Stories from 30 July 2008
Italy: A National Registry for Roma People?
Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's new right wing Cabinet recently launched plans to carry out a national registration of all Roma people in Italy, including fingerprints of all children. Italy is home to an estimated 150,000 Roma and Sinti people (often referred to as Gypsies). The ensuing, heated public debate over whether this measure amounts to racial discrimination is overflowing in the online space of Italy and beyond.
Serbia: More on Belgrade Rally
Eric Gordy of East Ethnia writes about yesterday's pro-Karadzic rally in Belgrade: “Meanwhile the only element of the meeting that made news was the violent confrontation between skinheads and police, who this time around did not have orders to let the hooligans destroy anything they wanted.”
Ukraine: EU and NATO
Vitaliy of The 8th Circle writes about a debate on one of the blogs about the role Ukraine should play in the EU and NATO.
No to Kuwait's New Internet Law
Kuwaiti bloggers are angry at a proposed new Internet Law, which they claim would make their days as free bloggers numbered, after Attorney General Hamad Al Othman announced that a new law dealing with Internet crimes will be issued soon. Abdullatif Al Omar takes a closer look at the Kuwaiti blogosphere and their reactions to the impending law.
Moldova, Ukraine: Floods
A Fistful of Euros writes about “huge floods across southeastern Europe” and the lack of reliable information in English from this region.
Russia: Prostitution To Be Legalised?
LJ user mbpolyakov discusses (RUS) proposals and rising support for legalising prostitution in Russia.
Lithuania: President Abstains from Attending Olympics
Lituanica reports that the Lithuanian president, Valdas Adamkus, has decided not to attend the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing.
Russia: An Expat Exodus?
Copydude follows up on an earlier story, on increasing difficulties for foreigners to stay on in Russia, and partly supports his claim with statistics, and Russia Blog picks up and develops the story.
Russia: Military Service Exchanged for Construction Work?
LJ user dragspapa reports (RUS) about a proposal that young people should be able to do construction work as an alternative to military service.
Belarus: Failed States Index
Belaruskaya palityka LJ community recounts (RUS) this year's Foreign Policy Failed States Index and notes that Belarus ends up on 53rd place out of 60.
Russia: 30 July in History
De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis accounts for a few examples on what has happened on the 30th of July in Russian history.
China: All shook up by the torch relay
It's a double-edged Olympic torch. Veteran sports journalist Guan Jun shares a short sketch on his Beijing Olympics blog of how disruptive preparations for the torch relay proved to be for those living alongside the road chosen for the relay route.
Russia: Evictions in Sochi for 2014 Winter Olympics
Grigory Pasko at Robert Amsterdam addresses the problems local population in Sochi are experiencing as plans and building for the 2014 Winter Olympics go ahead.
Ukraine: Protests Against Image as a “Brothel of Europe”
The Turkish Invasion writes about a demonstration in Kiev, staged by a women's student organisation, in protest against the widespread image of Ukraine as a “brothel-state and bridebasket of Europe.”
Russia: Calls for Reinstating Regional Elections
LJ user Aleksandr Gnezdilov notes (RUS) that an increasing number of Russian politicians call for the return of regional elections in Russia, abolished after the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis.
Saudi Arabia: On the move…or not
The journey, not the arrival matters? Two bloggers from Jeddah would disagree. They have both been having problems getting from one place to another: one in Jeddah itself and the other back to Saudi Arabia from Canada.
Syria: Forgotten Prisoners and Real Heros
An Egyptian prisoner is still being held in an Israeli jail, according to reports being posted by bloggers, in the aftermath of the Prisoner swap between Israel and Hezbollah. Razan Ghazzawi reflects on what the Syrian bloggers had to say about this and the exchange of prisoners in general.
Libya: Beautiful Oasis
Libya holds number one and six of the world's seven most beautiful oases on a website, reports Anglo Libyan. Check out the post to see the pictures.
South Africa: Introducing Carbon Tax
Carbon tax on the cards in South Africa, “The National Treasury is investigating the introduction of a tax on carbon-dioxide emissions as part of South Africa’s voluntary commitment to climate change mitigation – government speak for…”
Barbados: What happened to I'Akobi Tacuma Maloney?
After a young Rastafari man died during a suspicious encounter with Barbados police, Rastafari activists and other Barbadian bloggers used online resources to ask hard questions and campaign for justice.
Turkey is Typing….Bomb Blasts in Istanbul
While the city of Istanbul enjoyed itself with a Metallica concert, the party died down with the news of a bombing in the Istanbul neighborhood of Güngören, leaving at least 17 people dead and over 150 people injured. Reactions to the news in the Turkish blogosphere were slow, but between speculation as to who is behind the attacks and protests against terrorism, one thing has become quite clear....this hasn't been the first time, and it sure won't be the last.
