Stories from 3 November 2007
Russia: Bloggers’ Perspectives on Xenophobia
Wherever you click in the Russian blogosphere these days, you always seem to end up reading posts on nationalism, ethnicity, xenophobia, ethnic violence and other related subjects. In October, apart from discussing the famous DNA scientist's race comments and the U.S. president's DNA comments, Russian bloggers dealt with at least two xenophobic attacks - one that took place in Spain, and the other one domestic.
Armenia: Bonaparte's Return
The Armenian Libertarian-Socialist Movement discusses the return of the first president of Armenia, Levon Ter Petrosian, and his nomination for next year's presidential election. The self-proclaimed anarchist site questions whether the former leader represents an alternative to the present authorities although counters several criticisms made of Ter Petrosian's rule.
Armenia: Traffic Hell
Ex patria says that while there were relatively few cars on the roads of the Armenian capital a year and a half ago, the situation has now dramatically changed. Combined with alleged corruption ahead of next year's presidential election resulting in multiple construction works to make the situation even worse,...
State of Emergency in Pakistan
Earlier today President Musharaff of Pakistan declared a state of emergency and bloggers have been busy trying to get a handle of the latest political developments in Pakistan. Benazir Bhutto, who left for Dubai is reportedly back in Pakistan. President Musharraf is expected to address the nation sometime soon. (It...
Pakistan: Emergency Declared – No News, No Internet.
President Musharraf has declared a state of emergency in Pakistan. According to news sources, among other things this means “The Fundamental Rights of the citizens are now suspended. All the news channels have been taken off air and mobile phone signals and Internet connections jammed.”. A thriving discussion at All...
Korea: Punishments at school
What is the best education? A series of recent incidents in Korean schools reflects the difficulty of striking a balance between the demands of teachers, students and parents. Teachers’ qualifications are always an important issue when school scandals emerge. 선생님들 체벌을 하세요 폭력을 휘두르지 마시고 최근 선생님들과 관련된 정말 씁쓸한...
Armenia: Open Letter
Following on from an Open Letter to the Armenian Diaspora by Turkish writer and blogger Mustafa Akyol on the subject of the Armenian Genocide, Raffi K at Life in Armenia responds in kind with his own addressed to Turks. Believing that the events of 1915-17 were Genocide, the blogger writes...
Caucasus: Coming Out
Unzipped: Gay Armenia details and analyzes recent examples from Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia of gay men “coming out” about their sexual orientation, as well as cases of others “outing” rivals in entertainment and politics.
Singapore: Developing Venture Capital in Singapore
Bernard Leong proposes a model to develop Venture capital in Singapore that takes some inputs from the Israeli model.
Myanmar: Internet Down Again
The Internet link to outside of Myanmar is down again.
Indonesia: Why is Indonesia Better
Parvita, from a point of view of a young Indonesian professional, talks about why she doesn't want to leave Indonesia to work in a foreign country.
Philippines: Artists Cry Censorship Over Altered Mural
The National Press Club commissioned an artist's collective to paint a mural for the club. The Press Club later altered the contents of the mural without consulting the artists. The artists and their supporters are considering this an act of censorship and taking their anger online.
Tajikistan: Travelogue Impressions
There is interesting story of an American woman who travels around Tajikistan and writes a travelogue. It seems like she is not really happy with the service in this country but she loves to talk to people and know about their life and traditions. In two days she had so...
Tajikistan: Arts and Culture
This week Firuz at Tajik-Tajik blog neweurasia shared the story of a handicraftsman from Istravshan (northern Tajikistan) who was involved in leather working since childhood and for almost 60 years. He inherited this skill from his father and his father from his father. This tradition is inherited from father to...
Tajikistan: Corruption and Energy
Perhaps the main discussion on the Tajik blogosphere this week was caused by the reports that the head of the new State Financial and Corruption Control Agency, Sherhon Salimov, only earns $300 USD a month, and that the salaries of others who work in this agency are even lower. This...
Uzbekistan: Outdated Agriculture
Joshua Foust reports that Uzbekistan’s embassy in London has angrily denounced the stories that children are being used (or forced) to pick cotton, and says that the legacy of authoritarianism – inefficiency, environmental disaster, and the abuse of the innocent – seriously hampers the country's development.
Afghanistan: Updates on Fightings
Afghanistan Watch informs that coalition forces continue to fight on two fronts this week against Taliban offensives in both Kandahar and Farah provinces of Afghanistan.
Syria: End Repression Call
“End Repression of human rights activists!” cries out Golaniya, a blogger from Syria.
Philippines: Pardoning Estrada
Allecoallende says pardoning former president Estrada “does not win for Macapagal-Arroyo more supporters, but it does ensure that more Filipinos will be fed up and disgusted with her government’s hypocrisy”
Turkey: No Electrcity and Water
Idil Jans, from Turkey, writes about electricity cuts and water shortages in this post.
Turkey: Republic's 84th Anniversary
Turkey celebrated its 84th Republic Day and Metroblogging Istanbul shows us aspects of the celebration in this post.
