Stories from 7 February 2010
Oman: Tweeps Meet Shashi Tharoor
Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Dr Shashi Tharoor is to have a meeting with the Twitter community of Oman on February 5.
Syria: Technology Wars
Over the past year Google and Apple grew apart from allies to fierce competitors, climaxing with Google's release of Nexus One, the smart phone that is touted as the only real threat to Apple's iPhone. And the Syrian blogosphere joined in the bloggers war.
Brazil: Protest Against the Government's Disregard For Flood
Maria Frô calls on bloggers and middle-class population [pt] of São Paulo to join her on February 8th to protest against the disregard of the city's mayor and state government for the flood striking the city. She says “it is a big chance for you to show true solidarity and...
Opposition Mounts over Tanzania and Zambia Ivory Proposals to CITES
Opposition is mounting against Zambia's and Tanzania's proposals to be allowed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to sell their government held ivory stockpiles.
Philippines: Cabinet member sues blogger
Blogger Ella Ganda from the Philippines wrote in October that relief goods intended for typhoon victims are being hoarded in a government warehouse. Three months later, she was charged with libel by a government minister. Police want to know her real name. The local blogosphere reacts.
Tajikistan: Justice or prosecution of the press
Alpharabius reports on a lawsuit by three Tajik Supreme Court judges against three independent newspapers, and interviews a judge of the Tajikistan’s Supreme Court on this and other matters.
Kyrgyzstan: Podcast about youth and activism
Nuraika talks about advantages and achievements of active youth with Antonio Henriques, one of 20 top-managers in AIESEC who has been visiting Kyrgyzstan lately.
Kazakhstan: OSCE Chair on a Trip to U.S.
Vicki reports on a visit of Kazakh Secretary of State and Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev to the United States on the wings of Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the OSCE. Some videos of his appearences attached.
Afghanistan: How Karzai outsmarted the diplomats
Nick Fielding reviews a report on President Karzai's re-election in Afghanistan, which notes that the US diplomats underestimated his grip on the political machine in Kabul.
Afghanistan: Why so optimistic?
Joshua Foust criticizes General McChrystal, a top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, who offered a hint of optimism on the situation in this country by declaring it is no longer “deteriorating”.
Syria: Youth Rally in Support of Syrian Air
The US is imposing a series of trade and financial sanctions which are affecting the daily lives of Syrian citizens in several areas. Syrian youth use the Internet to protest the grounding of Syrian Air's fleet, thanks to the ban on buying new commercial jets or even spare parts.
Ukraine: Campaign Ads; “Final Rallies”
Ukrainiana takes readers on a video tour “through inter-election Kyiv” – and to the “final rallies” of the two presidential candidates, which took place on Feb. 5 “just a block away from each other.”
Ukraine: Waiting for the Election
Greetings From Kyiv talks to a local friend on the possible outcome of the Feb. 7 presidential election.
Russia: St. Petersburg Tourist Tax
St Petersblurb writes about the harm that the new tourist tax proposed by St. Petersburg government would do to the city.
Stalin on Facebook
Blue, Black and White Alert writes about Joseph Stalin's presence on Facebook.
