Stories from 12 February 2007
South Korea: Korea US FTA Round 7
Jamie from Two Koreas blogs about the background, debating points in the most recent Korea US FTA negotiation.
Japan: anti whaling
James from Japan Probe blogs about the anti-whaling action with a youtube video taken from the perspectives of Japanese whalers.
China: don't shit
Chiao blogs a photo taken outside a Beijing bar which listed out various regulations, including: don't shit in our tiolet but U can pee…
China: freedom and liberal
Li Yinhe comments that the word “自由” (liberal and freedom) is too negative in China because of various political campaign agains “liberalism”. She hopes people can slowly make it a positive term (zh).
Vietnam: Prime Minister paricipates in a Chat
Malaysian blogger Jeff Ooi has a post on Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung participating in an online chat with the public. The primeminister took on questions on topics such as press freedom, the Vietnam War and government seizure of farmers’ land for development.”
Kuwait: Richard III Returns to Life
A new Arabic version of Richard III is being staged by a Kuwaiti troupe at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from 8 – 17 February 2007, says Kuwait blogger Mama Fusla. Set in the contemporary Arab world, this production of Richard III unfolds within the hothouse, feudal atmosphere of desert palaces...
Kuwait: Men Scared of Strong Women
Kuwaiti blogger Desert Girl tells us how men are afraid of her because of her strong personality, her sense of loss at the death of Anna Nicole Smith and her favourite holiday – Valentine.
Lebanon: Know Thy Neighbour
Lebanese blogger Ms Levantine gives us a brief outline of the history of Shia in Lebanon here.
Lebanon: We Want the Truth
Lebanese blogger EDB wants to know the truth and is calling for an international tribunal to “try the drug dealers who supplied Anna Nicole (Smith) with a lethal overdose.”
Lebanon: Hip Hop and Public Diplomacy
Want to learn more about the relationship between hip hop and public diplomacy? Read what Lebanese blogger Abu Aardvark has to say about it here.
Thailand: Thaksin in Australia
Macam Macam says former Thai prime minister Thaksin may be looking to make Sydney his new home.
Syria: Passport Renewal Not Fun
Syrian blogger Bassam shares his experiences in renewing his passport. “Although I was offered to have an intelligence agent go with me to make things go “smooth”, but being stubborn and adventurous I figured I’d do it by myself,” he writes.
Syria: The Difference between Saudi Arabia and Iran
Syrian blogger Mustafa Hamido briefly sums up the similarities and differences between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Russia: Subway Lezginka
A month ago, YouTube user KABARDINEC (‘a Kabardian‘) posted three rather odd videos of two inspired young men dancing Lezginka at a subway station (here and here) and inside a train car (here), presumably in Moscow. Lezginka's origins are said to be in the ethnically diverse Republic of Dagestan, but...
Armenia: Election Blogging
The Center for Regional Development/Transparency International Armenia Election Monitor 2007 blog announces plans to spur election blogging in Armenia.
Kazakhstan: Products of a Workshop
A workshop on blogging took place in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan last weekend, and Leila Tanayeva summarizes the posts the participants wrote at neweurasia.
Kazakhstan: Profile of a Silversmith
News From The Caravan profiles Serzhan Bashirov, a Kazakh silversmith who is currently in the United States to exhibit his work.
Turkmenistan: Continuing Transition
Though Turkmenistan voted yesterday, Sean Roberts says that the transition is far from finished and he outlines some of the problems facing the president.
Central Asia: Microfinance
The Private Sector Development Blog reports on Central Asia's dynamic microfinance industry.
Ukraine: Utility Bills to Double
Kyiv's mayor will not profit as much as he must have been expecting, reports Ukrainiana: “Kyivites’ utility bills will double, the Kyiv City Council ruled Thursday, overturning the 340 percent hike championed by Mayor Chernovetsky.”
Ukraine: Street Children
Scenes from the Sidewalk writes about Ukraine's approximately 200,000 street children: how they become what they are and where they live.
