Stories from 14 April 2009
Georgia: Concerns emerge over opposition protests
As the opposition blocks off main roads in Tbilisi, some bloggers and other online commentators are starting to question the tactics employed by protesters in the Georgian capital. Nevertheless, most are thankful that the protests have not resulted in major clashes.
Ukraine, Russia: Local Women, Western Men
“Why Ukrainian women go for Western men” and vice versa – at IZO.
Russia: Attack on Lev Ponomarev
Very belatedly, links to posts on the attack on human rights activist Lev Ponomarev, at Robert Amsterdam's Blog – here, here, and here.
Russia: Failed DDoS Attack
Profy writes about a misguided DDoS attack carried out by opponents of a Russian reality show, who “did not bother to check who exactly their attack will target” and hit a Dutch-owned logistics company instead of a Russian TV channel site.
Ukraine: “New Safe Confinement” for Chernobyl
Chernobyl and Eastern Europe posts “a short video showing the design of the New Safe Confinement structure that is designed to cover the original Sarcophagus and remains of Reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant”: “Work on the New Safe Confinement is still considered to be on schedule.”
Poland: Discount Tickets for Foreign Kids
Travels Without My Spaniel wishes it was possible for foreigners to buy their kids discounted train tickets in Poland.
Russia, Ukraine: Education in Russian/Ukrainian
Window on Eurasia writes about “a Russian activist [who] has written President Dmitry Medvedev asking that the Kremlin help Russian regions provide assistance to Russian-language schools in Ukraine.”
Cuba, U.S.A.: Extending an Olive Branch?
The Obama administration yesterday announced some key changes to U.S. policy designed to "reach out to the Cuban people in support of their desire to freely determine their country’s future." While the policy shift allows for a lift on travel and remittance restrictions and paves the way for greater telecommunications links with the island, some bloggers are concerned that the measure has not gone far enough...
Qatar, Dubai: Responding To British Media “Bashing”
In recent weeks reports in the British media about the Gulf states of Qatar, and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, have provoked debate amongst bloggers in both places.
Egypt: Industrial Tweeting
Industrial Tweeting is coming to Egypt, notes Arabawy, who posts a photograph of textile “Ghazl el-Mahalla labor leader Kamal el-Fayoumi experimenting with Twitter…”
Egypt: Twitterfeed Tutorial
Egyptian blogger IRC President posts a video tutorial on the use of Twitterfeed on YouTube.
Sri Lanka: On Allegations By The Diaspora
The Blacklight Arrow comments: “the diaspora, organized and spurred by LTTE front organizations, chants its mantra of concentration camps and Sri Lankan government genocide of the Tamils, ignoring the fact that it is the LTTE, and not the government, that is holding the Wanni Tamils in these inhuman conditions.”
Azerbaijan: Turkish music banned?
Following reported progress towards normalized ties between Yerevan and Ankara, In Mutatione Fortitudo comments on unverified pro-government news reports and blog posts in Armenia which quote questionable sources alleging that Turkish music has been banned on Azerbaijani TV and radio. The blog, based in Baku, says that nothing could be...
India: Geographical Mashup on Election
MapmyIndia is a public service website to help voters in India make an informed choice on issues that matter to them during the forthcoming parliamentary elections. Navigating easily from the digital map the voters can view extensive location based data on constituencies and analyze information on parties, candidates and their...
Pakistan: Clamp On SMS Services
Jazba's blog reports that the Pakistan government is considering to suspend sms services in Pakistan to prevent the terrorists, who uses sms to execute their attacks. At present 70% of the population in the country are using mobile phones and many of them use sms messaging.
Bangladesh: Celebrating Bangla New Year
ASM Rahat Khan posts pictures of the Pahela Boishakh (Bangla New Year) celebrations and comments [bn]: “after seeing all these colors who will say that Bangladesh is a land of struggles and have nots.”
Brazil: Indian writers and poets on the blogosphere
Literature and poetry are the core subjects of this second article of a trilogy shining light on the Indian blogosphere in Brazil. The subject is controversial, with many claiming that the idea of an indigenous literature is imported from Western traditions. However, there are Indians in Brazil who call themselves poets and writers – and bloggers.
Americas: The 5th Summit Gets Underway
The Fifth Summit of the Americas, to be held in Port of Spain, the capital city of the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, from April 17-20, 2009, is already capturing intense regional and international interest. Regional bloggers weigh in.
Algeria: Bouteflika Takes On Third Term
On Friday, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was elected for a third term in office, extending his already ten-year tenure. Along with former Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem, Bouteflika changed the constitution to remove the presidential term limit, a revision that was approved by the Council of Ministers in November 2008. According...
Western Sahara: Landmine Injures Five During Peaceful Protest
Last week, Saharawis and Spaniards stood together in solidarity against the berm (”Wall of Shame”) built between Morocco and the Western Sahara, over which Morocco claims sovereignty. The protest, dubbed the International March against the Wall of Shame, resulted in an unconfirmed number of Saharawis injured by landmines. Jillian York shares the story.
Celebrity Power in Indian Elections
In India movie stars and filmmakers wield enormous influence. The involvement of entertainers from Bollywood (or the Hindi film industry) based in Mumbai and the Tamil and Telugu film industry have registered a significant spike in the campaigns for the upcoming election in India. Read how the Film industry celebrities of India are influencing the election campaigns.
