Stories from 1 April 2008
Hungary: Political Crisis and Economy
Hungary Economy Watch writes about the current political crisis in Hungary: “What is very clear, however, is that the economic backdrop to all this is simply not going to go away, whatever decisions are eventually taken on the political front. […] And since it is the economic backdrop which is...
Hungary: Fidesz Party is 20
Eva Balogh of Hungarian Spectrum writes about the 20th anniversary of Fidesz, Hungary's largest opposition party.
Saudi Arabia: Electronic Games – The Good, the Bad, and the Overlooked
The newly-founded Saudi Information Technology Club, a non-profit organization established by young, Saudi IT enthusiasts and situated in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom between the cities of Dammam and Khobar, held a unique initiative which targeted the largely-overlooked subject of the effects of electronic gaming on youth. Fahad Albutairi reports from the session and brings up to date with the gaming scene in Saudi Arabia, where the average Saudi gamer spends an average of $400 annually on new video games.
Jordan: Congrats Wikipedia
From Jordan, Roba Al Assi congratulates Wikipedia on its 10 millionth article and says: “The truth is, Wikipedia changed my life. Here’s to another 10 million articles.”
Qatar: Twittering Downing Street
From Qatar, Mohamed Nanabhay stumbles upon a Downing Street Twitter message board, posts a question and gets a response too.
Hungary: Coalition Crisis
Eva Balogh of Hungarian Spectrum reports on the coalition crisis brewing in the Hungarian government after prime minister announced his decision to dismiss the health minister.
Ukraine: Kyiv Protest Photos
LJ user eagle_x posts photos from Kyiv (UKR), where a few hundred people protested on the day of George W. Bush's visit.
Central & Eastern Europe: Thoughts on Geopolitics and Identity
Greek-Macedonian name dispute inspires Amman-based Reflect Upon… to reflect on identity, geography and geopolitics.
Venezuela: A Month for Farewells – Part I
Even though two of Venezuela's prominent artists passed away in late 2007 and in early 2008, the month of March was a time when many gathered to pay tribute to Aldemaro Romero and Adriano González León. This is the first in a two-part series that takes a look at how Venezuelan bloggers honored the legacy of these two artists.
Jamaica: Racial Stereotypes
Ragashanti, a popular talk show host, invited listeners to weigh in on the topic of Indians in Jamaica – and the barrage of racist slurs by callers has caused an outcry. Blogger Annie Paul‘s take on all this is “that in the haste to censor if not prosecute Raga…the important...
Armenia: Environmental Exhibition
Life Around Me reports that an environmental exhibition that will run until 20 April has opened in the Armenian capital. Become the Voice of Voiceless aims to raise awareness of some of the main environmental problems facing Armenia.
Azerbaijan: Weak Regime Index
Social Science in the Caucasus comments on the latest Brookings Index of State Weakness which ranks 141 countries according to their weakness as states. The blog examines why Azerbaijan is considered the weakest of the three South Caucasus republics.
What more must Zimbabweans do?
Zimbabweans voted last week to elect their President and Members of Parliament. The official results are coming in at a frustratingly slow pace. These are the latest voices from bloggers on the ground about the elections.
Indonesia threatens to block YouTube over “Fitna” the movie
Indonesia is threatening to block Youtube unless the video-sharing web site removes the 15 minutes anti-Muslim film “Fitna” made by the Dutch MP Geert Wilders, the leader of the anti-immigration Freedom Party (PVV).
Jordan: There's More to the Arab Blogosphere
“I came across an article that discusses blogging in the Arab world. It is conveniently titled ‘Blogging in the Arab World’ and yet it only discusses the Egyptian blogosphere as if it is the only active, significant, prominent blogging scene in the region. Hello? The Arab world is made up...
Bahrain: April Fool's?
Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al Yousif invites readers to share April Fool's Day jokes they fell for.
India: Shashi Tharoor's India
Excursions into the mundane and the revealing… on Shashi Tharoor's refrain on India.
Pakistan: A new cabinet
Changing Up Pakistan on a new cabinet being sworn in.
Pakistan: April Fool at Metroblogging Karachi?
All Things Pakistan points to a notice on Metroblogging Karachi announcing its closure – and wonders if it's an April Fool spin.
Bangladesh: Climate Change
Unheard Voices on the launch of a new website on climate change, a crucial issue especially given Bangladesh's vulnerability.
Korea and Japan: Korea's Role in WWII
Ampontan referred to a Korean newspapers article titled Were Koreans Oppressors in the War, or its Victims? and carried on the discussion about politics and history writing.
