thursday, in a press conference the Chinese premier Wen promised a 40% carbon emissions cut by 2020 as a measure to deal with climate change. Facing suspicion and questions, he reiterated the next day in a meeting with developing countries that it was a ‘serious and solemn promise’. But...
Japan: Moving Beyond a TV Drama Production
There are some television shows that become fashion trend setters (à la Sex and the City) but what would you think if a show was designed as a vehicle to sell clothes? With television stations in a financial slump with shrinking advertising revenues, Kansai Television is experimenting with a new...
