Stories about Governance from October, 2008
U.S.: Ivanov for Obama
Massachusetts-based Eugene Ivanov of Ivanov's Report explains why he is voting for Barack Obama.
Ukraine: Update on the Economy and Politics
Leopolis explains in detail the current economic and political situation in Ukraine: “The stakes are high: Ukraine's economic health, its image for international investors, and a risk of default. Just as the Ukrainian stock market has seen 75% of its value wiped away, the current political crisis may undo every...
Serbia: Courageous Mothers
Belgraded contributes an article on what it's like to be a mother in Serbia to the Women's International Perspective, becoming “one of the rare men blogging there.” Showcased in the article is a Serbian blog called Majka Hrabrost (“Mother Courage”), whose author, Krugolina, blogs (SRP) about childbirth issues and has...
Ukraine: MPs Are Fighting, Hryvnia Is Sinking
Ukrainiana reports that while Ukrainian legislators are busy fighting, “the asking price for the U.S. dollar reached Hr. 7.0942, up from Hr. 6 last Friday” – and up from Hr. 4.7 in mid-September.
Nepal: The troubled republic
Maila Baje at Nepali Notebook discusses on the internal rifts between the purists and the pragmatists within the Maoist government.
Recession hits Singapore
Singapore is a major financial center in the world. It is also one of the richest countries in Asia. Unfortunately, it is not immune to the economic aftershocks caused by the Wall Street crash and the global financial crisis. Singapore’s economy is down today, the first Asian country to be hit by a recession.
Ukraine: Sex Workers and the Police
A discussion of the treatment of Ukrainian sex workers by law enforcement officials – at Natalia Antonova's blog and Kiev Ukraine News Blog.
Maldives: A new president after 30 years
Mohamed “Anni” Nasheed has won the run-off poll against the incumbent president of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who has served the country since 1978. Mujey’s Blog has called to embrace this example of democracy where president Gayoom accepted defeat and congratulated Nasheed before the official results were announced.
Trinidad & Tobago: Not Adding Up
“Last month the record 2008-9 budget of nearly TT$50 billion was based on an assumed oil price of $75 a barrel. At the time, the price was well above that. A month later, it’s below $64. So even the richest economy in the Caribbean either has to make some serious...
Pakistan: A 6.4 magnitude quake hits Balochistan
Let Us Build Pakistan reports that a 6.4 magnitude earthquake rattled the Balochistan province in southwestern Pakistan today. More than 100 people have been killed and scores of people are still trapped under the rubbles. The government was quick to declare compensation for the families of the quake victims.
Malaysia: Press freedom ranking
Screenshots writes about the low ranking of Malaysia in Reporters Without Borders’ Press Freedom Index.
Thailand will ban websites that attack monarchy
Thailand plans to ban websites that attack or defame its monarchy.
Russia: “Help Svetlana Bakhmina” Petition
As of now, 71,250 people have signed an online petition appealing to the Russian president to pardon Svetlana Bakhmina, a former senior lawyer for Mikhail Khodorkovsky's oil company Yukos, who was arrested in December 2004 and sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison for embezzlement and tax evasion in April 2006.
Obama Presidency is better for Pakistan
Yasser Latif Hamdani at Pak Tea House argues that Obama Presidency is better for Pakistan.
Japan: Hospital system in crisis, but how can it be fixed?
Gurikenblog takes up the story of a pregnant mother who was turned away by seven hospitals in Tokyo and eventually died of a brain hemorrhage, writing that the basic problem with the hospital system in Japan is that there is a lack of basic resources [ja]. “Certainly talk of suddenly...
Russia: Parking in Moscow
Pictures of Moscow isn't happy about the way they park in Russia's capital.
Russia: Migrant Workers and the Crisis
Moscow Through Brown Eyes writes about migrant workers in Russia and the economic crisis.
Russia: Kaliningrad's Real and “Fake” Estate
Copydude writes about and posts pictures of Kaliningrad's and Svetlogorsk's real estate – and “fake estate.”
Guatemala: Heavy Rains and Flooding Affecting the Poorest Communities
The past month has been very difficult for many Guatemalans because of heavy rains caused by tropical storms. Floods and storms affect many communities, but the impact is higher in communities below the poverty line. These communities are often isolated from services or shelters, like the small villages in Peten, Quiché and Zacapa. Bloggers and organizations have provided more information on the environmental disaster.
China: Rumors and Authorities
ESWN translated an article from Southern Metropolis Daily on the relation between the spreading of rumors and the lack of trust on the authorities.
Southeast Asia: Impact of Financial Crisis
What are the views of several Southeast Asian bloggers about the global financial crisis? First, an authoritative voice: Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. He points out the double standard of the US government in solving economic problems: “We cannot forget how, in 1997-98, American hedge funds destroyed the economies...