Stories from 20 June 2008
Cuba: Europe to Lift Sanctions
The Cuban Triangle takes note of the European Union's decision to lift sanctions imposed in 2003, while Ninety Miles Away….in another country quotes Oswaldo Yañez to provide a “frame of reference” for this development.
Trinidad & Tobago: Watching (out for) Whales
Life from a caffeine hyped point of view takes issue with some of the justifications being made for the resumption of commercial whaling—and recalls the day she found herself “holding a whale” off the southeastern coast of Trinidad.
China: Is the West afraid of our patriotism?
Are there factors informing your perception of China circa 2008? Novelist-blogger and researcher of worldly affairs Yang Hengjun moves on from ‘How did America cover up the truth of the bombing of our embassy in Yugoslavia?’ to his post last week, ‘Are Western countries afraid of the Chinese people's patriotic...
India: Quitting
zigzackly survives a heart attack, and now details his plan to quit smoking.
India: Marrying an NRI
Heartcrossings on the diminishing value of the once prized trophy – a Non Resident Indian groom.
Pakistan: Slasher Flick
CHUP! on the first Pakistani slasher flick – Zibahkhana.
Bangladesh: Working in Bahrain
A discussion on the state of Bangladeshi workers in Bahrain at Unheard Voices.
China and U.S: Why Block Chinese Direct Investment
DANWEI posts an article by Pete Sweeney questioning the U.S government's policy in blocking Chinese direct investment.
China: Right to Entertainment
Ran Yun-fei from my1510 points out that earthquake victims need entertainment to restore their lives, others shouldn't be too harsh to judge them [zh].
Hong Kong: Internet Service Fee Scandal
Ibrahim from Outblaze blogs about the recent internet service fee scandal in Hong Kong. The extremely high bill (HK$14,000) is due to policy on the by the “byte” extra charge on Internet access.
Japan and China: East Sea Deal
Sun Bin blogs about the details of the East Sea oil field deal between Japanese and Chinese government.
Japan: Greenpeace Members Arrested
Martin J Frid from Kurashi blogs about the arrest of two Greenpeace members in Japan. The arrest is related to the whale meat scandal.
South Korea: Sentiment Behind Anti Beef Protest
Korea Beat looked into the sentiment of protesters in the anti-U.S beef demonstration by some protest statistics. Ask a Korean pointed out earlier that the leaders and participants of demonstrations are different in their attitude towards U.S.
Kazakhstan: Astana’s Pyramid
Adam posts a picture of the notorious Pyramid of Peace, whose project was developed by the project by Sir Norman Foster, in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan: Sputnik lost
Lena B-va reports that the first and the only Kazakh satellite, which was launched last year with a great PR and pompous celebrations, is out of control due to a computer glitch and is likely to be lost.
Kyrgyzstan: Visa Issue
Elena publishes a list of countries which don’t need to get the visa to visit Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan: Ahead of Olympiad
Elena reports that there will be 20 Kyrgyz sportsmen in Beijing at Olympic Games 2008.
Afghanistan: Brokenness of a Different Sort
Joshua Foust reports on an incendiary new report on the abuse of detainees in U.S. custody at overseas facilities like Bagram air base in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: Displaced Families Face Lethal Circumstances
The Rumi reports that the problem of displaced families who currently live in camping in a desert nearby Mazar-I-Sharif city was discussed on the special meeting of Afghanistan Human Right Commission, Balkh Provincial Enlightenment Movement and civil rights activists.
Paraguay: First Week Back Home
Muna Annahas reflects on her first week back in Paraguay and notes that the famous Hotel Guaraní in Asuncion has now reopened its doors after many years of abandonment. She also visits a local hospital and acts to help the patients in need.
Ecuador: Twitter Updates of Qualifying Game
The recent World Cup qualifying game between Colombia and Ecuador was covered by the newspaper HOY through the use of live twitter updates writes Christian Espinosa of Cobertura Digital [es].
