Stories from 3 May 2008
Russia: “Putinisms”
Scraps of Moscow writes about “Putinisms” (and “Bushisms”).
Russia: Visa Problems for British Fans
White Sun of the Desert writes about Russian visa problems for British football fans planning to attend the Champions League final in Moscow on May 21 – here and here.
Egypt: No Freedom of Speech for Journalists
“Egypt has a funny way of celebrating May 3, World Press Freedom Day. Last year it marked the occasion by sentencing Al-Jazeera journalist Huwaida Taha to six months in prison for a documentary she made about torture in Egypt. This year press freedom watchdogs fear it will mark the occasion...
Qatar: Jailed AL Jazeera Cameraman Free
“Our colleague Sami Al Hajj, who was detained in Guantanamo for more than six years has been released. His plane has just landed in Khartoum airport. Like many others, Sami Al Hajj was never charged. His only crime was practicing journalism and telling the stories of the voiceless in Afghanistan...
Qatar: Sami Al Hajj Free
Qatar Living reports the realise of Qatar-based Al Jazeera cameraman Sami Al Hajj, who has been held at Guantanamo Bay for six years without charges.
Jordan: Gearing Up for Strike
Jordan is gearing up for a strike on May 4, according to bloggers. Just like in Egypt, the message to strike was posted on Facebook, and later picked up by blogs, in protest against increasing prices and calling for better living conditions.
Iran: Inflation and Untouchable Tomatoes
The Iranian government has often denied the existence of inflation, even suggesting it is an invention of foreigners and the media. However, in recent months inflation has risen stronger and faster than ever in Iran. It is partly due to the rise in food prices on the international market, but...
Armenia: Balloon Festival
A new blog from Armenia, Lifelines, posts photographs of the first ever balloon festival held in the country. The blog says that the event was a resounding success and enjoyed by all.
Macau: Wild cheers as the Olympic Torch is paraded
Unlike in other countries on the route, the Olympic Torch met only with smiles today in Macau, its last leg before Mainland China. Runners have already finished carrying the torch through the city with not a single disruption from protesters. On the contrary, it was greatly cheered by flag-waving spectators who could barely contain their excitement as the flame toured the former Portuguese colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1999.
Bahrain: Lebanese singer causes political storm
Earlier this week the provocative Lebanese singer Haifa Wehbe performed in Bahrain, but not before Bahrain's MPs protested and tried to ban her concert.
Bangladesh: Bangla Blogs remember May Day
This week, the Bangla blog world buzzed with essays and analysis regarding May 1st, remembered the world over as International Workers’ Day or Labor Day. There was disappointment amongst many of the bloggers who felt that the day, over time, had perhaps lost its true meaning and was seen as...
Brunei's blog of the year
Turquoise and Roses congratulates Brunei's blog of the year: Kurapak & Crew
No more telegraph service in Thailand
Thailand has discontinued use of its telegraph service. Newley Purnell says this reflects “things slipping into extinction.”
Lao opens historic Vietnam War cave
A vast cave city used during the Vietnam War was opened to the public in northern Laos
Indonesia: History revision
Greenstump writes that teaching of history in Indonesia could at best be called perverse, especially if it deals with East Timor
Vietnam: Wasteful public spending
International experts completed a report showing that the Vietnamese government is often investing public money for non-economic reasons.
Slum village in Cambodia
Carnation, an NGO worker, describes a slum area which she visited in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Zimbabwe: Harare International Festival of the Arts
Natasha writes about Poetry Café in Harare, Zimbabwe: “At the HIVOS Poetry Café on May Day poetry lovers were fed with combinations of humor, political satire and protest music and poetry.”
Armenia: Decriminalization of Drug Use
Unzipped: Gay Armenia comments on news that drug use might be decriminalized in Armenia. The blog welcomes the proposed amendment to the criminal code albeit with some reservations.
Turkmenistan: The pride of Turkmenistan
Maciula tells readers about Akhal Teke horses and their role in history of Turkmen nation.
Central Asia: U.S. State Department on the State of Relations with Central Asia
Patrick Frost reports that U.S. Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Pamela Spratlen recently made diplomatic visits to Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, outlining the ongoing relations with Central Asia.
