Stories about Governance from May, 2008
Malawi's Ex-President Under House Arrest
Following recent reports of alleged coup plotters, police picked up and put Malawi's former president Bakili Muluzi under house arrest. Lilongwe-based Journalist Bright Sonani gives eyewitness accounts as events unfolded at Kamuzu International Aiport in Lilongwe where Muluzi was picked as he arrived from a trip from the UK.
South Korea: Disrespect for Police
Korea Beat translates a local newspapers article which explains the phenomenon of disrespect for the police in South Korea.
Iran:No Permission for 100 books to get published
Khabgard,an Iranian blogger, says[Fa] that according to a publisher there are more than 100 books waiting for long time to get Iranian government's permission to get published.The blogger calls it a new record for Iranian State!
Syria: Stalling Reform
Syrian blogger Jassas [Ar] blames Syria's ruling elite of stalling development and reform in his country.
Malaysia: Blogs and websites under investigation
Nobody and The Bolehland reported that 22 websites and blogs have been investigated by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission “for airing false, pornographic and baseless allegations.”
Lebanon: A deal is reached in Doha
“Beirut – Lebanon is where the action will be after a deal was reached yesterday to end the political crises in Lebanon. Finally Lebanon this week will have a president and the tent city will disappear … hurray …what a break …The Lebanese will never forget Qatar,” reports tearsforlebanon in...
Israel: Making Peace from the Ground Up
“They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more,” says the Bible. Prof. Alon Tal of Ben-Gurion University and Dr. Muhammad Said Al-Hmaida of Bir Zeit University have taken matters into their...
Ukraine: Tymoshenko's Politics
Foreign Notes writes about PM Yulia Tymoshenko's defeat in the Kyiv election, her meeting with PM Vladimir Putin, and the future of her cabinet.
Ukraine: News Roundup
An update on oil, inflation and other Ukrainian issues – at Orange Ukraine.
Ukraine: Pre-Election Kyiv
Five installments of pre-election Kyiv photos, video and commentary – at Ukrainiana: here, here, here, here, and here.
Pakistan: Food and the Government
Whisk on the disconnect in Pakistan between the looming food crisis and the actions of the government.
Bangladesh: On Devolution
Mukti on the benefits of adopting devolution in Bangladesh.
Bermuda: Debate Shut-Down
As the Bermudian Premier shuts down a Parliamentary debate because of accusations of dishonesty by the Opposition, Vexed Bermoothes says: “By shouting down every question or request for accountability as an accusation of racism or unfairness, the PLP is proving just how immature Bermuda’s democracy is.”
Myanmar: Open and close borders
The Siam Sentinel sums up the inconsistency of Myanmar's attitude in accepting aid: “Burma opens its borders. Burma closes its borders. Burma agrees to allow foreign aid workers to enter its borders. Burma closes those borders again.”
China: International Anthopology Congress Called-off
Angry Chinese Blogger reports on the calling off of the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences Congress at Yunnan University, Kunming City, from 15 July to 23 July.
Iran: Persian Gulf,Protest and Repression
Jamshidi writes [Fa]that several hundreds Iranians on Friday gathered in front of the United Arab Emirates embassy in Tehran again and protested against renaming of the Persain Gulf by several Arab states. The blogger has published several photos of this demonstration and got surprised when security forces repressed a peaceful...
China: Q&A with Premier Wen
An increasing number of questions are being asked as China continues to mourn for the massive number of lives lost in the earthquake in Sichuan earlier this month. Veteran news figure Rose Luqiu has posted her recent questions to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on her blog along with his answers, in full.
Palestine: Mass Exodus from Gaza?
“50,000 Arabs have left Gaza since last June,” writes Carl in Jerusalem. “In April, I reported that some 80% of Gaza residents want to leave, but this is the first time that the ‘Palestinian Authority’ admits it.” Bethlehem Conference organizer Hassan Abu Libdeh commented: “There is a Palestinian brain drain...
Indonesia: 100th year of of “Kebangkitan Nasional”
q-harukichi is not so optimistic as Indonesia celebrates the 100th year of “Kebangkitan Nasional” which initiated Indonesia's journey to independence.
Bangladesh: A visit to Vietnam
An author from Unheard Voices visits Vietnam and is impressed with the progress made in the country, which has a lot in common with Bangladesh.
Iran: 10 Christians were arrested
Schrr reports[Fa] that 10 Iranian Christians were arrested in Shiraz today. It seems all of them are Ex-Muslims and they can face death penalty.
