NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

Global Events of interest to citizens of the world...

European Muslims share experiences
By Alix Kroeger
BBC European Union reporter
June 28, 2006
“A conference on tackling extremism in Muslim communities has been hearing the experiences and views of Muslims from the UK and across Europe.” European Muslims come together for a conference to share their thoughts on what it means to be a Muslim in Europe and living with more than one identity. With tensions still palpable around the world, conferences are offering the opportunity for people to come together in joint communiction.

Botswana: Linguistic Foibles of a President-in-Waiting
Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
ANALYSIS
June 30, 2006
Posted to the web July 1, 2006
Tshireletso Motlogelwa
What to do when a vice-president can’t speak the indigenous language of the country he presides over? Botswana is dealing with just such a situation and the populace is watching with interest. It is fairly certain that Ian Khama will become the next president of Botswana yet his linguisitic abilities in the native language, Setswana, are clearly lacking. Questions of cultural longevity are being raised, as Setswana loses favor with each generation. Language expert Kgomotso Mogapi pointed out with reference to a previous president, “Masire used to speak Setswana well. The fact that he spoke the language so well meant that he had the ability to relate with an ordinary Motswana’s point of view.”

Colorful proverbs capture a peculiar sensibility
By ROGER PULVERS
Special to The Japan Times
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
An article on the beauty of language through Japanese proverbs. “Every language has a vast number of proverbs, mottos and saws, and native speakers often quote them to express a feeling or to prove a point. The fact is that you can “prove” almost anything with a colorful turn of phrase as practically every proverb has an equal and opposite proverb. A person might well claim that “He who hesitates is lost,” while another could refute this with “Look before you leap.” This latter saying has a fine Japanese equivalent in ishibashi o tataite wataru (tap the stones of the bridge before you cross it).”

The ‘curse’ of having a girl
By Navdip Dhariwal
BBC News, Delhi
Thursday, June 29, 2006
“India might be a country rushing headlong into 21st century but every year thousands of babies are aborted or killed at birth because they are girls.” Although India is quickly becoming the center of the technological world, traditions are hard to change. The correspondent of this piece is originally from India and is expecting a child.

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