Stories from 23 April 2007
Russia: Reactions to Boris Yeltsin's Death
Boris Yeltsin, Russia's first president, died today in Moscow. There is an avalanche of responses to his death in the Russian blogosphere, ranging from “rest in peace” to “be damned.” Below is a tiny selection (RUS) from the blog of LJ user dolboeb (Anton Nossik): aristo_big: Ten years ago, this...
Panama: Effects on Food from Free-Trade Agreement
The Boquete Guide does not think that the major consequence of the new Free-Trade Agreement with the US will be lower safety standards from import food, but rather the higher food costs for Panamanians and increased unemployment of local farmers.
Colombia: Al Gore's Snub
President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia has been attracting a lot of criticism for his alleged ties with paramilitary forces in his country. Because of these unclear links, former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore officially dropped out of an environmental conference where Uribe would be in attendance. The Colombia Herald writes about...
Bolivia: Restrictions on the Import of Used Clothing
Beginning on April 21, the Bolivian government placed restrictions on the import of used clothing. After an agreement was reached with this sector, the deadline soon passed much to the pleasure of national companies that produce new clothing. Mario Duran of Palabras Libres [ES] speculates that the deadline will not...
Afghanistan: Taliban Electioneering in France
Safrang reports on the Taliban's efforts to influence the outcome of France's presidential election.
Kyrgyzstan: Pandora's Box
Beau Gordinier reports on the government's dispersal of protesters demanding the president's resignation in Kyrgyzstan, and discusses what comes next in Kyrgyz politics.
El Salvador: Poet of the Revolution, Roque Dalton
Tim Muth of Tim's El Salvador Blog introduces us to Salvadoran poet, Roque Dalton, who devoted his life to the overthrow of the ruling oligarchy. In addition to links to essays about this literary intellectual, Muth's article summarizes the events that led to his eventual death at the hands of...
Armenia: Prosperous Armenia Rally
Onnik Krikorian reports on a Prosperous Armenia political rally in Yerevan's Arabkir district that featured the talents of pop stars.
Mexico: What's the Reason for the Stable Exchange Rate?
Boz notices that the currency exchange of Mexico peso to the US dollar has remained stable during the past two years at a rate of 11 to 1. He wonders whether this is an unofficial policy set by the Central bank or if there is some other explanation.
Afghanistan: Media Under Pressure
Afghan Lord discusses the live broadcast beating and arrest of three reporters at a television station by police under orders from Afghanistan's Attorney General, saying that such abuses of power by officials is a threat to media freedom in Afghanistan.
Bolivia: Interview With El Alto Blogger Mario Duran
The city of El Alto is not known for blogging. For starters, internet access is scarce and expensive, while citizens seem to have different priorities. Many who do have internet access have yet to discover the value of expressing themselves via blogs. Mario Duran is a blogger that wants to set out to change all that. In this recent interview, he discusses his entry to the Bolivian blogosphere and his plans to reach out to others.
D.R. of Congo: post by park ranger blogger picked up by Voice of America
A blog post by a Congolese ranger about a fellow park ranger who escaped from a rebel group is picked up by Voice of America: “From the post on Tuesday about Jean Marie’s escape from the rebel leader 106, Samantha Newport from the WildlifeDirect team saw the story and wrote...
Malaysia: Taiwanese Girls
Cheeserland is visiting Taiwan with her friends and she can't stop admiring Taiwanese girls. “But really, I can’t help but admire Taiwanese girl’s fashion sense. They put on the right amount of make-up, wear the “big eye” lenses, have their lashes extended and their hair styled to a flawless perfection....
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh: 1857
chapati mystery on the 1857 Mutiny (or the First War for Independence) and how historians choose to interpret it. “Colonial historiography on the Rebellion quickly cemented around John Kaye’s immense three volume A History of the Sepoy War in India, 1857-1858 (1868) which portrayed the Rebellion as the mutiny of...
India: Life, kids and drudgery
The Mad Momma on tailoring life to suit the kids. “Someday they will hear some other mother say that she was bored at home with her children and that it was drudgery.. and my children might wonder if I felt the same about them. I know I would hate to...
Pakistan: Panjpeer Rockies
An Islooite's day out at Metroblogging Islamabad. “I was surprised this Sunday to find one of the best kept secrets of Islooite outback. I have never seen such rock formations and hills made of of huge sandstone boulders stretching for miles. And I named them the “Panjpeer Rockies””
Nepal: On Bloggers and Citizen Journalism
Kathmandu Speaks on BLOGBAN. “But questions do arise about the real motif behind the formation of any formal association. Although I’m also on the favour of a formal organization, Ghanshyamji (Ojha) had very legitimate concerns about the future of BLOGAN’s working committee members. Yes, I agree that when money comes,...
Bangladesh: Political Crisis
Voice of Bangladeshi Bloggers on the political games in the country. “The election reform could bring the political reform, rather the military backed government chose to plunge itself in political in fight. The question remains unanswered when we ask who will benefit from this political crisis. Obviously, it does not...
Cambodia: Surviving Street Food
Phnomenon has a “rough guide to surviving (Cambodian) street food“
Cambodia: Fish Sauce Used to Punish Reporter
Vutha writes about a Cambodian official who splashed fish sauce on a reporter. The official was unhappy with the reporter for publishing a humiliating story about him.
Jordan: Al Jazeera Interview Confiscated
Iraqi blogger Lady Bird claims that Jordanian authorities confiscated a tape containing an interview with Jordan's Prince Hassan from Al Jazeera‘s offices because of worries of the comments he made regarding his country's relations with Jordan. “This is one of the reasons that Al-Jazeera is special, other Arab media shall...
