[10.27.09]
Iraq: First Impressions [NYT At War Blog]
To a new arrival in the days before Sunday’s twin suicide bombings, which killed more than 150 people and filled a crowded street with blood and body parts, the city felt functional but tired, its overwhelming palate of brown concrete and dust broken occasionally by a surprise of well-sculpted shrubbery that looked like it should be in front of a boutique hotel in Los Angeles.
Repent or Resign, Bishops Tell African Politicians [NYT]
They did not name names, but two of Africa’s most prominent Catholic leaders are President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, whose repressive policies and ruling elite are seen to have led his country to economic ruin, and President José Eduardo dos Santos of Angola, whose government is perceived as one of the most corrupt in the world.
With its large Catholic population, estimated at 158 million, Africa in many ways represents the future of the Catholic Church. It is expected that by 2025, one-sixth of the world’s Catholics, or about 230 million, will be African, and Africa produces a large percentage of the world’s priests.
Mandarin Eclipses Cantonese, Changing the Sound of Chinatown [NYT]
In North America, its rise also reflects a major shift in immigration. For much of the last century, most Chinese living in the United States and Canada traced their ancestry to a region in the Pearl River Delta that included the district of Taishan. They spoke the Taishanese dialect, which is derived from and somewhat similar to Cantonese.
Immigration reform in 1965 opened the door to a huge influx of Cantonese speakers from Hong Kong, and Cantonese became the dominant tongue. But since the 1990s, the vast majority of new Chinese immigrants have come from mainland China, especially Fujian Province, and tend to speak Mandarin along with their regional dialects.
Still Fragile, Haiti Makes Sales Pitch [NYT]
In one conference room, a group of businessmen in dark suits was discussing how brassieres could be made at low cost and high profit here. One room over, mangos were the topic at hand. Investors insisted that money-making opportunities were everywhere in Haiti.
There were big names, too. Gap, Levi Strauss and American Eagle Outfitters were here, all interested in the potential of American trade legislation that wipes out duties on apparel assembled in Haiti. Citibank and Scotiabank were on hand to discuss loans.
“We’re coming out of the paradigm of humanitarian help and brotherly love and moving to the creation of wealth and business,” said Patrick Delatour, the minister of tourism.
