Stories about Governance from July, 2007
Across the Panamanian Blogosphere
There is plenty on the mind of the Panamanian blogosphere, with topics ranging from the fate of former leader Manuel Noriega to a delicious tree tomato. Melissa De Leòn Douglass covers these broad topics in this blog round-up from Panama.
Latvia: U.S. Visa Humiliation
Latvian Abroad writes about the humiliating experience of obtaining a U.S. entry visa.
Russia: Nashi's Expelled Member Talks
Sean's Russia Blog translates a former insider's look at the pro-Putin Nashi youth movement.
China: Environmental evaluation
Is criticism of China's environmental protection polices racist? Dan Harris at China Law Blog chips in on a very wide discussion on that very question.
China: Eighty years of liberation
August first marks the eightieth anniversary of the founding of China's People's Liberation Army and Chinese media news blog Danwei correspondent takes a look at how several Beijing newspapers covered a performance held to commemorate the day, also known as Bayi (8-1) Military day, also the anniversary of the Nanchang...
Japan: A Historic Election Defeat
The overwhelming defeat of the Liberal Democratic Party in Japan's upper house elections on Sunday, historic in its scale, brought about a drastic shift in the Japanese political landscape and sent a clear message to prime minister Abe Shinzo and his government. While media across the world analyze political fallout of the political shift, bloggers are echoing the message and demanding change.
Barbados: A Time for Answers?
“We have six people dead and, if the talk is true, more than a few others who are barely holding on.” In the wake of the island's tragic bus crash, Barbados Free Press writes, “Barbados deserves answers and the truth, but for now let’s mourn and pray…”
Iraq: WE WOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!
Iraq's national football team won the Asian Cup, an event which brought joy to Iraqis at home and around the world. Sufferings, death, sectarian divisions and repercussions against Iraqis celebrating abroad were also captured in the reactions rounded up by Salam Adil from the Iraqi blogosphere.
Ukraine: Phosphorus Train Derailment
A discussion of the July 16 derailment of the train carrying 15 tanks of liquid white phosphorus – over at Ukrainiana.
China: Chen Liangyu booted from Party
First Shanghai party chief Chen Liangyu was removed from his post last September (post blocked in China) following a corruption probe into misuse of Shanghai social security funds, and this week he was kicked out of the Communist Party. “Support for Chen’s punishment has dominated online comments, and many netizens...
Philippines: Anti-Terror Law takes effect
Five months after it was passed by Congress, the anti-terrorism law known as the Human Security Act took effect more than a week ago. The government describes the law as the centerpiece legislation that would deter terrorist activities in the country. However, the Opposition is worried that the law might be used to quell legitimate dissent.
Morocco: The Intellectual Capabilities of Sheep
With temperatures reaching 45 degrees and hardly any big news, what on earth are Moroccan bloggers talking about? Well, for one - sheep!
Japan: Protester nearly killed at Henoko Bay
An activist protesting environmental surveys currently being conducted in Henoko Bay (Okinawa) in preparation for the construction of a new military base was reportedly nearly killed when government-contracted divers attacked him. While the Defense Facilities Administration Agency (DFAA) denies the incident, the activist himself, pastor Taira Natsume, released a statement...
Bangladesh: The threat of floods and current politics
A flood on its way Like many places in the world it has been raining incessantly in many parts of Bangladesh for a number of days. The rain water had waterlogged many places. Back to Bangladesh posts some pictures of some parts of the waterlogged Dhaka. He wonders whether there...
Iraq: Goooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaal !!!!!
... or Kicking off at the Iraqi Blogodrome. It's a football special today. With Iraq through to the finals of the Asian Cup bloggers are alight with comment on the national team. And there's more, read about how one Iraqi blogger has had enough of blogging; how to survive a trip through Baghdad International Airport; what it is like to have the Iraqi army move in next door; Why Iraqi oil is so critical to the world and much,much more. And, if you read to the end, why one blogger got banned from YouTube. Today's side quotes are from Iraqi poet and blogger April Girl.
Barbados, Jamaica: Let's Talk About Voting
With elections facing the nation possibly as early as October, Barbados Free Press wants to stimulate discussion on the voting process, while Living in Barbados says, “Spending a few days in Jamaica right now is interesting” as the island gears up for elections on August 27.
Trinidad & Tobago: WICB and Digicel
West Indies Cricket Blog is “desperately trying to refrain from thinking the worst thoughts” about the West Indies Cricket Board‘s “hastily extended and now contentious” sponsorship contract with a mobile service provider.
Bahrain: Housing Crisis
Bahraini emoodz writes about his country's mounting housing crisis here.
American Blogger in the land of “Down with USA”
View from Iran has always been a very attractive blog for me. An American blogger based in Iran writes about her daily experiences in the land of “down with America”. Tori Egherman, the American blogger, has now left Iran. She and her husband have just published a book of photos...
Turkey Makes The Right Choice
Abdurahman believes that Turkey made the right choice by electing the AK Party. He writes that the “election was widely followed in the Middle East” and that “in the last few years, in every fair election, an Islamic-leaning party won or were denied a clear victory. Hamas in Palestine, Muslim...
Chile: A Controversial Agreement with Microsoft
An agreement signed between the Chilean Ministry of Economy and Microsoft has stunned many Chileans. Microsoft will now have exclusive access to provide services through the Chilean government, and which will make automatic Microsoft users out of ordinary citizens. Some have stated that this agreement was not reached through a public bidding process, and there had not been an opportunity to explore open software alternatives.
