Stories from 15 May 2008
Russia: Roses and Migrant Workers
Russian photographer Oleg Klimov visited a commercial greenhouse outside Moscow and posted his observations about a birthplace of the roses one buys in Russia's capital.
Syria: Call to Release Jailed Relatives in Saudi Arabia
Or Does it Explode reports on a protest in Damascus, Syria, calling for the release of their relatives, who are imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. According to the blog, Saudi Arabia has sentenced to death at least 28 Syrians for drug possession and jailed hundreds more.
Egypt: Stock Market Decline
Egyptian blogger Hossam el Hamalawy reports that the Egyptian stock market continues to decline
Jordan: Underwater Cemetery
Jordanian blogger Lulu, who lives in the US, draws our attention to an underwater cemetery, which sea lovers can choose to be buried in.
China: Seismologist Claims Sichuan Earthquake Was Predicted
Li Shihui, a researcher of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, exposed in his blog that the Sichuan earthquake was predicted at an earlier time. In spite of the various rumors of earthquake omens, Li's specialty and systematic statement have helped him gain many people's confidence, even after his controversial articles are deleted by the network administrator.
Jordan: Queen Rania Reads Blogs
Jordanian Ahmed Humeid is excited Queen Rania of Jordan has mentioned a number of websites related to citizen journalism in a recent newspaper interview.
Ukraine: “Yulia's Bloc Blocks President for Blocking Yulia”
Orange Ukraine posts a Ukrainian politics roundup with this telling title: “Yulia's Bloc Blocks President for Blocking Yulia.”
Lebanon: Warlords and not Leaders
Lebanese blogger Maze, who lives in Kuwait, asks: Will peace ever prevail in Lebanon? He appeals to his countrymen: “wake up ..don't let those sick minds who are in power influence you…yes we are governed by sick leaders..leaders who care for their personal interests and how to make fortunes from...
Palestine: Expression of Nakba
Window into Palestine announces the winners of the Expression of Nakba (catastrophe) online gallery.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Alexandros Lykourezos
Srebrenica Genocide Blog writes about Alexandros Lykourezos, Ratko Mladic and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
Ukraine: Update on Political Crisis
An update on yet another political crisis in Ukraine – at Foreign Notes.
Serbia: Future Coalition
A skit on the prospects of coalition-building in Serbia – at Anegdote.
Russia: “Siberian Language”
Window on Eurasia writes about “Siberian language.”
Notes From Berkman@10 Conference
At the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Berkman Center for Internet and Society, attendees and special guests discussed “The Future of the Internet,” and its political dimensions and its affect on the global community. In addition, during the opening remarks there was an announcement that the Berkman Center will become a university-wide research center. GV author Renata Avila is attending the celebration and provides these notes.
Russia: CIS Affairs Agency
Window on Eurasia writes on PM Putin's newly-created Federal Agency for CIS Affairs.
Palestine: Sixty Years of Al Nakba
Celebrations are under way to mark Israel's 60th anniversary - but for millions of Palestinians whose grandparents and parents were made refugees in the process, today marks Al Nakba - a day they were forced to flee their lands or were forcefully expelled from their homes as the State of Israel was born. Following is a cross-section of reactions from Arab bloggers.
Lebanon: “Revolverism”
“Firing weapons in the air is a local custom rooted in tradition and history and nurtured by more than a century of frivolity and inter-communal love,” states Ms. Tee, while posting a 99-year-old report written by the British Consul General in Beirut at the time.
Lebanon: Back from the Abyss??
While the situation in Lebanon remains uncertain, Lebanese bloggers keep writing about their fears, pain and disappointment. Of course, there is new hope: a deal brokered by the Arab League to end the strikes which have brought Lebanon to the brink of second civil war is being finalized. But all signs point to a deal made on terms highly favorable to Hezbollah, which, according one blogger, means a return to peace is an “illusion.” Here is a small selection of what some of those who write in French have to say.
India: Food Prices and Bush
Rethinking Developmental Economics on the food price crisis around the world, George Bush's remarks and the factors that are pushing the cost of food up.
Sri Lanka: Responsibility and Burma
ICT4Peace on the idea of international responsibility and citizen-centered disaster response in the context of the humanitarian crisis in Burma.
Sri Lanka: Cricket purists
The new Twenty-20 format of cricket has received a mixed reception. Emphemeral Ruminations writes an open letter to the cricket purists.
