And In Other News
29 August - 4 September 2002

Compiled by: Luke Brown

Turkmenistan

Stuck for a present for your children or nephews or nieces this Christmas? Authorities in Turkmenistan might just have the answer to this problem and so much more. The spiritual guide "Rukhnama" written by Saparmurat Niyazov, the President of the country, is being prescribed as study material for all school kids there. It's only a matter time before an english translation is available soon on Amazon. Some have even put it on a par with the Koran and the Bible, and we know what discerning tastes the official media has.

http://www.times.kg/news/1059316.html

Jamaica

I liked this article for this quote alone:

"Edmund Simpson, who races a donkey that represents Croft Hill, said that communities such as Croft Hill, Jericho, Seven Grounds, Tea Ground, Gates and Come See had their share of asses representing them."

I know, but…

http://www.jamaica-star.com/thestar/20020828/news/news1.html

Israel

The King will be missed, but never forgotten.

http://www.jpost.com/

Lebanon

The Lebanese Minister of State called on the opposition to "stop the bodybuilding" moves made to impress members of their sects in a speech at a University event. Huh? Maybe you'll understand the story.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/03_09_02/art34.asp

Kazakstan

Quote of the week. From the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Kazakstan, when asked about the political future in his country and its reporting in the mass media:

"Unfortunately, that the part of Media is recounting the situation in Saudi Arabia incorrectly, the situation in Saudi is very stable, and future of rule in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is very regulated, and there is nothing anxious about that. You have to know that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a country which has international weight, as it has Islamic holy places, economic efficiency in the World, a big reserve of crude oil and has a World and regional political role, because Saudi Arabia plays a large role in the stability not only of the Middle East, but the entire Arabic and Islamic world."

http://www.herald.kz/wn/15.htm

He's smooth… I'll give him that.

Egypt

This week's movie review. Ouch.

http://www.ahram.org.eg/weekly/2002/601/cu6.htm

North Korea

Joke of the week brought to you by the Korean Central News Agency (North Korea).

"Pyongyang, September 1 (KCNA) -- Recently, the Grand National Party (GNP) of south Korea sent a note to radio companies urging them not to single Ri Hoe Chang out by name and show his son on TV screen as regards the son's conscription evading scandal. Viewing it as an unjustifiable crime, Rodong Sinmun Sunday says in a signed commentary:
It is a replica of the infringement upon the freedom of speech committed in the period of the former military dictatorial regime in South Korea. It, implying that the GNP will not hesitate to suppress media out of its favor, is also a prelude to crackdown on the press.
The GNP's pressure on media betrays its uncomfortable position.
Now Ri Hoe Chang, the GNP's presidential candidate, finds himself in a sorry plight. He, who has already been condemned by the people as a despicable flunkeyist and traitor and an arch foe of reunification, is now the target of strong public denunciation with his son's scandal brought into bold relief by testifiers and clear evidences, reflecting public opinions, media are concentrating on revealing the scandal in all its nakedness.
The GNP, however, seeks to prevent the scandal from getting all the more serious by putting pressure on media and placing a gag on the freedom of speech.
The GNP must clearly see the trend of the time and stop such a crime as fascist crackdown on the press."
http://www.kcna.co.jp/index.htm

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